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1199 Words
Selene stared at her reflection in the mirror and let out a quiet sigh.
The redness on her cheek had faded slightly, but the swelling was still noticeable. Even though werewolves healed faster than humans, it would still take some time before the mark completely disappeared.
Carefully, she touched the sore spot before lowering her hand.
Her chest felt heavy.
The packhouse was quiet, yet she felt suffocated by the silence.
Needing comfort, Selene picked up her phone from the vanity table and scrolled through her contacts until she found her mother's number. Without giving herself time to hesitate, she pressed call.
Her mother belonged to another pack.
Two years ago, during the mating season, several packs had gathered in the Morningstar Pack for the annual mating gathering. It was an event where unmated wolves had the chance to meet their fated partners.
The Blood Hounds Pack, Selene's pack, had participated that year, and she had been one of the attendees.
That was where everything changed. That was where she met Nikolai. The Alpha of the Ironfang Pack.
Selene could still remember the exact moment their eyes met across the gathering grounds. She had felt the mate bond immediately.
The happiness. The excitement. The overwhelming joy of finding the person chosen by the Moon Goddess.
At that moment, she had believed she was the luckiest woman alive. Now, she wasn't so sure anymore.
The call connected, pulling her from her thoughts. Selene quickly cleared her throat and forced her emotions down.
"Selene?" her mother answered. The familiar voice instantly made Selene's eyes sting.
"My child, how are you?" her mother asked warmly. Selene bit her lower lip.
For a brief moment, she wanted nothing more than to run home and bury herself in her mother's embrace.
She wanted to forget the anniversary. Forget the slap. Forget Nikolai.
"Mom..." she said softly. Her voice cracked. Panicking, she quickly composed herself before her mother could notice.
"I'm fine. I missed you," she added.
"Oh, child, I miss you too!" her mother said affectionately. The warmth in her voice made Selene's chest ache.
"Is Nikolai treating you right?" her mother asked. Selene froze. The question lingered between them. Her eyes drifted toward her reflection in the mirror. Toward the faint redness still visible on her cheek.
Was he treating her right? A husband who forgot their anniversary. A husband who spent more time caring for his best friend than his own wife. A husband who had slapped her without even listening to her side.
Selene closed her eyes.
"Y-Yes," she lied through gritted teeth.
The answer tasted bitter on her tongue. Before her mother could ask anything else, Selene quickly changed the subject.
"How are you and Dad? And Saxon?" she asked. Her mother's cheerful laughter came through the phone.
"We're fine," she replied. "Your father has been busy training the younger wolves, and Saxon is still causing trouble wherever he goes," she added. Despite herself, Selene smiled.
That sounded exactly like her younger brother.
"We all miss you very much," her mother continued softly. The smile on Selene's face trembled.
"Come home when you can, okay? And bring Nikolai with you."
Selene lowered her gaze. A painful lump formed in her throat. She wasn't even sure if Nikolai would want to come. Still, she forced a smile her mother couldn't see.
"I'll try, Mom."
Her mother hummed happily, unaware of the tears gathering in Selene's eyes.
For a few more minutes, they talked about simple things. Ordinary conversations.
Yet those few minutes brought Selene more comfort than she had felt in months.
And when the call finally ended, Selene remained seated on the edge of the bed, staring at her phone.
For the first time since becoming Luna of the Ironfang Pack, she found herself missing home more than ever.
Because home had never made her feel unwanted. Home had never made her question her worth. Home had never made her cry herself to sleep.
Two hours later, Selene's phone suddenly rang. She had been lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The sound startled her from her thoughts. Slowly, she reached for her phone and glanced at the screen.
Nikolai.
Her heart clenched.
For a brief moment, she wondered if he was finally calling to apologize. Maybe he had calmed down. Maybe he had realized what he had done. Taking a deep breath, she answered the call.
"Nikolai?" she asked softly.
"Oh no, it's me, Bianca."
Selene immediately sat up. Bianca's cheerful voice came through the phone.
"I'm really sorry about yesterday," Bianca added.
"No..." Selene began.
Before she could finish her sentence, Bianca continued speaking.
"I know it's hard for you to accept it," Bianca said quietly. "But please don't yell at me," she added. Selene blinked in confusion. A surprised look spread across her face.
What?
"No, I didn't yell at you," she replied immediately. Her voice remained calm despite her growing confusion.
What was Bianca talking about? Had she somehow misunderstood something?
"Selene, please," Bianca said.
The pleading tone in her voice only made Selene more confused.
"Bianca, I really didn't—"
"Give me the phone. I'll talk to her."
Selene froze. Nikolai's voice echoed from the background. A second later, she heard muffled protesting.
"But Niks..."
Then the phone changed hands. The moment Nikolai spoke, his voice was already filled with anger.
"Selene, what the hell is this?" he demanded. Selene's eyebrows furrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
"Bianca's apologizing once again, and you dare raise your voice at her?" Nikolai snapped. "How dare you?!" he added. Selene felt her stomach drop.
"I didn't raise my voice—"
"You're really unfit to be my Luna," he continued coldly. The words hit harder than she expected.
Selene gripped the phone tightly. She couldn't understand what was happening. She hadn't yelled. She hadn't insulted Bianca. She hadn't even said anything remotely rude. Yet somehow, she was once again being painted as the villain.
Selene frowned.
It almost felt like Bianca was unintentionally—or perhaps intentionally—making Nikolai angry at her.
The thought made her uncomfortable. She didn't want to believe Bianca would do something like that. But what else was she supposed to think?
"I wasn't!" Selene exclaimed.
Her voice shook with frustration. For once, she didn't wait for Nikolai to continue attacking her. She ended the call.
The room fell silent.
Selene lowered the phone and stared at the dark screen. Her heart was pounding.
A few seconds later, her phone immediately started ringing again.
Nikolai.
Selene looked at the caller ID. Then, without hesitation, she silenced the call.
For the first time in a long while, she didn't want to hear another accusation. She didn't want to hear another lecture about Bianca. She didn't want to be blamed for something she hadn't done.
Slowly, she placed the phone on the bedside table and leaned back against the headboard. Tears burned behind her eyes.
No matter what she did, it was never enough.
No matter how understanding she tried to be, she somehow always ended up being the problem.
And deep down, that realization hurt more than any slap ever could.
- Writer
