Selene's POV
I let go.
What I'd just done hit me like cold water. Every Alpha in the hall was staring. Soren's mouth was a flat line. Jaxon's expression had gone carefully, dangerously blank.
"Sorry." I stepped back. My face burned. "I — got confused. In the moment. Mistook you for someone."
It was the worst excuse in the history of excuses. No one bought it. But the alternative was worse. I'd just thrown myself at the man I'd publicly rejected three months ago.
A few wolves exchanged glances. Someone in the middle row coughed.
Jaxon said nothing. He turned back to the front of the hall.
Derek was already in damage control. He'd composed his face into something apologetic and sheepish, wiping sweat from his temple with the back of his hand.
"I owe everyone an apology," he said, his
