Chapter 16 Chapter 16
— Selene. — Victor Darkblood’s cold voice cut through the air, thick with disapproval. He sat in the large armchair in the living room, like a king on his throne, with Amara at his side, her gaze sharp and assessing. Gabriel, Darius, and Lysandra were present, all with serious, accusatory expressions. It was an ambush.
— Father — Selene replied, trying to remain calm. She knew this moment would come sooner or later, but she wasn’t prepared to face them so soon.
— We know where you’ve been — Victor continued bluntly. — And we know who you were with.
Selene’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm. — I just went for a walk — she replied, trying to sound casual.
— With a wolf — Gabriel interjected, his voice thick with contempt. — You spent the whole day with that… Rael.
She shot her brother a warning look, but Gabriel continued, ignoring her silent warning. — Do you have any idea what this means for our family? For our clan?
Selene clenched her fists at her sides. — I know what I’m doing — she said, more firmly than she felt.
Victor stood, advancing toward her. — You know nothing — he said, his voice low but full of danger. — That wolf is messing with your head. Don’t you realize how much this could harm us? Our alliance with the other clan is about to be sealed, and you risk everything for a fleeting fling with a wolf?
— What do you mean by alliance? — Selene’s expression changed, now showing confusion and anger. — I’m not a chess piece for you to move as you please.
Amara spoke next, her voice sweet but sharp. — Selene, you always knew that one day you would have to assume your responsibilities as part of this clan. It was decided long ago that you would be united with a vampire from an allied clan. This is how we maintain peace and strengthen our alliances.
Selene’s eyes widened. — You want to marry me to someone I don’t even know? — she asked, her voice wavering between disbelief and fury.
— It’s not a matter of wanting — Darius commented with a cold smile on his lips. — It’s a matter of need. And you agreed to that, even if indirectly, by accepting to be part of this clan.
— I didn’t agree to anything! — Selene retorted, feeling as if she were being suffocated. — I have the right to choose who I want to be with!
— What you have with that wolf isn’t love, it’s an illusion — Gabriel said, trying to be rational. — He’s a threat. We can’t allow you to continue seeing him.
Selene looked at each of them in turn, feeling a mixture of anger and sadness. — You don’t understand — she murmured, her voice breaking. — Rael is… different. And I won’t leave him just because you have plans for me.
— You will do what’s right for the pack — Victor said, his voice final and irrefutable. — And that means staying away from that wolf.
Selene felt the ground disappear beneath her feet. It was as if everything around her was crumbling, but she knew she couldn’t give in. Not now, not after everything she and Rael had shared.
— I won’t obey — she said, her voice trembling but firm. — I’m more than just a pawn in your power game. If you want to control me, you’ll have to force me.
Victor stepped closer, his dark eyes locking with hers. — If necessary — he said — we will force it. But I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Selene pulled away, her heart pounding. — I’m not promised to anyone — she said, her eyes shining with determination. — And I won’t be.
Without waiting another second, she turned and climbed the stairs to her room, leaving behind a room full of icy, judgmental gazes. She knew it wouldn’t end there, that the Darkblood clan wouldn’t give up on their plans for her so easily. But one thing was certain: she wouldn’t give up on Rael either.
In the silence of her room, she sank into bed, the weight of the situation finally hitting her. She had no idea how she would face what was to come, but one thing was clear in her mind: the love she felt for Rael was real, and she would fight for him, even if she had to defy her own family.
Selene lay in bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to control the storm of thoughts raging in her mind. The situation with her family was worse than she had imagined, and the pressure they were exerting on her seemed unbearable. She was about to lose herself in these thoughts when she heard a soft knock on the door. Before she could respond, the door opened and Lysandra entered.
— Lysandra — Selene murmured, surprised. — What do you want?
Her cousin closed the door behind her, walking slowly to the bed. Her eyes were softer than usual, without the sarcastic glint that always seemed present. — I wanted to talk — she said, sitting beside Selene on the bed.
Selene sighed, feeling the emotional exhaustion taking over. — If you came here to convince me to give up on Rael, don’t even start. I’ve heard enough of that.