"Christopher…" Selene said coldly.
The name tasted bitter on her tongue, like poison she wasn't meant to swallow. She didn't bother to hide the edge in her voice; she wanted him to hear it. To feel it.
Christopher's brows lifted slightly, concern softening his features. Then his gaze shifted—down to her hand.
Her fist was clenched so tight her knuckles had gone white.
He noticed.
He always noticed.
"Are you okay?" he asked, stepping toward her with slow, careful steps. His arms spread a little, like he wanted to pull her into a hug. "What happened?"
Selene didn't move or should I say couldn't.
Her pulse hammered in her ears as she watched his eyes shift across the kitchen and straight to the table where Kai sat flipping through a magazine.
Kai didn't even notice the tension in the room; she was humming lightly, one hand stirring her cereal while the other kept her place on the glossy page.
But Christopher looked at her as if expecting something. As if Kai held answers Selene didn't. As if the world still moved the way it used to—where he trusted Kai first without even realizing it.
The sight made Selene's stomach twist. Exactly the same way he looked at her the night she died.
Her wolf stirred, hot and restless beneath her skin. A low growl vibrated in her chest, unheard but powerful enough to shake her bones.
"I could end him right here", her wolf hissed. "Tear out the throat that lied to us. Crush the hands that touched another."
Selene's fingers twitched. She imagined grabbing his neck, twisting it the way someone twists open a bottle. Quick. Clean. Final.
Her breath grew sharp.
She hated him. She hated how close he dared to come. She hated how easily he said her name, as if his hands hadn't once been soaked in her blood.
"Christopher, you're here—"
Her aunt's voice broke through the storm inside her.
Soft. familiar. Grounding.
Selene blinked, her fist loosening just enough for air to slip through her fingers. The rage didn't disappear, but it quieted—like a wildfire forced back by a gentle rain.
Her aunt stepped beside her, wiping her hands on her apron, smiling warmly at him. "We weren't expecting you so early."
Christopher returned the smile easily, almost boyishly. "I wanted to surprise Selene."
Selene's stomach twisted.
A surprise.
Yes. Just like the one that killed her.
Her wolf snarled again, but Selene held still. She forced her breathing to even out, forced her face not to betray the storm boiling beneath her ribs.
She glanced at Kai.
Kai was watching silently from her seat, spoon dangling from her fingers. Her expression was innocent—too innocent. But Selene had seen those same eyes filled with guilt and fear under the moonlight years in the future. She knew what they were capable of.
Selene exhaled slowly, quiet enough that only her wolf heard it.
Stay calm. This is not the right time to end this, not now. We win by acting and thorough, not striking.
Her wolf bristled but obeyed, settling back like a massive animal curling its body around her ribs.
Selene straightened, forcing a small, bright smile—one she used to give without thinking. Without knowing what these two would take from her.
She stepped closer to Christopher, sliding her arms around his waist. She hated the way her chest tightened, but she tilted her head up anyway, letting her voice soften.
"I'm just surprised," she said gently, brushing her cheek to his shoulder. "You didn't tell me you were coming."
Christopher's whole face lit up, relieved. "I wanted to see you first thing in the morning. I missed you."
Selene almost choked.
But she let out a small, breathy laugh—the kind she used to give him. She even let her fingers curl into his shirt, pretending she was excited, enamored, completely blind.
"Then let me get ready," she said, nudging him lightly. "We'll walk to school together."
Kai smiled from the table, warmth in her eyes that Selene once believed. Selene met her gaze with a sweetness so smooth it could fool anyone.
Anyone but her wolf.
As Selene finally turned to leave the kitchen, letting her act of sweetness fade from her face, a quiet voice drifted behind her.
"I'm glad she's back," Kai said softly.
Her aunt hummed in agreement. "She worried me earlier. She seemed so… distant."
Selene forced her shoulders to relax, smoothing her expression before anyone could notice the way her jaw had tensed.
Her wolf lifted its head inside her chest, humming with suspicion, but Selene gently pushed it down.
"She means you're acting normal", she reminded herself. "That's what you wanted.
That's the role you need to play."
She exhaled quietly and continued walking, her footsteps steady as she left the kitchen—leaving Kai's words, and the sting they carried, behind her.
Minutes later, after she finished getting ready, Selene stepped out of her room, shoulder bag slung over her right shoulder. She wore the school uniform she had always reluctantly put on—a short skirt, white polo with a neat necktie, skintone tights, and black shoes. The outfit had never been her favorite, but today it didn't matter. Today, she had other things to focus on.
From the top of the stairs, she heard laughter coming from the kitchen. Light, easy, harmless. It was the sound of Kai and Christopher chatting, teasing each other, completely unaware of the storm that Selene carried quietly beneath her chest.
Selene paused for a moment, letting herself take in the scene. Then she descended the stairs, each step deliberate, controlled, her wolf alert beneath her skin. And, with a deep breath, she straightened her back and let her voice carry a cheerful authority.
