Helena Whitmore entered the room, her presence as sharp as the perfume she wore-overpowering and suffocating. Her blonde hair was pinned into an elegant bun, not a strand out of place, and her icy blue eyes swept over the breakfast table with calculated scrutiny.
Selene lowered her gaze instinctively.
A soft tsk of disapproval sliced through the air.
"The eggs are overcooked."
Selene flinched but kept her voice steady. "I'll fix them right away, Stepmother."
Before she could move, Helena's manicured fingers curled around a delicate porcelain teacup. With a flick of her wrist, she tipped it over. Scalding tea spilled across the table, the dark liquid soaking into the crisp white linen like spreading ink.
"Do it again," Helena ordered, her voice calm-too calm.
Selene swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Stepmother."
From the corner of the room, a soft, honeyed voice chimed in.
"Oh, Mother, don't be so harsh on her," Liliana cooed as she descended the stairs. She walked with effortless grace, the silk of her dress clinging to her slender frame. As she reached Selene's side, she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering a sympathetic smile.
"Selene tries so hard," she continued, her voice dipped in sweetness. "Let me help her."
Selene felt the warmth of Liliana's touch, and was very touched.
Helena scoffed, crossing her arms. "You coddle her too much, Liliana. That's why she's weak."
Selene lowered her head, hiding the resentment that burned behind her downcast eyes.
"I'll get fresh tea," she murmured, stepping away from Liliana's grip.
As she walked toward the kitchen, she could still hear the soft laughter between Liliana and Helena-like knives scraping against her skin.
Selene had been enduring this life for years.
After her father died, Helena had stripped her of everything-her status, her dignity, her freedom. She was no longer the cherished daughter of a respected family. She was a servant in her own home.
The only thing that made it bearable was Victor.
Victor Sinclair, her mate.
Her heart ached as she thought of him. He wasn't like the cold, dominant Alphas she had heard about. Victor was softer, more diplomatic, holding an important position on the pack's council. He wasn't cruel... but he was distant.
Lately, he had been avoiding her.
Selene had told herself it was because of his responsibilities. She had convinced herself that once they were properly mated, everything would change.
That belief was the only thing keeping her together.
That evening, Selene prepared a special dinner.
Candlelight flickered against the stone walls of the dining hall, casting a warm glow over the table set for two. Selene smoothed the fabric of her dress, anticipation swirling in her chest as she heard Victor's approaching footsteps.
When he stepped inside, she smiled. "I made your favorite."
Victor's brows furrowed slightly as he took in the setting. "What's all this?"
Selene's smile faltered. "I thought we could have dinner together. We haven't had much time to-"
Victor exhaled heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "Selene... you shouldn't have gone through all this trouble."
"It's no trouble," she said quickly, her voice small. "I just thought-"
"Selene." His tone was firm. "I'm tired. Can we do this another time?"
Her heart clenched painfully. "Oh... of course."
Without another word, Victor turned and made his way upstairs, leaving Selene standing alone in the dim candlelight.
The meal went untouched.
Later that night, as Selene gathered the dishes, a faint sound from upstairs caught her attention.
Soft laughter. A creaking bed.
Her hands froze.
The sound was muffled, but it was unmistakable.
Selene's breath hitched as she slowly ascended the staircase. The voices grew clearer with each step.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she reached his bedroom door.
She pushed it open.
The air in her lungs vanished.
Victor was in bed-with Liliana.
Their bodies tangled together, sheets barely covering them, sweat glistening on their skin. Liliana's head was thrown back in pleasure as Victor's lips trailed along her neck.
Selene's stomach dropped.
She felt like she had been punched in the chest, her breath stolen, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.
"Victor?" she whispered, her voice cracking.
They both froze.
Victor turned, his face pale as he scrambled off the bed.
"Selene-this isn't-"
Liliana clutched the sheets to her chest, but there was no true panic in her expression. Only the ghost of a smirk hidden beneath feigned regret.
"Selene, I-" Victor stepped forward, reaching for her, but she stumbled back.
"How could you?" she choked, tears spilling over her cheeks. "You're my mate. You're supposed to-"
"I never meant for you to find out this way," Victor said, his voice tight with guilt.
Selene shook her head frantically, bile rising in her throat. "This isn't real. This can't be-"
"Don't be naive, Selene," Liliana interrupted, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "You couldn't give him what he needed."
Selene shattered.
Her vision blurred, her chest heaving as the world around her collapsed.
"Get out of here," Victor snapped suddenly. His voice, which had once been her safe haven, now cut through her like a blade.
When she didn't move, he grabbed her arm.
"No-"
She tried to pull away, but he shoved her toward the door. The force sent her stumbling.
Her foot caught on the rug.
The floor vanished beneath her.
She fell.
Pain exploded as she crashed down the staircase, her body twisting, bones jarring against the hard steps. Each impact sent another jolt of agony through her, her screams swallowed by the darkness.
By the time she hit the floor, her vision dimmed.
Victor and Liliana's voices faded.
Her breaths grew shallower.
As the world slipped away, Selene had only one thought.
I never deserved this.
And then-nothing.