Selene Pov

“Wear this ball gown to the party, it'll fit you so well.” Lucien handed me a faded silver looking ball gown.

Maybe it's the latest design in town that I don't know of.

I smiled collecting it, “Do I wait till you announce me, or I stay in the hall? Actually I think waiting outside before calling my name as your mate is quite grand and befitting.” I squealed. He smelled like pine. Heavenly.

His smile faltered a little bit, he looked anywhere but my eyes.

This is unusual. Or maybe I was imagining it.

He moved closer to me, his tall refined body providing warmth the previous distance erased. His youthful appeal continues to draw me in just like when we first met.

“Staying in the hall would be better, it's the snowing season.” He smiled. The smile didn't reach his eyes.

I'm seeing things, I might need to do an eye checkup.

I nodded, smiling at his thoughtfulness.

“Happy birthday my Alpha.” I kissed him.

“Birthday's not until twelve midnight Selena.” He smiled.

I stretched out a box to him “Here, your birthday gift.” I smiled.

He hugged me.

“Off you go babe.” He kissed my lips walking away.

I skipped my way back into the dormitory smiling.

“What's with that pale old looking gown?” Aria, my dorm mate scrunched her face up the moment she saw the gown.

“Mind your words, jealous freak, Lucien gave it to me, says to wear it to his birthday tonight, he's going to claim me as his mate in the party.” I whispered the last part. I picked up my shoes and cleaned them , although they were clean.

“This gown is not it Selene, you can't wear this faded silver ugly looking dress to the party.” She argued.

“You just don't understand the thoughtfulness behind it, if you get a boyfriend, you'll understand.” I held the clothes tightly to my chest.

Finally, Lucien can occupy the missing father's place in my life, no one would dare call me fatherless after today.

I began imagining how cute and royal it's going to be when he finally says, Selene Ashcroft, I take you as my mate under the blessing of the full moon and in the presence of this aca…..

“Better prepare, else someone else's gonna be mated to him in place of you. You don't wanna be late.” Aria disrupts my lovely imagination.

I huffed angrily since I can't manage to growl just yet.

I immediately went into the bathroom to freshen up.

I could hear music playing from my bathroom, I mean hell yeah…

My alpha boyfriend is announcing me as his mate tonight.

Yayyyy. I giggle splashing water all over.

“Keep giggling and risk being late.” Aria screamed from the room.

Ugh. What a joy killer.

I scrubbed my body about to zoom into my imagination once more.

“It's your boyfriend's birthday, why are you still in there? It's dusk already.” A voice I recognized to be Bella's yelled.

Pfft! Whoever heard her would think she likes me. Meanwhile she's the weapon fashioned against my relationship.

“Keep the fake enthusiasm Bells.” I yelled back, rinsing my body.

These people would not let me live my imagination in peace.

I opened the bathroom door and slammed it angrily.

“Don't bring down my eardrums.” I sassed walking to my dressing table.

“I wish you luck though, I still don't believe Lucien is going to announce you as his mate.” Bella threw her hands up.

“Drown in your jealousy, y'all told me he doesn't look like he's in love with me, but look who's going to be announced as his mate tonight…” I laughed drying my body with a towel.

Although Lucien is loved in the academy and the pack, unlike his twin who's called a monster.

People couldn't accept the fact that Lucien loves me, why because I'm a gamma and I don't know who my father is. The list is endless... My wolf is not even out yet. I sighed.

“Could you please style my hair for me Aria?” My comb is broken due to the forceful handling.

“As your incoming majesty pleases.” She laughed walking over to me.

“Is your mother coming?” Bella asked, standing at the bathroom door.

She sounded like she'd enter the bathroom the moment I got out.

“Of course yes.” I replied tiredly.

Their nagging is becoming irritating at this point.

“Did you not say Lucien's Mark would trigger your wolf, and maybe you would transform?” Aria asked.

“For the hundredth time Aria, the professor confirmed it.” I was tired even before the ceremony itself.

“Okay, but won't you consider changing this gow…” she was saying.

“Zip it Aria, it's enough.” I cut her off, irritated.

I don't understand why they can't be happy for me. For once in their life.

