Chapter 2

Selene’s POV

"What did you just say?" My voice trembled with disbelief, barely above a whisper.

I had to have misheard. He couldn’t have said those words. Not Alex, not the man I’d stood by through everything.

But my wolf, silent and shrunken in disgust, confirmed it. He had said it.

“Did I say something wrong? You are useless; a Luna with a disabled wolf isn’t worth the position, and you know it,” he continued.

His words hit like a slap—and the sting lingered, sharp and unforgiving. Natasha stepped in just to make a statement that solidifies his words.

“Don’t make a fuss about it, Selene; he isn’t telling a lie; you are indeed a disabled wolf.”

 “Finally showing your true colors, huh? Natasha, you have no right to say anything here. And you, Alex, calling me a disabled wolf after everything I’ve done for you? After I stood by you when everyone thought you couldn’t lead? I defended you. I took on the hits, even got poisoned and stabbed by assassins, for you!” I wiped my eyes again, but the tears kept coming—relentless, like they had a will of their own.

Natasha gasped theatrically, placing a hand over her chest. “Oh, Selene. Why bring up old grudges? Who knows, perhaps you're the one who hired those assassins; otherwise, why would you keep going on about it? I need to kindly remind you, as your sister, just stop blackmailing our Alpha!”

 “Shut your mouth!” I snapped, fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

 I wanted to lunge at her to make her pay for the lies and venom she spat so easily. But my eyes drifted to Alex—to the man standing silently at her side. The man who was supposed to defend me. He said nothing. He didn’t even flinch.

“You’re just going to let her talk about me like that? You’ve heard every word she said. How evil I am. And you won’t say anything?”

“It meant nothing, Selene. Just wake up; this is pointless,” he frowned and responded nonchalantly.

"Yes, it meant nothing to you because all along you have been shoving your dick into my sister, rather than acknowledging the fact that I was beside you all along!”

That got his attention. His eyes flicked toward me, his brow furrowing. But instead of remorse, I saw irritation.

“Watch your mouth,” he snapped, rubbing his temples as if my words were nothing more than an annoyance.

“Your sister is right,” he continued. “You enjoyed your stay as Luna, because I have provided you with all you ever needed and more. I HAD paid for it, so stop with the tears. Don’t you know how pathetic you are?”

Paid?

The word sliced through me. I felt my knees weaken, but I refused to fall. “You think... You think you could buy everything I’ve done for you? Alex…do you even remember who I was to you? When you were nothing, when the elders doubted you, who stood by you? I did. I did! When you were looked down upon by others, I fought for you. I—”

“Enough!” he roared, closing the distance between us in three quick strides. His hand gripped my jaw, forcing me to look into his cold, unfeeling eyes. “Enough with the reminders. I said I paid you, Selene.”

I felt the tears drop from the corner of my eyes as I stared at his loveless eyes, “When no one liked you—“

A resounding slap landed on my face, sending me crashing to the floor.

“You are just useless,” said Alex.

"Mummy!”

Ella’s voice pierced the room like a beacon, her small frame darting toward me. She dropped to her knees beside me, her tiny hands reaching to cradle my face.

I never wanted her to see the argument between me and her father; I wanted to shield her eyes from this ugliness.

“Ella, please go outside; wait for me; I am coming; you shouldn’t be here." I tried pushing her, but she was resilient and stood beside me in an attempt to lift me up from the floor.

“Mommy, you are crying; why are you crying? Did you fall? Are you hurt?” She asked while she tried to clean my eyes.

I forced a smile, cupping her face. “I’m fine, baby. I just... fell. That’s all.”

“Ella, go outside,” Alex ordered, trying to cover his shame.

“No!” she snapped, wrapping her arms around me protectively. “You’re supposed to help her, Daddy! Why are you just standing there?”

Natasha clicked her tongue and approached, her sugary voice grating. “Ella, darling, your mommy is just clumsy. She needs to be more careful.”

"No, my mother is not clumsy; you are the one who's clumsy!” Ella fired back in anger.

"Ella!” I said quickly, pulling her closer to me. “Baby, don't say that to your aunt; it’s a mistake. I am fine.”

I stood to my feet to make my words more convincing, but she didn't leave me; rather, she clung onto me, making me carry her as she continued cleaning my eyes with her tiny palm.

“Ella, why would you talk to your aunt in that manner? So rude of you? '' Natasha fired back in annoyance, followed by her usual cry for attention.

“Even my niece detests me now... why is Selene so wicked!? What have you done to our pack’s princess? Tell her to hate her aunt?”

I saw Alexander walk up to her, coaxing her as she continued to cry in his arms. He didn't even regard the obvious presence of his daughter; rather, he stared at me with annoyance evident on his face.

“Ella, you’re grounded. Three days for being disrespectful,” he spat before he broke free from Natasha’s hands and grabbed Ella from me.

“Alex!” I shouted, panic rising in my chest. “She’s just a child! She doesn’t understand!”

“That's what you will say because you are the one teaching her how to be rude! And disrespectful just like you!” He fired back and dreadfully pulled her from my hands.

“Daddy, stop! Let me go!” Ella sobbed, her small frame struggling against his grip.

"Alex, please! Please just let her go! You don't have to do this. She's a small girl! She's not that strong, and you know this, Alex, it's her birthday!”

My words fell on deaf ears. He didn't listen to me or his weeping daughter.

“Alex, baby,” Natasha cooed, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you let her go? Let Selene deal with her brat. They both need to learn respect.”

“You mean?” He raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, sister, but I’d say,” she sobbed again. Her words dripped with venom, but her eyes sparkled with triumph. “Put them both in the locking room.”