"Come on, let's go," she said, swinging her bag lightly over her shoulder. "We don't want to be late."
Christopher's eyes widened, and Kai blinked in surprise. Both of them stared at her for a moment, taking in her outfit—the short skirt, neat white polo with the necktie, tights, and black shoes.
"Wow…" Christopher said softly, a hint of admiration creeping into his tone. "You… look different today."
Kai's jaw practically dropped. "Selene! That outfit… it actually suits you! I didn't think you'd ever wear it."
Selene tilted her head, smiling sweetly. "Well, I thought I'd try something new today. Come on, we've got to move!"
The subtle astonishment on their faces made Selene's chest tighten with a small, quiet satisfaction. She had their attention. Her wolf purred low in her chest, restless but contained, as she led the way out the door, each step full of controlled energy and purpose.
The three of them stepped outside, the morning air crisp and fresh. Selene walked between Christopher and Kai, swinging her bag lightly, humming a tune she hadn't sung in years. Every movement, every laugh, was carefully crafted—light, carefree, full of energy.
Christopher glanced at her, a smile tugging at his lips. "You really are in a good mood today."
Selene grinned brightly, bumping him lightly with her shoulder. "Of course! It's a beautiful day, and I've got the best company." Her voice was sweet, almost musical, masking the sharp awareness beneath it.
Kai laughed, walking alongside them. "You're unusually cheerful, Selene. Even I'm a little jealous."
Selene twirled once, letting her skirt flutter just enough to draw their attention, then giggled. "Jealous? Of me? Oh, come on. You know I can't help being this amazing."
Her wolf stirred beneath her skin, a quiet growl of impatience, sensing every subtle glance Christopher cast her way, every flicker of expression from Kai. Selene forced herself to relax, to match the playful rhythm of her act. She had to make them believe she was the same girl they knew—the sweet, energetic, untroubled Selene.
The walk to school was filled with chatter and laughter, with Selene teasing Christopher, laughing at Kai's playful jabs, waving at familiar faces they passed. She even skipped a step here and there, twirling dramatically and calling back to Christopher, "Keep up, slowpoke!"
It was exhausting, pretending to be so carefree, but necessary. Her wolf murmured beneath her ribs, ready to snap at the slightest misstep, but Selene ignored it. She had a plan. She needed everyone to underestimate her.
When they reached the school gates, Christopher squeezed her hand, smiling warmly. "I'll see you at lunch. Don't cause trouble, alright?"
Selene tilted her head, a sweet, teasing grin on her lips. "Me? Cause trouble? Never."
Christopher laughed, shaking his head, and headed toward the faculty building. Selene's eyes followed him for a moment before snapping back to Kai.
Kai had paused, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, watching Selene with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "You really are back to your old self," she said softly.
Selene nodded, humming lightly, her smile effortless. "Back and better than ever," she replied, masking the sharp edge of her awareness.
But as soon as Christopher disappeared from view, the air shifted. Three girls stepped onto her path—perfect hair, polished nails, cruel smiles. The same bullies who had tormented her before.
"Well, well… look who's all cheerful today," the first sneered, flicking her hair.
"You're really milking the Alpha's girlfriend angle, huh?" the second added, crossing her arms.
The third laughed, eyes glinting with malice. "Trying to impress more boys with that skirt, I see?"
Selene's lips curved into a slow, mocking smile. "Oh, really? You noticed?" she said sweetly, tilting her head. "I was beginning to think you were too busy looking at yourselves in the mirror to care."
The second girl's lips trembled, but she tried to keep her smug facade. "Y-You… you can't just talk to us like that!"
Selene's smirk widened, sharp as a fang. "Oh, I can. And I will. See, before, I used to let people like you push me around. Polite, patient, kind Selene." She leaned in closer, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "But now? Now I don't care if you squeal, cry, or run home to mommy. Pathetic."
The third girl opened her mouth, but Selene cut her off, voice dripping with venom. "And you—yes, the one who thinks being loud makes you smart—congratulations. You've managed to look completely ridiculous while trying to intimidate me. Impressive… in the same way a wet paper bag is impressive."
The first girl took a step back, eyes wide, face red. The second and third whispered to each other, unsure what to do next.
Selene's wolf stirred beneath her skin, purring low in approval. She straightened, letting her gaze sweep over all three. "So unless one of you actually has a brain and the courage to use it, I suggest you leave. Now. Before I make the rest of this morning… unforgettable."
The bullies froze, muttered something incoherent, and practically ran off, tripping over each other in their haste to escape.
Kai, who had been silently watching from the table, stared with her mouth slightly open, eyes wide. "Selene… I… wow," she whispered, completely shocked.
Selene turned to Kai, smirk curling into something almost playful. "Relax, Kai. They're gone. And honestly? They looked ridiculous the entire time. You should have seen their faces."
Kai shook her head, still stunned. "You… you didn't even touch them. Not once. And yet…"
"Words, confidence, and a little flair," Selene said, voice softening as she let her wolf calm beneath her skin. "Sometimes, that's all it takes."