She Is Mine
1098 Words
Chapter 5 – She Is Mine
Selene’s POV
By the time I reached home, the sting in my body had faded, but the bruises still painted my skin in angry shades of purple and blue. I’d slowed my healing on purpose—it was the only way to keep my secret safe.
Uncle was at the door when I walked in. His eyes swept over me in one long, heavy glance before narrowing.
“What happened this time?” His voice was quiet but carried the weight of a question he’d asked too many times before.
“Training,” I answered, moving past him toward the kitchen. “It’s nothing. I’ll heal soon.”
His sharp exhale followed me. “Selene—”
I kept my back to him, pretending to focus on the kettle. The metallic clink of it settling on the stove was louder than it needed to be, drowning out the disappointment in his voice.
We’d had this same conversation more times than I could count. He knew. He always knew. But he also understood why I never fought back.
“You should rest,” he finally said.
Instead, I reached for the envelope I’d hidden away and set it on the table. “The rent. Take it.”
His refusal was immediate, almost fierce. “No.”
“Uncle—”
He cut me off, his voice suddenly low, threaded with something raw. “I couldn’t see your father before he died. I let fear rule me. I betrayed him… and Alpha Robert.” His gaze met mine then—steady, unblinking, heavy with regret. “Let me stand by you now. You don’t have to bear this alone. I know you’ve convinced yourself you have to be strong for everyone, all the time. But not with me. Let me do something for you, even if it’s as small as this. Let me be the family you can lean on, the way your father would’ve wanted.”
My throat tightened. I curled my fingers into fists to stop them from trembling. I wanted to argue, to tell him I was fine. But before I could speak, my phone buzzed.
Avery.
I put it on speaker. “Hello.”
“We need to meet,” my editor’s voice came through, clipped and nervous.
I frowned. “Why?”
“The company’s planning a fan meeting for you.”
I froze. “A… what?”
“You know. Meet readers, sign books, answer questions—”
“I know what a fan meeting is,” I cut in sharply. “I’m asking why they’re planning one when I’ve made it very clear I don’t do public appearances.”
Avery hesitated, the silence between us dragging. “I wasn’t told. But they’ve already announced it.”
I closed my eyes, drawing in a slow breath through my nose. “Cancel it.”
“They’ve already told the fans—”
“I don’t do public events,” I said, my voice cold as ice. “That was in the deal when I signed with them.”
“I understand,” he said carefully, “but I can’t undo this. Cara… Let them know you are Solone Bill. they’re expecting you.”
If anyone connected Cela to Solone Bill, the fallout would be a disaster.
*^^
The cafeteria was quiet that evening, the chairs stacked, the air thick with the scent of brewed coffee and cleaning soap. I was just wiping down the counter when the sound of an engine cut through the stillness—a deep, expensive growl that didn’t belong on this street.
A sleek black car rolled up to the curb. Even before the door opened, I felt the shift in the air.
And then he stepped out.
Alden.
His presence filled the space like a shadow swallowing the last light of day. Broad shoulders, purposeful stride, and an expression that belonged to someone used to command. The fading twilight wrapped around him like it recognized him, the darkness making him sharper, more dangerous.
Damn. He was unfairly attractive.
I shoved that thought aside as he walked in without hesitation, as if the place already belonged to him.
His gaze found me instantly. “Pizza,” he said, like it was an order, not a request, and took a seat.
“We’re closed,” I replied, folding my arms. “And we’re out of pizza.”
One brow arched. “Should I come back tomorrow?”
I sighed. “I saved some for myself. I can warm it up, if you really want it.”
Ashen, my wolf, from behind the counter, let out a mocking snort. “What? Bored of your chef’s gourmet meals, Alpha? Came here for some greasy pizza?”
I ignored her and headed to the back.
But before I could slide the pizza into the oven, the door slammed open.
“Get me something to eat!”
Kaelen
I turned slowly, already bracing for his usual brand of trouble. But then his gaze landed on Alden sitting in the corner.
He froze.
His eyes flickered to his injured arm—the one Alden had broken—and I caught the flash of humiliation across his face.
“I—uh…” He took a step back. “Never mind. I’m not hungry.”
Then, to my complete shock, he turned and left.
I stood there for a moment, blinking. What the hell? Ashen, backing down without a fight? That was new.
Shaking it off, I finished heating the pizza and set the plate in front of Alden.
I was turning to leave when his voice stopped me.
"I'm having my mating ceremony this weekend."
I froze. I had known, in my heart, that this day might come. But the words cut like a knife to the chest.
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes on me with that unreadable expression.
So this was it. He was going to make his rejection official—let the whole world know exactly where we stood.
The ache in my chest was an old one, a scar tearing open. Alex had left me for an Alpha's daughter once before. And now here was Alden, landing me in the same predicament.
But this time… I would not break.
I smiled. "Congratulations."
His eyes narrowed slightly, as if my calm unsettled him.
"At the ceremony," I continued unabated, "you're going to announce it, aren't you? Make it official."
His eyes grew darker, his wolf briefly visible in their depths.
"I'll be there," I stated simply.
- Writer
