The ride back home was quiet. Kyle hadn't spoken a word after ending the training session, and Selene had been too lost in her own head to break the silence.
Liam's glare in the backseat burned holes into the rearview mirror, but Kyle didn't flinch.
When they finally pulled up in front of the small house, Kyle simply said, "Next week. Same time." Then, without another glance, he drove off, leaving Selene standing there with Liam's frustration radiating off him like heat.
The moment they stepped inside, Liam rounded on her. "What did he mean?" he demanded, his young face twisted with confusion and anger. "When he said that thing about the victim and the villain. Why does he talk like that to you? Why do you let him?"
Selene sighed, leaning against the door and rubbing her temples. She could feel the echo of Kyle's gaze still burning in her mind. "Liam, it's not that simple-"
"No, it's exactly that simple!" Liam's voice cracked slightly with emotion. "If he hurts you so much, why don't you just stay away from him?"
Selene's chest tightened. "I don't get hurt around him," she said softly. "It's… complicated. Things between me and Kyle aren't what they seem to you."
Liam crossed his arms, frowning. "Then what is it? Because all I see is him making you feel bad."
She crouched down to his level, brushing a hand over his hair. "There's a lot you don't know about our past. Kyle isn't just some man, Liam. He's our Alpha. He's… different. I know you're worried about me, and the pack being mean towards me but you don't have to protect me from him. Okay?"
Liam's expression softened slightly, though the stubborn clench of his jaw didn't fade. "I just don't want him or anyone hurting you."
Selene smiled faintly and kissed his forehead. "I'll be fine. I promise."
Later, Selene slipped into her room under the pretense of freshening up. Instead, she sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the wall as thoughts of Kyle swirled through her mind.
Why did he have to look at her like that? Why did his words still feel like they carried something more?
As much as he tried to act cold, there was always that flash in his eyes... that heat that made her think he wasn't as detached as he claimed.
"Stop thinking about him," she muttered to herself. But it was useless.
An hour later, she forced herself to focus on something else. She grabbed her bag and headed to the local grocery store. Their supplies were running low, and Liam had been eating like he was already halfway to a wolf's metabolism.
As she browsed the aisles, she mentally counted the dwindling bills in her purse. Her stomach dropped when she realized just how little she had left. Rent. Groceries. Liam's school fees.
Although she managed to save quite a lot moving away from the city back to her hometown, the cheaper expenses still caught up to her small purse.
Then suddenly, a thought came uninvited...
' Would Kyle lend me some money if I asked?' The very idea made her cringe. He'd probably laugh in her face. Or worse, throw another insult her way.
But… she could say it was for Liam, and also, she would pay him back. She wasn't asking for charity. It would just be temporary. This thought stayed in her mind all through her shopping.
When she got back home, she spent the evening trying not to think about it. By the time she went to bed, she'd already made up her mind: tomorrow, she would ask him.
She hated the thought of needing him. But for Liam's sake, she had to put her pride aside.
This was for survival, not out of want but need. She had no choice.
The next morning, Selene woke early to take Liam to the local school where must pack member's kids attended. This was one of the reasons she'd convinced herself with move back to their hometown as Liam's awakening might cause trouble for her if he continued to school in the city.
Of course she'd considered homeschooling him, but, this was just better. Considering she had Kyle in mind back when she made the decision.
The building of the school was modern but close-knit. More so, Selene hadn't expected that it was run by a pack member she hadn't seen in years.
The moment she walked into the office, the principal grinned at her."Selene? Well, well, well. I never thought I'd see the day you'd come back here."
The man was quite the good-looking guy, but his lanky stature left many room for criticism. Besides, there's news he's quite homosexual.
She forced a polite smile. "Good morning, Trevor."
He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "You used to act like you were too good for this town. Look who's back now."
Selene ignored the jab, keeping her tone level. "I'm here to enroll Liam."
Trevor glanced at Liam, then back at her with a knowing smirk. "Fine, fine. Fill out the paperwork. Welcome home, I guess."
After filling the paperwork and all, they left. Liam scowled on the way out. "Why did you let him talk to you like that? I hate people making fun of you."
Selene squeezed his hand. "It doesn't matter, Liam. Some people just like to remind you of who you used to be. I'm not going to let him ruin my day."
But deep down, the bitterness lingered.
After dropping Liam at class, Selene decided to find Kyle.
Her plan was simple: she'd ask him about the money. She'd do it calmly, like a business transaction.
However, when she reached the packhouse, she found his truck gone and no sign of him at home.