Pushing her away

"And don't come crying to me when you realize no one else wants you either.”

Kael knew exactly what he was doing.

“ Come on! Dress up and leave! ”

He growled at Selena as soon as Elena left.

“ But, Kael, we were having so much fun… let's continue a little longer… ”

“ Grab your dress and get out of here! ”

Selena literally ran for her life grabbing her clothes as Kael smashed the entire cupboard with lines of bottles, wrecking his fist and the room.

Rejecting Elena wasn't easy. She was a pure soul. And he loved her way too much to do that. He loved her more than he loved his throne. He would have run away if he could with her and lived a life on a deserted island, away from all the pack responsibility and politics.

But he could not.

Not with his father terminally ill and him being the only child.

It wasn't about his happiness, it was about a lot of innocent lives.

He couldn't risk dragging Elena down along with him.

When he hurt her , a part of him wished she would find someone to heal her from what he did. But another part , the selfish part, wanted her to return.

He wanted to hold her in his arms again.

He didn't expect that he would have to summon her so soon and under such terrible circumstances.

He was happy.

He felt like his soul was back. He was finally breathing. But with her return, came another dread. The dread of losing her forever.

Kael tossed in his chair, the bottle of liquor half empty in his hand.

He chugged it down hoping to catch some sleep before the big event the next day.

It was his mother's birthday and all the other packs were going to come to pay their tribute.

It would be a tough job to arrange everything and see to it's smoothe running especially with the rogue situation at the borders.

He peered out of his window as he caught the sight of Leo standing at the door of the pack house.

He strained his eyes as he saw him waving at someone.

In the distance he saw Elena walking towards him with a smile.

Kael's grip on the bottle tightened as he saw them embracing before walking back inside, together.

His force was enough to shatter the bottle. He started bleeding but he didn't care. There was an open wound in his heart. Nothing could come close to that pain.

***

The next morning dawned with a flurry of activity as preparations for the pack's upcoming ceremony kicked into high gear.

Elena threw herself into the familiar tasks, finding solace in the routine as she tried to push aside the turmoil inside.

Kael was yet to address her formally.

She was yet to take up her official role. But she could definitely make herself useful.

Elena was stringing up some lights when she turned a corner and collided with someone. The impact made her stumble back a few steps.

She looked up to see Selena, looking as surprised and annoyed as she felt.

"Watch where you're going!" Selena snapped, her voice dripping with hostility.

"Maybe you should take your own advice," Elena retorted.

Selena's eyes narrowed as she looked Elena up and down, a smirk playing on her lips as recognition dawned.

"Well, well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence," Selena drawled, her voice laced with thinly veiled hostility. "Elena, isn't it?”

Elena squared her shoulders, refusing to back down in the face of Selena's aggression. She was no longer the same old fragile little girl.

"That's right, Selena. I'm back.”

Selena chuckled, a sound that set Elena's teeth on edge. "Back and causing quite a stir, I hear," she remarked, her gaze sharp and assessing. "Everyone's talking about you."

Elena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm here to support the pack.Unlike you, I used my years to better myself and my skills, " she retorted coolly, meeting Selena's gaze head-on.

Selena's smile turned predatory. "Support or stir up trouble? You always did have a knack for drama."

Selena seductively touched herself as she walked around Elena, “ No matter how many years you put into it, you will never have something that the Goddess blessed me with. It takes more than brains to keep men interested , you see! ”

Elena felt her patience wearing thin, her jaw clenching as she fought to maintain her composure.She wouldn't let the past define her present.

"I don't have time for this, Selena.”

Elena tried to shove her out of the way.

But Selena stepped closer, she clearly wasn't done with her games, "Oh, but I think you do," she said softly, her tone dripping with malice. "You see, I've been waiting for an opportunity like this. You might have Kael's attention now, but don't think for a second that I'll let you steal the spotlight."

Elena's pulse quickened, a surge of anger and unease knotting in her stomach. "What are you talking about, Selena?"

Selena's eyes gleamed with hostility. "You'll see soon enough," she replied cryptically, her voice a dangerous whisper. "Enjoy your stay, as long as it lasts! ”

“ It's my home! I am not going anywhere! ”

Elena didn't have to retort but she did anyway.

Selena's lips curled into a sneer. "Still the same pathetic little girl, I see. You don't belong."

Elena's fists clenched at her sides. "I'm here to…” She stopped herself, “not that it's any of your business.All you know is to sleep around.You can make an excellent breeder in our pack! ”

Selena's eyes flashed with fury. "You bitch!"

Selena's face contorted with fury, and she raised her hand as if to slap Elena, but a pack member walked by, glancing at them curiously. Both women froze, not wanting to draw more attention.

Selena leaned in close, her voice a deadly whisper. "This isn't over. Stay out of my way, or you'll regret it.I will make you eat your words. "

Elena held her ground, her heart pounding but she wasn't going to back down. "I’m not afraid of you, Selena. Do your worst.”