Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama
Chapter 58: You’re still mine...

Chapter 58: You’re still mine...

Selene POV

"W-What do you mean by that?" I stuttered trying to hide the unease I felt.

"Don’t act dumb, Selene...someone like Noah, his first duty is to family before anything. Besides, you can’t promise that he’ll be any different. What will you do when he falls short of all your expectations? Leave him? Runaway like you did? What will you do?"

"Anything other than running into your arms," I retorted holding his gaze "At the beginning of this conversation, I thought you were onto something meaningful but it turns out to be as empty as you are. If you intend to create a divide between...".

"But there’s already a divide, Selene," Kurtis laughed wildly, amusement dancing in his eyes "And you know whose fault it is? Yours! From the moment you agreed to become Noah’s wife...you already created a rift between an uncle and his nephew. When you eventually get pregnant for him... it’ll be worse... The Steele family will never forgive you,".

"Watch what you say!" My chest heaved in agitation as I stared at him, hating everything he was saying while knowing somewhere in my heart that it was true "You have no idea what I had to pass through at the hands of your so-called friend for seven years. Even if I’m paid all the money in the world, I wouldn’t wish that for my worst enemy,".

"But he has changed, Selene..." Kurtis pursued "We could excuse the first time and pin it to the curse being active and all but what is your excuse this time around especially as he has fallen deeply in love with you? Or maybe you had eyes on his brother from the beginning or wait... Is it because of his rank? You’re tired of being a Luna to a mere Alpha ...".

Enraged, I reached out and slapped him hard across his face as anger flashed through my eyes, coursing through my veins. I could feel my eyes moisten with tears as I stared at Kurtis with hatred.

"H-How dare you?" Kurtis growled as he held his smarting cheeks, "Do you know what you have just done?"

"And I will do it a thousand times over," Selene screamed hating the tears cascading down her cheeks.

A small crowd had begun to gather around them.

"You have no right to judge me or interfere in my family’s business without knowing half of what I passed through. I deserve the right to make a favourable decision for myself. If you aren’t going to help us... you could have said so rather than trying to rile me. You’re such a vile person,".

"I was only trying to help you," Kurtis said "You only misunderstood me,".

On cue, Noah and Xavier pushed through the crowd and rushed to my side. Noah reached me first while Xavier hung behind him.

"What’s wrong dear?" Noah said tenderly as his eyes flicked from me to Kurtis and back "Did anything happen?"

I didn’t know how to explain the situation to him, so I remained mute and continued staring at Kurtis.

"What happened, Kurtis?" Xavier asked staring at us.

"It was nothing," Kurtis finally said "I and Selene were just having a conversation,".

"A conversation?" Noah scoffed "And she’s crying. What the fuck did you do to her? What did you tell her?"

"She’s right in front of you, your majesty," Kurtis lips lifted with mockery "I’m sure she’s the best person to ask that. Excuse me!"

He turned and left. The crowd started to dissipate until it was just me, Noah, Xavier, Lucius and the girls. Lucius murmured something into the ears of the girls and took them with him. I was left with just Xavier and Noah.

Torn between who to go for comfort, I decided to walk away and find comfort alone. As I tried to walk past, Noah, he reached for my hand and pulled me backwards.

"What’s wrong Selene? Can you tell me what happened? Did Kurtis try to harm you or threaten you in any way?"

"No," I said slowly shaking my head. Looking up to meet his gaze, I asked... "Why did you do it? Why did you save Xavier?"

"Save Xavier?" Noah’s brows scrunched in confusion "I don’t understand," he said.

"This injury on you was meant for Xavier but you pushed him out of the way at the dying minute and allowed yourself to be wounded. Why did you do that?"

His eyes widened with confusion and then that look you give to someone who you feel should know the answer to something... that was exactly how he was looking at me.

"Why not?" he shrugged "Aside from the fact that he’s my nephew... I am also his ruler. It’s normal for me to want to make certain sacrifices for my subject,".

