Chapter 8: Standing up for herself

Selena's POV

The disdainful eyes of Kael’s people were telling me everything I needed to know. I tightened the grip of his hand before lowering my head as we marched. We return from the woods after Simon told us about my father's unexpected visit, although I'm so much aware of his purpose. From afar, I can see my father's eagerness to ruin my life further. His dark aura covering the land, sending chills to my spine as fear enveloped me.

But Kael held me right. He was ensuring that no one would take me away from him, or touch me. Not even my father. We stop when we reach their spot, feeling the intense atmosphere between Kael and my father. His pack was behind him, groaning in the adrenaline of excitement rushing to their veins. I can feel it. My heart raced when my eyes met my father's, and it terrified me.

“What are you doing here?” Kael asked, holding me tight while hiding me behind him.

My father glimpsed at me before turning his attention to him and replied, “I came to take my daughter.”

I lean my forehead to Kael's back, preventing to have an eye contact with my father.

“She's staying here. With me.”

“Let me remind you who she is, Alpha Kael. She is my daughter. She killed her mother at birth, my heir, and brought misfortunes to my pack. She's a complete curse yet you want to protect such a woman? Are you that stupid to keep her and put your people at risk?” He stated.

Kael kept his composure, not moving a bit and just stared at my father. “She is my mate. That's why she's staying here no matter what you say.”

“I'm taking her whether you like it or not,” he growled.

They exchange fierce glances, ready to attack with a cue. Kael's pack stands behind him, ready to protect their Alpha and their people. I can feel the problem and I know they will blame me for it, especially since my father won't leave until he gets me.

Simon stood beside Kael and whispered, “Maybe this is the sign from the moon goddess, Alpha. She does not belong to us. She is…” he glanced at me before sighing and added, “She is a curse that will bring destruction to us.”

“Enough with that! She is mine and part of my pack. If you keep rejecting her, we might have a problem.” Kael's warning made him backfired, shutting his mouth.

“Give her to me,” my father murmured.

“Didn't you hear what I told you? She is staying with me and if you want her. You have to get through me first,” he dared.

“Alpha! Don't put the pack at risk,” Simon disagreed.

“you will protect your luna the way you protect your alpha. I know you don't accept Selena yet, but I know very soon you will. She might not be the worthy Luna in your eyes but for me she is, Simon. She was given to me by the moon goddess and we must respect it—you must respect it.”

Simon's eyes landed on me. I witness the hesitation in his eyes as if he disagrees with his Alpha's wishes, but he doesn't have a choice but to obey him because he's not commanding him to do it. He was asking him. Kael’s beta sighed deeply, a sign of defeat and no choice.

“Then you're going to risk our pack for a woman like her?” Jessica interfered. We turn around and she walks through the crowd. Everyone made away with her as if they were telling me she is the right luna for their precious alpha, and I am nothing but a peasant.

She stands with grace in front of my father. “You wanted to take this trash? Take it. She doesn't belong here.”

“Jessica!” Kael growled in rage.

She faced him, “What? Are you just going to put our pack at risk for that woman? She doesn't belong here, Kael. She doesn't belong anywhere! She is not fit to be your luna cause I am!”

“Enough with your nonsense! I am not giving Selena back to her father, so if I choose blood over peace. That's my decision, not yours to interfere.”

My heart was touched by Kael's decision, especially since he was willing to risk his back just to protect me from my abusive father. I endured living in hell for 17 years, and now I found the freedom I've been craving for. It's time for me to step up and not let important people in my life do it on my behalf.

“Then you're no Alpha!” Jessica shouted, mocking him.

I step forward, leaving my hiding place. “Selena! Get back here!" Kael shouted.

I turned and smiled, “Let me handle it.”

“Yeah, handle it. It's your problem anyway,” Jessica commented.

I gathered my remaining courage and faced my father who was staring at me with serious and daunting eyes. I swallowed in fear, taking a step closer and hiding my trembling hand because I don't want him to think that I'm scared. I want him to see the new me.

“I thought you're going to let these people die with your stubbornness, Selena. Let's go. You don't belong here,” he said.

I didn't answer. I just look at him.

He diverted his attention to kael before turning around as if he was thinking I'm coming with him. But he was paused by my bravery.

“No. I'm not coming with you, father.”

He faced me with a surprise expression, his eyebrows were connected. “What did you say? Are you disobeying me now, Selena?”

I gulped deeply, "I'm not coming with you. I'm done living on that hellhole for 17 years. I suffered enough for the crime I didn't commit, for the mistakes that I didn't do. I am staying here with my alpha. The man who accepted me despite my flaws.”

He approached me but kept his distance inches away from me. “Do you even hear yourself, Selena? These people will die because of you. Is that what you want? You want them to die for an unworthy luna like you? Look around. No one likes you—not a single one. So how come you wanted to stay here despite the unwelcome atmosphere they're giving you?”

“Because I have Kael. I know someday his people will accept me, and see I'm not a bad person. I might be cursed in their eyes, but like Kael. I will protect these people from you—from everyone else who tried to hurt them…” I answered with my chin up.

His lips curve with a sneer, amuse with my courage. “I like this new version of you but it doesn't mean you are strong enough to face the consequences for disobeying your father. We'll see how long these people can stand living with you. The longest stay here, the more danger you will bring to these innocent people…”

I clench my fist, “It's time for you to leave and don't ever come back to our pack. If you do, we will attack.”