Aside from the fact that I love him, his mark can trigger my wolf and make me transform.

I put on simple clothes to get some sandwiches from the store, eating at parties makes me inconvenient.

Whistling happily, I walk-run to the store. The attending omega looked at me and smiled. “One sandwich and one cola please.” I smiled at him.

“Look who it is, isn't it the wolf less gamma? If not that Lucien is someone who cares less about status, what would he be doing with someone like you.” Charis the school Belle since seraphina left the academy said.

Seraphina was the prettiest she wolf in the academy, but since she left the pack due to violence, Charis has taken the crown.

I miss Seraphina anyway.

I hissed, ignoring them completely, she came with her minions. And even if I were to pick a fight with her, she'd pull her rank on me and I'll be forced to submit.

Two of them are Betas, three of them are omegas.

“You three have no right to laugh, we're not in the same league, know your place.” I snarled at the omegas.

They submitted.

“That's all you can do, pull ranks and snarl.” Charis mocked.

I took my order and walked away. She's been chasing Lucien for the longest time and Lucien doesn't like her. She pours her frustration on me.

Too bad, she's not going to get close to my mate. Not now, not ever.

Rushing back to the dorm so I could eat and wear my dress, counting my steps I bumped into a hard chest.

“You're not blin..” my words disappeared on seeing who it was.

Holly molly!

Sweet moon goddess. It is Keal!

The monster, Lucien's twin. He looked at me like a piece of dirt.

“Sorry…I'm sorry.” Choking on my words ,I turned immediately running away to my dorm.

I entered my dorm holding my chest looking at the door.

“Why did you enter like you're being hunted by Lucifer?” Aria said from the back.

I jumped momentarily.

“Why is everyone making it their job to scare me today?” I huffed in annoyance.

“I just bumped into Keal.” I told her.

Her eyes went wide.

“I still wonder how a handsome guy like that is stone cold as ice. I almost vanished when I realized it was him.” I blew out.

“Still holding on to the fact that he beats Seraphina?” Aria nudged.

I nodded.

“It's dark already, we better get going, else Lucien would call my name and I'm not gonna be in the hall.” I joked while putting my gown on hurriedly.

Aria looked at the gown in a distasteful manner. I care less though. They can microwave their opinions and shove it down their throat.

“I'm ready to partyyy.” Bella yelled.

“Keep it down, bells, my eardrums matter please.” I retort jokingly.

We all laughed and headed to the party venue. Most of the pack members were rushing to the hall also, they all wore a beautiful gown.

I kept getting weird stares as we walked to the venue.

Well, I'm the center of attention today, guess who your future Luna is? I laughed at the thought.

The moment I entered the hall, all eyes turned to me the moment I entered the hall. The hall was filled to its brim.

Well I don't care, my eyes searched for Lucien, I couldn't find him.

The hall light radiated brightly, the blue and white color light shone brightly. It looks surreal and magical.

Seeing the Alpha and the Luna on seat, my mind eased a little.

I grabbed the sides of my oversized ball gown, everyone was dressed elegantly, their make up and gown on point.

I felt out of place, I didn't dare to stare much longer, else I'd question Lucien's choice of clothing.

I quickly snapped out of it when Lucien walked in.

I smiled walking towards him, “Lucien.” I tried to grab his attention.

He sent an uneasy glance my way briefly.

“He's about to speak, do not interrupt, stand at his back.” Luna snapped coldly when I tried to go near where Lucien stood.

I swallowed the insult, they were never nice to me.

“Thank you for honoring my birthday invitation, I'm pleased to announce my mate and introduce her to you all.” Lucien started his face smiling.

My heart started to beat faster, blood rushed to my ears, the anxiety and anticipation was eating me raw.

“I would like to introduce to you my woman from day one, the one who makes me smile, my moonshine, she's my strength, my favorite person in the world.” He laughed while the crowd cheered.

I blushed hard, stepping forward.

“Introducing to you my mate, Seraphina Vale.” He finished.

Silence.

My eyes malfunctioned earlier today, now my ears are doing the same?

“You're so dumb.” My wolf snapped retreating, away from my head.

Wait who?

The door opened, Seraphina walked in slowly in a blue flowery translucent gown.

