Chapter 61 Outing

Chapter 61 Outing
The morning air in Montclair was warm and comforting.

Sunlight filtered through tall trees, casting gentle shadows over the garden in front of the Alpha’s house. The scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers filled the air, calm and light.

Selene sat on a wooden bench beneath a wide tree, a book resting open in her hands.

She had chosen the garden on purpose.

If she stayed inside her room, she knew she would go insane. The four corners of that space had already witnessed too much of her overthinking. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the same things—

Ryzen standing in front of her door.

Ryzen staring at her.

Ryzen blushing.

And then his sister’s voice echoing through the dinner hall:

“I do not want my sister-in-law to suffer.”

Selene’s fingers tightened around the page.

She forced herself to read but the words blurred.

She blinked and tried again.

The book she held was supposed to be about old pack legends and forgotten treaties, it is something serious enough to distract her mind. Something boring enough to stop her thoughts from wandering but it didn’t work. Her mind betrayed her again.

She flipped a page slowly, eyes scanning the lines without actually understanding them.

She could still remember the look in Ryzen’s eyes when she turned in that silver dress.

The way he stared.

The way he looked stunned and the way his ears turned red when Ophelia said that word.

Sister-in-law.

Selene shut the book halfway.

“I really can’t do this anymore,” she whispered to herself. “I couldn’t take my mind off him.”

She leaned back slightly on the bench, letting her head tilt up toward the branches above her. Sunlight slipped through the leaves and warmed her cheeks.

She pressed the book against her lap.

“What is wrong with me?” she muttered quietly.

She had survived betrayal,  falling into a river, and nearly dying twice but yet, she was defeated by a pair of red ears and a look.

Selene let out a deep sigh and closed the book fully.

She looked at the flowers planted in front of her—white lilies, pale blue hydrangeas, and small silver-tipped blossoms she didn’t know the name of.

The garden was peaceful.

No whispers.

No council members staring.

No Lyria.

Just wind and flowers and sunlight.

“Thinking about the Alpha, again?”

Selene stiffened.

She didn’t even need to turn to know that voice.

Cariel.

Selene slowly looked to her side.

Cariel stood there with her hands on her hips, a teasing smile already stretching across her face.

Selene rolled her eyes lightly. “I was reading.”

Cariel walked over and sat beside her without invitation. “Uh-huh.”

Selene frowned. “I was.”

Cariel leaned forward slightly, peeking at the book. “You’ve been staring at the same page for ten minutes.”

Selene blinked.

“…Have I?”

“Yes,” Cariel said proudly, like she had caught her in a crime.

Selene closed the book completely and hugged it to her chest. “I’m not thinking about him.”

Cariel raised one eyebrow. “You said that too fast.”

Selene glared at her lightly. “Cariel.”

Cariel’s teasing smile softened a little as she leaned back on the bench, stretching her legs out.

“You don’t have to hide it, you know,” Cariel said more gently.

Selene looked away.

The wind brushed lightly against her hair.

“I’m not hiding anything,” Selene muttered.

Cariel turned her head and looked at her carefully this time.

“Selene,” she said quietly. “You blush every time his name is mentioned.”

Selene’s face warmed instantly.

“I do not.”

“You do.”

Selene pressed her lips together and stared at the flowers again.

Cariel scooted a little closer, lowering her voice. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

Selene stayed silent for a moment.

Then she sighed.

“It’s not like that,” Selene said finally.

Cariel tilted her head. “Then what is it like?”

Selene hesitated.

Her fingers tightened around the book again.

“I just… couldn’t believe what happened,” Selene admitted softly.

Cariel waited.

“The dinner,” Selene continued. “His sister. The way he looked at me. The way he covered me with his jacket.”

Her voice grew quieter.

“And the way he blushed.”

Cariel smiled slightly.

Selene shook her head. “But I don’t want to put malice into his actions.”

Cariel frowned. “Malice?”

“I mean…” Selene looked down at her hands. “Maybe he’s just being a good friend.”

Cariel didn’t interrupt.

“Maybe he feels responsible for me,” Selene added. “Maybe he feels guilty about what happened at the river. Maybe he’s just protecting someone he rescued.”

She swallowed.

“I don’t want to assume it’s something more when it might not be.”

Cariel’s teasing expression faded completely.

She leaned back and looked up at the sky for a moment.

“Selene,” Cariel said softly. “You think too much.”

Selene gave her a small smile. “I have to.”

“Do you?” Cariel asked gently.

Selene didn’t answer immediately.

“I’ve been betrayed before,” Selene said after a while. “I’ve misunderstood things before. I don’t want to do that again.”

