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1137 Words
Early the next morning, Selene sat alone in the dining area, quietly eating her breakfast. The large dining table felt emptier than usual.
After what had happened the night before, Nikolai had chosen to sleep in the guest room instead of their bedroom. Selene hadn't slept much either. Every time she closed her eyes, his words echoed in her mind.
You're selfish.
I don't know why the Moon Goddess paired you with me.
The pain was still fresh.
When she finished eating, she carefully placed her utensils on the plate and stood up. Just then, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.
Normally, she would have rushed to the window to see if Nikolai had returned.
Today, she didn't.
She simply picked up her plate and headed toward the kitchen. A few moments later, she stepped outside and immediately froze.
Nikolai had just gotten out of the car. Beside him was Bianca.
"Selene!" Bianca called out the moment she saw her.
Before Selene could react, Bianca hurried toward her and wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace.
Selene was startled by the sudden hug.
"Biancs, your ankle! You're not healed yet," Nikolai said worriedly as he quickly followed behind her. He gently pulled Bianca away from Selene and placed a protective hand on her arm.
"Niks, I'm okay now," Bianca said with a small laugh before turning back to Selene. Her smile slowly faded and guilt appeared on her face. "Besides, I wanted to apologize to you, Selene," she added.
She reached out and held Selene's hand between both of hers.
"I'm sorry, Selene. It was my fault that your anniversary date was ruined," Bianca said. Almost immediately, tears began to stream down her cheeks. Perfectly timed.
"Biancs..." Nikolai started. Bianca shook her head and silenced him.
"No, let me say this," she insisted before looking back at Selene.
"I'm sorry, Selene. I didn't mean to ruin it. I was just throwing away the trash when I suddenly felt dizzy and twisted my ankle," she explained, her voice trembling. "I never thought things would end up like that," she added.
Selene looked at Bianca quietly. Bianca's eyes were red from crying, and she genuinely seemed remorseful, but no, Selene knew better.
"Biancs, come on. Don't cry," Nikolai said softly. Without hesitation, he reached up and wiped the tears from Bianca's cheeks.
The gesture was gentle. Tender. The kind of tenderness Selene couldn't remember receiving from him lately.
"And besides, Selene understands you," Nikolai added confidently as he glanced at his wife. His gaze lingered on her for a moment.
"Right?" Nikolai asked.
The question didn't feel like a question at all. It felt like an expectation. Selene felt her chest tighten. She forced a smile onto her face and slowly nodded her head.
"Yes, Bianca," she whispered.
Bianca immediately looked relieved.
Meanwhile, Selene stood there smiling, even though it felt like something inside her was quietly breaking apart.
"Where are you going next? I'll accompany you," Nikolai said without second thoughts.
A tinge of envy crept into Selene's heart. How could Nikolai say those words so easily?
He hadn't accompanied her when she had gone to the hospital after losing their child. He hadn't held her hand while she cried and grived for what they lost. He hadn't stayed beside her when she needed him the most.
But for Bianca? Nikolai would put everything aside.
"It's okay, Niks. I don't want to impose. Spend time with Selene," Bianca said softly as she placed a hand on Nikolai's chest.
Selene's wolf immediately howled in anger inside her. That was her mate. Her husband.
Yet the sight of another woman touching him so casually made her chest ache.
"No, it's not right to just leave you alone while you're injured," Nikolai insisted.
"Jeffrey's about to go home," Bianca reminded him. At the mention of his beta's name, Nikolai visibly stiffened.
"Still," he said stubbornly.
Selene remained silent, simply watching the two of them.
From an outsider's perspective, anyone would think Bianca was Nikolai's mate and Selene was merely a bystander in their relationship.
That was how close they looked. How natural they seemed together. Sometimes Selene wondered if she was the only one who noticed it.
"Selene, I'm sorry. Jeffrey's on pack duty. I don't have anyone with me," Bianca said as her eyes began to water once more.
Immediately, Nikolai's attention shifted entirely to Bianca.
"Come on, don't apologize," he said gently. "Let's go, Biancs," he added. He carefully helped Bianca back to the car.
Selene stood frozen on the porch, watching them. Neither of them noticed how pale she had become.
Neither of them noticed the pain in her eyes. The car door closed. A few seconds later, the vehicle pulled away.
Selene released a shaky breath. Finally. They were gone. Or so she thought.
A few moments later, the front door suddenly swung open. Nikolai stormed back inside. The moment Selene saw his face, her stomach dropped.
He looked furious.
"Nikolai?" she asked cautiously.
Before she could say another word, Nikolai raised his hand.
Slap!
The force of the blow sent her stumbling backward. A sharp sting spread across her cheek.
For several seconds, Selene couldn't process what had happened. Slowly, she lifted a trembling hand to her face. Her eyes widened in shock.
"W-What..."
"You really went and made Bianca cry because you were glaring at her," Nikolai snarled.
Selene stared at him. She couldn't even remember glaring. She had barely spoken.
"Why?" Nikolai demanded. "Because I'm choosing her over you? What the hell is wrong with you?" he added.
His voice echoed through the living room.
"She's injured! How far can you go being this petty and selfish?" he said. Selene felt tears gathering in her eyes.
"Nikolai, I didn't—"
"Enough." He cut her off before she could explain herself. His eyes burned with anger.
The same anger he never seemed capable of directing at Bianca.
"Once I get home, we'll talk again," he said coldly. Then he turned around and walked out. The front door slammed shut behind him.
Silence filled the packhouse. Selene remained standing in the middle of the living room.
Alone.
Slowly, her legs gave out beneath her.
She sank onto the couch and pressed a hand against her burning cheek. Tears slipped down her face. She didn't understand.
She hadn't yelled. She hadn't argued. She hadn't even said anything. Yet somehow, it was still her fault.
Just like it was always her fault.
As the tears continued to fall, Selene lowered her head and let out a broken sob.
For the first time since becoming Nikolai's wife, she found herself wondering if being mated to him was a blessing from the Moon Goddess...
Or the cruelest punishment she had ever received.
- Writer
