Betrayed By One. Bound To Three-Chapter 42: Kael’s Scent.

Loretta did not knock before entering Selena’s chamber. The door opened smoothly, almost confidently, as though she already knew she would not be refused.

"Breakfast is ready," Loretta said brightly as she stepped inside.

Her voice carried too much energy for such an early hour. It was not warmth that sharpened it, but excitement, the kind that trembled beneath the surface of someone who could not wait to deliver news.

Selena looked up from where she sat braiding the final section of her hair. For a brief second, nothing seemed unusual. Then her wolf stirred, not violently and not urgently, but with a quiet awareness that made her spine straighten without her willing it.

Loretta’s scent was different.

It was layered.

Selena inhaled gently, careful not to make the movement obvious. Beneath Loretta’s natural fragrance lingered something else, something faint but unmistakable.

Kael.

The scent was recent enough to cling.

Her fingers slowed in the braid before she forced them to continue as though nothing had changed.

Loretta noticed.

Her smile widened slightly.

"You look surprised," Loretta said in a light tone.

"I was not expecting you this early," Selena replied calmly.

Instead of remaining near the door, Loretta walked further into the room. She moved with the quiet confidence of someone who believed she held an advantage. Her eyes were bright, alert, studying every small reaction.

Selena felt something cold settle beneath her ribs.

"What has made you so happy this morning?" she asked evenly.

Loretta clasped her hands behind her back and swayed slightly on her heels, as though she were holding a secret too delightful to keep.

"I had the most amazing time earlier," she said.

Selena’s heart reacted before her mind did, skipping sharply once, though her hands never faltered.

"Oh?" she asked, keeping her tone smooth.

Loretta took another step closer.

"Yes. I kissed one of the rogue brothers."

The air shifted. Not loudly. But irrevocably

The words settled into the space between them and seemed to linger there.

Selena did not drop her braid or rise from her seat. Outwardly, nothing changed. Inwardly, everything stilled. Her wolf went silent, listening, measuring.

"Which brother?" Selena asked calmly.

Even though, she already knew.

She only needed to hear Loretta say it.

Loretta laughed softly.

"Sometimes I forget," she said sweetly, "that you cannot scent properly because you are wolfless."

The insult was wrapped in softness, but it was deliberate.

Selena lifted her gaze slowly.

"I can scent," she replied, her voice steady. "Just not as you think I should."

Loretta gave a faint, exaggerated look of apology.

"Of course. I forget that you are different."

The pause was intentional.

Selena held her composure.

"It was Kael," Loretta continued. "And he was not shy."

Selena felt her pulse settle into something slower and colder. A strange stillness spread through her chest.

"I see," she said.

Loretta frowned slightly.

"That is all? I expected more from you. A question. A demand. At least a flicker of irritation."

"I do not own him," Selena answered gently.

"No," Loretta agreed, stepping closer. "I suppose you do not."

Her smile sharpened.

"And honestly, I would not mind keeping all three of them once they truly notice me. They are strong, attractive, and loyal. It would be a shame if they felt overlooked."

The words were spoken casually, but her gaze was intent, searching.

"They are not prizes," Selena said quietly.

"Everything is a prize to someone," Loretta replied. "And men are not immune to admiration. Especially when they feel unclaimed."

Selena’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Do you believe Kael feels unclaimed?"

Loretta tilted her head.

"He looked conflicted," she said. "As if he had been holding something in for too long. I merely offered him relief."

The implication was deliberate.

Selena rose from her seat gracefully, tying off the end of her braid.

"And did he accept?" she asked.

Loretta’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before returning.

"He did not push me away," she said carefully.

Selena stepped closer now, their height nearly even.

"That was not my question."

Silence stretched between them.

Loretta recovered smoothly.

"You should not blame him," she said lightly. "Men generally find women like me difficult to ignore."

"I can see that," Selena replied.

Loretta studied her face carefully, searching for insecurity.

"You brought them from the forest," Loretta continued. "You cannot expect them to remain exactly where you place them. Wolves follow instinct."

Selena met her gaze steadily.

"So do women," she answered.

Something flickered across Loretta’s expression. Something sharper than before.

"Perhaps," Loretta said slowly, "but some instincts are stronger than others."

Selena’s voice softened, but it carried weight.

"Be careful which instincts you provoke."

For the first time, Loretta hesitated.

The warning was quiet, but it was real.

Loretta straightened.

"Well," she said lightly, masking the tension, "I can hardly wait to see them at breakfast. I wonder who will sit beside me."

She turned toward the door.

"I do hope you are not upset," she added.

"I am not," Selena replied.

Loretta paused at the doorway and glanced back.

"Good. I would hate for you to think I was trying to take something from you."

Then she left.

The door closed softly behind her.

Silence filled the room.

Selena remained standing, her posture still perfect, her breathing measured. For several seconds she did not move. Then the silence inside her broke.

Her wolf surged forward, no longer patient and no longer quiet. The instinct was sharp and primal, a flash of something dangerous that rose hot in her chest.

Blood.

The word did not come from fear or grief.

It came from challenge.

Selena’s hands curled slowly at her sides, her nails pressing into her palms. Kael’s scent had been strong enough to cling to Loretta. Strong enough for her to walk into this room smiling.

Had he been careless, or had he allowed it?

Had he been angry enough to let another woman close simply to prove that he could?

Her composure cracked in the privacy of the empty chamber. She walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection. The woman looking back appeared calm and controlled, almost delicate.

Wolfless.

Loretta thought that made her weak.

A slow, dangerous clarity replaced the anger.

If Kael had allowed himself to be used as part of a game, then he would soon regret underestimating her. And if Loretta believed she could circle her mates as though they were unguarded prey, then she would learn something very important.

Wolfless did not mean harmless.

Selena straightened her shoulders and turned toward the door. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Breakfast would not be simple.

And before the morning ended, someone would understand exactly who they had chosen to provoke.