The Luna Queen - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

_Kayden's POV_
The next morning, I stood outside Selena’s house, my heart heavy with guilt. I hadn’t slept all night, replaying the argument in my head over and over. Selena had been right; I had been distant and distracted. I hadn’t treated her the way she deserved, and now, after the engagement party, after seeing the hurt in her eyes, I knew I needed to make things right.
I knocked on the door, my fist hitting the wood a little too hard. My wolf, Leo, was restless inside me, pacing with frustration. "You’re the Alpha. You shouldn’t have to beg," Leo growled, but I pushed the thought away. This wasn’t about pride. This was about fixing things before they got worse.
The door opened, and Selena stood there, her eyes red and puffy from crying. My chest tightened at the sight of her. She had been hurt because of me. I had failed her.
"Kayden," she whispered, looking surprised to see me.
"Can I come in?" I asked, my voice hoarse. "We need to talk."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, stepping aside to let me in. The house smelled like fresh coffee and something sweet. It was probably her mother’s cooking but the atmosphere between us was thick with tension.
I walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, running a hand through my hair. Selena sat across from me, her hands folded in her lap. Neither of us spoke for a few moments. The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable.
Finally, I broke it. "I’m sorry, Selena. For last night. For everything."
Selena blinked, her lips parting in surprise. "You… you don’t have to apologize," she said softly. "I shouldn’t have pushed you like that. I just… I didn’t know what else to do."
I shook my head. "No. You were right. I’ve been distant, and that’s not fair to you. You deserved better last night, and I wasn’t there for you. I don’t want you to think I don’t care about us."
Her eyes softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw the tension between us ease. "I just want to understand," she said quietly. "I want to know that you’re with me, Kayden. That you want this as much as I do."
I nodded, leaning forward. "I do. I’m sorry I made you feel like I didn’t. Last night, I..." I paused, unsure of how much to say. "I’ve just been… overwhelmed. But that’s no excuse. I should’ve been there with you. I want to make it up to you."
Selena’s eyes filled with tears, and she quickly wiped them away. "I don’t want to lose you, Kayden," she whispered.
"You won’t," I promised. "I’m here. I’m with you."
Selena’s face softened, and she nodded, her expression grateful. "Thank you," she murmured. "I… I forgive you."
Relief flooded through me, and for the first time in days, I felt like maybe we could get past this. Maybe things would be okay. I stood up, ready to leave and give her some space.
"I’ll see you back at the packhouse?" I asked, glancing at her. She nodded, smiling faintly.
As I shut the door behind me and started down the path to my car, my heart was still heavy, but lighter than it had been before. I had apologized, and Selena had forgiven me. We could move forward.
But then, I heard voices. They were muffled at first, but then clear as day. I stopped, frowning. The windows were open, and I could hear Selena talking inside.
"It’s good that he has come for you," a woman’s voice said. It sounded like Selena’s mother. "Now, you will become the Luna, and you will get all the power you want."
I froze, my heart hammering in my chest. What? My mind raced as I strained to hear more.
"Yes, Mom," Selena replied, her voice cool and confident, nothing like the emotional tone she had used with me. "I made an act of fighting with him only to see how much he really cares for me. I have been manipulating him all along. He doesn’t know that I don’t love him. I just want to become the Luna of the Blood Moon pack."
My blood ran cold. My fists clenched at my sides, rage bubbling up inside me. Manipulating me? Leo growled, fury rolling through me. I wanted to storm back into the house, confront her and demand answers.
But before I could move, her mother spoke again, her voice filled with pride. "That’s my daughter. I’m so proud of you."
I stood there, frozen in place, my mind spinning. Everything I had believed about Selena, everything she had said to me, had been a lie. She didn’t love me. She was using me. Using me for power.
My heart pounded in my chest, anger surging through me. I wanted to go back in there, throw open the door, and confront her. I wanted to expose her for the liar she was. But then reality hit me.
If I canceled the wedding now, I would be a laughingstock. Everyone in the pack knew that I had rejected Leah for Selena. If they found out I was canceling my wedding to Selena too, it would ruin me. The Alpha who couldn’t keep his promises. The Alpha who let his emotions cloud his judgment.
I couldn’t afford that. Not with my pack depending on me. The Blood Moon pack needed a Luna. They needed stability, and canceling the wedding would cause chaos.
No. The wedding would take place. But now, I would keep my eyes open. I would watch Selena, make sure she didn’t try anything. I would always remain in control.
I clenched my fists, my jaw tight with determination. "She thinks she’s manipulating me?" I almost laughed bitterly. "Fine. Let her think that. But I won’t let her win."
I would go through with the wedding, but I wouldn’t trust her. Not anymore. I would play along, but I would never let my guard down. Selena might want the power of being Luna, but I would make sure she never had true control over me or the pack.
I took a deep breath, Leo pacing inside me. My emotions were a mess; betrayal, anger, and guilt swirling inside me. But one thing was clear now: I couldn’t let anyone see how much this had affected me. I had to be strong, had to act like everything was fine.
For now, I would pretend. Pretend that I didn’t know the truth. Pretend that Selena’s lies hadn’t shattered me.
But inside, I felt the cold weight of reality settling in. The woman I was supposed to marry, the woman who was supposed to be my partner, my Luna, had been playing me from the start. And now, I had to live with it.
I turned and walked back to the car, my mind already forming a plan. I would go through with the wedding, but I would never let Selena close again. Not emotionally. Not ever.
From now on, I would always be in control.