Chapter 5
Selena's POV
Istand outside Rylan’s door, my hand hovering inches from the wood, heart thundering against my ribs.
He already knows I’m here, his scent sharpens, pine and leather tinged with something electric. Anticipation. Recognition.
He was busy, my wolf hums, pleased. He smells good.
We need him for our revenge, she reminds me.
I hesitate. We should go in. I have a good feeling about him.
I knock anyway.
“Come in,” his voice rumbles through the door.
I soften my posture, letting my shoulders curl inward, making myself small. The mask of the weak, human mate slides over me like a second skin.
I hate this part, my wolf mutters.
Just pretend, we don’t want anyone to know our strength, yet, I remind her.
For now, she replies, sharp with promise.
I push the door open.
Rylan stands by the window, moonlight carving his silhouette into sharp relief. He doesn’t turn immediately. “Selena.”
“I—I hope I’m not disturbing you,” I murmur, injecting a slight tremble into my voice.
He turns then, his amber eyes catching mine. Something flickers in their depths, knowledge, perhaps. Or suspicion. “You never disturb me.”
I step inside, careful to keep my movements hesitant, uncertain. My wolf prowls beneath my skin, impatient with this charade, but I silence her. Not yet.
“I didn’t know where else to go,” I say, glancing down at my hands.
Rylan’s jaw tightens. “You don’t have to explain.”
But I do. Every word is a thread in the web I’m weaving. “The pack has been... unkind. I thought things might change, but...“ I let my voice crack perfectly. “It’s worse now.”
He crosses the room in three strides, stopping just short of touching me. His proximity sends electricity skittering across my skin. “What happened?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” I say, then quickly amend, “I mean... it’s nothing.”
His eyes narrow. “Tell me.”
I bite my lip as if reluctant. “Just some comments. Shoves in the hallway. The usual.” I look up at him through lowered lashes.
I allow a flash of genuine vulnerability. “No one’s been kind since my parents died… except… you.”
Something shifts in his expression, a softening around the eyes, a tension in his shoulders. “I remember them. They were good pack members.”
“They were.” I step closer, watching his reaction. His nostrils flare slightly, taking in my scent. I wonder what he smells, what changes he detects. I know my wolf is different now, stronger, ancient. I wonder if his is too.
“Your scent,” he says abruptly. “It’s changed.”
I turn to face him, maintaining my facade of confused innocence. “Rylan. I just needed someone to talk to… Please.”
His eyes soften, but the knowing gleam remains. He’s playing along, but he’s not fooled. Not entirely. “What do you need from me, Selena?”
“I need your help,” I whisper, letting real desperation seep into my voice. “You were trained to lead this pack since you were a pup. You know things Ronan doesn’t… I need that.”
Rylan brushes a piece of hair behind my ear. “And what exactly are you planning to do with my knowledge, little wolf?"
My wolf purrs.
“I’ll use it to protect you, me, and the pack.”
“And you think they’ll listen to me?” His tone is gentle, comforting.
“They might start listening to you if you send a letter to the Lycan council to investigate… before they can cover their tracks,” I counter.
He studies me for a long moment, then nods once. “I’ll send the letter. It will take around one week for the Lycan council to arrive. But, Selena…“ He steps closer, and this time his fingers brush my wrist, sending sparks racing up my arm.
That felt good. Let him touch us some more.
No. He’s not our mate. Plus we need to protect him too.
“It’s better to learn sooner, rather than later. We start our lessons today.”
I swallow hard. “Today?… Okay.”
His smile is dangerous, a predator’s grin. “I hope you’re ready.”
Before I can respond, he pulls out the chair at his desk and gestures for me to sit. “After you.”
Over the next few days, Rylan trains me relentlessly, law, power, alliances, enemies. I listen. I learn. I remember.
I hate this part, my wolf mutters.
It keeps us alive, I remind her.
For now, she replies, sharp with promise.
This time… I prepare.
*****
One week later, the Lycan council arrives.
We walk the corridors toward the Alpha’s office, and I realize Rylan is my strongest ally. I vow to protect him in this life. But there is a slight change in how he treats me. He seems… more caring.
It’s dangerous, but I need him. And if I’m honest with myself, I want him near. My wolf purrs when Rylan’s close.
I can’t be passive this time. I won’t wait for Candice to destroy me again. This time, I control the narrative.
We reach the Alpha Roland’s office, and Rylan knocks with more force than necessary. The sound echoes through the hallway.
“Enter,” comes Alpha Roland’s command.
Careful, my wolf warns. They smell strong.
I already know.
Rylan pushes the door open but stays slightly behind me, a silent presence at my back. I step into the room, immediately dropping my gaze in deference.
