Chapter 8-Confrontation Selene's POV: Warm sunlight streamed across my face, rousing me from slumber. I stretched lazily, letting out a long yawn, and felt a surge of energy. But as I blinked awake, fragments of last night's dream began to resurface-visions of the massive wolf, its sudden visit, the way I had ended up sleeping beside it on the cold floor. My hand instinctively moved to my chest, recalling its tongue brushing against my skin. It had felt so real... If I weren't in my bed, and if the wolf weren't gone from the room, I might have believed it. Why had I dreamed something so... bizarre and erotic? I rubbed my eyes and climbed out of bed, making my way to the bathroom. I tied my hair up into a messy bun, trying to shake the lingering warmth of the memory. The clock on the nightstand read 9:30 a.m. Normally, being this late would have sent me into a panic- I would have been late for work. But today, I had requested two days off-yesterday for the wedding, and today for... well, for whatever today was supposed to be. I had planned to move into the Blue Lake Pack's territory, but that plan was clearly derailed. I would have to reorganize my day. I checked my phone and saw that my wages had been deposited. A small victory-a perfect start. Soon, I would hand over the rent to Mrs. Easton, my landlord. Bang! Bang! Bang! The violent knocking made me jump. The intensity of it left no doubt-it had to be Mrs. Easton. She was the only one in my life capable of such brutality. I slipped a loose T-shirt over my pajamas and hurried to the door. I had my rebuttal ready: "I've paid the rent! Turn the power back on, you witch!" I smiled to myself at the thought and yanked open the door. But it wasn't Mrs. Easton I saw. Fierce, menacing faces glared at me. Before I could react, a sharp, stinging slap landed across my cheek. Lars's face was contorted with rage. "You little brat! Twenty years ago, I should have broken your neck and ended your life!" he snarled, shoving me roughly inside, nearly sending me toppling. My cheek burned from the blow. It took a few seconds for me to regain my composure. I glared at him, and yet, to my own surprise, a bright, defiant smile spread across my face. "Relax, old man. From now on, you'll regret every second," I said, letting my voice drip with mock sweetness. He wanted to see me beg, to see me cry-but I would not give him the satisfaction. "You dare use Vanessa's name to get a marriage certificate with another man?" Lars ground his teeth, pointing at me like a dagger. "I tell you, get to the Council building and change it today, or you won't see tomorrow's sun!" 14:12 I tilted my head, folding my arms. "I might consider it... if you pay off Grandma Fiona's medical bills. Two hundred thousand, all at once." "You want to die?" His gaze swept over the room, scanning for threats. "Where's your so-called mate? That rich idiot has no idea you're just a drifter, right? He hasn't even marked you yet. Want me to tell him? I bet he'd dump you instantly," I shot back, unafraid. "Say it! I can't wait to expose your dirty schemes!" Lars hissed sharply, stomping his feet. He swung a hand toward me-but I grabbed his wrist and shoved with all my strength, sending him sprawling backward. For a moment, I froze, staring at him in disbelief. He was an Alpha, the strongest of his pack, yet I had sent him crashing to the ground. I couldn't fully comprehend the surge of power coursing through me -but there was no time to think now. "As the former Luna of the Ice Moon Pack, Fiona deserves what is rightfully hers. I'm simply reclaiming it," I declared firmly. "Damn it!" Lars roared, pulling himself up with the help of two warriors. "Seize her! Tie her up and take her to the Council building!" "Who dares?" I fixed them with a cold glare, halting their approach. "Have you forgotten how Fiona supported your family in the darkest times? Through good and bad, she was the heart of the Ice Moon Pack. And now she's sick, and you stand by indifferently?" My voice boiled with anger, and my eyes swept over the five warriors, who lowered their heads in shame. I had never seen Fiona in her Luna days, but her story lived on in dusty journals and yellowed newspapers. Not every Luna earned such honor-most people only noticed the Alphas. A respected person should enjoy comfort and satisfaction in her prime, not endure the weight of illness and poverty. "I am the Alpha here, not this little brat!" Lars bellowed. "Seize her!" The Alpha's command sent the warriors charging. I entered combat mode, but I was outnumbered. They grabbed my arms behind my back, pinning me down. Smack! A harsh slap sent stars dancing across my vision. Pain seared across my cheek. "You dare resist me!" Lars snarled, fury etched across his face. "Screw you!" I shot back, defiant. His hand lifted for another strike-but then a thunderous roar shook the entire house. "Take your hands off my mate, now!" Aaron's voice, both soothing and fierce, ripped through the air. Like lightning, he crashed through the door. In an instant, the warriors were flung across the room, 15:12 21.37% < Chapter 8-Confrontation their bodies colliding with the walls with bone-jarring force. Get 5 Menu Then his long legs closed the distance to me, powerful arms sweeping around my shoulders, pulling me into his warm embrace. Before I could speak, he lifted my chin, studying my flushed, swollen skin. His brow furrowed deeper, eyes blazing. Then he snapped his gaze toward Lars, cold and lethal. "You bastard... you hit her?" Leave a comment 1513 21.62% 143 67436 TM