Chapter 123: Don’t Care Anymore

Selene’s POV

"You can’t touch her, Alpha. I’m sorry," Kael said to Lucian.

I was still starstruck by the sight of it ... disgusting. A beta, challenging the alpha. Lucian pulled his hand free from Kael’s grip and delivered a slap so hard it cracked through the air like thunder.

"Don’t ever fucking hold my hand like that again."

The crowd screamed. Nobody had expected that. Fuck.

"Your Alpha can’t be this angry and indecisive, so I’m going to make a decision on his behalf," Tessa announced, her voice carrying that awful sweetness she wore like armor. "Until he has taken care of everything that concerns him, he won’t be addressed as Alpha. He’s a commoner now."

The people shouted in agreement. These people followed everything the Luna said without question ... that was the terrifying part. She was using her lady power to push Lucian off the table so she could rule in his place.

The elders agreed and placed Lucian on temporary ban. "You are not permitted to sit on the throne until this matter is resolved. Your wife will sit in your stead," the elder declared.

Lucian vacated the seat for her.

Just like that, Tessa had ultimate power. And Kael was left hanging in the balance.

I knew Lucian would have big plans for him the moment he reclaimed his rightful position. If that would even be possible ... because the crowd had started chanting now. Murderer. Murderer. All because of what Tessa had said.

It was the first time I was hearing it, and I needed to hear his side of the story. How could Lucian abort a child in the womb? It didn’t sit right with me ... not when he had taken care of me during my own pregnancy, cherishing every moment of it, right up until I lost the baby. Thanks to Tessa.

Lucian had been humiliated enough. He left the scene angry and frustrated, and Tessa wasted no time resuming her wickedness.

"I’m the one in charge now, so whatever I say still stands. The breeders will be taken to slaughter immediately," she declared. The guards moved at once and dragged the four women toward the exit.

"I can’t agree to this, Luna," I stepped forward.

"There’s no concrete evidence against them. Killing them is unfair." I turned to the elders directly. "I’m sure you understand ... you want fairness and justice."

They exchanged glances and murmured among themselves.

"Tessa, it is demanded that you conduct a thorough investigation before any action is taken against these wolves," the elder said firmly.

The anger that crossed her face was immediate and raw. She hated what she was hearing. She wanted blood ... she was a bloodthirsty queen ... but right now, she had no choice.

Fuck her and fuck her policies.

I had to leave and go find the king who had just been humiliated by the very woman who claimed to love him. Tessa had broken rules when it suited her, so she had no grounds to complain about anyone else breaking a few.

Finding him wasn’t easy. Lucian crashing out wasn’t the regular kind of crashing out. He retreated to places no one would ever think to look.

But that was my advantage. I knew him.

I searched, and eventually I found him ... behind the mountains, where the waters rushed loud and wild. He was inside a cave. I still wondered how he had gotten there so fast.

The roar of the water softened the moment I stepped inside.

"You know, I should have agreed to run away with you when you asked me to," I said.

He turned at the sound of my voice.

"Hey, Selene," he said, his tone cold and hollow.

"I know you never imagined a day like this would come," I told him, "but I want to tell you the same thing you’ve told me before ... I’m here for you, anytime you need me."

"You shouldn’t be near me, Selene." He looked away. "You heard what my wife said. All of it is true. I’m not a good person, and you shouldn’t be caught anywhere near me."

"I heard everything," I said. "But I didn’t come here to judge you. I came to give you the same comfort you’ve given me, every single time."

He looked so vulnerable standing there. He looked like shit, honestly ... and I didn’t mean that cruelly. He had been king, and now his standing had been shaken because of a misunderstanding orchestrated by his own Luna. Fuck Tessa. Fuck the Luna and fuck her constant need to be the most powerful person in every room. She was a bitch.

I moved closer. He wouldn’t look at me.

I lifted his chin with my fingers and met his eyes. "I believe in you. I trust you. And I know you’re going to overcome this."

He smiled ... just barely. "Thank you."

We stood there staring at each other, and we both knew what was coming. Neither of us wanted to be the first to act.

"I know they say it’s an offence," I said softly, "but I’m willing to go down with you."

I kissed him on the lips ... soft, quiet, deliberate.

Damn. He was married, and I wasn’t. And I didn’t care anymore. He had been through too much for me to keep worrying about boundaries.

He held my gaze for a moment, his breathing heavier now, and then he kissed me back ... deeply, urgently, like he had been holding it in for far too long.

We kissed in that cave like two lost lovers who had finally found their way back to each other. It lasted more than two minutes, and I didn’t want it to end. It had been a long time since I’d kissed Lucian. His marriage was the reason. But standing there, I wasn’t afraid anymore.

He kissed my neck. He caressed me. Ecstasy moved through me instantly and completely. All I wanted was to be present for him ... and it had already begun. I didn’t want it to stop. Yes, they were sins ... the things happening between me and the Luna’s husband. But I stopped fighting it.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless, he looked at me.

"I never stopped loving you, Selene," he said. "You being here tells me I can still win this fight."

I laid my head against his chest. The same chest that had always given me warmth and rest ... even now, after everything. I couldn’t bring myself to answer his declaration of love, but I had something else to offer him.

"I believe you can win," I said quietly. "And you will. Just be patient."