Rejected Luna's Return

Chapter 7

SELENE'S POV

"You know no one's going to beat you up or send you packing just for talking," Allison said with a smile as we stopped in front of her room.

I had that comment coming. I was waiting for her to finally say something along those lines, considering the fact that I wasn't exactly speaking. Allison was clearly the friendly and chatty type, and she'd been making efforts to make conversation with me since we met. She'd been talking my ears off all the way here, about everything and yet nothing. The fact that I wasn't making any effort to respond to any of her questions must have been more obvious than I'd thought.

Allison let out a sigh when I remained silent at her words, but then grabbed the door handle and opened it.

"Welcome to my room. Make yourself comfy while I search my closet and we can find you something to wear," Allison said as she walked towards what looked to me at first sight like a double door, only for me to discover when she opened it that it was, in fact, a closet. A walk-in closet.

The room was big, spacious, and very well-decorated. I also noticed that it was well-kept. It was tidy and smelled freshly cleaned.

"Oh, you can sit. Take a seat on the bed. Or the sofa. Or the armchair, whichever of them is more comfortable for you," Allison said when she turned around and saw me still standing in the same spot she left me.

I looked around the room, my eyes landing on each one of the things she mentioned before I settled for the armchair. The bed looked newly made, and I didn't want to ruin the effort of whoever it was that took their time to make it so perfectly.

"So, tell me, Selene, which do you prefer? Skirts, gowns? Or are jeans more your type? Because honestly speaking, you strike me as someone who would look really hot in jeans," Allison said, and I couldn't help the tiny bit of smile that tugged on the corner of my lips at her words, in spite of everything else. She's nice. Or I assume she is. I still can't trust her. I don't know her. And even if I did, people change. Don't they?

"You know what, I think you should wear this one. I have a feeling they'll look great on you. And girl, you better tell me where you got that shape of yours. What I would give for those curves," Allison said as she started to pull out some clothes, and I found myself frowning in confusion at her words. I've never really thought of myself as...well, any of those things before.

No one's ever actually complimented my shape before, as far as I remember. Well, except if you count Thorin, which now that I know better, I realize why. The reason he's been the only one who'd ever say those kinds of nice things to me before was because they were never actually true. All lies to keep me from seeing him. From being suspicious of what he had planned for me. I felt my eyes start to tear up all over again at the past memories, but I quickly blinked the tears away, not wanting Allison to see them and then start asking me questions I wasn't in the mood to answer.

Speaking of which, Aldric had mentioned earlier that I was to be brought back to his office when I was done here. I can only assume he had questions he would like to ask, and that scared me. I didn't want to answer any questions. I didn't want to know just how weak and pathetic I really am. I didn't want to have to relive the memories of what happened that day. I wanted to be left alone. I just wanted to forget it all. All of it.

"Are you crying?"

Allison's question snapped me back to the present, and I realized I hadn't done a good job at hiding it after all. Then again, what have I ever been good for?

I quickly wiped the tears off of my face before shifting my eyes to the floor.

I heard Allison let out a sigh, and I knew the questions were coming. It was inevitable.

I was surprised when Allison opened her mouth to speak, and I didn't hear any questions like I had been expecting to hear from her. She didn't ask me why I was crying, or what happened, or how I ended up here. Instead, she started to sing. It was a slow, soft song that sounded to me like a lullaby. I didn't recognize the song; it didn't sound familiar. But somehow, it felt good listening to it. It gave me a sense of calmness that I haven't felt in a while. It was strange and unexpected, but it felt nice. Suddenly, I couldn't help the smile that stretched across my face as I continued to listen. It lasted for a few more seconds before she was done singing, and she looked at me with a smile as she spoke.

"Life is strange, Selene. And for most people, very unfair. I should know. I don't know your story, and I won't push for it. But I want you to understand something, Selene. No one is ever truly alone, not unless they choose to be. If you ever need a friend, I'm just one call away."

