Chapter 4
1099 Words
(When the wolf whispers)
Selene’s POV
I thought I was used to the humiliation by now. That maybe my skin had toughened enough to bear it. But this… this dug deeper. It didn’t just sting—it burned straight into my chest. My vision blurred, my eyes betraying me with hot tears.
I hated myself for it. For letting them see me like that.
My wolf tried to comfort me. She whispered about the way Damian had looked at me when the ball smashed into my face—like maybe, just maybe, he cared for half a second. I shoved her voice away before it could plant hope where it didn’t belong.
“Do you know what it feels like to break in silence?” I muttered, gripping the strap of my bag until my knuckles ached. “To cry in a room full of laughter, and no one even notices?”
Their laughter followed me long after I left the court. It rang in my ears as I walked out of school, cruel and heavy, echoing louder than my footsteps.
Confronting Damian about the bond had been a stupid idea. What was I even thinking? That he’d pity me? That under all that arrogance there was a shred of humanity? No. He hated me. He reminded me every single day.
Sometimes I wonder if the Moon Goddess really does hate me. Why else would she tie me to him? To someone who looks at me like I’m nothing.
By the time I got home, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I slammed the door shut, leaned against it, then dragged myself into the bathroom.
The water was hot—almost scalding—as it slid over my skin, but the sting felt better than the ache inside. I pressed my forehead against the cold tile and let the tears fall freely this time. I didn’t bother stopping them. The shower hid everything anyway.
Later, dressed in clean clothes with damp hair tied back in a loose braid, I forced myself to make dinner. Bread, eggs, a little stew. Something simple. I sat at the table, fork in hand, and stared at the plate.
I wanted to eat. To pretend the day hadn’t happened. But every bite tasted like mockery. Damian’s smirk. The roar of laughter. The ball cracking against my face.
The humiliation replayed on loop, living rent-free in my head. My fork slipped from my hand clattering as it fell on the plate. My Appetite was gone, I shoved the plate away and retreated to my room.
That night, I didn’t dream. Or maybe I did, but if so, it was only of his eyes. The way he had stared at me.
The next morning, I stood at the threshold of Crescent Vale High, bag heavy on my shoulder.
“This is it,” I whispered. “Today, I don’t care. Damian can go to hell.”
The words tasted good. Convincing, even. Still, a traitorous part of me clung to the belief that he’d acknowledge the bond one day. He had to.
I shook the thought off and stepped inside.
Amber was waiting. Of course. Her perfume and her minions circled me like vultures.
Before I could react, a gush of cold water drenched me. It seeped into my braid, down my spine, soaking my shirt until it clung uncomfortably to my skin. Laughter erupted instantly.
“Oops.” Amber’s grin stretched wide as she blocked my path.
I didn’t protest. I just braced myself for the worst.
She leaned closer, her voice sharp enough to cut. “I heard you in the basketball court yesterday. With Damian. You think you can get close to him? That someone like you could ever mean anything to him?”
Her pack of minions snickered, eyes flicking to me like I was some put on display.
“You’ve been staring at him, haven’t you?” Amber sneered. “Like some desperate puppy.”
Her hand shot out, tangling in my hair. Pain flared sharp as she yanked hard, slamming me against the wall.
My breath caught. The plaster scraped my cheek, heat searing across my skin.
“What did you tell him?” she spat, shoving me harder. My bag slipped, crashing to the floor.
“I—” The words got stuck in my throat. My face burned red as her grip tightened.
Her friends laughed louder, their voices filling the air.
And then—
The atmosphere shifted.
It was subtle at first. The air thickened. My wolf stilled, alert under my skin. Goosebumps prickled my arms. Her voice brushed against my mind, soft but urgent:
Mate.
I gasped. My vision blurred as my head snapped up—
And there he was.
Damian.
He walked in with his friends, casual and confident, like he owned the hallway. Broad shoulders stretching his shirt, jaw sharp, eyes dark and unreadable. Every step radiated power.
My wolf whimpered. She whispered that if death came wrapped in his arms, it would still feel like mercy.
Barely a few days since I’d gotten her, and already her obsession with him was unbearable.
Amber noticed my gaze instantly. Her face twisted, her temper flaring.
“You b***h!” She slapped me hard. Pain cracked across my cheek, my head snapping to the side. My wolf whimpered, but my eyes, stayed locked on Damian.
Amber’s breath came ragged. She slapped me again. “You don’t look at him.”
Her hand lifted a third time—
“Enough.”
His voice sliced through the air.
Every head turned. He was closer now, eyes locked on me. For a heartbeat, I swore they softened. Then he turned his glare on Amber.
“I decide when she suffers.” His voice was lethal.
Amber froze,
“But, Damian—”
His eyes was fixated into her eyes and he spoke again,
“Follow me.”
She faltered, then lowered her hand, signaling her minions to scatter. Like a trained dog, she trailed after him.
I pressed back against the wall, chest trembling. My wolf howled inside, restless.
“One day,” I whispered, pressing my palm against my chest, “the bond will break him. Not me.”
Ww
The words had barely left my mouth when a sharp sting bloomed at the base of my nose. Warm liquid slid down.
Blood.
I wiped it quickly, but the metallic scent filled the air.
Damian stopped mid-step. His head turned, nostrils flaring. His eyes narrowed, locking on me like he’d sensed it.
My breath hitched.
Did he… care?
- Writer
