The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas-Chapter 229: We don’t have that kind of relationship!

Chapter 229: Chapter 229: We don’t have that kind of relationship!

Selena practically ran all the way back, her breath uneven, her steps messy, her thoughts even messier. The more she thought about that woman... the more she felt disgust crawling under her skin.

How can someone act so lovingly... yet have a lover outside?

How can someone be so fake? So loose?

If she already loved someone else, why pretend? Why force a relationship with her father of all people? It wasn’t like her father liked her. So what was she even trying to get? What could she possibly gain?

Selena felt her stomach twist. She hated herself for ever believing even a word that woman said. She hated that she had been fooled so easily in the past.

Her legs moved faster as if she wanted to outrun the shame and disgust boiling in her chest.

She whipped around a corner and slammed hard into a solid wall of muscle.

Except it wasn’t a wall.

Arms instantly wrapped around her waist, steadying her before she could hit the ground. She blinked, dazed, breathless from both running and from the sudden catch.

"I—I’m sorry! I’m very busy...let me go.." she rushed out, trying to escape.

But the man’s grip tightened, not painfully, but firmly enough to stop her. A deep, familiar voice brushed against her ear.

"Busy enough that you didn’t even recognize me?"

Selena froze.

That voice.

That tone.

Even with her hood pulled low, even with her mind racing, she knew exactly who it was the moment her heart stumbled in her chest.

"L... Luca?" she whispered.

He raised an eyebrow, still holding her against him, his expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Who else would it be?"

She finally lifted her gaze fully to him. His grey eyes stared down at her with that sharp, hungry spark she knew far too well. His jaw clenched slightly, not in anger...but more like he was forcing himself not to drag her closer than this.

Before she could say anything, Luca sighed, leaned in, and murmured,

"This question should be asked by me... why didn’t you recognize me?"

His tone wasn’t accusing, it was the kind that wrapped around her ribs and squeezed until she forgot how to breathe.

"I—I was just... thinking," she muttered weakly.

"That much?" Luca’s eyes narrowed in a teasing but deeply possessive way. "Enough to forget your own mate?"

She felt heat rise to her face. She opened her mouth to explain, but Luca didn’t give her the chance. His hand slid down to her wrist, fingers closing around it as he tugged her forward.

"Come."

"W-Where are we going...?" she asked, stumbling after him.

"Somewhere we can talk," he said simply.

He didn’t drag her harshly. But he didn’t let her go either. His grip was warm, grounding, a little too firm as if he feared she might disappear again.

They slipped into a side building, quiet and empty. The door shut behind them with a soft thud. The air inside was dim and warm, and Luca finally let her go, only to step closer again, trapping some distance but not touching her.

Selena’s heart thudded.

Luca watched her for a moment. His eyes traced her hood, her pale cheeks, her slightly trembling hands.

"What happened?" he asked quietly. "You look... shaken."

She swallowed. Should she tell him about that woman?

About the disgust?

About everything she saw?

She hesitated.

Luca noticed instantly.

He stepped even closer, one hand lifting to brush her cheek with his knuckles...slow, deliberate, gentle.

"Selene." His voice dropped lower. "You don’t hide things from me."

Her breath hitched. "I... I can’t tell you that. Not now."

His brows furrowed, jealousy sparking for a second. "Is it about another man?"

"No!" she rushed to say. "It’s not that. It’s just... I need to tell all of you together."

"...Your mates," he murmured, finally understanding.

She nodded.

Luca exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing the corner of her lips before he pulled his hand away reluctantly.

"Fine," he said. "Then I’ll take you to them."

She blinked. "You will?"

"Of course." His eyes softened, though his voice stayed deep and rough. "You came running. You’re pale. Something is wrong. And if something is wrong... then you’re not leaving my side."

Her cheeks warmed again.

He stepped behind her, resting a hand gently on the small of her back, guiding her forward.

"Come," he said softly. "Let’s go to the others. Whatever you need to say... say it when we’re all there."

Selena nodded, relieved.

