Selina felt a piercing chill and fear crawl through her the moment her eyes met Alaric’s dark, unreadable stare.
She trembled as she pulled her hand away and tried to sit up, but the pain crawling through her body made her groan softly. The wound on her arm still burned, and healing was agonizingly slow after the brutal injury Alaric had inflicted.
Alaric adjusted the hospital bed, helping Selina into a more comfortable position. His face softened as he sat down on the chair beside her.
Selina’s eyes wandered the room, finally landing on the door. She wondered where the nurse was and how Alaric had even gotten in.
“Selina, I’m sorry,” Alaric’s voice was soft, but she refused to meet his gaze or answer. “Please, forgive me. I love you, please…”
He reached for her hand again, but she pulled it back immediately.
“I was wrong that night, Selina. But believe me, I didn’t mean for it to happen. It was just… my emotions got the better of me. Just… give me one more chance. I’m going to prove that I love you.”
Selina stared at him blankly. She no longer cared about his feelings.
“Baby, I know you love me. I’ll set up your Luna ceremony. I’ll announce you as my Luna as soon as you leave the hospital. I promise. You have to forgive me and Lyra, baby. She… she just can’t accept us as a couple,” Alaric continued.
Selina’s jaw clenched, her expression hardening.
Alaric always apologized like he had never prioritized Lyra over her. Selina had given him countless chances, but her heart kept breaking as if she were a doll incapable of feeling pain.
She had done everything she could to save their relationship, but now there was nothing left to save.
And here he was, trying to charm her with confidence, acting like her lifelong dream had been to marry him. Sure, it had been a dream once, but now his words about love and a happy future barely stirred a thing inside her.
Oddly enough, she wanted to laugh at how overdramatic he was.
“You think I don’t know you never wanted me to be Luna of the Nightclaw Pack? You just wanted me as a servant and a blood bank for Lyra! And now you expect me to keep doing my job as Luna in front of everyone while you cheat with her?” Selina asked coldly.
Alaric’s brow furrowed, anger flashing in his eyes. Before he could respond, she went on.
“I, Selina Frostveil, reject you, Alpha Alaric Blackthorn, as my mate.”
The room fell into a heavy silence. Alaric froze, disbelief written across his face.
Selina watched as the strength that usually radiated from him seemed to vanish, his legs weakening until he dropped to his knees.
Her heart pounded with anxiety as she looked away. She should have felt triumphant seeing him hurt, but she couldn’t. She wasn’t the type to take pleasure in someone else’s tears.
Selina knew there was no reason left for her to stay by his side. Their relationship had turned toxic, and only now was she fully realizing it.
Alaric gritted his teeth, clutching his chest and letting out a strained groan. “Don’t do this, Selina. Please,” he said, voice cracking with pain.
Selina just smirked, then her eyes caught someone across the room, and her gaze locked with a sharp blue glare.
Raven, Alaric’s cousin, was standing in the doorway, shrouded in darkness. She hadn’t even noticed when he arrived.
There was a fierce determination in Raven’s eyes that gave Selina the courage to face Alaric.
Suddenly, Alaric lunged, gripping Selina’s arm tightly and shaking her. Pain shot through her, making her cry out as her wound stretched.
“You can’t reject me!” Alaric hissed, but the next second he was shoved back.
“Don’t touch her!” Raven growled, standing between them.
Selina sucked in a sharp breath, wincing from the pain. Her arm burned, but she forced herself to stay composed.
“Don’t get in my way, cousin. She’s my mate,” Alaric sneered, but Raven stepped forward, radiating quiet menace. He was taller and far more intimidating.
“She’s my patient. Her health is my responsibility. My advice is, you back off,” Raven said calmly but sharply, keeping his own anger in check.
Raven was actually a doctor at this hospital, but when Selina was hurt, he had chosen not to treat her himself. He knew if he did, he might panic, shake, and lose control seeing her in pain. So he let another doctor handle it while he watched, tense and vigilant.
“Patient? You think I don’t know what you mean, cousin? That will never happen! I’m her Alpha, and she’s my Luna!” Alaric hissed, shocking Selina.
'What did he just say?' she thought.
“Then behave properly. Respect her decision,” Raven said coldly, returning to Selina’s side.
As Raven moved to lift her, Selina paused, looking at Alaric.
“You need to accept this rejection quickly if you don’t want to suffer from the bond breaking,” she said icily.
Selina inhaled deeply as Raven wrapped his arms around her waist and under her thighs, lifting her carefully. Pain shot through her, making her groan and her eyes water. Raven flinched, realizing how much it hurt her.
Selina exhaled shakily, forcing her face to look calm.
“You okay?” Raven asked softly, concerned.
“I think my stitches are pulling,” she murmured almost inaudibly.
Raven cursed under his breath as he carried her to another VIP room.
He set her down gently, tending to her wound while muttering low, angry words.
Selina wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard him mutter, “I’m going to kill that bastard someday.”