Alpha Roland sits behind his massive desk, Luna Vivienne perched elegantly on a chair beside him. Across from them stand two tall figures, one male and one female.
“Alpha Roland, Luna Vivienne, Lycan Councilmen,” I murmur, my voice carefully modulated to convey respect tinged with fear. “Thank you for seeing me.”
The man rises, crosses to Rylan, and pulls him into a bro hug. “It’s good to see you. It’s been too long.”
“Likewise.”
The Lycan council members sniff the air, look at me, and exchange a glance.
“Rylan,” Alpha Roland acknowledges, “and... Selena. This is unexpected.” He introduces us to the Lycan council, “This is my eldest son Rylan, former Alpha heir and current pack Enforcer. And this is our former Gamma Henry’s daughter, Selena.”
I twist my hands together, the picture of anxiety. “I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t important.”
“I remember your father and mother. They were great warriors and werewolves. If you ever need anything, here’s my card,” the female Lycan councilwoman says, handing me a card. We all take a seat across from the Alpha and Luna.
I say gently, “Thank you. I appreciate this more than you know.”
The Luna’s eyes narrow. “Our door is always open. You know that.”
No, after my parents died, they didn’t give me the time of day. Not even twenty-four hours after my father’s funeral, they appointed Candice’s father as Gamma in my father’s place.
I take a shaky breath. “Some members are showing hostility towards me.”
Alpha Roland leans forward. “Explain.”
I raise my eyes, allowing tears to gather. “Three days ago, I was cornered in the east wing by pack enforcers. They said I wasn’t worthy to be in our pack, that I was weak. They…“ I touch my ribs as if they still ache. “They made their point quite physically.”
I move my hair aside, exposing the bruises still lingering from the day I woke in this body.
I’m glad you stopped me from healing your wounds.
I know, right. You can heal them as soon as we take pictures later, just for proof.
Gotcha.
Alpha Roland’s expression darkens. “Who?”
“I can’t say,” I whisper. “I fear retaliation.”
Rylan steps forward. “I witnessed the attack that day, but they stopped when they saw me coming. It was Marcus and Damon.”
The Luna’s eyebrows rise. “Why didn’t you report it sooner?”
“Because ever since my mate passed, everyone treats my words like they mean nothing unless I use force. I stepped down because you, my parents, Alpha Roland and Luna Vivienne, agreed with Ronan that it was best for the pack,” Rylan says.
The Lycan council members exchange a look. The male Lycan council member frowns. “I’ve never heard of an Alpha and Luna suggesting their heir step down and pass the title to his brother. What is going on here?”
The female Lycan council member continues, “Usually, an Alpha heir is given time to grieve, and then the pack waits for him to receive a second chance mate or a chosen mate in certain cases.”
The Luna forces a thin smile. “W-we thought it was best at the time. After all, Ronan took over the Alpha heir duties while Rylan was in mourning.”
I could fix this in seconds, my wolf muses.
No.
You’re no fun.
A knock sounds at the door. Candice’s voice floats through from the other side, “Alpha Roland, Luna Vivienne, I’m looking for Selena. I’m worried. Have you seen her?”
“Come in,” Alpha Roland booms. “Oh, Selena, are you alright? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Her fake sincerity disgusts me as she comes to sit beside me.
“I don’t feel safe anymore. I heard rumors and lies about me… I’m scared. What if someone is trying to sow discord in our pack?” I whimper. Candice places me in a hug. I shiver with disgust.
Alpha Roland studies me. “Discord? How so?”
“I’m scared,” I whisper. “Not just for me... for the pack. Something is wrong. People are turning on each other.”
“I agree,” the Lycan councilman says. “There needs to be an investigation. Into who is sowing discord in your pack.”
Candice flinches. “I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Candice says, voice sweet as poison. “I believe if you go around investigating pack members, it may sow more discord.”
She grabs my hand. “What if they target Selena more? Don’t you agree, Selena?” she asks with fake concern.
Candice’s fingers lace through mine, warm and familiar.
Rot, my wolf snarls. She reeks of it.
I know… Then why isn’t anyone else smelling it?
Because she’s wearing a scent suppressant… and layering something over it. Let me tear her apart.
Not yet.
“I’m so glad you’re finally speaking up, Sel,” she murmurs softly, her smile gentle, proud.
Her nails press just slightly into my skin.
“But be careful…” she adds, her voice dipping just enough for only me to hear.
“The pack doesn’t always respond well to sudden changes… Sel.”
In my previous life, every time she faked concern for me, I would agree with her, but this time…
“I agree...” Candice looks triumphant for a heartbeat. Then I continue, “with the Lycan councilwoman. I think we need a thorough investigation.” The color drains from Candice’s face.
That’s right, my wolf purrs. Time to hunt.