Author’s POV

The sound of tires crunching on gravel broke the evening silence as Selene pulled into the driveway of the Gray Pack mansion.

Why had Mother remained unconscious during all the hours she’d spent by her side, only to wake up within an hour of Sylvia’s arrival? 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Was Mother deliberately waiting for Sylvia to come? Just because she was her biological daughter?

"She’s going to regret this," Selene muttered, slamming her car door with more force than necessary. Her wolf growled in agreement, sharing her bitterness. "I’m the daughter who truly cares for her, the one she can trust to inherit the company."

She strode toward Hugo’s family home, not bothering to announce her arrival. The large Tudor-style house loomed before her, impressive but lacking the ancient grandeur of the Frostfang Pack’s ancestral home. Still, it was a refuge—somewhere she could breathe without Sylvia’s shadow looming over her.

The front door swung open before she could knock, revealing Hugo’s surprised face.

"You came unannounced?" His eyebrows shot up as he took in her tense posture. "Is everything okay?"

Selene paused, the car keys dangling from her fingers. A flash of irritation crossed her face. "What, am I unwelcome now? Do I need an appointment to see my fiancé?"

Hugo immediately backtracked, his expression softening as he reached for her waist. "Of course not. I’m always happy to see you." His hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer. "Just surprised, that’s all."

Selene let out a cold snort. "Good. At least you know better."

She allowed herself to be guided into the house. The familiar scent of his family home—sandalwood—enveloped her as they entered the main hall.

Hugo’s parents appeared from the living room, their surprise poorly concealed. Luna Gray recovered first, her smile warming as she recognized their visitor.

"Selene! What a lovely surprise," she exclaimed, exchanging a quick glance with her husband that didn’t escape Selene’s notice.

Alpha Gray cleared his throat. "Indeed. We weren’t expecting guests tonight."

"You know Selene isn’t a guest, Dad," Hugo said pointedly, his arm tightening around her waist.

Selene enjoyed the fleeting look of discomfort on the older couple’s faces. This was how things should be—people accommodating her, prioritizing her comfort, treating her with the respect an Alpha’s daughter deserved.

"I’m sorry for dropping by without calling," she said, not sounding sorry at all. "I just needed to get away from the hospital for a while."

"No need to apologize, dear," Luna Gray said, her voice honeyed. "You’re practically family." She turned toward the kitchen. "Nora! Please prepare something special for dinner. Make sure to include those sugar-glazed ribs Selene loves."

Selene’s smile became more genuine. They remembered her favorite dish. Did Mother ever recall such details about her preferences? Or were those things reserved only for Sylvia?

"That’s very thoughtful of you," she said, allowing some warmth to color her tone.

Hugo seized the moment. "Mom, Dad, we’ll be upstairs for a while. Call us when dinner’s ready."

"Of course, son," Alpha Gray nodded, exchanging another meaningful look with his wife.

As Hugo guided her up the grand staircase, his hand possessively at her lower back.

The moment Hugo’s bedroom door closed behind them, he pulled her into a hungry kiss, his hands already exploring the curves of her body with urgent need.

Selene arched her neck, allowing him better access as his lips trailed down her throat. "Slow down," she laughed, though she didn’t pull away. "What’s the rush?"

"I’ve missed you," he murmured against her skin, his breath hot and eager. "You’ve been so busy lately. I feel neglected."

Selene extended her slender fingers to tilt his chin up, studying his handsome face. Unbidden, an image of Caesar Conrad flashed in her mind—his perfect features, the raw power that radiated from him, the way he looked at Sylvia...

Distaste flickered across her features before she could hide it.

But Hugo Gray versus Zane Thorne?

At least Hugo was more attractive than that arrogant ass.

The thought improved her mood considerably.

"Well," she purred, guiding his hands to her waist, "I’m here to make it up to you now."

Hugo’s eyes darkened as they followed her movements, understanding her invitation perfectly. He was a young Alpha in his prime, and his desire was evident in every tense line of his body.

Selene felt satisfaction bloom in her chest as his grip tightened. She enjoyed his hunger for her, the way his control slipped when they were alone. A relationship needed passion to survive, and Hugo’s obvious want for her was reassuring.

Their bodies pressed together as Hugo captured her mouth again, his kisses becoming more demanding. Selene responded in kind, letting herself enjoy the moment.

But as his hands began to wander further, a memory intruded—the sight of him sitting across from Sylvia at that restaurant, leaning in close, smiling in a way he rarely did with her.

She pulled back abruptly, her eyes narrowing. "Actually, before we continue, I need you to answer something for me."

Hugo froze, his breathing uneven. "What is it?"

"Why were you with Sylvia at the restaurant that day?" Selene’s voice was deceptively soft, but her eyes were sharp as daggers. "Was it a planned meeting? Because I can’t think of any other explanation for why you two would be there together."

The color drained from Hugo’s face. He couldn’t possibly tell her the truth—that he’d intended to confess feelings for Sylvia, to test if there might be something between them before committing fully to Selene. Such an admission would blow everything up.

"Selene, I thought you came here to..." He left the sentence unfinished, gesturing vaguely between them, trying to redirect her attention to what they’d been about to do.

She tilted her head, a dangerous smile playing at her lips. "I said that, did I?"

"But you..." Hugo’s gaze flickered to the bed and back to her, confusion evident in his expression.

Selene settled on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside her with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Come here."

Though bewildered, Hugo obeyed, sitting beside her with the wariness of a man who suspects he’s walking into a trap.

She almost laughed at his sudden compliance. Had he always been this easily manipulated, or was his guilt making him particularly spineless today?

"Hugo," she said softly, trailing a finger along his jawline, "Do you really want to waste it talking?"

Hope flickered in his eyes. "No, you’re right. Let’s focus on us."

"Hmm," she hummed. "But first, tell me—what exactly constitutes a ’waste of time’ to you?" Her finger stopped its caress, her expression hardening. "Was meeting my sister a waste of your precious time too?"

The trap snapped shut, and Hugo knew he was caught.

Downstairs, unaware of the confrontation brewing above them, Luna and Alpha Gray exchanged worried glances.

"This is a disaster," Luna whispered, clutching her chest. "If Selene discovers what we’re hiding in our basement, we’re all screwed. All of us."