Chapter 5 It is over

Selene's POV

I returned to the party with a straight face, masking the chaos churning inside me. Alaric's parents were busy entertaining guests, all smiles and laughter. Meanwhile, I sat quietly with a drink in hand-calm on the outside, but silently breaking apart.

My so-called mate was upstairs, tangled up with my best friend.

Perfect.

I sniffed, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. The last thing I needed was someone walking up and asking, "Are you okay?"No.I wasn't.But I couldn't say that.

So, I did what I'd mastered over the years-faked a smile, raised my glass like everything was fine, and tried my best to blend into the celebration like I wasn't seconds away from falling apart.

I couldn't take it anymore.

Excusing myself from the crowd, I stepped away from the main party and headed toward the garden bar tucked at the side of the mansion. The air was cooler here, lit up with soft golden lights strung along the hedges. Laughter echoed from a group of young pack members who were dancing, drinking, living. Like life was perfect.

Must be nice.

I ignored them, went straight for the wine, and poured myself a full glass. Then another. And another. I didn't count-I just drank. My head was spinning, eyes a little unfocused, but the pain in my chest? Still sharp. Still there. My throat burned with every gulp, but it didn't hurt half as much as my heart.

And then-because the universe just loves to screw me-I saw them.

Even through my hazy vision, I spotted them like they were glowing neon: Alaric and Marla, walking side by side, whispering, laughing like nothing ever happened.

My stomach twisted violently. The urge to puke was real.

I scoffed bitterly, wiping the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand and marched toward them, glass in hand.

"Well, well, well," I drawled, loud enough for heads to turn.

Marla froze, her fake smile faltering. "Selene-"

"Don't," I snapped, raising a finger at her with a crooked grin. "Don't you dare. Not tonight."

I let out a sharp laugh, the kind that hurt in the throat. "You're a d*mn snake, Marla. Tell me, how long have you been sucking his d*ck behind my back, huh?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Marla's eyes widened. "Selene, please-"

"Oh shut up!" I cut her off, voice rising. "How long has he been spanking that pathetic little *ss of yours, Marla? Hmm? Was it before or after you came over with cupcakes and pretended to be my sister?"

"What are you saying?" she asked, of course, trying to defend.

Alaric took a step forward, panic painting his face. "Selene, stop this. You're drunk and talking nonsense-"

"Nonsense?" I barked out a laugh. "Nonsense? My own mate is f*ck*ng my best friend and I'm the one talking nonsense?"

I tossed my drink aside and shoved him, hard. "You disgusting b*st*rd."

Before Marla could even flinch, my hand landed on her cheek with a satisfying slap. She gasped, holding her face.

"I'm done with you both," I spat. "Go ahead. Keep screwing each other in the dark like the dirty little rats you are. I don't give a d*mn anymore."

"Mate sh*t? It's over, and you...Marla, we are over. I loathe you both, urgh."

And then-I took one more, long gulp of wine, eyes locked on Alaric as if daring him to speak again. He didn't. He couldn't.

I turned on my heels, but in my drunken, emotional mess, I stumbled-feet slipping beneath me. I braced myself for the fall-

But strong arms caught me.

I gasped, heart thudding against my ribs. His grip was firm, warm... grounding. Slowly, my blurry eyes blinked open.

There he was.

Dark, mesmerizing eyes met mine. A sharp jawline, drenched in moonlight. His scent wrapped around me, rich and intoxicating like sandalwood and smoke. His lips parted slightly, and for a second, the world just... stopped.

Uncle Cassian.

He was holding me. For real. The infamous Cassian I'd only heard about-feared, admired, wondered about.

My lips parted in disbelief. "You..."

He raised a brow, voice low and smooth, like velvet over a blade. "I'm guessing this isn't how you planned to greet me."

Cassian's POV

She crashed into me like a d*mn hurricane-wild, chaotic, and drenched in red wine and heartbreak.

And yet... those eyes.

Those same eyes I hadn't seen in years.

Selene. Selene Alder.

The girl who'd once saved my sorry *ss after a street fight that nearly ended me. I'd bled all over her tiny hands, and she'd patched me up with trembling fingers and this quiet, fierce fire in her eyes. And then she vanished-like a ghost with a beating heart.

And now she was here. In my arms. Again.

Stumbling, angry, smelling like betrayal and broken dreams.

Definitely not how I imagined our reunion.

She looked up at me, dazed, lips parting like she wanted to say more... but didn't. "Thanks," she mumbled, brushing my chest as she straightened herself, clearly embarrassed, clearly tipsy. Her cheeks were flushed, mascara slightly smudged, her dress clinging to her curves like it was made for sin itself.

Then she turned and walked away-staggering slightly, heels clicking against stone, one hand curled into a fist like she was still holding in a storm.

...She doesn't recognize me.

Of course she doesn't. To her, I was just some stranger from a long-forgotten night.

I watched her disappear into the darkness, jaw clenching.

What the hell just happened?

I turned my head slowly, eyes landing on Alaric, who stood frozen like a kid caught stealing cookies. Face scratched. Lip bleeding. Holding his cheek like someone had just slapped the loyalty out of him.

Wait... someone had.

My eyes drifted to the girl beside him-Marla, wasn't it? The so-called best friend. Her makeup was a mess and her expression? Pure guilt.

Well, sh*t.

I looked between them. "You two have a lover's quarrel with your future bride in front of a hundred people?" I asked dryly, eyebrow raised.

Alaric opened his mouth.

I raised a hand. "Don't. I don't want to know."

I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, "And here I thought this visit would be peaceful."

But then I remembered-Selene. That Selene. The one who had haunted the corners of my memories, the one I thought I'd never see again.

Now engaged to my nephew.

Of all the d*mn people in this world.

Nice move, life. Real nice.