Chapter 11

Selena’s Pov In forty-eight hours, I would sign the papers. In forty-eight hours, I would disappear into the ocean and become a memory. I couldn't leave with the memory of our fight in the study. I couldn't leave with the memory of Evelyn yelling at me and I wanted, no, I needed one last good moment with Theo. I needed something to hold onto when I was alone in New York, raising our child. So, I did something brave. I knocked on Theo's office door and invited him to dinner. Not a formal dinner date but a quiet one. Just us. In our home. To my surprise, he agreed immediately. The home was lit only by the soft glow of the television and a few candles I had lit. We sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa, with steak, cake, and red wine on the table. It was simple. It was domestic and heartbreakingly perfect. On the screen, a classic romance movie was playing. The couple in the film was fighting to be together against all odds. I watched them, feeling a lump form in my throat. They had a happy ending written in the script while we had a tragedy written in a contract. "This movie is cheesy," Theo murmured even though he didn't look away from the screen. "It's romantic," I corrected him, taking a sip of wine. Well, grape juice that looked like wine. I couldn't drink because of the baby, but Theo didn't notice. "They love each other." Theo turned to look at me. The flickering light from the TV shone across his sharp cheekbones. "Do you believe in that kind of love? The kind that lasts forever?" "I used to," I whispered. A heavy silence fell between us. Theo looked like he wanted to say something, his hand twitching near mine on the rug, but I beat him to it. "Do you remember our time at the werewolf academy?" I said suddenly, wanting to fill the silence. "You were always surrounded by people. You were the golden boy, so tempting but untouchable." Theo let out a soft chuckle. "And you were the ghost of the library. You were always sketching at that corner table by the window." My eyes widened. "You… you noticed me?" "I noticed everything, Selena," he said softly. "I knew you wore your hair in a braid on Tuesdays. I knew you liked the blue pens better than the black ones." My heart skipped a beat. Had he watched me? All those years I thought I was invisible, he actually saw me? "Why didn't you ever talk to me?" I asked, my voice trembling. "I couldn't," Theo admitted, looking down at his hands. "You were clearly a loner who preferred to be alone, and I didn't want to take that away from you because my attention would have brought the attention of a lot more people, and some of them wouldn't have been nice to you." A tear slipped down my cheek. I honestly don't think I needed to know this at least not today. Not after what's going to happen to us, and especially not after the fact that he doesn't want me. The movie credits began to roll, and a couple on screen kissed under the rain. I turned to Theo. This was it. The end. "Theo," I said, forcing a smile onto my face. "I want you to be happy." He looked at me, his eyes dark and intense. "I know you are marrying Claire for the pack," I continued, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "But I hope she makes you happy. I hope she gives you the family you want. You have my blessing, Theo. Truly." I expected him to say thank you. I expected him to accept my grace. Instead, his face hardened, and he looked away, his jaw clenching. "I don't need your blessing, Selena," he said coldly, and I flinched. The rejection stung worse than a slap. Of course, I thought bitterly. Why would he need my blessing? He has the blessing of his father, his mother, the council, and the entire pack. Everyone is celebrating this wedding. My blessing is worthless to him. I wiped the tear from my cheek, trying to hide my pain. "Right. I’m sorry. I didn't mean to overstep." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. I guess he's just trying to be nice. "I didn't mean it like that." "It's okay," I whispered. "I understand." I stood up, my knees shaking. I couldn't stay here anymore. It hurt too much. But before I left, before I let him go forever, I needed one last thing. I walked over to where he was sitting and knelt in front of him. I placed my hands on his knees. "Theo," I said, my voice barely audible. He looked at me, his eyes looked haunted in a way I couldn't understand. "If you don't want my blessing, can I ask for something else?" "Anything," he rasped. I leaned in, my breath mixing with his. I looked at his lips, the lips I had kissed for three years, the lips I would never touch again. "Kiss me," I pleaded. "One last time. As a farewell." Theo didn't hesitate. He groaned, a sound of pure desperation, and crashed his lips against mine. It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was a storm. He grabbed my waist, pulling me so close I thought he might crush me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him, and I poured all my love, all my sadness, and all my secrets into that kiss. Goodbye, my love. Tears were streaming down my face as our lips moved together. Goodbye, Theo For a moment, the world stopped. There was no Claire, no contract, no running away. There was just us. But then, he pulled away. He rested his forehead against mine, both of us gasping for air. "Goodnight, Selena," he whispered, his voice broken. "Goodnight, Theo," I choked out. I stood up and ran to the bathroom before I collapsed. I locked the door and slid down to the floor, sobbing into my hands. He kissed me as he loved me. But in two days, he will belong to someone else. And I will be gone.