(Selene's POV)
Sleep refused to come. My eyes were raw from crying, yet my heart thudded like a war drum in my chest.. I needed evidence, I needed something to destroy him.
“Mama…” Amara’s timid voice came as she opened the door. I wanted to scold her for being awake when my gaze landed on a picture she held.
It was Elara and Damian. Elara was in lingerie with Damian's face buried in her neck.
“Where… where did you see this?” I asked, my voice breaking and my trembling fingers reaching for the photo.
Amara tilted her head, her eyes wide and trusting. “Papa has papers in his room… with pictures. He hides them in the big shelf. I saw them when he forgot to close the door.”
Her words thundered in my ears.
“Stay here.” I whispered, closing the door.
My feet carried me to the one place he had always forbidden me to go—his study.
The door creaked as I pushed it open. The smell of ink, smoke, and his cologne made bile rise in my throat. Bookshelves lined the walls, neat and commanding like everything Damian touched. But my eyes caught something strange—one shelf jutted out, the wood gnawed at the corner. A rat’s careless teeth had chewed through it, exposing a sliver of iron.
My breath hitched when I saw different pictures of Elara, each having a writing to note the moment it was taken. I collected the romantic pictures of the both of them, tucking it inside my robe.
Then I tugged the shelf, and behind it was a steel safe that was already opened. Just a glance at it made my blood boil.
I saw documents of his agreements with the rogues against the council order. I saw the plots of lands meant for the council developments in Elara’s name.
Not only that but different contracts, records of missing wolves, and proof that Damian sold out warriors for power.
I kept gathering evidence until I stumbled upon his journal. I flipped through it to see that it wasn't the council that ordered for the removal of Lok’s grave — it was him, to please Elara.
“Bastard.”
I couldn’t confront him yet—not until I had everything in place. This was war, and I needed to be prepared.
I collected all the evidence I laid my hands on and headed back to my room when I heard hushed voices.
“I feel so sorry for Selene and her cursed pup.”
“Everyone in the pack literally knows that Alpha loves Elara….”
The hushed voices didn't stop. I leaned on the door to listen more.
“…you think Selene doesn’t know? Everyone else does,” one voice hissed.
“I saw them myself last moon. Elara was on the Alpha’s desk, her claws digging into his shoulders while he took her from behind. The whole study reeked of sex.”
A sharp gasp, then a whispery laugh. “And at the river… she rode him shamelessly, moaning so loud the guards had to turn away. He didn’t even care who heard.”
“He’s addicted to her. The scent of heat clings to him every time he returns. Poor Selene—her bed is cold while Elara warms him every night.”
I pressed my palm against the wall to steady myself, but the walls themselves felt like they were caving in.
He never stopped loving the woman that caused his downfall. He still loved her despite everything.
Elara left him for his ally pack when his position as Alpha was threatened. He had come back injured and crippled that night with all his soldiers dead.
I was the one with him, helping him build everything from scratch. From using all my influence to bring in allies to training by his side and managing the territory till he got back on his foot.
And three years later he bonded with me in front of the pack. Owning his success to me. Except that it was all lies. He was waiting to dump me for his first love.
He never loved me… just lies.
Then I thought of Luther—Damian’s older brother, his enemy—the night he came to kill him. I had kissed him by mistake, thinking he was Damian, and he immediately fell in love with me. He held my gaze, asking why I was ruining myself for his brother.
I grabbed my phone and sent him two messages.
[Your brother is a bastard… I shouldn’t have stopped you from killing him that night]
[Can you destroy him now? I’ll do anything you ask me to.]
He read them at once but didn't reply even though he was online..
Luther’s face stayed in my mind, those cold eyes burning through me, when strong arms suddenly locked around me from behind.
Damian’s scent filled my nose, making my stomach twist. His lips brushed my neck, slow and warm, but it felt like poison. I stiffened, fighting the urge to shove him away.
“Why are you so tense, Selene?” he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. “Have you been crying?”
I wriggled from his hold, taking steps away from him to catch my breath.
“You didn't come home….” I managed to break eye contact with him.
“It was an urgent council meeting…the number of rogues are becoming concerning.” He lied. I could see Elara’s claws on his neck, I could sniff her scent on his body.
“I know…” I gave a sad smile, walking away.
