Alpha's Forbidden Mate.

Selene pov

Days shifted into weeks, and my schedule remained the same. I wasn't allowed to leave the Pack House, wasn't allowed to go anywhere unsupervised. I kept to myself, completely, pretending not to hear all the insults thrown at me like daggers.

I was taking my daily walk around the Pack House when the head maid approached me, her steps brisk and eyes sharp.

"The Alpha requests your presence," she said curtly.

I gave a small nod and turned to follow her, but she didn't move. Instead, she stared at me with a look that could've soured milk .Disgust written all over her face.

"Don't tell me you're going to see the Alpha looking and smelling like that."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked, staring straight at the maid.

Shock flashed across her face. She clearly wasn't expecting me to respond.

I might be a rogue, but what they don't know is I was trained to run a household but the woman who took me in ..I and Keisha learned all the proper etiquette needed of a noble.

These fools don't know much about me at all.

She quickly masked her surprise, her lips curling into a sneer as she folded her arms.

"You may not care much about your looks, but you are still the Luna of this park .

I suggest you start looking like one, or you'll remain nothing more than a rejected Luna, sitting at the Alpha's feet like the dog you are," she spat, breathing hard.

Normally, the guards are supposed to step in at this point to maintain order, stop the disrespect being shown to their Luna .

But they didn't move.

They just stood there... watching the spectacle unfold.

Turning around, I realized the loud voice of the head maid had already attracted a crowd. A quiet cluster of pack members .. warriors, omegas, and servants ...stood scattered in the hallway, eyes glued to us.

I glanced down at myself.

I wore a plain black dress. My hair was tied in a messy bun at the top of my head.i wore no jewelry and absolutely no makeup.

Then I looked at her ...And I smiled softly.

"Thank you."

She blinked.

"What?"

"I didn't realize how much weight my presence carries. That even the head maid worries about how I represent this house." I stepped forward slightly,my voice calm but firm. "I may not have been raised here, but I know what it means to lead a home.

Respect is earned... not demanded."

Her face twitched, her certainty cracking.

"And I respect you," I added simply. "Because no one keeps a house like this running without being strong, smart, and just a little terrifying."

A quiet chuckle rippled through the crowd. But I kept my gaze on her.

"If you think I'm falling short, then I am open to learning . Not just for him"...i tilted my head toward the Alpha's wing"but for this household. For the people watching us now."

Silence hung thick in the air.

Then, slowly, the maid stepped back and bowed her head ...not in defeat, but in something closer to reluctant acceptance.

"Very well, Luna. I'll go and prepare a change of clothes " she said quietly waking out.

After that the crowd dispersed quickly.

Clap. Clap.

I turned sharply,my eyes narrowing at the sound.

A tall, strikingly handsome werewolf emerged from the shadows of the corridor, his slow, deliberate applause echoing down the hall as he walked toward me with a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Impressive."

He stopped a few feet away, with his arms crossed casually.

"Very impressive, Luna. The way you handled your maid... that was something to watch."

I straightened, shoulders tense.

"Who are you?"

His grin widened.

"Who am I?" he repeated, as if amused by the question.

He took another step forward, lowering his voice just enough to make my wolf bristle.

"Let's just say... I'm an acquaintance of your mate."

"Nice to meet you," he said, raising my hand to his lips.

I was startled by how quickly he'd closed the distance between us. One moment he was across the corridor ...the next, his warm breath touched my skin.

But before I could react further, a deep growl shattered the air, it was sharp and feral, sending fear racing down my spine.

"Touch my mate again and I'll kill you."

Kael's voice was unmistakable.

Sylvester, however, didn't flinch. He smiled, slowly and unbothered, and gently released my hand.

"Nice to see you again, Alpha Kael."

Kael's eyes were murderous.

"I can't say the same for you, Sylvester."

Sylvester turned back to me, his eyes glinting like polished sea glass ...a piercing blue that almost looked silver in the light.

His skin was dark and smooth, his sea-blue hair falling in waves to his shoulders, making him look almost... unreal. Like something out of an old storybook. A beautiful danger.

"I'll see you later," he said softly, his gaze lingering on mine before he turned and disappeared down the corridor.