Selene's POV

I stood frozen in the office's doorway, my eyes locked on Damien. This wasn’t the arrogant, smug Alpha I was used to. He looked defeated. Shadows circled under his eyes, and his shoulders slumped like he carried the weight of a thousand regrets. The sight stunned me into silence.

“I came to handle Elara’s withdrawal,” he began, his voice lacking its usual edge. “But then I found out Lucian was arranging your expulsion.” He paused, rubbing the back of ...