Leaving For Good

Chapter 4

Leaving For Good

Selene~~

Pain.

That was the first thing I registered as my body slammed into the bed, my skull cracking against the hard bedpost. A sharp, ringing noise filled my ears, disorienting me.

Before I could gather myself, another forceful shove pressed me deeper into the mattress. My limbs were sluggish, my head spinning, but I fought to lift myself—only for a sharp slap to whip my face to the side.

The sting burned across my cheek, white-hot and searing, leaving a metallic taste in my mouth as blood trickled from my split lip.

I barely had time to recover before Damian's cold, furious voice cut through the haze of pain.

"You pathetic excuse of a Luna," he hissed.

I blinked through the dizziness, my breathing ragged. Slowly, I turned my head to look at him, my cheek throbbing, my pride in tatters.

Damian stood over me, his blue eyes blazing with unfiltered rage. There was no concern, no remorse for what he had just done—only disgust.

"Lillith is hurt because of you," he sneered. "The pack doctor isn't sure if the baby will make it."

His words sent an icy chill down my spine, but I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. I knew Lillith. She was a liar, a manipulator. Whatever she had told Damian was twisted, crafted to paint me as the villain.

I swallowed past the pain and forced my voice to remain steady. "I didn't do anything to her."

Damian scoffed. "You expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth," I bit out, lifting myself onto my elbows. "All I did was step away when she touched me. That's all. I never laid a hand on her, and you know it."

The muscles in his jaw twitched.

"You're lying," he said lowly.

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling beneath my skin. "Why would I hurt her?" I demanded. "What reason would I have?"

Damian's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Because you're desperate, Selene. You know your days as Luna are numbered. You see the way the pack looks at her, the way I look at her. You're nothing but a bitter, barren woman grasping at whatever little power you have left."

The words cut deeper than any slap ever could.

Barren.

A cruel reminder of my greatest weakness.

I sucked in a shaky breath, trying to hold myself together, but Damian wasn't done.

"If anything happens to Lillith's baby," he continued, his voice dripping with venom, "I will make sure you pay with your life."

Something inside me cracked.

I lifted my gaze, locking eyes with him, searching for even a flicker of the mate bond that was supposed to tie us together.

But there was nothing.

Nothing but hatred.

"Why?" My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Damian raised an eyebrow. "Why what?"

"Why do you hate me so much?" I asked, my voice shaking. "What have I ever done to deserve this?"

His expression twisted, as if the very question disgusted him. "You exist."

For a second, my mind went blank.

I existed.

That was my crime.

A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat, but I swallowed it down. What was the point? What was the point in fighting for someone who had already made up his mind about me?

The tears burning behind my eyes threatened to spill, but I refused to let them. I wouldn't cry in front of him.

I wouldn't break in front of him.

"You're pathetic," Damian sneered, stepping back. "I can't believe I was ever forced to be tied to you."

I remained silent, my heart hollow.

I had spent the last five years trying to be the Luna this pack needed, the wife my mate would respect, but it had all been for nothing.

Damian would never see me as anything but an obstacle.

He turned his back to me, his voice cold. "Stay out of my sight, Selene. The next time you so much as look at Lillith the wrong way, I won't be as forgiving."

With that, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

The sound echoed and loud.

I sat there, frozen, my body trembling from the force of my emotions. My face stung, my lip throbbed, but the pain that ran the deepest was the one in my chest.

I had known Damian didn't love me.

I had accepted it.

But now, there was no more pretending.

I was nothing to him.

Not his Luna. Not his wife. Not even a person worthy of respect.

Just a burden.

I pressed a shaking hand to my cheek, feeling the heat of the slap, the reminder of my place in this pack.

I couldn't stay here.

But I couldn't leave just yet.

Not without making sure my affairs were settled.

Not without ensuring my father wouldn't suffer for my decision.

Gregor Callista, Beta of the pack, had spent his life devoted to this place. To Damian. If I left without a word, he would see it as betrayal, and that… that would kill me.

I needed time.

I needed a plan.

I forced myself to move, each motion filled with pain. My body screamed in protest, but I ignored it, making my way to the servant's quarters.

There was only one person I could trust.

Moriah.

. The only person who had ever held me when I cried, who whispered words of comfort when no one else would.

I found her in the small kitchen, preparing tea. The moment her eyes met mine, they widened in horror.

"Moon above, child," she gasped, rushing to me. "What happened to you?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I need your help."

Moriah cupped my cheek gently, her aged hands trembling as she took in the bruises forming on my skin.

"Selene," she whispered, her voice breaking. "What did that monster do?"

Tears welled in my eyes, but I shook my head. "Not here," I said softly. "Not now."

Tears welled in my eyes, but I shook my head ."Not here,'" I said softly. "Not now."

She searched my face before nodding, ushering me to sit.

"Tell me what you need," she said firmly.

I inhaled sharply, steadying myself.

"I need to leave," I said, the words tasting both bitter and freeing.

"I can't stay here. But I can't just run. I have to make sure my father isn't punished for my actions. I have to settle things first."

"And I have to leave secretly without my father's knowledge, I don't want him heartbroken."

"I would come and apologize to him once I have settled down."