A Wolf's Tear

fifteen - a heavy cloud

The ride home was inexplicably calm, though she understands why that was. No one dared to speak a single word as the heavy atmosphere that Talon created in pack Morris was carried throughout their travel home.

She felt choked, stifled, and crushed by the weight of her emotions.

This was all her fears coming true to one, swift moment. She stilled and promised herself that rejecting Nathaniel would not affect her too much. But she was gravely mistaken.

There was still that part that pined for him and she hurt herself just thinking of him and how his expressionless mask haunted her.

For a moment, she stopped. It was not only her that was hurting now. Both Francis and Talon were under a storm of contemplation.

Her cousin who only just woken up two hours ago had become mute, tapping the tip of his boots in the air while Talon sat behind the wheel while his eyes were glued in the road in front of him.

Luckily, the tension soon dissipated when the gates of pack Highcliff entered her vision. Immediately, a group of wolves welcomes their arrival. Most of them, she knew as their loyal pack members, some oddly foreign.

Talon parked the car in front of the packhouse and waited for a few seconds before he spoke a word.

“The both of you meet me in the solarium.” He commanded softly and exited the vehicle.

Selena and Francis sat side by side in the back seat, barely making a move. She knew full well that it was her fault why Francis was caught up with Talon’s wrath and it pained her to think he was upset with her.

“Francis…” She whispered.

“Not now, cousin.” he sighs, turning to her. “Let’s just try and survive this.”

She nodded, feeling a little more assured. Though that was only an inkling of her relief. In the sunroom or the solarium as her brother preferred to call it, Talon was there waiting for them.

She wasn’t prepared for this. A mouthful of reprimands was okay, but this time it was different. Talon had ultimately decided to cut pack Highcliff from pack Morris. That meant several things but all of them fell woefully short of what she witnessed earlier. Katie’s plan and will to not get hurt was foiled and her efforts were useless when Talon cast his cold gaze towards her.

She was his mate and Talon quickly severed their fate by slicing the palm of his hand.

Selena wondered if during the car ride, did he at the very least regret rejecting Katie so brashly? Without a word just by impulse, her brother lost his chance on his mate.

She grimaced. “We better go before he decides to come back and get us.”

Francis nodded and jumped from his seat. Selena followed, her face marring the same despairing look that her cousin wore. It was her priority to keep her head down while she trudged towards the foyer.

But sadly, her hopes of not bumping into someone were put onto hold when a hand blocked her way. She veers her gaze upwards and met the owner of the muscly arm. A pair of blue eyes looked at her with sympathy.

“Joseph?” She spoke. “Ah—ah, I mean, Alpha Albrich. Good evening.”

The man smiled.

“Selena, we’ve grown too much together. It would be insulting to me if you persisted in calling me that.”

She knitted her brows in a rueful stare.

“You’re as informal as ever.”

He chuckled.