Chapter 4 Uncle Cassian

Selene's POV

It was here-the day I had been dreading: Elaina's birthday party. Alaric's mother. My soon-to-be mother-in-law.

She was turning fifty today, and of course, that called for a grand celebration. The house would be glowing, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and guests dressed to impress.

And I?

I stood in front of my mirror, brushing the last coat of gloss on my lips with trembling hands. My reflection stared back-put together, elegant... and yet barely holding it together.

Because after everything I saw yesterday, I had no business attending that party.

Not after catching Alaric-the man I was supposed to marry-wrapped up in my best friend's arms. No, not just arms. His lips were on her neck, his hands on her hips, and every illusion I had built around us shattered right there in that moment.

I froze, my lip gloss forgotten halfway. My eyes dropped to the sink as the weight of it all hit me again.

How long had it been going on?

I scratched the back of my neck and bit into my lower lip, hard.

Was it weeks? Months? Years? Had I really been that blind?

I felt sick. Betrayed. Stupid.

My chest tightened with a sudden, sharp ache.

There was no way-no way-I could go through with this wedding.

I clenched my jaw, my breathing shallow as I tried to keep it together. I wouldn't marry a man who couldn't even pretend to be faithful. Not after what I saw. Not after who he did it with.

Grabbing my purse and some cash, I stepped out of the house and locked the door behind me. Marla wasn't around, and I could bet everything I owned that she was curled up in Alaric's bed this morning-like she belonged there. Like I didn't.

Funny how things change. She used to come over to mine, hyping me up before every party, every event. We were inseparable. And now?

Now she was the reason I could barely look myself in the mirror.

I shook my head, swallowing the bitterness clawing its way up my throat.

I feel so humiliated. So... replaceable.

The world didn't stop for heartbreak though.

I waved down a cab, slid into the backseat, and gave the driver Elaina's address with a tight voice. I leaned my head against the window, my eyes fluttering shut.

If this was a test from the universe... I was seconds away from failing it.

The mansion was already buzzing with guests when I arrived. Laughter echoed from the grand hall, champagne flutes clinked, and the soft hum of classical music floated through the air. The decorations were breathtaking-Elaina never did anything halfway.

I forced a smile as one of the maids opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Miss Selene," she greeted warmly. "Everyone's in the main lounge. Madam Elaina will be delighted to see you."

I nodded politely, giving a slight wave to the other guests who noticed me. I returned every greeting with grace, pretending like my world wasn't currently in shambles.

"Elaina looks so young for fifty," someone whispered behind me. "And Selene... she's glowing!"

If only they knew.

I kept my expression pleasant and walked further in, searching the crowd with a trained eye. Alaric was nowhere to be seen. Odd. He was never one to miss a chance to bask in attention, especially not at his mother's birthday.

I leaned toward a passing relative. "Have you seen Alaric?"

They blinked. "Oh... no, not yet. Maybe he's upstairs?"

I nodded in thanks and turned toward the staircase. My heels echoed softly as I climbed, heart pounding-not from nerves, but from something colder. Sharper.

I made my way to Alaric's room first, hoping-ridiculously-that maybe this was all some misunderstanding. That maybe I would find him alone, looking sorry and ready to explain.

But the room was empty.

Pristine.

Untouched.

My brows furrowed. Weird.

As I stepped back into the hallway, a light laugh floated from down the corridor.

That laugh.

I didn't need to be told. I knew it like I knew my own heartbeat.

Marla.

I froze.

Her voice came clearer now, just behind the slightly cracked door ahead of me. I inched closer, keeping to the wall, heart hammering as I leaned in to listen.

"Why this room?" Marla asked, her voice teasing.

"Because I know Selene," Alaric replied, smug. "She'll definitely check my room first. I don't want her finding me here."

My stomach twisted violently.

I bit down hard on my tongue to keep from gasping. My fists clenched by my sides.

"Why are you even marrying her then?" Marla's voice dropped into a whisper. "You don't love her. You never did."

Silence. Then a sigh.

"It's for the pack. Family arrangements. You know the drill. I've never wanted her."

The words stabbed like knives, carving every ounce of hope from my chest. My breath caught.

Then I heard it-the unmistakable sound of them kissing.

My skin crawled.

I wanted to throw up.

"So," Marla murmured next, "now that Uncle Cassian is back... we should begin our plans with him."

My blood ran cold.

Plans? What plans?

I was about to lean in further when I noticed a maid approaching from down the hall. I quickly moved, slipping away from the door like a shadow and ducking into the next room before she could see me.

I exhaled quietly.

Then froze.

The lights were dim. The scent of cologne-rich, musky, and expensive-wrapped around the air. There was a faint sound of water running.

Someone was in the bathroom.

I could hear it-water splashing softly, steam hissing.

Curiosity nudged me forward.

I tiptoed across the room, eyes darting toward the open bathroom door. Steam billowed out, curling into the air like a secret. And then I saw him-

A man.

Back turned. Broad. Powerful. His skin glistened with water. Tattoos rippled along his shoulder blades and spine: a black wolf with eyes of fire, claw marks across his ribs like some invisible beast had tried to rip him open. A serpent coiled around his right bicep, curling toward a dagger inked down his forearm. The designs were bold, dark, mesmerizing.

His waist-cut with lean muscle-was inked too. Intricate tribal lines that disappeared below the waterline.

My heart stuttered.

I couldn't see his face, not clearly through the mist. But then...

He turned.

Eyes closed, head tilted back as the water ran down his face, jawline sharp enough to wound, lips parted in serene calm.

My breath caught.

My hand flew over my mouth.

It's him.

Cassian.

Uncle Cassian.

He's back.

Even though his eyes were shut, it was like he sensed me there. His brows furrowed slightly, and then-

"Who's there?" he asked, voice low and rough like gravel and silk all at once.

Panic surged through me.

I spun on my heel and darted out of the room, hand still pressed over my mouth, pulse pounding.

Cassian was back.

Marla and Alaric were plotting something with him involved.

And I... I had just walked in on him in the bathtub.

What in the name of moon gods was happening?