Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 77
Chapter 77
Selene
I lifted the porcelain cup to my lips and took a slow sip.
The tea was sweet at first, then faintly bitter as it settled on my tongue, a strange combination, but oddly soothing.
When I lowered the cup, I saw Princess Avery staring at me.
Her own cup was suspended halfway to her mouth, her fingers frozen around the handle. She looked as though she still couldn’t quite believe I was here, sitting across from her at a small golden table draped with embroidered silk. The sunlight filtering through the windows hit her hair, making it shimmer as she blinked at me.
I smiled and gently set my cup down.
“Thank you for inviting me, Princess Avery. The tea works wonders, especially after the meeting today.”
Avery set her cup down so abruptly it clinked against the saucer.
“I heard about that,” she said, leaning forward instantly, her expression shifting into worry. “I wanted to come, but Mother wouldn’t let me anywhere near the hall. Did anyone try to bully you? Tell me who. I’ll make sure they regret it. I’ll put them in their place, and make them eat shit if I have to.”
Behind her, Molly nearly dropped the tray she was holding.
“Your Highness,” she hissed, horrified. “Please be mindful of your words.”
Molly turned to me and bowed stiffly. “I deeply apologize, Lady Selene-”
I held up a hand, unable to stop the small laugh escaping my lips. “It’s alright, Molly,” I said, then looked at Avery with an amused smile. “And besides, when they tried to mess with me today, I gave them shit to eat.”
For a moment, both of them just stared at me as if I’d grown a second head. Then Avery burst into laughter. She held her stomach, her eyes sparkling. “I’m glad you did that. Serves them right!”
I found myself smiling as I watched her. But the warmth in my chest reminded me of something I needed to say.
I folded my hands on my lap and looked at her sincerely. “There’s something I want to apologize for.”
Avery blinked, her laughter fading into confusion. “Apologize? For what?”
“For my rudeness,” I said. “You invited me many times, yet I never came. I don’t have any excuse that justifies that. You didn’t deserve to be ignored. Please forgive me, princess Avery, From now on, I promise I’ll try to visit whenever I have the time. So we can spend time together,”
Avery stared at me for a long moment. She didn’t even breathe. Behind her, Molly gently nudged her arm. “Princess?”
Avery jerked back to life, her cheeks turning a rosy pink, “I-I would like that,” she said quietly, her voice softer than I had ever heard it. “Thank you, Lady Selene.”
“Selene,” I corrected gently. “You can call me Selene.”
Her blush deepened. “Then… Avery,” she replied.
In every past life, I was always alone. I had warriors who respected me, men who fought at my side, and died for me. To me, they were brothers. But I never had female friends. No woman wanted to stand beside someone whose hands were stained with blood.
People feared the woman who won wars. They respected me, yes, but respect is not companionship.
So having even one friend in this life felt nice.
Avery leaned closer, eyes bright with curiosity. “So? How was it, Selene? Did you really reject my brother?”
For a moment, I simply stared at her. She was sweet, and kind. But her brother was the man who had dragged me through hell in every lifetime. The man whose choices, directly or indirectly, pushed me toward death.
Could I really be her friend?
Could I really allow myself to grow closer to her, knowing her brother had destroyed me again and again? Knowing that when the day came for my revenge, she might be caught in the aftermath?
And when that happened, what would she think of me?
“Selene? Are you okay?”
I nodded. “To answer your question, no, I will not be your brother’s mate. I’ve already spoken with the Alpha and the Luna, and they accepted my decision. I hope you can also-”
I didn’t even finish.
Avery suddenly released a loud exhale, her shoulders dropping in relief before a grin stretched across her face so wide.
“Oh, thank the goddess.”
I blinked at her. “…What?”
“gods, did I say that out loud?” Avery’s eyes went wide as she slapped both hands over her mouth. “That came out wrong, I didn’t mean it like that. I mean….”
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs, amusement tugging at my lips despite my best effort.
“I see,” I murmured, tilting my head just slightly. “Then what did you mean, Avery?”
“Ugh, I sound like a terrible person right now.” Avery groaned, straightening in her seat. She drew in a deep breath, then met my eyes with sincerity.
“What I meant,” she said more firmly, “is that I’m relieved you’re not Adrian’s mate.”
My brows lifted. “…Relieved?”
“Yes.” She nodded without hesitation. “I love my brother. He’s handsome, responsible, respected, every woman in the pack would happily throw themselves at his feet just to get his attention. But he doesn’t deserve you.”
Avery continued, her voice gentler now. “You deserve someone better. Someone who will put you first, who will actually see you, instead of staring at a duty list.” She sighed. “Adrian is… well, stiff. Everything he does is for the pack. He puts the pack above people, and emotions. And I understand why, he’s been raised that way since he was a child.”
She paused, studying my face with gentleness I wasn’t used to receiving from anyone.
“But that’s exactly why he isn’t right for you. After everything that happened to you, you shouldn’t have to become second to anyone ever again. You deserve someone who puts you before anything else.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak.
There was a strange warmth spreading in my chest. In my past lives, I had twisted her words, convinced she was telling me I wasn’t good enough for her brother, that she looked down on me the same way others did.
But now, hearing her speak sincerely, she wasn’t protecting Adrian from me. She was protecting me from Adrian. Protecting me from another life of waiting, suffering, and dying for someone who would never choose me first.
Avery had always been on my side. And I had never realized it.
I smiled. “Thank you, Avery. You’re a good friend.”
She blinked, surprised. “Friend? We’re… friends?”
“Yes,” I said. “Friends.”
Her face lit up, bright and genuine.
That was the beginning of a real friendship.
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