After Selene left, Hugo and his parents remained frozen in shock.

Alpha Gray was the first to recover. "What are you standing there for? Go after her!" he barked.

"Oh! Right, right," Hugo stammered, jumping to his feet and racing out the door.

Once Hugo had disappeared, Alpha Gray turned his frustration toward Luna Gray.

"Look what you’ve done! Are you satisfied now?" he growled, his wolf’s energy crackling in the air between them.

Luna Gray’s face crumpled with indignation. "Pushing for the marriage was your idea first! I wasn’t in any rush. This is all because of you." She rolled her eyes dramatically.

In truth, she wasn’t eager for the wedding to happen so quickly anyway. She’d seen enough of Selene tonight to understand what kind of she-wolf they were dealing with. The girl wasn’t going to be an easy Luna to manage. Once she joined their pack, there was no telling what kind of drama she would bring. Luna Gray was getting too old to deal with such politics.

Alpha Gray’s temper flared at her response, his wolf rising just beneath his skin. "What exactly are you implying? Is he only my son now?"

"I didn’t say that," Luna Gray shot back, her eyes widening. "Those words are entirely yours."

Alpha Gray began pacing, his agitation growing with each step. "Everything I do—this push for marriage—it’s all for this family! Do you have any idea what’s happening with our company right now?"

His voice rose as he continued, "When the company finally collapses, where will you go for your facial treatments? Which of your friends will take you shopping then? You truly don’t appreciate what you have!"

With a disgusted snort, Alpha Gray stormed out of the room. There was no point arguing with a woman who couldn’t grasp the bigger picture.

It was clear to him now that Selene simply didn’t want to marry so soon. Was she still shopping around for better options? His son was a prime catch—what more could she possibly want? If Selene eventually did enter their pack, he would make sure she learned her place.

Meanwhile, Selene remained completely unaware of these discussions. She had no idea that even before becoming part of their pack, the Gray family was already planning how to "teach her proper behavior."

When Hugo caught up to her, Selene was already preparing to drive away. He immediately spread his arms wide, blocking her car’s path.

Selene narrowed her eyes and lowered the window, though she kept the engine running. "What do you think you’re doing? Trying to get yourself killed?" The edge in her voice was unmistakable.

Hugo flinched at her fierce expression. Just hours ago, they’d been wrapped in each other’s arms, lost in passion. How had she transformed so completely in such a short time?

He swallowed hard and approached her window, attempting to make peace. "Selene, don’t talk like that. The only place I want to die is in your arms."

"Don’t be disgusting. Say what you need to say," she replied coldly.

Hugo observed her unyielding demeanor and felt his own anger rising, though he carefully masked it beneath a concerned expression.

"Selene," he said softly, "we’re already engaged, and after everything we’ve shared, talking about marriage seems natural. I want to give you a home—to build a life with you. I’m tired of living with this uncertainty between us."

Doubt flickered across Selene’s face as she studied his seemingly sincere expression.

Looking at Hugo’s earnest face, she wondered if perhaps she’d misjudged the situation. Maybe reality wasn’t exactly as she’d imagined it.

"Are you... being truthful?" she asked hesitantly, still willing to believe in him.

Despite their arguments over the years, they did share a genuine connection. Their relationship wasn’t nothing.

"Of course I am!" Hugo proclaimed, raising his hand in solemn promise. "Honestly, Selene, after today, I’ve realized how much deeper my feelings for you run. I can’t imagine being without you. I want us to be together forever—I’m not joking."

Seated in her car, watching his intensity, Selene finally relented.

"Fine. I understand what you’re saying. I’ll discuss it properly with my mother when I get home."

She meant it, too. Despite her argument with Sylvia and her frustration with Alpha Astra’s obvious favoritism, marriage was too significant to rush into. This wasn’t just about her—it involved both their families. On matters like this, Selene remained traditional at heart.

Though Hugo was disappointed she hadn’t immediately agreed, he recognized her softening as progress. His smile returned. "Thank you, Selene."

"When the time comes, please put in a good word with Alpha Astra for me," he added, reaching through the window to grasp her hand tenderly. "Do it for me—for our future together. Will you?"

"I will," Selene replied, genuinely moved, her expression softening. "Don’t worry, I know what to do."

Hugo caressed her cheek with lingering affection. "Would you like me to follow you home?"

"No need. Things ended awkwardly with your parents. Please apologize to them on my behalf."

If they were going to build a life together, maintaining a good impression was important. Selene had no desire for a future filled with the same kind of manipulations and power plays she’d grown tired of.

Hugo nodded enthusiastically, recognizing she’d made her decision. "Don’t worry, I’ll smooth things over with my parents. Drive safely."

Selene acknowledged him with a slight nod before putting on her sunglasses and driving away.

Only when her taillights had disappeared from view did Hugo’s smile falter, his expression transforming completely—as if he’d become an entirely different person.

When he returned to the house, Luna Gray immediately rushed to him. "Well? Is that she-wolf still angry?"

"No, I calmed her down. She promised to speak favorably to her mother," Hugo replied, his eyes darkening. "Mom, where’s that Omega?"

"In the basement," Luna Gray sighed, giving her son a pointed look. "You really need to be more careful. What if she had shown up unexpectedly when your father and I weren’t home? What then?"

Hugo paused, realizing she had a point.

"I understand, Mom. I’ll find a different place for her soon."

Luna Gray observed her son carefully, considering whether to suggest he simply release the Omega altogether. After a moment’s reflection, she decided against it. He was an adult now; she couldn’t control everything he did.

Hugo ignored his mother’s scrutiny as he walked away. He knew exactly what she wanted to say, but how could he possibly part with his little pet? She belonged to him, and no one would ever separate them.

With a dark, unsettling smile playing on his lips, Hugo descended toward the basement.

The figure in the basement had been drifting in and out of awareness, but the moment Hugo appeared, she snapped fully alert. The chains binding her rattled loudly with her sudden movement.

Her mouth was stuffed with cloth, rendering her completely unable to speak. Only her eyes could move freely. Her body was barely covered by scraps of fabric that did little more than preserve the most basic modesty.

Seeing her like this, desire pooled in Hugo’s eyes. The sight of her near-naked form, seemingly waiting just for him, aroused him deeply.

Her body was marked with purplish bruises, and though her eyes had been vacant before, they now burned with pure hatred at the sight of him.

Hugo let out a cold laugh, stepping forward to grip her chin roughly. "What’s this look for? Why are you glaring at me like that?"

The woman lifted her head, her amber eyes glowing with defiance.

She looked remarkably like Sylvia.