Melissa Sinclair–heiress of the Sinclair pack–was the very woman Adrian once threw in Selene’s face during their bitter quarrels, claiming she would soon be bound to Damien. Selene had never believed him–until now.
“Careful,” Melissa said, eyes flicking to the shards of shattered clay on the floor. “That vase came from the high elders‘ hoard. Not something a cast–off wolf like you could ever repay.”
She stepped closer, voice sharpened to a blade. “I heard you defied Uncle Maximus when he offered to drag you back as Adrian’s mate and restore you to the Blackthorn’s seat. If you plan to claw your way upward with your petty tricks, you’d better tread carefully.”
“I do not need your judgments,” Selene replied, cold and steady. She bent to gather the shards, suspecting Melissa had been sent by Maximus himself to cow her.
Melissa rose from Damien’s chair and clicked nearer, silver–tipped boots striking the stone. “How dare you speak to me? Your bloodline is despised even among your own kin. If I wished, I could see you banished from these lands, forgotten by the pack Selene lifted her gaze, palm bleeding where the clay had cut her. Yet her voice was smooth. “I only spoke the truth. I’ve heard many things about you as well, but unlike you I do not scream tantrums under the shelter of a family name.”
Melissa’s eyes flared. “This is your place,” she spat. “On your knees. Damien’s heart belongs to me. You are nothing but a passing distraction.”
Selene let the shards fall from her hands. The clink echoed sharply, making Melissa. flinch. “Tell your Uncle Maximus I will never crawl back to Adrian. If I am a plaything, what does that make you? A schemer, hiding behind titles, desperate to steal what was never yours.”
Melissa’s voice trembled with rage. “Leave now, while you have a shred of dignity. Damien does not need you–he has me. I am his true future.”
Selene stepped forward, meeting her glare head–on. “If that were true, why come. running to threaten me? I never chained him. If he commands me to leave, I will. But do not think your whispers will bind his will.”
Melissa’s smile turned venomous. “Is that so? How
Yet moons ago, you sat as
mate to Adrian, while Cassandra pranced about as his ‘true love‘ and tore your bond apart. Now the tables turn. You refused Maximus’s offer because you hope to ensnare Damien instead. Seduce both brothers, warm both beds, and crown yourself the Blackthorn matriarch–ves? Keen Iving to yourself Selena”
Before I left him. I was pregnant with his twins
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Selene lifted her gaze, palm bleeding where the clay had cut her. Yet her voice was smooth. “I only spoke the truth. I’ve heard many things about you as well, but unlike you I do not scream tantrums under the shelter of a family name.”
you!
Melissa’s eyes flared. “This is your place,” she spat. “On your knees. Damien’s heart belongs to me. You are nothing but a passing distraction.”
Selene let the shards fall from her hands. The clink echoed sharply, making Melissa flinch. “Tell your Uncle Maximus I will never crawl back to Adrian. If I am a plaything, what does that make you? A schemer, hiding behind titles, desperate to steal what was never yours.”
Melissa’s voice trembled with rage. “Leave now, while you have a shred of dignity. Damien does not need you–he has me. I am his true future.”
Selene stepped forward, meeting her glare head–on. “If that were true, why come running to threaten me? I never chained him. If he commands me to leave, I will. But do not think your whispers will bind his will.”
Melissa’s smile turned venomous. “Is that so? How noble. Yet moons ago, you sat as mate to Adrian, while Cassandra pranced about as his ‘true love‘ and tore your bond apart. Now the tables turn. You refused Maximus’s offer because you hope to ensnare Damien instead. Seduce both brothers, warm both beds, and crown yourself the Blackthorn matriarch–yes? Keep lying to yourself, Selene.”
“Enough.” Selene’s voice cracked like a whip. Fury burned beneath her calm. “Shut your mouth before I tear the lies from your tongue.”
Melissa leaned in, her whisper like venom. “This is no lie. Step away from Damien, or I will take everything you cherish…including those twin pups.”
She pivoted sharply, furs swirling, and stalked from the chamber without waiting for Selene’s reply.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.