Chapter 210
The healer? Varian frowned. “I didn’t know they even knew each other.”
“Neither did 1.” The bitter taste in my mouth intensified. “But apparently they’re close enough that she’s having him pick her up, sharing private jokes, blushing when he talks to her.”
Varian let a few moments of silence pass. “So what are you going to do now?”
I straightened in my seat, decision crystallizing. First, deal with Selene. Every time I see her, I’m reminded of my mistakes. Being with her was never about love.”
“You’re breaking up with her?” Varian asked carefully.
“Varian, tomorrow morning release an announcement.”
“What kind of announcement?”
“To the entire pack, stating that Alpha Tristan has ended his relationship with his girlfriend Selene. They are no longer together.”
Varian nodded slowly. “I’ll have someone handle it on the pack social media platforms.”
“Arrange a mansion for her valued at over five million. And give her a five percent profit share in Wolfbane Enterprises. The words came out clipped and businesslike, as if I were discussing any corporate decision.
Varian’s head snapped toward me. “That’s extremely generous compensation.”
“It’s what I owe her.” I stared straight ahead. “She did save my life once, and I’ve strung her along for years. This way, she leaves with dignity, and we avoid any negative press that could affect the pack.”
Varian processed this for a moment. “And what about Lysandra?”
My jaw clenched. “I don’t know.” The admission cost me. “I fucked up so badly, for so long. I’m not sure there’s a way back from that.”
“You could try telling her-”
“I did.” I cut him off sharply. “I told her I knew the truth about Vivian’s manipulation. That I knew she hadn’t lied about the prophecy.”
“And?”
“She doesn’t care anymore.”
We fell silent for the remainder of the drive, the only sound the quiet hum of the engine. My mind wouldn’t stop replaying fragments of our confrontation on the bridge–her coldness when I’d tried to apologize, the way she’d felt in my arms when we’d fallen, that brief I’d thought she might kiss me.
I’d never imagined I could lose her completely. Even during our years apart, some part of me had clung to the belief that she still felt something for me, even if it was just hatred. Now I faced the possibility that she felt nothing at all.
ent when
The atmosphere at Moon Sanctuary was tense when we arrived. One of the Gammas met us at the door, his expression carefully neutral.
“Alpha, your parents have been asking for you. They’re with Miss Darkwood in the main sitting room.”
I nodded curtly and headed in that direction, Varian following close behind. As we approached, i heard muffled sobbing. The sight that greeted
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me as I entered the room stopped me cold.
Selene sat on the couch, her head resting on my mother’s shoulder. Her face was blotchy from crying, eyes red–rimmed and swollen. My father stood nearby, his expression troubled.
“What’s going on?” I asked, scanning the room.
Selene’s head snapped up at the sound of my voice. She leapt to her feet and rushed toward me, grabbing my arm with frantic intensity.
“Tristan! I wasn’t going to tell you everything, but I can’t hide it anymore!”
I stepped back, trying to create some distance between us. “Tell me what?”
“I remember more details about that night!” Her fingers dug into my sleeve. “I remember what those werewolves did to me… after I saved you…” Her voice trembled. “They almost… they almost destroyed me.” Tears streaked down her cheeks.
Guilt washing over me. I’d never known the full extent of what happened that day. After she’d created a diversion for me to escape, I’d managed to run a short distance before collapsing from my injuries.
A patrol had found me unconscious and brought me back to the pack. By the time I woke up days later, the incident had been sanitized for my benefit–I was told only that a brave girl had helped me and that the rogues had been dealt with.
My mother looked at Selene with concern. “She’s been distraught all evening, Tristan.”
“After saving you, I tried to run away, but those werewolves caught me,” Selene continued, words tumbling out. “They… they wanted to… they started tearing my clothes…” Her voice broke.
“Then what happened?” I asked, studying her carefully.
“They nearly raped me,” she whispered. “Then they started breaking my bones. My screams attracted the pack patrol. I was unconscious in the hospital for a week, recovering for a month.”
“And now you suddenly remember?” My father asked, skepticism evident in his tone.
Selene nodded. “Last week, I had a nightmare. I woke up screaming, covered in sweat. But it wasn’t just a nightmare–it was a memory returning. Her eyes took on a distant look. “Suddenly I could see their faces again, feel their hands on me, remember the pain when they…” She trailed off, visibly shaking.
My father cleared his throat. “We know you saved Tristan, Selene, but these new details…”
“What are you implying, Dad?” I turned toward him, irritation flaring. Despite my earlier decision to end things with Selene, I felt a surge of
protectiveness. I did owe her my life.
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“I’m suggesting we verify these claims.” My father’s voice remained steady. “If she was treated in our pack hospital, there shoul‘ he records.”
“The hospital records from nearly twenty years ago?” Selene’s voice took on a hysterical edge. “You think I’m making this up?
My mother glared at my father. “Fenris, this is unnecessary. The girl is already traumatized enough without having to prove herself.”
My father turned to me, his expression grave./Son, you need to consider all possibilities here. The timing of these new ‘memories‘ is suspicious at best.”
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the tension build in my temples.
“Tristan!” my father’s tone sharpened. “Call our pack doctor. Ask if a girl named Selene was admitted to the pack hospital that day. If so, send us all information about her.”
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I’m not fabricating anything, Tristan. You know what I sacrificed for you.” Her eyes, wide and glistening with tears, locked onto mine.
As I looked at her, an unbidden image of Lysandra flashed through my mind–specifically, the scar on her right arm. I’d never paid much attention to Selene’s scar, assuming it was proof of her heroism. Now I found myself mentally comparing the placement, the shape…
I turned to Varian, who was already pulling out his phone. “Contact Dr. Rylan.”
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