Selene’s Pov

Seraphina, my supposed distant best friend, walked in smiling beautifully. I turned to Lucien, he was smiling brightly, not the one he kept on this afternoon.

I walked over to where he stood, he signaled to his guard to restrict me.

My body felt hot, I felt my brain frying, this has to be a mistake.

“Lucien what are you doing?” My voice rang out.

The loud music made it impossible for the crowd to hear.

I turned to look at Keal, he looked unbothered.

I ran to him almost tripping in the oversized gown.

“That's the mother of your pup, go tell Lucien he's mistaken her for me. The guards won't allow me there.” I tried to touch him.

A single cold stare from him stopped me.

“We decided to keep our relationship a secret, away from prying and evil eyes, but now is the time to take her rightful place.” Lucien boasted holding her close to him.

I fell when the crowd cheered. Luna was smiling brightly, the one she never sent to my direction.

“Wait!” I yelled. This time people heard me.

“What do you mean rightful place? I heard something like our relationship? She's Seraphina, not Selene Lucien…” I was going feral.

Aria and Bella quickly came to where I was to help me up.

“Mother.” A tiny voice sounded from the corner.

It was Orion, Seraphina’s son. The one she had with Keal.

Maybe this is going to break them out of the evil spell possessing them.

Seraphina sent a cold glance towards Orion.

Unbothered by that, I jerked my hands away from my friends.

I went to Lucien, “Tell me this isn't true.” I held his shirt.

I looked over to Keal, he looked like he was enjoying the show. No smile, no sadness, face unreadable.

“I only pitied you, I wanted the students to treat you well, that's why I got together with you. I'll find you a good mate after my marking ceremony in two days.” He said gently.

He only got together with me because I was being bullied? No, no, no.

This is all a dream, for the first time in five years, my eyes stung with tears and it came cascading down like waterfalls.

“Don't do this to me Lucien, if this is a prank, I can't take it anymore.” I begged.

“What made you think he'd take you as his mate? You can't even transform yet, what made you qualify as his mate?” My supposed run away best friend asked mockingly.

The betrayal hit like a poisoned arrow.

She told me Keal beats her that was why she left the academy and travelled to another pack.

“You told me he beats you, that was why you left the academy, you've actually been scheming to get Lucien because I was happy?” My voice shook.

“You're disrupting my engagement, please leave.” She said coldly.

My dignity is slowly slipping away, even without my wolf being visible yet, I still have value for my dignity.

There was no turning back from this humiliation.

I stood up, looking at them both like a wounded puppy. I turned to walk away.

“It's only right to reject you now, so I can claim my woman without restrictions don't you think?” Lucien said.

This bastard felt no remorse at all, his smell that once comforted me now felt like an odor.

He held my hand ready to reject me. The hands that used to make me feel loved now felt like blades.

“I Alpha Lucien Blackthorn reje…”

“No, I, Selene Ashcroft, reject you as my mate.” I cut him off looking at him dead in the eyes. His eyes held shock and disbelief and some other emotion I couldn't name.

The sharp stabbing pain came, it felt like my heart was pierced with a dagger, I fell to the floor sweating profusely, my eyes turned red due to pain.

The rejection pain is not describable.

I curse you Lucien Blackthorn.

My wolf let out a painful howl in my head.

“Come my daughter.” I heard my mother's voice. It was laced with pain.

What mother could bear to see her child in pain?

“You disrupted the Alpha son's engagement, how rude! Punishments will be given later, for now take them out of this place.” Luna growled.

I could barely stand, Aria and Bella helped me up, they guided me towards the exit of the hall.

“Well, well isn't it the rejected garbage’s day?” Charis came out of a corner before we made it out.

I was writhing in pain, I could barely mutter a word.

“You were the first who got rejected bitch!” Bella snapped angrily.

I barely heard what Charis said , my mind refused to keep up with me, I collapsed.

I woke up slowly, my eyes hurting from the ray of sunlight, “Thank goddess you're okay.” My mother's relieved voice came from my side.

It was then I drank in my surroundings.

This is not my mother's house. I saw Aria and Bella sleeping by my other side.

