Chapter 2: The Pain of Letting Go  

Nelson said the words and headed to the door. 

The sound of the door slamming after him, echoed through the room like a final, resounding note of despair. 

Selena stood rooted in place, staring at the space where Nelson had been just moments before. 

Her chest felt hollow, her hands trembling as her mind replayed his cold words over and over.  

He had never loved her, and he never wanted their union. Now, here she was, an obstacle that needed to be gotten rid of. 

This pang in her heart was real, and though it should be sadness, it wasn't. 

It was anger and betrayal, all mixed into the desperation for answers. 

How could she have allowed this? How could she have given so much to someone who couldn't recognize her worth?

The sound of footsteps returned, and Nelson walked in, his eyes cold as always; ruby-red yet lifeless.  

"What was it you wanted to tell me earlier?" he asked suddenly, without a hint of warmth in his voice.

A harsh, raw laugh was what emerged from her throat. "What does it matter now?" she spat, "Forget it. Nothing I say ever mattered to you anyway."

Nelson shrugged as if her pain meant nothing to him.

Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving her standing there with tears streaming down her face.

Selen slumped into the nearest chair, hugging her stomach as if for protection. 

She shut her eyes tightly, commanding herself to stop crying, but the tears just wouldn't stop.

How could they, when everything she had ever wanted, everything she had worked so hard to preserve, had crumbled in an instant?

She wanted someone. Someone who would listen, someone who would understand. 

Only one person came to mind. 

Selena grasped her phone and dialed the number with shaking fingers.  

It was Dr. Shanice, the only true friend she might confide in. 

"Selena?" Shanice's voice was warm, though laced with concern. "Is everything okay?"  

"No," she whispered, "I need to see you."

"I'm getting ready to head to the hospital," Shanice said hesitantly. "But you can meet me there if it's urgent." 

Selena shook her head, even though Shanice couldn't see her. "No, I need you at your apartment. Please." 

There was a pause, then Shanice replied softly, "I'll be there. Give me fifteen minutes."

Relief washed over Selena, but it was short-lived. She ended the call and leaned back, trying to calm her racing heart. 

A soft knock at the door broke her thoughts. 

Emilia, her young maid, stepped inside, her brows furrowed with concern. "Luna, is everything alright? I saw the Alpha leave… he looked upset."

She made herself meet Emilia's worried gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"Everything's fine, Emilia. Just… pack my things. I'm leaving." 

Emilia's eyes went wide with shock. "Leaving? But… where will you go?" 

Selena shook her head, a sad smile tugging at her lips. "Don't ask questions. Just do as I say."

Emilia was torn, clearly tugged between curiosity and her loyalty. Then she nodded, turning to slip away and do as instructed. 

Selena sat in silence, a whirl of memories and regrets in her head. 

How many times had she looked over Nelson's indifference and told herself that things would get better? 

How much of herself had she given away, and received nothing in return?

The minutes ticked on, and suddenly, a wave of nausea overcame her. 

She pressed a hand against her stomach as her vision started to blur. The world around her seemed to tilt, and she leaned against the wall for support.

She heard voices hollered from afar, the sounds of footsteps closing in on her. 

Selena lifted her gaze and watched as Nelson strolled in through the link door to his study, Caspian, his Beta was standing by his side. 

Sarah hung off Nelson's arm like a lifeline, reminding Selena pointedly of all that she had lost.

His eyes met hers for a second before Nelson looked away, dismissing her as if she didn't exist. Sarah, on the other hand, smirked triumphantly, as if she had won some unsaid battle. 

Caspian was the first to notice that something was amiss. His brow furrowed as he hurried toward her. "My Luna, are you alright?" 

"I'm fine," Selena managed to whisper, though her voice was shaking.

Sarah's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Why are you even talking to her, Caspian? Why addressing her as your Luna? She's not your Luna anymore. She rejected Nelson, remember?" 

Caspian kept his attention away from Sarah and continued to show his concern over Selena. 

He crouched down beside her, his sharp eyes scanning her pale face. "You don't look fine; you're white as a sheet."

“I said I’m fine,” Selena repeated, though the weakness in her body betrayed her words.  

The wave of nausea intensified, spreading through her limbs like wildfire. 

She clutched at the wall for support, her knees threatening to buckle.  

“Selena,” Caspian said firmly, his hand hovering near her shoulder. “You need to sit down.”

Selena opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. Her gaze flicked to Nelson, silently begging for even a flicker of concern. 

But his expression remained cold and indifferent, as if she were nothing more than a passing stranger.

Sarah's voice was laced with ridicule as she clung tighter to Nelson's arm. "I told you, Caspian, she's not worth it. Let her take care of herself." 

Caspian gave Saeah a glare but said nothing. He kept his attention on Selena, who was now noticeably swaying.

“I’m fine,” Selena said again, though her voice was barely a whisper. She tried to step away from the wall, but her legs gave out beneath her.  

Caspian caught her before she hit the ground, his grip firm yet gentle. “You’re not fine,” he muttered. “You’re exhausted, and you’re pushing yourself too hard.”  

Selena tried to protest, but her vision blurred further, and her strength waned. 

She glanced at Nelson one last time, hoping for something, anything that might show he cared.  

But there was nothing. 

His ruby eyes were as cold as ever, his stance rigid as he allowed Sarah to cling to him like a lifeline.  

The last thing Selena saw before everything went completely dark was Caspian’s concerned face and Sarah’s triumphant smile.