008
1509 Words
Selene's POV
The champagne glass shattered against the marble floor of my penthouse, crystal shards glittering like the lies I'd been telling myself for eight years.
"He blocked me," I said aloud to the empty room, staring at the error message on my phone. "He actually f*****g blocked me."
My reflection stared back at me from the floor-to-ceiling windows—perfectly styled auburn hair, designer dress that cost more than most people's monthly rent, and eyes that were dangerously close to crying. I hated crying. Crying was for weak women who didn't know how to get what they wanted.
I'd gotten everything I wanted my entire life.
Except Varian Bloodmoon.
My phone buzzed. Mother.
"Selene, darling. I heard about the... situation with Alpha Varian."
Of course she had. News spread through the elite pack circles faster than wildfire.
"He chose her," I said flatly, pouring myself another glass. "Eight years, Mother. Eight years of waiting, of being patient, of being the perfect hidden girlfriend while he played house with that nobody, and he chose her."
"Language, darling." My mother's voice was sharp. "And from what I hear, it's more complicated than that."
"What do you mean?"
"Celeste Bloodmoon called me this morning. Apparently, the little mate found out about you and is making quite a scene. Threatening to leave, take the children, the whole dramatic production."
I straightened, my heart rate picking up. "She's leaving him?"
"Threatening to. But Celeste seems to think Thalia doesn't have the spine for it. Where would she go? She's got no education, no money of her own, two young children. She'll calm down, they'll go to couples therapy or whatever these common wolves do, and everything will return to normal."
"Normal," I repeated bitterly. "Normal is me being the dirty secret while she gets the title, the family, the life that should have been mine."
"Selene." My mother's voice turned cold. "We've discussed this. Varian made his choice when he got that girl pregnant. You knew the risks of your... arrangement."
"Don't call it an arrangement!" I snapped. "I love him, Mother. I've loved him since we were teenagers. Before her. Before those brats she trapped him with."
There was a long pause. Then my mother said, quietly, "Darling, you're a Rivers. We don't wait for men to choose us. We make them realize they've already made the wrong choice."
A slow smile spread across my face. "What are you suggesting?"
"Nothing, darling. Simply that if this Thalia girl is already considering leaving... perhaps she needs a gentle push in the right direction. For everyone's sake."
After we hung up, I walked to my study and pulled out the file I'd been keeping for years. Everything about Thalia Winters—her medical records, her family history, her complete lack of anything remarkable except for the accident of her bloodline.
Beta blood. That's all she had. That's all she was.
And somehow, it had been enough to steal my future.
I pulled up a private browser and searched for her social media—what little she had. A few photos of the twins, some pack events. She looked tired in most of them, worn down. Good.
Then I found it. A comment from someone named Shelly from three days ago: *So proud of you for considering going back to school! Dr. Chen is amazing!*
Back to school?
I pulled up Crescent University's website, clicking through until I found the Healing Department faculty. Dr. Mira Chen, Department Head.
My smile widened.
Crescent University was in Silverpaw territory—neutral ground, technically, but their Alpha, Marcus Silverpaw, was an old family friend. We'd grown up together, in fact. He'd had a crush on me for years, though I'd never been interested.
But maybe it was time to renew that friendship.
I dialed his number.
"Selene Rivers," Marcus's warm voice came through. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Marcus, darling. How is Silverpaw territory these days?"
"Thriving. Though I imagine this isn't a social call."
"You know me too well." I settled back in my chair. "I need information. There's a healer program at Crescent University, in your territory. I need to know if someone's enrolled."
"This someone wouldn't happen to be Varian Bloodmoon's mate, would it?"
I should have known word had spread that far already.
"Information travels fast," I said carefully.
"It does when it involves my old friend potentially interfering in another pack's business." Marcus's voice had an edge now. "What are you planning, Selene?"
"Nothing dramatic. I just want to know where I stand. Eight years is a long time to be kept in the shadows, Marcus. I'm sure you understand."
He was quiet for a moment. "I'll make some calls. But Selene—be careful. Silverpaw is neutral territory for a reason. I won't have pack politics destabilizing my city."
"Of course not. I would never ask you to compromise your position."
After we hung up, I stood and walked back to the windows. Below, the city glittered with possibility.
Thalia thought she could just leave? Take Varian's children—his *heirs*—and disappear into some fantasy of independence?
She had no idea who she was dealing with.
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: *This is Dr. Mira Chen. We met at the medical conference last year. I wanted to give you a heads up—I offered a position to Thalia Winters. She hasn't accepted yet, but given the circumstances, I thought you should know. Professional courtesy.*
I stared at the message. Dr. Chen and I had met exactly once, at a networking event. We'd talked for maybe ten minutes. How did she know about Varian and me?
Unless...
I scrolled through my contacts until I found it. Dr. Vivian Chen, head of the Rivers family medical practice. Dr. Mira Chen's aunt.
My mother had made a call.
I texted back: *Thank you for the courtesy. I'd appreciate updates on whether she accepts the position.*
Her response was immediate: *Of course. Though I should mention—the program is quite rigorous. Many drop out in the first year. It would be... unfortunate if she uprooted her children only to fail.*
I smiled. My mother had taught me well.
---
Two days later, Marcus called back.
"She accepted the position," he said without preamble. "Moves in next week with her twins and her mother. They've been assigned housing in the university district."
"The university district," I repeated. "That's your territory, Marcus."
"Neutral territory," he corrected. "Selene, I'm telling you this as a friend—let this go. Varian made his choice years ago when he had those children. And from what I hear, he's trying to make it right with his mate."
"By blocking my number? By pretending eight years meant nothing?"
"By trying to save his family." Marcus's voice softened. "I know you love him. But love isn't enough to build a pack legacy on. He has heirs, Selene. Twin heirs with Alpha blood. No Alpha would walk away from that."
"Then maybe," I said quietly, "she needs to walk away first."
"Selene—"
"Thank you for the information, Marcus. I'll be in touch."
I hung up before he could lecture me further.
Thalia was moving to Silverpaw territory. She'd be alone, vulnerable, trying to manage two five-year-olds while completing an intensive program. Her support system would be minimal. Her resources even less.
And I would be there. Not obviously, not overtly. Just... present. A friend when she needed one. A sympathetic ear when things got hard. Someone who understood what it was like to love Varian Bloodmoon.
By the time I was done, she'd be begging to go back to the Bloodmoon pack. Or better yet, she'd realize she was better off without him entirely.
Leaving him free.
Leaving him for me.
I pulled out my phone and started making arrangements. A small apartment in the university district—coincidentally in the same building as Thalia's assigned housing. A part-time job at the university hospital—I had been considering expanding my medical practice anyway.
And perhaps, once I was settled, a chance encounter with Varian's children at the park.
Children loved me. I was good with them. Better than their exhausted, overwhelmed mother would be, trying to juggle school and parenting alone.
My phone buzzed. Varian, from a new number.
*Selene, I know you're angry. I know I handled this wrong. But I need you to understand—I have to put my children first. I hope someday you can forgive me.*
I stared at the message for a long time.
Then I typed: *I understand completely. Your children deserve the best. I hope Thalia realizes how lucky she is.*
His response was almost immediate: *Thank you for understanding. You've always been incredible.*
I smiled at my reflection in the window.
Oh, Varian. You beautiful, stupid man.
You have no idea what's coming.
And neither does your little mate.
But they were both about to find out that Selene Rivers didn't lose.
Ever.
- Writer
