Chapter 147: Repay Me?

Selene’s POV

"We have to build a company for you. You’ve gotten to that stage," the chief manufacturer said.

Mind you, he was from Winterwood. He had stayed for the whole process and hadn’t gone back home, and now here he was, proposing we establish a company. Just like that.

I didn’t want to appear too egotistical or selfish. Using the land for something personal felt like it would send the wrong message. But on second thought ... who exactly was I trying to impress? And who was I trying to avoid?

"You think the idea of a company is a good one?" I asked him.

"Yes, of course. You’ll even be providing job opportunities for the masses," he said.

That clicked immediately. Why hadn’t I thought of that before? That was why I was grateful to have him working for me.

William wouldn’t have had a problem with it ... I was almost certain of that ... but I still needed to hear his thoughts directly from him.

"We’re thinking of establishing a company," I said to William.

He looked at me. "Are you for real?"

I was shocked. That was not the response I had expected from him.

"Yes. The output of the product is huge and we need to contain it, so..."

"Say no more, Selene. It’s done. I’ll help you put everything together and in order," he said.

I stood there wondering ... could someone really be this nice? He was so kind to me I almost didn’t believe it. Part of me thought something had to be wrong. Maybe he was planning a specific strike date, because this was not the William I knew.

After that, I called the manufacturer, filled him in on everything, and he set to work immediately.

We secured the site. William helped us source labourers. The job had to be done fast, and everyone who showed up was ready to work just as hard. The project kicked off and was expected to be finished within a few days.

"How do I repay you? What do you want?" I asked William.

"Repay me?" He looked at me like I’d said something strange. "Selene, you can’t repay me. You’re my wife and my Luna. Taking care of you is my responsibility."

And just like that, the guilt hit me. Him reminding me of duties and responsibilities ... I wasn’t holding up my end, and it made me feel terrible. Like I was cheating him somehow.

"I’ll repay you, Alpha. I mean it. Thank you," I said.

He smiled.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked.

"Because we live in a world where people aren’t grateful. I don’t get a lot of thanks, and the problem is that most people can’t see what I’m giving ... what I’m sacrificing. But you’re a real one, Selene. So thank you," he said.

We stared at each other. It was strange. He wasn’t pulling his eyes away from me, so I had to be the one to break it first. I wasn’t about to let those thoughts spiral into something I’d regret.

---

It was time for the Alpha to choose a Beta for the kingdom.

Many wolves auditioned for the position because the slot was open, but the decision didn’t rest entirely on the candidates themselves ... the elders and the Alpha made the final call. They assessed character, morals, and adaptability.

Before the council, I did a quiet head count as they filed in. Five candidates. All of them had shown up ready.

The elders ran the interview and, I’ll be honest, it was a hot seat. The common question that went around was: "Why do you think you deserve the position of Beta?"

They all answered well. But one response stopped me cold. I didn’t know his name yet ... didn’t know any of their names at that point ... but that one answer got me.

Every last one of them was a battle warrior, strong as anything, so physical strength was never even the real measure. We were looking for something beyond the battlefield.

"I don’t just want the title of Beta," he said. "I deserve the position because my heart is in the interest and betterment of the people I aim to protect ... but primarily to serve the Alpha. I have a track record of service, and that can be confirmed by my own father."

Based on everything we had reviewed, his background was clean. He had served under his father for years, helped manage his livestock, and only entered military training when it was time to leave home. Personally, I was pleased with his answer when they turned to ask me ... and I trusted he would deliver.

The Alpha liked him too. He was too impressive to overlook.

The last Beta I’d known was Kael. Even thinking about him made me want to puke. He had looked like someone dedicated to the cause for life ... promising, committed, the kind of wolf you’d stake everything on. Yet he had ended up fucking the Luna. I couldn’t believe my eyes the day I saw Tessa walking out of his room.

But they were old news now. Banished. Not to be revisited until the time came.

Still ... that whole situation had taught me not to trust anyone, because even they don’t fully know what they’re capable of. Trusting people is just putting your heart on the line. And it will get broken. Every time.

"You do know what this role entails, right?" William asked the young wolf.

"Yes, I do, Alpha," he replied.

"And you know who I am and what I do to people who don’t align with my rules?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"You’re the favourite ... not just for me and my wife, but for the elders too. Because we’re looking at what will benefit this entire territory, and you fit that description perfectly," William said.

The room had already started to clap before he even finished. Everyone could feel where the speech was heading.

"Therefore, I ... the Alpha of this territory ... ordain you, Damien Nightshade, as the Beta of the Icefang territory."

A standing ovation erupted across the hall.

He had won, right there in front of his competitors, and to their credit, they celebrated him too. Damien smiled through all of it. He went and hugged his parents and family ... because he understood that this calling would demand distance from them. That the life he’d known was changing for good.

Watching all of it, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering what Lucian was going through in Winterwood at that very moment.