Chapter 60

Selene

When we finally get back to Luke's house, it's like a dam breaks inside me. The tears I've been holding back come pouring out, hot and relentless, streaming down my face until I collapse into a mess of sobs. My entire body shakes with the force of it, each cry tearing through me like a jagged knife.

Sam gently leads me to the couch, his hand steady on my back, grounding me as I sink between him and Makayla. Their words are a comforting hum in the background, but I'm too lost in my own pain to really hear them. I cry until it feels like there's nothing left inside of me, like all of the anger, embarrassment, and heartache have drained out of me.

Though it feels like hours, I know it's only been maybe five minutes or so since I started crying. Finally, my breathing begins to even out, no longer hitching painfully in my chest. I take a deep, shuddering breath and manage a small smile for my friends.

"Thanks guys. I'm okay now," I reassure them. "I just needed to let it out."

I knew Phoenix had a past. I mean, how could he not? He's literally the hottest guy I've ever laid eyes on, the future leader of the pack, and likely one of the strongest werewolves in our Kingdom. But knowing it in theory and seeing it in real time are two very different things.

The way she looked at me...it was like she knew exactly who I was, who I meant to Phoenix, and she just didn't care. She mocked me to my face, made me feel like I was nothing more than his whore, another notch on his belt. How did she even know about us? We haven't gone public, and we're not exactly parading our relationship around. At least, I don't think we are.

Sure, other males can smell Phoenix's scent on me, if they really pay attention, but would they really talk about it? I doubt it. Phoenix commends too much respect—or fear—for anyone to gossip about his personal life. So, how did she know?

It's not just the way she looked at me, though. It's the way she screamed at him, the jealousy in her voice, like she was furious he was paying attention to any other woman that wasn't here. I should be feeling that way, not her.

I don't want that kind of attention. I don't want other women to be so jealous that they'd turn violent. We already have enough to deal with—my crazy psycho ex is more than enough. We don't need any more drama, any more people trying to tear us apart.

It feels like literally every time I try to be even a little bit happy, something else comes up to threaten it. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be able to...just be. Maybe I should stay in this protective bubble at Luke's house, where nothing can touch us.

Sam returns from the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea, and I take it with a grateful nod, savoring the warmth that seeps into my hands.

"Sorry that you guys had to leave the club to make me feel better," I sniff, dapping my sore, swollen eyes. I feel completely drained, all cried out, and now all I want to do is find Phoenix and tell him that I wasn't mad at him, I was just upset with the situation.

Makayla shakes her head, a soft smile curving her lips. "It's okay, Selene. It was getting a bit rowdy in there anyway," she reassures me.

"Yeah, and we'd do anything for you. You're our bestie," Sam chimes in, bumping his shoulder against mine with a teasing grin.

I manage a laugh, my heart swelling with affection for them. "You guys are so amazing. What did I ever do to deserve you?"

Sam smirks. "Start working at your stepdad's company?"

I freeze for a split second, the mention of my stepfather sending a jolt of anxiety through me. Sam doesn't know about Philip yet, about the monster he truly is. I'll have to tell him eventually, but not tonight. I'm too exhausted, too emotionally spent to open that can of worms.

Suddenly, the front door cracks opens, and I turn to see Luke stroll in, followed closely by Phoenix. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of him—he looks nervous, almost...broken. It twists something deep inside of me, seeing the sadness in his eyes. He must think I'm going to reject him, tell him that I regret everything, that if that woman wants him, she can have him because I don't want anything to do with him anymore.

But that couldn't be any further from the truth.

There's nothing in the world that would make me not want to be with him, excluding cheating of course, but that's not what tonight was. He pushed that woman away, he made it clear he didn't want her. Now that I've had some time and space to think, I realize maybe I overreacted a little.

He didn't deserve me just walking away from him like he did something wrong, but I just needed time to sort through my own feelings before I said something to him that I would immediately regret.

Phoenix's eyes find mine, and I can see the guilt, the hurt, etched into his expression. It breaks my heart all over again. He comes straight to me, kneeling beside the couch so that he's looking up at me. He takes my hand in his, his touch warm and familiar.

It almost looks like he wants to beg for my forgiveness, and for a moment, I hold my breath, waiting for his next words.

"Little wolf, can we talk?" he asks, his voice quiet and strained, as if he's afraid of how I'll respond.

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat as I stand up. I let him lead me to his bedroom, our fingers intertwined, holding on to each other like we're afraid to let go.

And, honestly, I am.