Chapter 5 /Selena/ His body was perfect, his abs firm and defined, they looked like they were carved by the Moon Goddess herself. I was intense in my staring at Thorne, I didn't realise someone else was in the room till I heard a light cough. Shit. The same man who had come for Elara. The same one who ignored my pleas who looked through me like I was nothing while choosing her instead. He leaned against the wall of the Alpha's bedroom like he belonged there. Like he had always belonged. What was he doing here? Why was he in Thorne's room? My throat closed up. My knees wobbled. My hands shook. But I didn't run. Not this time. I couldn't. I took a breath and steadied my trembling voice. "Umm... here's the eye drop." I held out the vial, forcing my arm to stay still even though it wanted to curl into myself and disappear. "Eye drops?" His voice curled around the words like a snake. He pushed off the wall and walked toward me with that same confident, careless gait, the kind that said he feared nothing, respected no one. I nodded. "I made it for the Alpha. To help his eyes." He stopped just inches from me. His presence towered. I could feel his breath on my skin. And Thorne, still wrapped in a towel, said nothing. Just sat on the bed like this was all a show he'd seen a hundred times before. He didn't speak, not even a cough. The masked man let out a loud, biting laugh. It echoed through the stone room, made worse by the silence Thorne allowed. "You made this?" he said, plucking the vial from my fingers with mock delicacy, turning it between his fingers like it was something disgusting. "What is it sewer water with a hint of hope?" I swallowed hard. My pride tasted bitter. "You honestly thought you could make medicine? You look like you belong in a gutter, not a healer's den, you should be lucky you are not dead yet, but i guess with a face like that death would be a better option." I said nothing. "Gods, I can smell the desperation on you," he continued, circling me like a predator. "Pathetic. How long were you rotting in the dungeon of the auction before Kaelen dragged you out and decided you'd make a good chew toy? " Thorne didn't stop him. Didn't defend me. Didn't move. "Do you know what they call you?" the Beta whispered, his mask gleaming as he leaned in. "The Swine of Ravencrest. The hideous mosnter that hunts children. Even the servants take bets on how long you'll last before you're tossed back into a well or better yet a burning furnace, they complain about how your face makes them uncomfortable." I clenched my fists. My nails dug into my palms. My face burned, but I wouldn't let myself cry. Not here. Not in front of them. Did these people even consider me a person? He held the vial higher, examining the liquid inside as if it was made of poison. And then, without a single word of warning, he poured it out. Right on top my head. The golden drops splashed across my hair. vanishing like I'd never spent hours foraging, crushing herbs, praying to the Moon Goddess for guidance. Like it was worthless. Like I was worthless. And when the bottle was empty, he let it fall. It hit the ground with a shatter that echoed inside me. "Oops," he said dryly. "Guess that's what happens when garbage tries to play healer." "Maybe if you are lucky it will make you pretty, oh wait that can't happen because you aren't a real healer." A slow smirk spread across his lips, even under the mask. "You should've stayed in what ever hole you crawled out of. At least rats would've kept you company. And you would've done the world a favor by staying hidden." My breathing hitched, but I didn't speak. "What's the matter?" he goaded. "Oh wait, cat got your tongue, or because I exposed your little scam , thats it isn't it ?" He laughed again. "You're even more pathetic than I remember. No wolf. No beauty. No voice. You're nothing, Selene. Just a broken thing someone should've put down. They should never have given birth to you." My entire body trembled, but I stood tall. Even when he stepped so close I could smell his breath. Even when I could feel Thorne's indifferent feeling burning a hole into the back of my head. The man stepped back with one final sneer. "Don't worry, though. If Thorne remains blind forever, at least he won't have to look at you." And then he left. Just walked out like he hadn't shattered me into dust. I stood in that room, in the silence that followed, staring at the wet stain on the floor where my hard work had been destroyed. Thorne still said nothing. He rose slowly, as though he'd forgotten I was there, and walked toward his armoire without a glance in my direction. As if I hadn't just been humiliated in front of him. As if he didn't care. Maybe he didn't. Maybe they were all the same. I turned and walked out. Not ran. Walked. Even though I was shaking. Even though I wanted to scream. Cry. I didn't give them the satisfaction. But when I reached the end of the hall, I collapsed against the wall and let my body slide down until I was on the cold stone floor, knees to my chest. And there, in that lonely corridor, I let my heart bleed silently. No loud sobs. Just quiet tears. I was used to the bad mouth and insults but this.. this hurt in ways I never imagined. Just pain. Moon Goddess, I thought, i know you are out there, if you're listening... Give me strength. Make me powerful. Make me beautiful. So they'll never laugh at me again, just please make me normal I beg. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!