Rejected then Claimed by the Alpha King (Liam and Hope) novel Chapter 104

Chapter 19

Selene’s POV

My parents didn’t stay long.

They booked the earliest flight out of Yoria, summoned back by urgent Pack matters in another

territory.

I offered to take a few days off from the Syndicate Research Center to accompany them to the airfield, but they refused with matching sternness.

“You have your own path to walk, Selene,” my father said, ruffling my hair. “Don’t lose your stride

for us.”

I knew better than to argue.

I stood outside the hotel as they disappeared into the night, their figures shrinking against the

silver-streaked sky.

The old ache returned-

that familiar loneliness that had shadowed me since childhood.

My parents had always been like this.

Fierce. Loving. Distant.

Chasing their duties across continents, leaving behind flashes of presence that barely had time to root before being swept away again.

I hugged myself against the cool breeze and made my way back to the Center.

The halls were quiet at this hour, humming only with the soft pulse of the research equipment.

When I slid back into my usual seat at my workstation, my heart still felt heavy, weighed down by old grief I thought I had outgrown.

Then something small and bright dropped onto my datapad.

I looked up.

Ethan Caldwell stood there, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck, his hand half-extended like he might grab the candy back if I didn’t accept it fast enough.

I blinked.

Chapter 19

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A tiny wrapped sweet sat on my pad-bright red, strawberry-flavored.

Without a word, I picked it up, peeled away the wrapper, and popped it into my mouth.

The sugar burst across my tongue, warm and sweet flooding my senses until even the lingering sadness melted away.

I smiled around the candy, the corners of my mouth tugging upward despite myself.

Ethan ducked his head under my gaze.

“Thanks for the candy,” I said, my voice soft.

He shuffled his feet, his ears tinting a deep, telltale red.

“Not… not a big deal,” he mumbled. “As long as you like it, Selene.”

I couldn’t help it-

I laughed, a small, genuine sound that echoed lightly through the lab.

Ethan muttered something under his breath and practically sprinted back to his own desk.

I stared after him, a little bewildered, a little touched.

It was just a piece of candy.

Just a moment.

But somehow, it meant more than I expected.

It was simply kindness.

And maybe that was what I had needed most all along.

Our project advanced faster than any of us anticipated.

The day our research paper was officially published under the Syndicate’s seal, the Center buzzed

with excitement.

Every Pack communication line lit up.

Messages poured in from across the territories.

Congratulatory howls even echoed faintly in the distance as allied Packs heard the news.

That night, our lead mentor, Elder Clark, couldn’t hide his pride.

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He booked out a private hall at one of the top Pack-run restaurants nearby and insisted every single

one of us attend a celebration feast.

No one declined.

How could we?

Victories like this were rare and precious.

When we arrived, the long wooden tables were already laden with steaming plates-wild roast meats, preserved fruits, herb-seasoned stews.

A true feast by any standard.

I found myself seated near the end, tucked away between Ethan and a few younger Pack

researchers.

I didn’t mind.

The buzz of happiness around us was infectious.

The meal had barely begun when Elder Clark rose with a glass in hand, his voice booming above the

chatter.

“Tonight,” he announced, “we toast two of our brightest

Ethan Caldwell and Selene Hartwell!”

The hall erupted in cheers.

I felt my cheeks flush even before I stood, awkwardly lifting my glass.

Before I could take a sip, the noise shifted.

Whistles.

Laughter.

I turned and realized why.

Every eye was on Ethan-

who was carefully, almost absently, picking green onion bits out of my food and setting them aside like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The hall roared louder.

Chapter 19

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