Chapter 15
770 Words
Selene's POV
The hallway was quiet, lined with flickering torches and the faint scent of herbs from the infirmary down the corridor. I clutched the tray tightly in my hands, the tea trembling with each unsteady step I took. My heart pounded like a wild drum in my chest. I had to speak with him. I needed answers.
Not for love.
Not for closure.
Just... to understand how he could toss me away so easily.
I paused outside his chambers, gathered my breath, and stepped inside.
Kairo sat behind his desk, his face lit by the golden glow of candlelight. He didn’t look up as I entered.
"Alpha Kairo," I said, my voice soft.
He didn’t respond.
"Please, I need to speak with you. Just for a moment."
Finally, he raised his eyes. Cold. Distant. Nothing like the man who once held me like I was the only thing tethering him to this world.
"What is it, Selene?" His voice was sharp, clipped.
"I just want to know... was any of it real? Or was I just... entertainment for a lonely night?"
He stood up and walked over to the window, turning his back to me.
"You were a distraction," he said. "Nothing more. And now, you’re just a maid."
The words hit me like a blade. I felt the breath leave my lungs, my knees wobbling slightly.
"You made that very clear," I whispered, more to myself than him.
"Don’t overstep again, Selene," he added coldly. "You serve here. That’s your place."
I didn’t cry.
Not in front of him.
I turned and walked out of the room, my hands shaking around the tray, my chest burning with a pain I couldn’t name.
Third Person POV
Later that afternoon, Liana strolled confidently into Kairo’s study. Her dress shimmered with pale lavender silk, her hair swept into perfect curls. She didn’t knock.
"My love," she greeted, voice sugar-sweet. "I was thinking... we should go to the market together today. I want your opinion on my dress for the engagement ceremony."
Kairo didn’t even glance at her. His eyes remained locked on the parchment in front of him.
"I have matters to attend to. The council is requesting updates on the border patrols."
Leanna's smile faltered, just slightly.
"You’ve been so busy lately," she said softly. "I miss spending time with you."
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.
"Then take one of the maids with you."
She hesitated. She knew what this meant. He wouldn’t go with her. Not because he was busy. But because he didn’t want to.
And she knew why.
Selene.
That pathetic girl who still walked around with her head low and eyes full of sadness. The one who had somehow wormed her way into Kairo’s mind, no matter how hard he tried to bury her.
Liana’s smile returned, tighter this time.
"Then let Selene come with me."
Kairo’s eyes finally met hers.
She knew what he was thinking. Refusing would make it obvious. Obvious that Selene still meant something.
He didn’t respond for a beat too long.
"Fine."
Liana smirked to herself. "Thank you, my love."
---
Selene's POV
I didn’t want to go.
Every bone in my body screamed to stay far away from Liana, from her claws, her venom.
But when a guard came with the order that I was to accompany the future Luna to the market, I had no choice. Refusal would be seen as disrespect. And disrespect earned pain in this place.
I dressed quickly, keeping my head down as we rode into the village. Leanna sat proudly on her white mare, draped in royal silks and surrounded by guards.
I walked.
We arrived at a boutique, and the moment the shop doors closed, her mask dropped.
"You thought he loved you, didn’t you?" she hissed, dragging a silver gown off the rack. "Poor little orphan girl, falling for the Alpha. So naive."
I kept quiet, eyes lowered.
"When I become Luna, I will have you burned at the stake for every look you gave him. Every breath you dared to take near him."
She shoved the dress into my arms.
"Carry this. And hurry. I don’t want filth like you dirtying it."
I bit my tongue. The insult stung, but I had learned that silence was survival.
She continued tormenting me throughout the day—making me fetch gowns, kneel to clean her boots, call her 'Luna' even though the ceremony had not yet happened.
And yet... I bore it.
Because Kairo’s words echoed in my head. You’re just a maid.
Maybe that’s all I’d ever be.
- Writer