Oh goddess! They stayed with me? Hot tears stung my eyes again.

“It's okay my baby, don't cry, you'll recover in no time.” My mother persuaded me.

Memories of the nights came rushing back, not like I forgot in the first place. I wasn't conscious about it.

“Thank goddess you're okay Selene, we were so worried about you.” Aria hugged me.

I didn't know when they woke up. Bella patted my head.

I tried to move my body, but the aching in my bones forced me to lie back.

The pack doctor came in.

“Can I have a word with the patient relative?” He adjusted his glasses.

“No, say it here, we're all family. ”There was no need to hide anything.

“Well then, have you been able to connect with your wolf since you woke up?” He asked.

That's true.

Crystal? I called through our usual link. No response came, I called again and again. Still no response.

Shaking, I looked at the doctor. “I can't reach my wolf, what happened? Is she fine? I can't feel her.”

“Due to the impact of the severed mate bond, she can't connect to you due to weakness and pain, it'll take time for her to come back.” The doctor explained at once.

No… this can't be happening.

“Please what do I do to get crystal back? I can't live without hearing my wolf, she is my other half.” I looked at the doctor expectantly.

“There's nothing we can do, until she heals by herself there's nothing I can do, besides why did you poison yourself with wolfsbane?” He asked.

“Why would you expose yourself to wolfsbane?” He asked again.

Lucien.

“Wolfsbane? She didn't take any of sort, she didn't eat anything from the party, so where is that coming from?” Aria stood up facing the doctor.

“The clothes she wore, the two extra layers are thick with wolfsbane, she wore it for a long time and it took effect. The moon goddess sure loves you, other worlds died even before arrival.” The doctor rushed his words.

The ward went silent.

Did I hear him right?

“What? You meant the dress was laced with wolfsbane?” Bella opened her mouth after what seemed like ages.

The doctor nodded affirmatively.

Not only did he reject me and humiliate me publicly, he also tried to kill me?

Why?

My death would've been said to have come from the rejection and not that I was poisoned.

Ha!

“We have a test today, we might not make it to the final grade if we don't take it.” I muttered calmly.

Aria snapped her head towards me. My calmness had surprised them.

“Not in this state of mind Selene.” Aria shook her head.

Two years of living a lie, he had groomed me into fitting what he calls his perfect Luna only to be publicly humiliated and rejected. He told me I was his fated mate.

He used my inability to smell my mate against me.

I ripped the necklace he had once gifted me off immediately.

“Easy Selene.” Aria's concerned voice came staring at the redness of my neckline.

Lucien wanted me gone,how about I stay in his face? I'm about to give him the shock of his life.

I want to see the look of shock on his face when he finds out I survived.

My mom was skeptical about it, but my mind was made up. Everybody is expecting me to be absent today. I'm not giving any of them that satisfaction.

We prepared and left for the academy.

People began to whisper the moment they saw me, some had the look of pity on their face, some had the look of Victory on their face.

I walked towards Lucien's dorm, the one he shares with his twin, although it's two different rooms.

As I approached the door, I began to hear faint voices.

“You told me you'd end everything before now, people are still feeling some type of way about me. I'm Keal's ex!.” A voice I recognized to be Seraphina's voice.

From her tone she's angry.

“The relationship is for the people and the alpha selection, they'd know in their heart their next alpha is kind regardless of status. I don't understand how she was able to stand for that long, she's supposed to have blacked out before you came in. Why don't you get it?” Lucien's voice was equally filled with anger and frustration.

Two years of my time and love was for a show and politics?

I staggered backwards until my back hit a hard chest.

The familiar cedar woody smell wafted my nostrils.

Keal.

Selene’s Pov

Keal caught me before I fell. My eyes went wide, seeing my feet were solid, he pushed me lightly.

He stared down at me, his eyes cold and unreadable.

I moved away instantly.

“You'll only kill yourself if you continue listening.” Keal smirked.

Why isn't he angry about this whole thing?

“That is your woman right there Keal, she's in your twin's arm and you're here smiling? What exactly is amusing you?” I whispered.

“When addressing her, learn to use the word ex!” He brought out a cigarette.

“Please don't do that, they'll know we're here in no time.” My eyes were pleading.

