Selene's head pounded like a drum, the dull ache pulsing behind her eyes. A low groan escaped her lips as she stirred, her body sinking into soft sheets she didn't recognize.
Her brows furrowed.
Soft sheets?
Her eyes fluttered open, and instantly, panic seized her. This wasn't Emma's room.
Selene sat upright, the headache momentarily forgotten as her gaze darted around the unfamiliar space. It was a masculine room—dark tones, sleek furniture, and an overwhelming sense of order. Definitely not a guest room.
Memories crashed into her all at once.
The beach. The ocean swallowing her whole. The strong hands dragging her out. The man who had saved her.
Her face burned with shame. Did she really wail like a child in front of him? Fought him? Screamed at him? Selene swallowed hard, bile rising in her throat. She needed to leave before she embarrassed herself further.
She swung her legs over the bed, ignoring the way her body ached, and pushed herself up. The moment her bare feet hit the cool floor, she winced.
Where were her shoes?
It didn't matter.
Moving as fast as she could, she crept toward the door cautiously. It was early—too early. Maybe if she was lucky, she could slip out before—
Her body froze.
Voices.
She pressed her back against the wall, her heartbeat a steady, frantic thud in her ears. The deep timbre of the man's voice carried from what she assumed was the living room. He was talking to someone.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her nerve and stepped forward. She kept her head down, her steps light, but before she could make it past the living room—
"Where do you think you're going?"
She froze.
Slowly, she turned.
The man before her was gorgeous. Tall, broad-shouldered, and with dark wavy hair. He had sharp grey eyes. He stood near the couch, his arms crossed over his chest. The other man he had been talking to stood behind him, his gaze on her too.
He looked… relaxed. Like he expected this.
Selene opened her mouth, then closed it.
Lucian took a step closer.
"You're awake," he began. "Are you okay?"
Selene bowed her head—lower than necessary—her fingers curling into the hem of the oversized shirt she hadn't realized she was wearing. It wasn't hers.
It was his.
She swallowed hard. "I… I'm fine."
Lucian exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "Didn't realize you were Ethan's mate. I would've taken you to his company if I knew."
Selene flinched at this. She lifted her head—barely—just enough for him to hear her.
"I'm not his mate anymore."
Selene bowed once again, lower this time, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Thank you… for saving me."
She didn't wait for a response.
Her bare feet barely made a sound against the polished floor. She wouldn't burden him any longer. The last thing she wanted was to be an inconvenience—she already had been.
But just as she reached for the door handle, she hesitated.
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, her fingers twitching at her sides.
Her phone. Or rather—her missing, dead phone.
She had no way of calling anyone. No way of getting home. Selene exhaled sharply, squeezing her eyes shut for a brief second.
She slowly turned back around, her shoulders stiff as she forced herself to speak.
"Um…" She hesitated, glancing up at him through her lashes. "I… don't have my phone. It's dead."
She hated how small her voice sounded.
Lucian raised a brow. He didn't say anything for a moment—just watched her.
Lucian glanced at the beta who instantly understood what he wanted and left the living room. Selene looked down, her neck red with shame. The beta returned with her phone, for which she let out a thousand thank yous.
"My driver will drop you off," Lucian tells her smoothly.
Selene snapped her head up, ready to refuse and thank him for his help but stopped. She really did need his help actually, and so she nodded, "Thank you very much, sir. I owe you my life," she said.
Lucian paused for a brief second then nodded, "You're welcome. The driver is outside," he replied.
Selene nodded yet again and turned to leave only to stop. "If you ever need my help, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'm thankful for your help," she said and stepped out.
Lucian stared at the now shut door for what seemed like minutes. A smirk ghosting his lips, he turned to the beta. "Find me everything you can on her. Every detail. Especially her marriage to Ethan."