Rejected Luna's Return

Chapter 6

Selene's POV

The walk from the hospital to... wherever it was he was taking me was longer than I had expected. We had been walking for quite some time now, and I was starting to lose what little strength I had left. I felt weak, tired, and a bit dizzy. My feet were also starting to hurt really bad. I contemplated a few times if I should speak up, if I should tell him to slow down in his steps so I could have a better chance of making the rest of the journey in one piece. I don't think he remembers that I am currently barefoot. I haven't been wearing any footwear since he pulled me out of danger last night.

I was as stiff as a board as I walked silently. I made sure to always stay at least a few steps behind him, just in case. I wasn't sure how I planned to protect myself just by keeping my distance, but at the moment, with how shaken up I still was, I was more than ready to take anything that could give me a sense of security, no matter how small or even false it was.

I could feel eyes on me as we walked, but I didn't dare look up. I didn't want to see the look of judgment in their eyes as they stared at me. I didn't want to know what they were thinking because I already knew it wouldn't be good.

I felt the cold air wash over me from my head down to my very toes, causing me to let out a shaky breath as I shivered slightly.

Somehow, that seemed to get his attention even though he had his back to me and shouldn't have been able to notice.

I couldn't help taking a step back as he turned around to look at me. If he took note of that, he didn't do or say anything to show it, for which I was very grateful.

"Are you alright?" he asked, and I kept my eyes on the ground as I nodded simply in reply, not really in the mood to speak. I didn't know him. Yes, he did save my life, but he was still a total stranger. And I was currently at his mercy. This man could do whatever he wanted with and to me, and no one would question him. No one would ask for me. I have no one.

I felt my eyes start to tear up once more at the reality of my current situation. It was true. I really had no one. I was completely alone.

I noticed his eyes slowly move down, settling on my bare feet, and I suddenly felt very uncomfortable as I shifted from foot to foot.

"Why didn't you tell me you were barefoot, Selene? We've been walking for a long time."

Aldric spoke, but once again, I remained silent. He was really starting to get frustrated with my silence. I could tell. It was quite clear and obvious from the way he ran his fingers through his hair as he let out a heavy sigh.

He watched me in silence for a few minutes, as if trying to figure out what to do with me. At last, I guess he found the answer he was looking for because he turned around and headed in a different direction as he gestured for me to follow him.

We walked for only a few minutes before I saw a building come into view. It was huge. A five-story building with a kind of architecture and design like I've never seen in my life. It looked like an actual castle. Looking at it now, I wouldn't be surprised if there was an actual throne room somewhere in there.

My mouth hung open as I continued to take in the scene before me, all the while doing my best to keep up with Aldric's steps.

I could see people hanging out in front of the house, and where I would normally look away and shrink further into myself, I was too lost in the view this time to think properly.

It wasn't until I heard Aldric's cold, deep voice from behind me as he spoke to someone that I came back to my senses and realized we had stopped in front of the building.

"Find Alison and send her to my office immediately." Aldric said to one of the men who were hanging around the building before turning around and walking back to me.

"Come, Selene," he said as he opened the door and walked in. I could feel the judgmental stares following me as I walked in after him.

If I thought the outside of the building was impressive, the inside was something else altogether. Everything looked expensive and extravagant. It was simply breathtaking.

The living area looked to be empty with no one in sight, for which I was very grateful. My gratitude didn't last for too long, though. It only lasted for about a few seconds before the sounds of people talking and laughing met my ears. The voices seemed to be coming from one of the upper floors, and it sounded like they were those of two females having a friendly discussion. Soon, I started to hear footsteps coming down the stairs, and it wasn't long before I saw who they belonged to.

True to my assumptions, they were two females. One much older and the other looked to be just older than me by a year or two. Their chatting and laughter came to a stop when their eyes landed on first Aldric, and then me.

I noticed the smile immediately disappear from the older woman's face as soon as her eyes settled on me. She shared a look with the younger woman beside her before turning back to Aldric, the smile returning to her face as she spoke.

"I've been looking all over for you, son. Where have you been? You almost missed Amber. I was just escorting her out."

As the woman spoke, one particular word caught my attention. She called him 'son.' This must be Aldric's mother.

I assume by Amber she was referring to the woman beside her. She really is quite beautiful. The kind of beauty that never goes unnoticed no matter what. And the way she carried herself with so much grace and elegance, just like one of those models you see on the cover page of a fashion magazine.

"I was busy, Mother. Something came up," Aldric answered, and it didn't escape my notice that he completely disregarded the part about him missing Amber. I don't think I was the only one who took notice of that fact, though. I think the two women did as well.

"And by 'something,' I assume you mean that? The stray you rescued from the woods last night and brought into this pack without thinking it through. Yes, Aldric, I don't need to follow you around wherever you go in order to know what you've been up to. Gossips always have a way of spreading, and that too very quickly."

The older woman shifted her eyes and attention on me as she spoke, and I found myself shifting closer to Aldric on instinct, even without meaning to.

She doesn't like me, and neither does the other woman. Neither of them were trying to hide that fact either.

"Her name is Selene, Mother. And she'll be staying in this pack for as long as she needs to. As my guest."

Aldric spoke in a cold voice, and my head snapped up as I turned to him wide-eyed.

I hadn't expected that, even though I should have. He did save my life last night and also took me to the hospital, then brought me here. But still, his words sounded a bit too bold if you ask me. And I could tell that neither of the two women appreciated it, neither his mother nor Amber.

Both Aldric and his mother seemed to be having some kind of stare-off with each other. Neither of them said a word as they continued to stare at each other with no one willing to look away first, as if having some kind of silent conversation with each other.

Then, after what felt like forever, the older woman let out a sigh as she finally looked away before nodding.

"Fine. As you wish, son. Whatever you say."

I could tell she wasn't at all pleased, even as she agreed. The slight bite in her tone, as well as the subtle glares she continued to send my way, were proof enough, and I could only assume that she didn't want to say anything more in order to avoid them arguing in front of the guest. Amber, I mean.

However, she looked like she had one last thing to say. Only, she didn't get to as she was interrupted by the sound of the main door opening as soon as she opened her mouth.

"Alpha, you sent for me?" A female voice spoke, and I turned to see a young female who looked to be in her late teens.

Aldric turned to her and nodded.

"Yes, Allison. This is Selene. She's going to be staying with us for the meantime. I want you to take her with you and find her a change of clothes and also some footwear, then bring her back to my office when you're done."

Aldric ordered, and the girl I now know as Allison nodded with a bow before turning to me.

"Come with me, Selene," she said with a kind and friendly smile that caught me off guard for a moment. But then I recovered in time and silently followed her as she led me up a different set of stairs.

I could hear Aldric's voice behind us as we walked.

"I have some important stuff to take care of at the office, so if you two would excuse me, Mother, Amber."

I couldn't help but pick up on the change in his tone as he said the other woman's name, and I found myself wondering despite the situation.

I don't think he likes her very much.

I wonder who she is?