“Leave.” His voice chilled me out.

Why is he telling me to leave?

Just as I was about to leave, sounds of moans began coming from the room.

My eyes went wide, with anger brewing in me, I made to go into the room.

“Leave.” He let out harshly.

Staggering, I dragged my unmoving feet out of the lounge.

Lucien. He took advantage of my situation, he turned it into a show and a political game.

The last shred of love u had for him turned into a raging hatred.

I walked to the hunting forest. I needed to clear my head. I thought I could handle the rejection better to show I'm strong. But I'm not. Heck I'm broken.

I miss my wolf so much. My soul feels hollow and empty. I crouched down burying my head between my knees.

After what seemed like forever, I stood up ready to go back for the test, I began to hear screams coming from the academy.

I stood up walking back to know what's going on.

“Thank goddess you're fine.” Aria hugged me the moment she sighted me emerging from the forest.

“What is going on?” I was puzzled.

“Orion went missing. Keal scent warriors to search for him.” Aria whispered as if afraid of being heard.

“How could they leave a child to roam around to the extent of getting lost? They should trace his scent.” I whispered back.

“Alpha Keal threatened to burn down the academy if he's not found, that's why the warriors are searching this much, besides his scent isn't traceable.” Aria dragged me away.

I wanted to go back to the dorm, but I couldn't.

Orion is just like me, abandoned by his mother, he might be little, but understands what was going on. I can't just sit and watch him disappear.

I spotted Keal walking towards another direction, his face contorted with anger and worry.

“I'll be back, Aria.” I left before she could say anything.

I need to search for the poor child, his stupid and wicked mother is nowhere to be found. Heartless bitch!

I went to the field searching for him, went to the locker room to check. Still nothing.

How can a little child disappear?

The last place I could chew for him was a deserted place I used to go as a child anytime I'm being bullied.

I left the locker room, at the back of the academy building. I trailed the bushy path for some minutes before I got to the garden. The scents of the flowers enveloped me. But another scent that wasn't flowery mixed with it.

I dived deeper into the garden, there was a waterfall at the side.

Sob.

It was a little child's sob. I squinted my eyes a little, there I saw Orion crying by the waterfall.

This explains why his father couldn't trace him.

“Hey darling, come here.” I smiled at him stretching my hands.

He ran towards me the moment he saw me, he was wet.

“You must have been scared, I'm here now okay? Your father is worried sick about you.” I carried him.

After some minutes we got back to the academy. I went straight to his father's dorm.

He wasn't there when I got in.

One of the warriors mind linked him to the fact that Orion has been found.

I entered his room for the very first time. I dropped Orion, I pulled his clothes off drying his body with a towel I took from Keal’s bathroom.

“Where are your clothes? It's freezing, we don't want you catching a fever.” I asked the little boy.

I pointed to the second wardrobe in the room. I took one of his clothes and wore it for him.

I carried him cradling his head, he'll be warm in no time, wolves are known for internal heat.

Soon he slept.

I gently laid him on the bed when the door burst open.

Troubled Keal rushed in.

“Shhhh” I put my hand on my mouth.

“Why do you have my son?” He pulled me from the bed roughly.

His eyes were bloodshot.

“I saw him at the back of the academy, I should ask you where were you when he went missing, proud dad?” Sarcasm laced in my voice.

“Don't test me Selene.” His ragged breath slowed.

I knew better than to test him.

“How do I pay you back?” He asked.

“There's no need for that, I'd do that for anyone, besides he's a child.” I made to leave.

“I insist.” He blocked my way from leaving.

I thought for a while,what could I possibly want from him.

A crazy idea flew to my head.

If our ex's are with each other, why can't we do the same.

I know it's a crazy idea, Keal might have my head for it.

“Mate with me.” I blurted before I could stop myself.

Silence.

He stared at me like I had grown two heads.

“Repeat that.” He walked away from the door.

“Mate with me.” I repeated shakily.

“This ain't a novel where the rejected mate uses the twin as a rebound.” He lashed, his cold gaze piercing.

“It isn't a rebound, it is about choosing you.” My voice shook.

“Are you going to be my mummy?” Orion's voice came.