Keith's grip on Selene's wrist was firm, his pace unrelenting as he dragged her through the academy's corridors. Selene barely had time to protest before he pulled her into a secluded alcove, pressing her back against the cool stone wall. The dim lighting cast sharp shadows across his face, but it did little to mask the fury in his golden eyes.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Selene snapped, wrenching her arm free from his grasp. "Have you lost your mind?"
Keith didn't answer immediately. His jaw clenched, his breathing heavy as he loomed over her, his frustration palpable. Then, in a voice laced with anger, he demanded, "Why are you so loose? Do you have no self-respect?" His gaze burned into hers. "You throw yourself at any man who gives you the slightest attention. First, you put on that ridiculous act in the library, and now you're letting Cedric touch you like that?"
Selene's eyes widened in disbelief before narrowing into a glare. "Excuse me?" she hissed, stepping forward, her violet eyes flashing with defiance. "You have no right to talk to me like that."
Keith let out a bitter laugh. "No right? Do you think I don't see what you're doing? Laughing, smiling, clinging to Cedric as if you have no shame—"
Selene cut him off. "And what about you, Your Highness?" she spat, emphasizing the title mockingly. "Are you really accusing me of shamelessness while you flaunt your relationship with Evangeline for the whole academy to see? At least I'm not pretending to be in love while my heart belongs to someone else."
Keith flinched at her words, his expression tightening.
Selene pressed on, her voice sharp. "I don't owe you anything, Keith. You're the one who wanted this charade, not me. You made it clear long ago that I meant nothing to you, so don't act like you have any claim over me now."
Keith's fingers curled into fists at his sides. He didn't know what infuriated him more—the venom in her voice, the truth behind her words, or the fact that she looked completely unaffected by their argument.
"Selene—"
"No." She took a step back, her voice quieter but no less resolute. "Whatever this is, whatever this has become—it's yours to deal with, not mine. I won't let you interfere in my life just because you're suddenly bothered by seeing me happy."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Keith standing there, his thoughts in turmoil.
As he watched her disappear down the corridor, a storm raged inside him. Why had he reacted this way? Why did seeing her with Cedric ignite something raw and ugly in him? He clenched his jaw, exhaling harshly.
It had to be because of Evangeline. Because of the fragile state of their relationship.
He wasn't upset because of Selene. He was upset because his world was unraveling, and if he had to suffer, then Selene had no right to be happy either.
At least, that's what he told himself.