Chapter 6: Homecoming

Selena’s eyes were fixed on the passing trees, their silhouettes a blur against the dimming sky.

The road lay out before her, mile after mile carrying her further from the world she knew, from the man she loved. Her heart was heavy as she gripped the seat of the car, tears fighting to fall.

How did things get this worse? When did Nelson become so hard, so uncaring?

The man she married, the man upon whom she'd built her illusions, had turned a stranger who shattered her heart without a bulge.

She still recalled the harsh words echoing in her brain: "You can stay, but I am marrying Sarah. This isn't open to discussion."

Her throat constricted, choking her. She rested her hand on her stomach, a surge of protectiveness sweeping over her.

She was going away for her child, for the life that was growing inside of her, who would never be made into a pawn in Nelson's twisted game.

The car skidded to a halt, jolting Selena out of her daze. Shawn's tone was soft and courteous. "We're here, Luna."

She opened her eyes, the name stinging more than she had anticipated. "Don't... you don't have to call me that," she wheezed, her voice shattering. "I'm not your Luna anymore."

Shawn shifted uneasily in his chair, his eyes burdened by duty and sorrow. "You will always be my Luna, Selena, no matter what."

His words began to erode the walls she had constructed around her heart.

She bit her lip, struggling to keep back the tears that yearned to surface. "Thanks, Shawn. for everything."

She pushed open the door and stepped out into the cool night air, her legs trembling beneath her. The house towered before her, unaltered but somehow foreign.

The front door opened, and in stood Erica Hayden, her mother, with shock and worry painted on her face.

Everything became misty as Selena flung herself at her, years of estrangement forgotten as she hugged her mother's waist.

"Selena!" Erica gasped, holding her daughter so tightly. "My child. What is it? What happened?"

Selena shook her head. She had to talk, she had to tell her everything, but it was as if every word died in her throat.

She clutched her mother's arm, the dam breaking at last as she wailed and bawled endlessly.

Erica's hands stroked over her hair, her voice, a soft whisper in Selena's ears but did nothing to dispel the pain that lay deep inside.

Shawn took quietly her bags, carrying them in as Erica escorted Selena into the house.

Her gaze roamed about, aching for the absence of her dad. "Where's Dad?" she struggled to say, tears clogging her throat.

Erica replied, worry in her eyes, "He's gone for a business trip. He'll be coming back later this evening or tomorrow."

Selena nodded, relief and trepidation washing over her. She wasn't quite prepared to confront her father, to witness the disappointment in his face.

How was she even going to begin?

Erica glanced at Shawn, her expression tempered by thanks. "Would you like to stay for lunch, Shawn? You look like you could do with a break."

Shawn's smile was faint, his eyes flicking to Selena before he shook his head. "No, thank you, ma'am, but I have to return to Snow Mountain Pack. I can't be away for long."

Selena's heart sank at the word of the pack, the life she was leaving behind, the people she had loved.

The man who was supposed to be hers for eternity. Her heart tightened again, but she kept the emotions way down, not willing to lose herself again.

Erica watched Shawn leave, then stepped back and locked the door before turning to Selena. "Come, sit down. You've lost weight."

They were in the living room, but Selena hardly stretched to grab food Erica had left on the table for her. She had no appetite at all, her heart aching with sorrow.

She wished to be tough, to pretend everything was fine, but her mother's compassionate eyes softened her guard.

"What happened, Selena?" Erica asked timidly, her voice trembling. "Why did you come back? Where's Nelson?"

Selena's head spun away, her eyes filling with fresh tears. "Mom... I can't... Can we talk about this later?"

Erica's face hardened into lines of resolve.

"No, you will tell me now. I have not seen my daughter in four years, and now she is standing on my doorstep in pieces. I must know what went wrong."

The unyielding tone in her mother's voice shattered the last shred of Selena's control.

Her shoulders shook as sobs convulsed her body, the pain too much to conceal. "He... he chose her, Mom. He chose another woman over me."

Erica went white, her hands clasped around Selena's as she listened to the entire story. Selena spelled it all out, reliving every painful word, every betrayal.

She spoke of the rejection, the humiliation, the child she carried, and the secret she vowed to keep.

"He doesn't know," Selena gasped, placing her hands on her stomach. "He doesn't deserve to know. This child... this child is mine. I won't let him or that woman take this away from me."

Erica's face burned with indignation, lips compressing into a line. ''He did this to you? After everything you sacrificed for him?"

Her hands shook when she hugged her daughter, her voice choked with sobs. ''Then he'll never find out. You're right, Selena. He chose his path, and he'll have to face it."

Selena's head was buried in her mother's shoulder, exhaustion at last catching up with her. But just as she was drifting off to sleep, the front door slowly began to open.

Both women turned their heads as Richard Hayden walked in, his eyes going wide at the sight.

"Lena?"

The room spun as Selena stood up, her father embracing her with tight arms.

She had dreaded this moment, the fear of his anger, but as he hugged her, she felt how much she had missed him.

"Dad... I... I'm sorry," she wept, her tears soaking his shirt. "I failed. I failed at everything."

Richard's eyes widened in shock. "Failed? What do you mean?"

Selena retreated, her eyes blinded by the tears that flowed down her cheeks. "Nelson and I... we broke up,'' she stuttered. ''He's been cheating on me."

Richard's grip tightened as he wrapped his arms around her to hold her close, his voice rumbling. "No. Never say that. You did nothing wrong. It's that bloody idiot who failed you."

Selena stepped back, her eyes wide with shock. "You're... you're not angry?"

His face softened as he held her face. "Angry? At you? Never. You're my daughter, and nobody gets away with hurting you."

Selena’s heart cracked, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mess. “I... I don’t know what to do.”

Richard’s jaw tightened. “You’re staying here. With us. You’re not going back to that pack, not to that bastard.”

Selena’s gaze dropped to her stomach, the fear creeping back. “He doesn’t know about the baby. I... I don’t want him to.”

"Are you sure you sure about this decision? I mean this child will grow tomorrow and begin asking of his/her father," Richard asked, taken aback by his daughter unwavering decision.

Selena straightened. "My mind is made up, Dad. He showed no regard for it. He's more interested in Sarah."

Richard’s eyes darkened, his anger palpable. “Well, if that's your decision,so be it. We’ll protect you. No matter what.”

Selena’s knees gave out, and she sank into the couch, her father sitting beside her, his arm around her shoulders.

Though she felt safe, but the pain was still there, sharp and unyielding.

Reaching a step up his room, he turned to face Selena again.

"Meanwhile, rest now, tomorrow you'll accompany me to our new business partner," he said.

Selena's gaze darted from her mother back to her father. "A business partner? Who is that?"

Richard sighed as if he knew his daughter's reaction would be. "Gregg Henderson."

"What?!" Selena almost screamed. Her eyes furrowed. "The witch Prince?"