Chapter 006

SELENE

The drive home is a blur of thoughts and emotions. By the time I pull up to the pack house, I’ve managed to compose myself. I know Damon will question where I’ve been, and I need to have a believable answer ready.

I take a deep breath before stepping out of the car and walking towards the house. I push open the door and step inside, immediately hearing the murmur of voices from the living room.

"Selene?" Damon’s voice calls out.

I walk into the living room to find Damon and his mother seated on the couch. She looks at me with a smile on her face, her eyes falling on my appearance and her smile faltering slightly. I can see the look of disapproval in her eyes as she takes in my outfit. I’m still in the clothes I wore to meet Rafe, and I know they’re not the sort of attire she approves of.

"Good afternoon, Claudia," I say, forcing a polite smile. I never liked her in my previous life, there was just something odd about her and even now seeing her sitting here, I still don't like her. One would call their mother-in-law their second mother or even mother, but I could never bring myself to call her that and in return, she called me by my name too.

"Good afternoon, Selene," she replies, her tone cool. "Where have you been?"

"I just needed some fresh air. I went for a walk in the park," I say, hoping it sounds convincing. Well to Damon at least, I don't care about her opinion.

Claudia raises an eyebrow. "You went for a walk alone? That’s not like you, Selene. To leave without the guards or at least your driver."

I nod, keeping my expression neutral. "I just needed some time to clear my head."

"Well, you should have let someone know. It's not safe for you to be out alone," she says, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Damon chuckles and stands up, walking over to me. "Mother, Selene can take care of herself," he says, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Besides, she’s back now."

Claudia’s expression softens a bit, but her eyes still hold a trace of disapproval. "When should we be expecting a child from you Selene?" she asks, her tone casual but the question pointed.

I feel my cheeks heat up at her question, and Damon laughs, pulling me closer. "Mother, these things take time," he says, glancing at me with a smile. "We’re not in a rush."

Claudia purses her lips but nods. "Of course. But the pack needs an heir. I know my son is doing the work, you should also put in the work as well Selene. Or don't you want an heir for your pack even if you won't consider giving me a grandchild?"

The words hit me harder than I expected. Memories of my previous life flood back—how Claudia’s constant pressure to have a child drove me into a deep depression over the years. I remember trying everything, hoping and praying to the moon goddess for a baby, and the immense relief and joy I felt when I finally discovered I was pregnant.

But Lyra and Damon had taken that joy away from me with my life. Maybe the moon goddess knew and had delayed the child from coming, I will never know why but now the last thing I want is to carry Damon's child inside me.

I force a smile, though it feels more like a grimace. "The Moon Goddess will bless us with a child when the time is right, Claudia."

Damon chuckles again, sensing the tension. "Mother, my wife is right. These things can't be rushed. Besides, we have plenty of time."

Claudia doesn't look convinced, but she nods slowly. "Very well. But remember, your future depends on it."

What does she mean by that? In the past, I never saw her as a threat, just someone who didn't like me for her son but now I will also have to consider looking into her as well. I can't take any chances now, I can't be too relaxed.

Damon gives me a quick, reassuring squeeze before turning back to his mother. "Mother, I need to speak to Selene in private for a moment."

"Of course," Claudia nods.

He pulls me aside, leading me into the hallway. Once we are alone, his smile fades, and I can see the change in his demeanor. There's a sharpness in his eyes now, a hint of suspicion.

"Where have you been, Selene?" he asks, his voice low and firm.

"I told you, I went to the park to get some fresh air," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

Damon narrows his eyes. I can see the disbelief, his mother was right, it is unlike me to leave alone like that. "And what is that smell on you?" He asks, leaning in closer.

Panic rises in me as I realize what he means. Rafe's scent. He had been so close to me back at the mall, his scent must have rubbed off on me. I scramble for a plausible excuse.

"It must be Lyra's," I lie quickly. "I met her on my way back. She was shopping and stopped to chat." Well, that isn't a lie, I did meet her, but I know this scent on me isn't hers. Even Damon knows this but if he admits to it, won't that mean he has been close to Lyra to tell her scent so well?

"I was even planning on asking her about her new perfume tomorrow when she comes around, I like the fragrance," I add, faking a smile.

Damon studies me for a moment, his gaze intense. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, praying he believes me. He can't catch on now, I need him to be clueless for a bit longer, I need time to execute my plan. To take my revenge on him and Lyra, and protect my pack. Finally, he sighs and rubs the back of his neck.

"Alright," he says, though he doesn't sound entirely convinced. "But be more careful next time. You know how important it is for us to keep up appearances, especially with my mother around."

I nod, relief flooding through me. "I will."

"Next time, take the driver along or at least one of the maids. You are the Luna, you need to be under protection at all times. Okay, my love?" He says, he places his hand on my shoulders pulling me in, and planting a kiss on my forehead.

I force a smile and endure the kiss, feeling a wave of disgust wash over me. "Okay," I whisper, keeping my tone soft.

Damon nods, still holding me close. "Good. Now, I need to talk to my mother privately."

I nod, grateful for the chance to get away. "Sure. Take your time," I tell him before watching him head back into the living room.

As I head upstairs, I pause by Damon's study. A thought crosses my mind, what if I can find something, some evidence that could help me in my quest for revenge? I look both ways to make sure no one is watching and then step inside.

In the past, I always allowed Damon to have his privacy in his study. I didn't see the need to snoop around because I trusted him. But not anymore.

I close the door behind me and move quickly to the desk. My hands tremble slightly as I begin to search through the drawers, looking for anything that might be useful. Papers, documents, anything that could give me an edge.

I find several documents about pack finances, correspondence with other packs, and detailed notes on various meetings. Nothing incriminating so far, but I keep looking. There has to be something here.

As I close the drawer, something catches my eye on the floor next to the desk. A piece of clothing. I pick it up carefully with a pen, holding it up to the light. It’s a pair of women's pants, torn at the side, and clearly not Lyra's style. I know Lyra too well, this isn't something she would wear.

Is Damon seeing another woman apart from Lyra? I curse inwardly, my eyes filling up with tears.

That bastard.

I can feel my heart breaking all over again, the pain of betrayal cutting deep. How many more lies had he told me? How many more secrets was he hiding? The thought that he could be involved with yet another woman fills me with rage and sorrow.