I felt more tears roll down my cheeks as she spoke, and this time I couldn't even tell what the reason was behind it. I wasn't sure if it was the song or the words she just spoke, but suddenly I was feeling so emotional.

I brought my hands up to my face as I once again wiped off my tears. Then slowly and very hesitantly, I nodded.

I saw Allison's face break into a huge smile at my nod, even though I hadn't even said a word.

"Good!" she said with a wide grin before grabbing the clothes and walking over to where I sat. "Now, go change, Selene! The alpha's waiting!" Allison said as she pushed the clothes to my chest before pushing me in the direction of the walk-in closet.

I went into a corner and changed into the clothes she gave me. It was a pair of black leggings and a cute yellow hooded sweater that had a bold picture of a teddy bear on the front.

I gathered the hospital gown to my chest as I walked out of the closet, and I saw Allison already standing there waiting with a pair of white sneakers.

"Awww! I knew they'd look good on you! Put these on, and then I'll braid your hair," she said, causing me to frown in confusion.

Allison must have seen the confusion on my face, even though I hadn't said a word, as she let out a giggle.

"What? Whoever said it's a crime to look cute while being interrogated by the alpha, Selene? Come here!"

Allison giggled loudly as she grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of her dressing table.

"Wait, give me those," she said as she pulled the hospital gown out of my hands and threw it carelessly on the floor.

She must have seen the widening of my eyes at the action as she immediately shook her head.

"Don't worry, I won't leave them there. I'm not that messy, I promise. I'll return it to the hospital when I find the time. For now, let's focus on making you look cute, shall we? Let the braiding begin!"

It took us a while, but she finally had my hair in the exact style of braiding she wanted it.

"Yes! We did it! WE DID IT!" Allison yelled excitedly as she fist-bumped the air, and I felt a small smile touch my lips as I watched myself in the mirror. Beautiful. The hair, I mean. Not me. Never me.

I didn't get the chance to dwell on the self-pity before Allison grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the chair in the direction of the door.

"Come on now, I'm sure we're past late as it is, but don't worry! No worries at all. Everything will fall into place!"

Allison continued to talk as we walked out of the room and entered the hallway. I followed her in silence as she led me around the house until we arrived at a particular door that stood out among all the others in that hallway.

"This is the alpha's office for when he chooses to stay at the pack house. He barely stays here though. He spends most of his time at the mansion."

Allison bent down to whisper this bit of information in my ear before raising her hand to knock on the door.

"Come in, Selene, the door's open. Thank you, Allison, you may leave."

The deep and cold voice that I was fast becoming familiar with said from the other side of the door, making me wonder how it was possible for him to know it was us without even seeing who it was.

And did he say I was to come in alone? I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's true he hasn't done anything to hurt me so far, but still...

His aura. His aura is like nothing I've ever felt before. It intimidates me. He gives off so much power and dominance, so much authority that I can't help feeling even more less than I already was when I'm around him. There's something different about that man. I just don't know what it is.

Allison turned to me with a smile.

"It's okay, Selene, go on. You'll be fine. I'll wait out there by the stairs," she said, squeezing my hand lightly before letting go and walking away.

I hesitated at the door for a few more seconds, trying to prepare myself for facing him. For being in his presence again.

"Selene?"

I heard his voice call through the door, causing me to flinch a little before taking a deep breath, letting it out as I pushed open the door and stepped in.

My eyes immediately landed on Aldric, who stood by the window staring down at an open file in his hands. He looked up as

I entered, and his eyes stayed on me.

I started to feel really uncomfortable as I continued to feel the heat of his eyes on me. He wasn't saying anything. Just stood there and kept staring at me, his eyes roaming all over my entire form, causing me to shift around from foot to foot.

It wasn't until a few more minutes that he finally shifted his eyes away from me. I watched as he closed the file and walked over to the desk. He placed the file on the desk before pulling out his chair and taking a seat. Then he finally spoke.

"Have a seat, Selene. We have much to discuss."