Commodities.

Selene~

A flicker of tension crossed his eyes as he said, "You should watch where you're going, Selene. The grounds aren't like Sileverthorn." 

I stilled, as my eyes met his. My body shivered as the faces of the Mother and Zoe flashed following his face, Lucian.

Thankfully, he did not notice the uneasiness. 

I brushed off those memories and registered to talk with Damien about the same.

"I was trying to catch up to you," I retorted back, "You didn't hear me calling you."

I sensed the hint of defensiveness in my voice as he released me.

He stepped back, crossing his hands on his chest. "I apologize. I was... lost in my thoughts."

There was a strange tension in the air, one that I hadn't been able to sense before.

A lot of time was gone yet I knew him. Max was usually easy to read—like an open book, the brother I never had. But now, his expressions were guarded as if he did not want me or anyone to know.

His usual warmth was replaced by something distant.

"Are you okay?" I asked, tilting my head. "You've been acting... different lately." 

The time, his eyes met mine, he shrugged, avoiding my gaze. "Just a lot going on, I suppose."

I wanted to press further, to ask what was bothering him, but something held me back. Maybe it was the way people stared at us.

It's not an appropriate environment to talk to him. I thought.

I peeked a glance at them. Kira and Mira kept their head lower, maybe to not interrupt us. On the other hand, Lyla stood there with nothing but concern. 

As our eyes met, she came forward, "Are you alright, Selene?"

I nodded at Lyla, offering a faint smile. "I'm fine, really," I replied as I noticed Max leaving.

"Wait, Max!" I called him out as I turned to Lyla and the twins, "You go ahead. I will arrive later."

Without waiting for their response, I held Max by his arm, "Let's leave from here."

I could feel him stiffen under my touch but he didn't pull away that instant. I could feel the muscles in his arm tense beneath my grip which made me wonder just how much he was keeping bottled up.

In the meantime, I got so busy adapting to the new life that I did not focus on him or his people. 

I did not even ask how he was doing. Was there some problem adjusting?

A pang of guilt washed over me as I drew a sharp breath, the weight of it settling heavily in my chest.

"Max, talk to me," I urged, my voice softer. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. You know that, right?"

He stopped in his tracks as he turned to face me, his gaze shadowed with something unspoken. For a moment, he almost retreated from speaking but then he took a deep breath as he contemplated in his mind. 

I waited patiently, not wanting to force him into this conversation.

"You wouldn't understand, Selene," he muttered, his voice had a hint of frustration.

Though it wasn't aimed at me, I could not stop my reflexes and took a step back. He noticed it. 

"You already have so much on your plate," He took a brief pause, as his eyes met with mine, "I don't want you trouble with my problems."

"Try me," This time I said firmly, crossing my arms. "You've always been there for me, and now it's my turn to be there for you." 

It was the truth. The time we spent in Silverthorn, he was there for me. He knew that befriending me would jeopardize him and his people yet he was there for me. Just like an older brother I always wished to have. 

His lips pressed into a thin line, and he exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. 

Max looked away, his jaw tightening. "It's not just about me, Selene. It's about all of us—the people who came here with me, the promises I made to them."

I furrowed my brows, "What do you mean?"

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, his voice barely audible. "I swore to protect them, Selene. To give them a better life. They all came here. But now... here, I feel powerless. Every moment, it feels like I'm failing them."

I stepped closer, gripping him by the shoulder. I steadied him boring into his eyes as I spoke, "Max, you're not failing them. You're doing your best, and they trust you."

Thankfully, my voice did not falter. 

He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Trust will not get us so far. People need results, not empty reassurances."

I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. " Did something happen?" My voice came out harsher than I intended. 

"No..nothing happened.." I interrupted him before he could complete his sentence. 

"You can tell me anything, Max."

You're too hard on yourself. You've been through so much, and you're carrying all this on your shoulders. Let me help, Max. You don't have to do this alone."

Max let out a deep sigh shaking his head. Seeing his expression, an unsettling feeling rose in my chest.

"It's just… being here feels like I am walking on eggshells. Damien's pack— I meant, our pack, " he corrected himself, "They surely did not like us because we are outsiders. They don't trust us enough to let us be a part of them."

"Give them some time, Max," I offered, trying to sound reassuring. "I'm sure they'll get used to us."

My words, however, seemed to have the opposite effect. Max frowned, his brows knitting together in disbelief. "So you're saying we're just some unnecessary commodities to them?"

I frowned at his words, the guilt growing heavier. I gulped down the lump formed in my throat.

"No...I did not mean in such a way." My voice faltered as the realization hit me. 

I'd been so consumed with my own struggles that I hadn't even time to know how difficult this change must be for Max and his people.

"You're not an outsider," I stated firmly as my hand still rested on his arm, "You're family to me, Max. And I'll make sure Damien and his pack see that too."

His eyes softened at my words, but the hint of doubt remained in his eyes.

"It's not that simple," he replied, his tone still lacked confidence. 

"It was Damien and Damon who assured me of providing shelter and security but I'm not sure they can keep their promises anymore." His words came harsher but could I complain?

I hesitated, unsure how to reply to him.

"Max, you've already done so much for them. Bringing them here was already a risk yet you gave them hope."

His lips pressed into a thin line as he was not satisfied with my words. He turned and did not match my eyes.

"Unfortunately, hope won't feed them, Selene. Hope won't protect them if things go wrong. And what if Damien decides we're more trouble than we're worth?"

I flinched at his words, the meaning clear in his tone. "Damien wouldn't do that," I retorted, though my voice lacked conviction. "He's not like that."

Max's gaze bore into mine, his expression stern. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, "Because I'm not." His last words brushed off in the air.

The weight of his words settled between us like a thick fog.

I wanted to reassure him that Damien would never betray us, but a part of me hesitated. Damien was an enigma, his actions were often unpredictable. Even I couldn't always be sure where his loyalties lay.

Max seemed to sense my hesitation, he shook his head in disappointment. "That's what I thought," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Max—" I began to say something, but he cut me off, "Don't worry about me, Selene. I'll figure it out. I always do."

He turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm again, stopping him in his tracks. "You don't have to figure it out alone," I said, this time my voice came firm.

"We'll get through this together. You will be not alone in this."

For a moment, he looked at me with an unreadable expression. I knew he was conflicted but then, he gave a small nod. "Thanks, Selene," he said softly. "I needed to go now."

As he turned to leave, I stopped him. "Before you proceed, we have to be somewhere else."

Confusion clouded his expression. "Where?" 

Instead, I reply to him, a faint grin tugged at my lips, "You'll see."

Max raised a brow at my cryptic response but didn't press further. "Alright," he said reluctantly. 

I led him along the path as we entered the manor's imposing structure. Walking down the corridors, we reached in front of a room.

As I knocked on the door, the same deep, rough voice cut through the silence, "Who is there?"

I lifted my face though he was not visible. 

Firming my voice, I announced, "Your wife."