Free Web NovelChapter 200: Chapter 200 Selene Wants Mom
Author’s POV
Alpha Astra had officially returned to work after her hospital stay, and she and Sylvia came home together that evening. In the living room, mother and daughter chatted intimately, catching up on everything that had happened during Alpha Astra’s recovery.
Selene sat awkwardly on the side, feeling like an outsider looking in. She watched their easy rapport with a mixture of longing and resentment—the way Sylvia could make Alpha Astra laugh, how naturally they fell into conversation, how effortless their bond seemed.
She had been waiting for hours for her chance to speak with Alpha Astra alone.
Finally, Caesar’s call came through on Sylvia’s phone.
"I should take this," Sylvia said, glancing apologetically at Alpha Astra. "He’s probably wondering where I am."
"Go ahead, sweetheart," Alpha Astra said warmly. "We’ll have plenty of time to catch up."
After Sylvia left, the silence stretched between Alpha Astra and Selene. Sometimes, Selene felt like she was a walking contradiction. Despite her conflicting emotions and fragile health, Alpha Astra had never given up on her. In fact, she had shown Selene even more attention and care over the years.
Selene was painfully aware of this favoritism.
Yet she couldn’t stop the bitterness that rose like bile in her throat when she thought about Sylvia effortlessly working at the company while she, despite years of trying, hadn’t even been allowed through the front door in a professional capacity.
The unfairness of it all ate away at her, leaving her unsure of how to navigate these treacherous emotional waters.
In her darkest moments, Selene wished desperately that Alpha Astra was her biological mother. She fantasized about carrying on the bloodline, taking care of both the pack and the company exactly as her mother envisioned, being the perfect daughter in every conceivable way.
Just as she was about to finally speak, Alpha Astra’s voice broke the silence:
"Selene?"
That single utterance of her name was enough to dissolve every ounce of resentment and bitterness into nothing. She looked up, tears threatening to spill as she saw the genuine warmth in Alpha Astra’s eyes. freewebnøvel.coɱ
"Mom..." she whispered, her voice catching.
"Hey, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve been carrying the world on your shoulders," Alpha Astra said gently, patting the cushion beside her. "Come sit with me."
Selene moved closer, her heart hammering. "Mom, I... I wanted to apologize. For everything that happened before you got sick. I was out of line."
Alpha Astra’s expression softened with surprise and relief. "Sweetheart, you don’t need to—"
"Yes, I do," Selene interrupted. "The issues between Sylvia and me—that’s our business. It has nothing to do with you, and I never should have put you in the middle." Her voice grew stronger, more certain. "I genuinely love and respect you, Mom. When you were in the hospital, I was terrified. You mean everything to me."
Alpha Astra reached out and stroked Selene’s soft hair, her eyes misting with emotion. "I had no idea you felt this way. I thought... I was worried you resented me."
"Resent you?" Selene looked genuinely shocked. "Mom, how could I ever? You’re the most incredible woman I know. You’ve given me everything—a home, a family, unconditional love. I could never resent you for that."
The relief on Alpha Astra’s face was palpable. "I’m so glad to hear you say that. I’ve been worried about you girls, about the tension between you and Sylvia..."
Selene took a deep breath. "Actually, there’s something else I wanted to discuss with you. Something important."
"Of course. What is it?"
"It’s about Hugo." Selene’s cheeks flushed slightly. "We’ve been... getting closer. And I think... I think I’d like to seriously consider marriage."
Alpha Astra’s eyebrows rose in surprise. "Marriage? Selene, that’s wonderful news! I had no idea things had progressed so far."
"We’ve been taking it slowly, but..." Selene’s voice grew more confident. "I really care about him, Mom. And I think he could be good for me. Good for our family."
"If you’re happy, then I’m happy," Alpha Astra said, squeezing Selene’s hand. "Hugo seems like a decent man. And if this is what you want..."
Just as Selene was about to respond, they were interrupted by an unexpected knock at the door.
Hugo appeared in the doorway, looking awkward and uncertain, carrying several expensive gift bags.
"I hope I’m not interrupting," he said nervously. "I brought these for you, Alpha Astra. A small token of my respect."
Selene’s blood ran cold. She stared at Hugo in complete shock and growing fury. She had specifically told him she wanted to handle this conversation with Alpha Astra herself—why the hell had he shown up uninvited?
Alpha Astra, ever the gracious hostess, accepted the gifts with a polite smile, but Selene’s expression had turned absolutely thunderous.
She clenched her fists at her sides, amazed by Hugo’s complete audacity. This was supposed to be her moment, her conversation, her decision to share.
And he had just bulldozed right through it.
"Hugo," Selene said, her voice dangerously quiet, "what are you doing here?"
The tension in the room shifted dramatically, and Alpha Astra looked between them with growing concern, sensing that something was very, very wrong.
