The night had started perfectly. Selene had glowed red as her son, Liam, stood proud before the fire during his first shift ritual while the pack gathered in a wide circle around him. But deep down, a knot of nerves twisted tighter every time she caught sight of Kyle.
And worse, Kyle hadn't spared her a single damn glance.
So she decided to change that!
If he wouldn't come to her, she'd make him.
She waited till it was the after-party, drinking as she greeted the other pack members. Then, she turned towards Kyle's direction, drink in hand and a plan forged. Just as she got near him, she'd faked a wobble in her step, letting out a faint sigh.
"I feel sick," she'd murmured with just enough softness that the Alpha had caught her arm. His grip had been firm, almost too warm against her skin. He hadn't looked at her like a lover. More like… an obligation. It stung. But she'd never been so happy. Finally, she had his attention!
" Thank you, I think I need a rest" Selene had pointed towards the stairs and Kyle had only nodded and led her upstairs, his hand briefly on her back. Selene didn't try to start small talks about how they were old acquaintances. She very well knew Kyle was aware, and it hurt that he acted as though he didn't. But Kyley didn't mind, it would be easier when they were alone later.
Liam had followed. Her sweet, overly protective son. Selene had gritted her teeth, shooing him with a faint smile. "I'll be fine, baby. Just stay downstairs. Go have fun."
To keep her act believable, she'd asked Kyle for a glass of water, knowing it would send him back to her room.
' Back to this very bed.' Selene almost chuckled as she patted the soft mattress gently; she was amused at her own cunning nature.
Selene shifted again, tugging the robe open so it hung loosely off her shoulders. The cool air brushed her skin, raising goose bumps. Her body felt warm and alive, every nerve bracing for the moment the door would open and she'd see him again.
Once again, she imagined the click of the handle, the way his eyes would darken when he saw her waiting, flushed and ready. He'd drop the glass, maybe curse under his breath. He wouldn't even care that her son's ceremony had just ended. He'd only see her, the way he used to when they were young.
Her fingers brushed over her stomach, over the faint scar she always hated. She was older now. Wiser. Harder. But if there was one thing she knew about men like Kyle, it was that they didn't forget. They didn't forgive easily… but they didn't forget, either.
Tonight, she would make him remember.
The knock jolted her upright. Her heart jumped into her throat. She sat up, adjusting the robe so it hung just right — open enough to tease, closed enough to look effortless.
"Come in," she said, her voice low, almost husky.
The door swung open.
And everything inside her went still as Kyle stepped in. However, Selene's excitement turned into a deep frown.
He wasn't alone.
Beside the handsome alpha stood a tall, raven-haired woman who followed him in, leaning on his arm like she belonged there. The glass of water Selene had requested sat in Kyle's hand, but his eyes weren't on Selene's alluring body. They were cold, sharp, cutting straight through her pretense, causing her to quiver and shift her gaze away.
Only to meet the woman's mocking glance. As she looked Selene up and down, she mused at her undone robe and the lingeries scattered on the floor, smirking like she already knew the game.
Selene's stomach dropped.
' What the hell is this bitch doing here?'
"Your water," Kyle said flatly, moving to settle the glass down on the nightstand without looking at her too long. His voice was deep, rough, and completely void of warmth. "Don't choke on it." He further teased.
The other woman let out a quiet, mocking laugh at this, further contributing to Kyle's instigation.
Selene's nails dug into the sheets, heat flooding her face. Embarrassment burned hotter than any lust.
"Who is she?" Selene asked, her voice sharper than she intended.
"None of your concern," Kyle replied, glancing at her for half a second before turning to leave.
The door shut behind them, leaving Selene frozen on the bed, half-naked, most humiliated. For a moment, all she could hear was the thundering of her own heartbeat. Her plan had just gone up in flames, and it stung. No, it burned!
Selene's lips parted still in disbelief and shock. Her humiliation mixed into something sharp, a piercing stab in her heart.
Left confused, disappointed, and embarrassed, she spiraled in her thoughts, wondering if Kyle really just doesn't want anything to do with her.
' He has a woman?' The face of the lady stu k to her mind, remaining a plaguing memory that haunted her throughout the rest of her night.
Selena plunged in bed, feeling sick from her very guts. It wasn't the drink, it was Kyle!
' How could he?' Selene blamed in her reeling thoughts, regardless of the fact that she'd rejected him in the past. She turned and twisted in bed, feeling torn and dejected.
' I did all of this for him and he just wants to ignore me, pretend I mean nothing' Selene was on the verge of tears. She still didn't believe Kyle bore no feelings for her anymore. She refuse to believe it!
' Fine!' she harrumphed, frustrated and unwilling to chase him any further. Selene was done with Kyle!
She grabbed her pillow and hugged it tight, anger embedded on her face as she reeled in her mind over and over again. Her wetness left her even more frustrated than the fact that she was let down and embarrassed by Kyle. Even now, she won't stop being horny and wanting of him.
She hated it!
" Ah!" Selene threw the pillow in her grasp at the wall, subsumed in anger.