Cariel’s expression softened further.

“You think he’s just being kind,” Cariel said.

Selene nodded.

“And if he is?” Cariel asked.

“Then I don’t want to ruin it by thinking it’s something else,” Selene whispered.

Cariel studied her carefully.

“You don’t want to get hurt,” Cariel said quietly.

Selene looked away.

The silence between them grew heavier but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Cariel sighed softly and rested her elbow on her knee. “For what it’s worth,” she said lightly, “I’ve known the Alpha for years.”

Selene looked at her.

“I’ve never seen him act like that with anyone,” Cariel added.

Selene’s heart skipped slightly.

Cariel smiled faintly. “But I won’t push you.”

Selene let out a small breath of relief.

“Thank you.”

They sat quietly for a moment but then Cariel suddenly froze.

Her posture straightened instantly.

Selene frowned. “What?”

Cariel’s eyes shifted past Selene then shel stood up quickly and lowered her head in a respectful bow.

Selene blinked in confusion.

“What are you doing?” Selene asked.

Cariel didn’t answer.

Selene slowly turned her head.

Ryzen stood a few steps behind them.

Beside him is her sister–Ophelia.

Selene’s heart jumped.

She immediately stood up carefully, brushing her dress down and straightening her posture.

Her injuries were mostly healed now, but she still moved cautiously.

She lowered her head politely.

“Good morning,” Selene greeted softly.

Ophelia smiled slightly.

“Good morning, Selene,” Ophelia replied smoothly.

Selene lifted her head slowly then her gaze shifted to Ryzen and that was her big mistake because the moment their eyes met Selene’s cheeks warmed..again..

It happened so fast she couldn’t stop it.

Ryzen noticed. His expression faltered slightly, just for a second then his ears betrayed him again. A faint red appeared at the tips.

Ophelia saw everything. Her blue eyes glinted with amusement.

“Oh my,” Ophelia said lightly. “Are we interrupting something?”

Selene almost choked.

“No,” she said quickly.

Ryzen cleared his throat softly.

Cariel kept her head lowered, but her shoulders were shaking slightly, clearly trying not to laugh.

Ophelia stepped closer, her smile widening just a little.

“You two are adorable,” she said calmly.

Selene froze and Ryzen stiffened.

Ophelia tilted her head. “Truly.”

Ryzen coughed. “Sister.”

Ophelia waved him off. “Relax.”

She turned to Selene again.

“We’re going on an outing,” Ophelia announced casually.

Selene blinked.

“An outing?” she repeated slowly.

Her body reacted before her mind could.

Her fingers tightened.

Her shoulders stiffened.

Her chest tightened.

Outing.

The word felt heavier than it should and again her trauma got her.

She remembered being taken somewhere before.

She remembered falling.

Her breathing faltered slightly.

Ophelia noticed immediately.

Her teasing smile faded just a little.

“I promise,” Ophelia said calmly, voice softer now. “You will be safe.”

Selene forced a small nod.

“If anything happens,” Ophelia added smoothly, “there will be a bloody war.”

Selene blinked.

“…What?”

Ryzen coughed loudly.

“Figure of speech,” he said quickly.

Ophelia gave him a look.

Selene looked between them, confused.

Cariel looked like she was about to faint from the tension.

Ophelia smiled again, lighter this time. “You will be fine. I personally want to see how you react outside these walls.”

Selene hesitated and she looked at Ryzen.

He looked calmer now but his eyes were watching her carefully.

Waiting for her answer.

Selene swallowed.

“…Okay,” she said quietly.

Ophelia’s smile widened slightly.

“Good,” she replied. “Get ready.”

She turned gracefully. “We’ll leave soon.”

Then she walked away, golden hair catching the sunlight.

Ryzen lingered for a second.

Selene’s heart started beating faster again.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” Ryzen said quietly.

Selene looked at him.

“I’ll go,” she replied.

Ryzen studied her face carefully.

“You’re sure?”

Selene nodded slowly. “I don’t want to hide inside forever.”

Ryzen’s expression softened.

“Good,” he said.

Cariel finally straightened up and looked between them dramatically.

“I will prepare her,” Cariel declared proudly.

Ryzen nodded once.

He hesitated at first but turned and followed Ophelia.

Selene watched him walk away.

Her heart beat fast again.

But this time it wasn't because of panic or fear but it was something else.

Cariel turned to her immediately.

“Outing,” Cariel whispered loudly.

Selene groaned softly.

“What did I just agree to?”

Cariel grinned. “Something interesting.”

Selene pressed her hands against her cheeks.

They were still warm.