"Was that the reason why you were fighting with Kurtis?" Xavier asked quietly.

"I wouldn’t have if someone had told me at least," I tried to smile "Why am I being kept in the dark on matters like this? Is it because you see me as nothing more than just a woman your nephew fucked and has children with?" I turned to Noah.

"Don’t say that, Selene... I don’t know what Kurtis said to you but you should know better than to let him get inside your head," Noah chided.

"You can say that to me?" I roared "Do you know how uncomfortable it has been for a while now with you too? How nerve-racking it always has to be when I meet you and him? The animosity was so visible that it would be foolish for any person not to have noticed it and then, just when I’ve concluded that you won’t get along... you’re taking a bullet for him,".

"I agree that I and Noah are not in the best relationship at this time and it’s due to the awkwardness of being with one woman. Aside that, I still and will still treat him with as much respect as before,".

"Okay!" I nodded my head then turned to Noah "Whatever it is you’re doing; we must leave here today. I don’t care if we have to crawl or run... I don’t know how but I am not spending another night in this place...".

"Of course, dear," Noah nodded "But I need you to be calm...".

"I am," I told him coldly "I need to go attend to the girls, excuse me,".

I brushed past both men, feeling their gazes burning my back.

***

Two hours later, I had to sit through a hurriedly put together birthday for the girls. Just as Kurtis has promised... the outcome turned out far better than I had expected. The girls were visibly happy as they stood in front of a giant, twin cake with their names inscribed on it and favourite colours.

After the initial birthday song and the cutting of the cake, I watched as they were shepherded from one person to the other for birthday pictures. Noah, suddenly came up to me and sat beside me.

He looked paler, but it was better than how he was earlier, a sign that he was doing much better.

"You, okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," I nodded refusing to meet his gaze, thanks for asking,".

"I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it immediately," he said after a while "I didn’t think it was something worth announcing but I’m truly sorry. I promise, I’ll communicate more moving forward,".

"It’s fine," I said quietly "Maybe I overreacted. I just feel confused these days with you two. I am not expecting both of you to be lovey dovey with each other. But, it’s fine,".

He didn’t say anything until a few minutes passed.

"I’ve made arrangements for us to be driven to the airport... we’ll fly commercial this time around... anything to throw off being followed," he said.

"Okay," I nodded in agreement "When do we leave?"

"As soon as the celebrations end," he said quietly. "Selene... will you miss all of this?"

"No!" I replied without hesitation and we’ve been over this, Noah. I am not about to be dragged into another argument because these conversations don’t always end well. Let’s just be grateful for everything we have and that we’re still alive and in one piece. I’ll go see to our things. Xavier asked someone to get it from the pack house,".

I rose to my feet.

"Selene... you’ve misunderstood me!" he held me back "I’m just trying to...".

"Fine, Noah!" I fought back the tears in my eyes "I am with you because I feel secured and right now, I’d rather be anywhere than here. I can’t deal with these close shavings of danger every day. Is that good enough for you?"

"That’s not what I mean, Selene!" he sighed "I just want to make sure you’re happy,".

"I’ll be, once we leave here,".

A few minutes later, we stood in front of our transport. Kurtis was kind enough to lend us his soldiers as escorts. We were waiting for the girls to round up their crying episodes with their dad before we start moving.

"We don’t have all day, girls," I tapped my leg impatiently "We have to leave now,".

Xavier gave them one final kiss before he put them inside the car, giving them one final kiss.

"Selene," he said quietly "Take care of them and yourself... please. I also hope you won’t get bothered with my numerous calls. Because I’ll miss the girls so much,".

"You’re free to call whenever, Xavier. Now, we need to leave," I gave him a smile and made to enter the car when he suddenly pulled me into his arms for a hug.

Just before he finally let me go, he whispered into my ears.

"I still love you, Selene... and you’re still mine,".