Chapter 2 2

_Selene's POV_

The rain had stopped by the time I reached my room, but the storm inside me raged on. I slammed the door shut and leaned against it. My chest was heaving as tears flowed freely. My clothes were soaked, and my hair clung to my face, but I didn't care. The pain was unbearable.

I slid down to the floor, clutching my knees to my chest. Kade's cold voice echoed in my mind.

"You are not what I need as Luna."

"The Moon Goddess made a mistake."

I buried my face in my arms, the humiliation and heartbreak washing over me again and again. My mate-the one person who was supposed to cherish and protect me-had rejected me in front of the entire pack.

Why wasn't I enough? I asked myself over and over. What did I do wrong?

Lyra stirred in my mind. "You didn't do anything wrong, Selene. This isn't about you."

I shook my head. "Then why did he reject us, Lyra? Why wasn't I good enough for him?"

Lyra let out a low whimper. I don't know. But I do know this-his decision doesn't define us. We're stronger than this.

I wanted to believe her, but the pain was too fresh. "I don't feel strong," I whispered. "I feel broken."

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Selene? It's me," Rachel's voice called out.

I didn't respond, but she didn't need an invitation. The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, closing it behind her. Her face was full of concern as she crossed the room and sat beside me on the floor.

"I figured you would be like this," she said gently. "You have been through hell tonight."

I wiped at my eyes, though the tears kept coming. "I don't know how to face anyone after this, Rachel. They all saw it. They all heard him."

Rachel's expression darkened. "Forget them. They don't matter. What matters is you, Selene. And you didn't deserve what he did to you."

I sniffled. "He chose Aria. She is perfect-beautiful, elegant, everything I'm not."

Rachel's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't do that. Don't compare yourself to her. Aria may look perfect, but you're the one with the heart and the strength. Kade is a fool if he can't see that."

Her words were kind, but they didn't erase the ache in my chest. "What if she is right for him? What if I'm just... not enough?"

Rachel grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at her. "Listen to me, Selene. You are more than enough. Kade rejecting you says more about him than it does about you. He doesn't deserve you, and one day, he is going to realize what he lost."

Her words broke something inside me, and I started to cry again. Rachel pulled me into a hug, stroking my hair as I sobbed into her shoulder.

"I'm here," she said softly. "You're not alone in this."

I clung to her. I was grateful for her presence even as my heart continued to break.

_______

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the night stretched on. My tears had dried, but the pain remained, a heavy weight in my chest.

"He may not see it now, but we are destined for more", Lyra said softly.

"How can you be so sure?" I whispered.

"Because we're stronger than this. And one day, Kade will see the truth. But by then, it will be too late."

Her words stirred something inside me-a spark of defiance. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew one thing: I couldn't let this break me.

"I'll be okay," I said aloud, as much to Lyra as to myself. "I have to be."

The road ahead was uncertain, but I would walk it. One step at a time.

******************************

_Kade's POV_

I paced the length of my office, running a hand through my hair. The room felt suffocating. I could feel the walls closing in on me as Kael, my wolf, snarled in my mind.

"You're an idiot, Kade, he growled. Do you even realize what you have done?"

"I did what I had to do," I said aloud, though the words felt hollow.

You rejected our mate. The one the Moon Goddess chose for us. You betrayed her, Kade."

My jaw tightened. "I did it for the pack. Selene isn't the Luna we need. She is... she is too wild, too impulsive. Aria is a better choice."

Kael's growl deepened. His anger was like a storm in my mind. "You're lying to yourself. You rejected her because you're afraid. Afraid of what she makes you feel."

"I'm not afraid," I snapped. "I made the right decision."

"Then why do you feel like this?"

I didn't have an answer. My chest ached. The bond I had severed left a gaping wound. Selene's scent lingered in my mind-lavender and pine. It was comforting yet intoxicating.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I said gruffly.

The door opened, and Aria stepped inside. She was dressed impeccably. Her golden hair was perfectly styled. Her green eyes were bright with triumph.

"Kade," she said sweetly, her voice like honey. "I thought I would check on you. Tonight must have been... difficult."

I nodded, trying to push away the image of Selene's tear-streaked face. "It's done. That's all that matters."

Aria moved closer and placed a hand on my arm. "You made the right choice. Selene isn't fit to be Luna. She is too... rough around the edges. A Luna needs to be poised, refined. Like me."

Her words struck a nerve, but I didn't respond. She smiled, her fingers tracing small circles on my arm.

"I'll make sure the pack thrives under your leadership, Kade," she continued. "Together, we'll be unstoppable."

Kael growled in my mind. She's not our mate. She never will be.

I ignored him and forced myself to focus on Aria. "Thank you, Aria. I appreciate your support."

Her smile widened, but there was a glint in her eyes that I couldn't quite place. She leaned in closer and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Forget about Selene. She'll fade into the background soon enough."

My stomach churned at her words, but I forced a nod. "Goodnight, Aria."

She hesitated for a moment before stepping back. "Goodnight, Kade. Rest well."

As the door closed behind her, I let out a heavy sigh. Kael was silent. His anger was simmering beneath the surface.

You made a mistake, he said finally. And you're going to regret it.