And as they walked, Luca didn’t remove his hand from her back even once as if making sure she wouldn’t run away from him again.

Luca didn’t slow down even once. He guided her straight down the hallway, his hand firm on her back as if afraid she might disappear the moment he let go. When they reached her palace, he didn’t hesitate he opened the door, gently but quickly pulled her inside, and closed it behind them.

Selene blinked.

Because all three of them were inside.

Aeron.

Lucian.

Kael.

They were sitting around the table, deep in some serious discussion, their expressions tense and dark. But the moment they noticed the door opening, the moment their eyes landed on her...

The tension disappeared.

Every single one of them froze, then their eyes lit up at the same exact second. Aeron stood up first. Lucian was right behind him. Kael nearly tripped on the chair in his hurry.

"You’re here?" Aeron breathed.

"We thought you were still at the palace!" Lucian added, completely stunned.

Kael leaned forward with a grin. "How did you even get out..."

But before he could finish, Luca stepped slightly to the side, revealing her fully, and gave the three a little smug wave like, Yes, she was with me. What about it?

Selene didn’t know whether to laugh or hide.

In the next second, all three of them surrounded her, their warmth blocking her from every direction as they checked her up and down, making sure she wasn’t hurt.

"Yes, yes, I came," she said quickly. "I can leave the palace like this. It’s not a big thing."

She did not tell them she had basically run away without informing anyone. That would only make things worse.

Lucian gently touched her shoulder. "Selene... we were worried."

Luca snorted. "I found her running blindly."

Selene elbowed him lightly. "Don’t expose me like that."

Luca only smirked.

For a few seconds, it felt warm... too warm as they all stood around her, their eyes soft, relieved, possessive. The romantic tension made her heart thump faster, especially when Kael reached out and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

But she stepped back, expression turning serious.

"I need to tell you all something important."

Their smiles slowly faded.

"What happened?" Aeron asked, voice heavy.

Selene inhaled deeply. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"...The king was poisoned."

The reaction was immediate.

Aeron stiffened.

Lucian’s eyes darkened.

Kael froze mid-breath.

Even Luca clenched his jaw.

"How?" Lucian asked sharply. "Who would dare...?"

"I don’t know," Selene said honestly. "But I think... the council might be behind it. Maybe this is their retaliation. They probably realized we were trying to loosen their power."

Silence filled the room for a moment.

She swallowed, then continued quietly, "And... there is more. My witch mother... she might be involved too."

"What?" all of them said at the same time.

Selene finally told them everything... how she followed that woman, how she overheard things, how she saw her meeting a man in secret.

And the moment she finished, all four of them checked her again, grabbing her hands, her cheeks, her arms.

"Why did you follow her alone?" Aeron scolded gently.

"She is dangerous," Lucian said in a low voice.

"You should have called us," Kael muttered with a frown. "We would have followed her for you."

"I’m fine," Selene insisted. "Nothing happened. And besides... she wasn’t doing anything dangerous. She was just... meeting someone."

Kael tilted his head. "Meeting?"

"Yes," Selene said with a disgusted expression. "Her lover. And he is a werewolf. Imagine! She pretended to love my father while having someone else behind his back!"

All four men stared.

Then Kael suddenly laughed lightly and took her hand. "Why are you so bothered? They have a relationship. Just like us..."

Before he could finish, Selene slapped his arm hard.

"What nonsense are you saying!? Do you think we have that kind of relationship?"

Kael jumped back instantly, waving both hands. "No! No, no, no! I was teasing! Only teasing! Don’t get angry..."

Selene turned her face away in annoyance. "She is a bad woman. A fake. She disgusts me. And if you ever compare us with that kind of relationship again, then stay away from me!"

"I’m sorry! I’m sorry!" Kael said desperately as the others snickered.

Aeron coughed to hide his smile. Lucian outright chuckled. Luca smirked proudly.

Kael hovered around her like an anxious puppy. "Selene, look at me...I was only joking..I swear...don’t be angry..."