WRITER'S POV
"Scissors?"
Sarah gazed intensely at her Luna, wondering what she wanted to do with scissors.
Does she want to harm herself? Or cut her long beautiful hair? What exactly does her lady need scissors for?
These thoughts filled Sarah's mind as she brought over a pair of scissors.
"Here it is, your highness," Sarah held onto the scissors, feeling hesitant to hand them over. "But, what are you cutting? Let me do it… these scissors are sharp and you might hurt yourself."
Sarah expressed her worry to an adamant Selene.
Stretching her hands out, Selene replied. "No need. I'll do it myself."
Still uneasy, Sarah glanced at her in fear before handing over the scissors and staying close by, gluing her eyes on Selene.
With Luna Selene pregnant, she knew if anything happened, Alpha Leo wouldn't hesitate to blame her.
While Sarah was battling with her thoughts, a sinister smile appeared on Selene's face as she gripped the shears, picked up the gown, and in the next moment…
Slash!
The perfectly made dress was now torn apart.
"Your highness!" Stunned, Sarah closed the distance between them as she exclaimed in shock.
"Your highness, what are you doing? Why did you cut the dress?" Sarah couldn't help but question her Luna's weird behavior.
She thought her Luna had gone berserk. The dress… It was so expensive and rare, probably the only dress of that kind in the nation. Why would her highness tear it?
"If she didn't like it, she could have given it to me," Sarah thought inwardly as she breathed in disappointment.
Meanwhile, Selene dropped the scissors in satisfaction as a smirk rested on her round face. "The dress was made well, but it tore on its own."
Sarah grew anxious as she stared at her Luna in confusion, "Luna, I… I don't understand, you tore…"
Just before she could complete her words, Selene slowly stood, dressed in loose Cotton loungewear; she walked over to Sarah and stopped an inch in front of her.
"This dress was poorly made and it tore by itself. If Leo asks, just tell him like that," Selene's voice was as stern as her gaze.
A cold chill ran through her spine as she bowed her head. Luna had never spoken to her in such a manner. What happened? Was it the pregnancy hormone?
Swallowing hard, Sarah replied. "I'm just a lowly omega, your highness, Don't worry, I won't say a word about it."
"Good, I'm counting on your words," Selene responded before dismissing her.
By evening, Leo arrived on schedule, which was rather weird since he hardly kept up with time on an occasion when he and Selene were supposed to attend together as the leader of Crimson's pack.
Leo strolled into the master's bedroom and momentarily froze; furrowing his brows involuntarily, he glanced at his supposed wife, whose birthday is today, and whose outfit was entirely different from what he had picked.
"Why aren't you wearing the clothes I picked out for you?" Leo questioned as he stared at the denim shorts and a Peter Pan collar shirt Selene wore.
Coming forward slowly, Sarah bowed her head to Leo as she replied with nervousness. "The dress wasn't sturdy, it tore."
Leo didn't believe it and raised an eyebrow. "Tore on its own?"
Sarah avoided his gaze as her hands began fidgeting behind her.
Selene, clearing her throat, began to explain. "The fabric was weak. I just pulled on it, and it tore."
Folding his arms against his chest, he gazed at Selene suspiciously. No fabric should tear like paper that easily.
His mind went back to the recent Shaw family banquet, Selene had worn jeans and a white T-shirt. After pushing Amelia down the stairs, things got hectic, so he had forgotten but now, he realized that recently, she had been wearing pants and shirt sleeves and hadn't touched the whole wardrobe full of skirts and gowns he'd bought.
Stepping forward, Leo wrapped his arms around Selene's slim waist and whispered, "You look best in a dress, why don't you change into one?"
Selene's brows arched slightly as she bit her lips. Was it her in the dress he likes or was it Amelia in that dress?
Since their wedding three years ago, Leo had controlled her wardrobe, regularly filling her closet. Mostly dresses, with some modernized versions, and regalia of a Luna.
Selene never thought much of it, assuming it was simply his preference. She willingly complied even if the dress was uncomfortable, she wanted to please him.
But now, she understood.
Leo wasn't obsessed with the dresses themselves, he was obsessed with the woman who loved wearing them: Amelia.
He didn't love her. But to preserve his own delusion, he'd been playing her for a fool. That was unforgivable.
A sharp ache stabbed her chest, and Nina, her wolf, whimpered in sadness, their mate's betrayal hit hard again.
Three years of blind devotion. Three years of lies. Three years of wasted love.
And tonight, it will all end. Selene had made up her mind.
