Chapter 9 "I am not as shameless as you, Adrian. Those filthy acts suit you and Cassandra-not me." Selene steadied herself and answered coolly, which only fueled Adrian's rage. "Selene! How dare you! Did you lie with that male? Did you cry out beneath him?" Adrian snarled. Selene endured, clenched and silent. She would not tell him about the twins; they must not have a father like him. She had suffered enough; for her unborn pups she wanted warmth and safety, not cruelty. "We are done, Adrian. This conversation is over. Whether I choose another mate or not is none of your concern." "Just mark the scroll." Adrian's laugh was flat as he showed his teeth. "You shameless creature-are you rushing to sever our bond so you can claim I'll beg for offerings? Do you think the coin from me will make you and your new wolf rich?" he sneered. "Let me tell you a secret, Selene. From the very start of our bond I knew what kind of vile thing you were," he said, each word acid that ate at her. The truth landed hard: he had used her from the beginning. "So I made arrangements for the day I would cast you out. You might think you will live on my wealth, but I will make your life a living hell. I'll use every means to leave you penniless." Selene forced herself not to cry as the realization settled: he had only ever used her. "Do what you like, Adrian. I don't care." With that, she severed the link. Loving Adrian had been her greatest mistake. A week passed. On her first day serving in her new post, she was reviewing parchments when someone called, "Miss Selene?" "Yes? How may I help you?" she replied. "The steward requests you in his hall." The chill of the den tightened as she knocked and entered. "Miss Selene, I'm sorry to tell you the position you were selected for has been given to another." The words hit like winter wind; her breathing shortened. "But elder, the council offered me this role. Let me speak with them-I need to know why." She tried to stand her ground. "Are you questioning my authority?" the steward snapped, losing patience. "I don't see why I would be dismissed like this," she said. Another voice answered. She turned and froze: Adrian stood in the doorway with his arm around Cassandra's waist. He smiled at the steward, charming and cold. "You were confident you could survive without me, were you not? I invested in this hall; I hold shares now. You're at the bottom, begging. Didn't you tell me you didn't need me?" "Adrian, please stop. Don't speak to my sister like that," Cassandra pleaded, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Before I left him I was pregnant with him ima 1/2 57% 9:39 pm PR "Sister? This wolf who stole me and bound me after blackmailing my grandsire-why be kind to her?" Adrian sneered. "Adrian, Selene is still my sister. She may have made mistakes, but I cannot leave her," Cassandra said, then produced a neat stack of notes. "This might help with your grandmother's treatment, Selene. Please accept it." In the past Selene would have bowed her head and accepted the charity wrapped in mock sympathy. This time, a slow, wry smile crossed her face. "What is this? A few coins? If you had ever studied instead of trifling with other wolves' mates, you'd know it barely buys an herb, let alone proper care. Use this to better yourself instead of offering it as pity." "You-" Cassandra snapped, losing her temper for a moment before settling back into poison-laced sweetness. "Never mind. I did not come to argue," Cassandra said, turning to Adrian. "Why don't you tell Selene why we came?" Adrian's gaze never left Selene. "This can still be fixed. Return to me and I'll make amends for the past. We can move forward." The coaxing look that had once lulled Selene evaporated; he was suddenly cold. "No. I will never return to you." Selene's voice was firm. The softness in Adrian's tone hardened; his face went rigid. "Very well. Don't blame me for being cruel then." He tossed a stack of parchments at her. Adrian had signed the severing pact 9:39 pm PD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!