Marked By The Lycan King, Betrayed By Fate

CHAPTER 9

(Selene’s POV)

"Finally, the news has reached the council members. I expected this."

I let out a deep breath as I read the message from a council member, summoning me to discuss what had happened between Lucian and me.

"Alright. Even though I've never been in trouble before, I can't back down this time. No matter what, I have to face this."

I put my phone down and quickly got ready, choosing an outfit that would make it clear that I was unafraid of whatever awaited me.

After all, I didn’t feel guilty. If it weren’t for the council, this matter wouldn’t have turned into such a complication.

I hadn’t given Lucian an answer yet, but there was nothing wrong with a Lycan King offering me the position of his mate.

I thought it was a reasonable proposal. Perhaps the only unusual part was that I was a rejected and cast-out she-alpha—one whose former mate just so happened to be the son of the Lycan King, who now wanted me as his mate.

"Some things only seem complicated because certain people insist on making them that way," I muttered while looking at my reflection.

Once I was ready, I left for the council's territory alone. I couldn't deny that my heart pounded harder as I got closer.

I knew I would be interrogated with questions that had already crossed my mind. And worst of all, I had no one by my side.

When I arrived, I walked straight into the designated chamber, where several members and witnesses—all wolves—were already present.

"Alright, Miss Selene, I’m sure you know why you’re here, so we won’t waste time with pleasantries," one of the council members said.

I nodded firmly, my eyes scanning the room until I spotted Dexton among the attendees.

"You do realise that if you accept the Lycan King's offer—by which we mean Lucian—you will ruin his reputation and his life," another council member stated.

"I believe that a person’s reputation and life can only be destroyed by their own actions. But I know Lucian better than any of you. He is strong. He will not fall apart just because I enter his life," I responded, defending myself.

The council members exchanged glances, and I could hear whispers circulating about me.

"Miss Selene, do you even realise what you’re saying?"

"I am one hundred percent aware of my words, sir."

"Miss Selene, with all due respect, let us remind you that you were once the wife of a man who happened to be the son of the Lycan King. That, in itself, is an insult to him."

"Unfortunately, Lucian has never said anything of the sort, sir. If he felt insulted, he would never have offered to make me his mate in the first place."

Silence filled the room. I took a deep breath, relieved that I had spoken with confidence—fearlessly, without hesitation.

"Miss Selene, unfortunately, you were rejected for an Omega. That has made your title as a she-alpha utterly meaningless and—"

"Gentlemen, if you had never blown this matter out of proportion, there would be no need for this ridiculous trial."

"Mind your attitude, Miss Selene!" one of the oldest council members shouted.

I fell silent but scoffed in irritation. They indeed saw me as weak. Especially since I was a she-wolf, they believed I had no strength despite being a she-alpha.

"We only want you to reject the Lycan King's offer to make you his mate, queen, and wife. This is for his sake and even for your own."

"So I was summoned here just to be told to reject him?"

"Selene! How dare you speak like that?!" my former husband, Dexton, finally spoke.

"I fail to see how anything I’ve said is offensive to your father, Alpha Dexton."

He clicked his tongue in annoyance at my deliberate emphasis.

"You are nothing but a used woman. No one will ever acknowledge someone like you as a Luna, not a Queen."

I had expected Dexton to throw those words at me—his way of reminding me of my supposed place.

Too bad for him, I wasn’t a weak she-alpha. From the beginning, I had always been bold and resolute.

I stood tall, my sharp gaze filled with hatred toward Dexton.

"I may have once been someone’s wife, but I was a She-Alpha before that. And I do not need recognition from men who fear my strength."

The tension in the room thickened, and I was still utterly alone—isolated, with no one on my side.

Dexton looked pleased, clearly enjoying my humiliation as if he had already won.

"And you think I’m afraid of your strength? You’re not nearly as powerful as you believe, Alpha Selene," Dexton sneered.

The way he mockingly said "Alpha Selene" made my skin crawl. But strangely, I didn’t feel like crying, even though I was being humiliated, insulted, and completely alone.

"Gentlemen, as the son of the Lycan King, I object to my father being with someone who was once my wife," Dexton declared to the council.

I merely listened, not bothering to defend myself. Because, in truth, if he was this bothered, it only meant he still had lingering feelings for me and couldn’t move on. Simple, wasn’t it?

Then, suddenly, Lucian entered the room, his presence dominating the space. His expression radiated fury, forcing everyone to lower their heads in submission.

Everyone except me. I met his gaze without lowering my eyes.

"I’ve heard everything! How dare you humiliate her like this?!" he thundered.

I was no longer alone. Lucian had arrived at just the right moment. Whether I liked it or not, he looked like a hero.

"Father… Stop defending her!"

"Dexton, you have no claim over her anymore. How many times must I tell you?! You should listen to me as your father!"

"Alpha King, this is for your own good and—"

"Stop lecturing me as if I were a child!" Lucian snapped at the council.

I held back a smirk, merely watching as they argued.

Lucian’s gaze locked onto mine, and to my surprise, he dared to wink at me, sending my heart racing.

Dexton, who witnessed this, scoffed in disgust. "Pathetic!" he muttered.

"Alpha Dexton, isn’t it more pathetic to choose an Omega?" I taunted, reminding him of the wretched Omega he had betrayed me for.

Dexton clenched his fists, barely controlling his rage, and I felt proud for pushing him to his limit.

"If anyone doubts my decision, they are free to challenge me now," Lucian said coldly.

"Father!"

"Because Selene and I are already engaged," he declared, his eyes scanning the room before finally settling on me.