With these thoughts in her mind, Selene flashed a sweet smile to her husband and replied gruffly, "Oh? But I prefer who I am now."
"I don't understand," Leo muttered in confusion and Selene shrugged.
"I've made up my mind to wear this. Isn't it my birthday?" She replied sheepishly.
Slowly peeling his hands off her, Selene picked up her cane and called for Sarah to take her to the car.
Leo's eyes darkened with irritation.
Lately, Selene was becoming increasingly rebellious, slipping further from his control which infuriated him to no end.
Was she seeing someone else?
That man's suit jacket he saw that morning, he should get Philip to find out who it belonged to.
Heaving a deep sigh, Leo followed behind them and got into the car. He got in beside her and instinctively took her hand, fingers lacing. When she didn't pull away, he leaned in and murmured, "I never said you looked bad. Just that this… isn't really you."
Still trying to manipulate her?
Her fingers went cold in his grip. She almost wished she could see his face, to witness whether he said those polished lies with a red face or a calm one.
What kind of man had she loved for three years?
Suddenly, she realized every time she wore a dress for him, he was picturing Amelia instead.
Was it the same when they were… in bed? Or when they shared the mate bond? Was she truly his mate?
Her stomach churned violently. She doubled over and suddenly vomited, soiling Leo's clothes.
His face twisted into disgust, no mask, no pretense. "Selene, you…"
Catching himself from muttering a curse word, he softened his tone. "It's just morning sickness. It'll pass. Hang in there, love."
Hearing him clean up with mounting irritation, Selene scoffed silently. She wondered what his reaction would be if he found out that this was due to morning sickness.
Selene's stomach still roiled, but she said nothing.
As they neared their destination, Leo's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, then looked at Selene before answering. "What is it?"
On the other end was Amelia's anxious voice. "Leo, Moss's flight to the sharp-claws pack is tonight! He agreed to meet me before he leaves. Can you come with me?"
"He just arrived in Crimson's pack today," Leo replied, voice low.
"And he's leaving tonight?"
Amelia's erring voice sounded desperate as she continued. "I don't know the details, but if Moss reached out to me first, it means he might accept me as his apprentice. I can't miss this chance!"
Glancing slowly at Selene , Leo thinned his lips, struggling to say the words choking him.
"Am I making this hard for you? Today's Selene's birthday… It's selfish of me to ask this. Forget it. Maybe this is my fate. My artistic path ends here. Have a good birthday celebration with your Luna. Say happy birthday to me." Amelia said, feigning dejection.
Her words stabbed him. He had promised to help Amelia become Moss's apprentice. How could he break that promise?
What was wrong with him?
Amelia was the one he loved most, the one he vowed to protect and never betray.
Yet now, he hesitated.
Just for Amelia's birthday?
Birthdays come every year, but this opportunity with Moss would never come again.
Finally making a decision, Leo breathes calmly before replying,
"I'll drive over to meet you. Wait for my call."
Amelia's voice lifted, relieved. "I knew you wouldn't ignore me."
The call ended, and Leo's hesitation vanished. "Selene, something came up. I have to leave for a bit. You go on ahead. I'll join you when I'm done."
As expected.
Selene clutched her purse tightly as she maintained a straight face, she knew this call was from Amelia. She also knew the meeting was with Moss.
And Leo's choice, just as she expected, would always favor Amelia over her.
She fixed her gaze out the window, never turning back. Her voice was calm, detached. "Got it. Should I get out now?"
Only five minutes to go, but Leo worried Amelia would get impatient, said, "You're so sensible. It's not far. Just flag a cab by the roadside."
Not even a short ride for her? Had he forgotten she was blind?
Nina told her not to care and remain unmoved. She could probably shapeshift into her wolf form and let Nina guide her.
Finally, Selene stepped out of the car. A vehicle sped past like a gust of wind, the cold air slicing through her.
Her hair whipped around her face as she shivered.
She stared unblinking in the direction Leo had gone, her fingertips icy cold.
Goodbye… Leo.
******
In a shadowy corner, a black sedan followed Leo's car till it dropped Selene off at the bus stop.
Inside, a man's eyes glinted coldly as he watched Selene's direction.
Whispering cautiously, the driver said, "Boss, the Luna canceled her identity. She's booked a flight out of Crimson's pack tonight."
The man's expression didn't change, but his gaze sharpened like ice.
Muttering casually, he voiced out, "So tonight is your final goodbye? If it is… I'm looking forward to our next meeting."