Whispers in the Dark

Lily barely had time to process everything before Selena practically dragged her inside the pack house. The air was thick with the scent of pine and something distinctly wolfish, making her stomach twist. Selena didn’t speak, but her grip on Lily’s arm was firm, unyielding. It wasn’t until they reached the base of the stairs that Selena finally let go, turning to face her with an amused smirk.

“So,” Selena drawled, crossing her arms, “you’re Sebastian’s little human mate.”

Lily stiffened at the mocking tone. “I’m not his anything.”

Selena let out a low, almost purring laugh. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s where you’re wrong. You can fight it all you want, but the bond doesn’t care what you think.” She leaned in slightly, her amber eyes gleaming. “And trust me, I can see why Sebastian is so taken with you. You’re… fragile. Helpless. It must give him some twisted satisfaction.”

Lily swallowed hard, refusing to let Selena see how much those words stung. She lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m not afraid of you.”

That only made Selena’s grin widen. “Oh, you should be.”

Without another word, she turned and ascended the stairs, clearly expecting Lily to follow. She did, her mind racing with questions. Why did Selena seem to despise her so much? Was it just because she was human, or was there something more?

When they reached the second floor, Selena gestured toward a door. “This is your room. Try not to wander. You wouldn’t want to get lost.” There was a cruel edge to her words that sent a chill down Lily’s spine.

With that, Selena walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the hallway. Lily hesitated before stepping into the room, locking the door behind her. She let out a slow breath, pressing her back against the door. Safe. For now.

The night was eerily silent. Or at least, it had been. Lily stirred in bed, her body still heavy with exhaustion. But then she heard it—a soft, rhythmic sound, muffled through the walls. At first, she thought she was imagining it. But as the seconds passed, the noises became clearer.

Moans. Low, hushed, and unmistakable.

Heat crept up her neck, embarrassment mixing with confusion. She shifted, trying to ignore it, but then she heard something else—a voice. A male voice. Sebastian’s voice.

Her blood ran cold.

Lily sat up abruptly, her breath shallow. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared it would drown out the noises entirely. But no, they were still there. The unmistakable sounds of pleasure, of whispered words too muffled to make out.

Her stomach twisted painfully. She knew she shouldn’t care. She didn’t want him. But something about this—about the way the bond pulled at her, about the way she was being forced into something she didn’t want—made it unbearable.

She needed air. Now.

Lily swung her legs over the side of the bed and crept toward the door, careful not to make a sound. The hallway was dimly lit, but empty. She exhaled softly, stepping out. She didn’t know where she was going—anywhere away from those noises would do.

And then she saw her.

Selena.

The tall, dark-haired woman was just stepping out of a room down the hall—Sebastian’s room. Her clothes were slightly disheveled, her hair tousled. And when her gaze landed on Lily, something dark flickered in her expression.

“Well, well,” Selena purred, closing the door behind her with a soft click. “Didn’t expect to see you out here.”

Lily felt her throat tighten. “I—” She swallowed, trying to find her voice. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Selena smirked. “Oh, I bet.” She took a slow step toward Lily, the predatory gleam in her eyes making Lily instinctively take a step back. “You heard, didn’t you?”

Lily’s silence was answer enough.

Selena tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Poor thing. Must be so confusing for you. One moment, you’re being told you’re his mate, the next… well, you hear exactly what he does with his real kind.” She let the words hang in the air, sharp and cutting. “What did you think, little human? That he’d actually stay loyal to you? That he’d want you in his bed?”

Lily clenched her fists. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Selena let out a short, mocking laugh. “Oh, sweetheart, I know exactly what I’m talking about.” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Sebastian may have a bond with you, but that doesn’t mean he respects it. Or you.”

Lily felt the sting of those words deep in her chest. “Why are you telling me this?”

Selena straightened, her smirk never fading. “Because I want you to know your place. You’re not one of us. You never will be. And no matter how much that bond pulls at you, no matter how much it hurts, he will never see you as his equal.” She paused, her gaze flicking over Lily’s face with something close to pity. “You should leave while you still can.”

Lily’s breath came faster, her head spinning. She wanted to argue, to fight back, but the doubt was already creeping in. Because as much as she hated to admit it… Selena might be right.

With a satisfied smirk, Selena turned and sauntered down the hall, leaving Lily standing there, alone and shaken, with nothing but the sound of her own pounding heart and the lingering echoes of betrayal.