Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama-Chapter 220: I am stronger, better and wiser than I was five years ago...

Chapter 220: I am stronger, better and wiser than I was five years ago...

Selene POV

I sat across from Nora the cold metal table between us and a reminder of where I was. The bulb overhead cast a harsh shadow on Nora’s gaunt face as she stared at me. Instinctively, my hand moved to my slightly swollen belly as I wondered why Nora called me back.

Nora’s eye followed the movement, a flicker of something – disgust? Envy? Crossing her features before she spoke.

"I know you’re wondering why I asked that you return," she began, her voice hoarse from disuse.

"To gloat more," I smirked.

"Well," Nora leaned back in her chair, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "I’ve been doing a lot of thinking in here. About the past. About ... my mother.

My eyebrows rose slightly. Nora had never spoken about her mother before, at least not to me.

"What about her?" I prompted gently.

Her gaze seemed to focus on a point beyond my shoulders, lost in memory. After a while, she managed to say. "Did you know she died when I was sixteen?"

I shook my head and offered "No, I didn’t. I’m sorry for your loss,".

Nora barked out a harsh laugh. "Don’t be. I’m the one who should be sorry. Noah had just come to live with us in our pack and my mother was trying to come to terms that my dad had another child outside and not just any child, a male. The one thing she’s been seeking for all these years. That alone tortured my mother and she would try to pick fights with my dad but believe me, he’s the last person you want to fight with. He would ignore her and leave the house,".

She paused shaking her head.

"In those days, my mom used to be such an emotional mess because of him and it was worse because my father was paying her no attention. He moved out of their bedroom and preferred to stay in his study. She would bawl all day, and go hungry until finally, she fell sick, even in that sickness, she was trying desperately to do whatever it took to get my father’s attention,".

A tear rolled down her eyes. "Do you know what was so fucked up with everything, she ignored me. She forgot that I was also her child and left me feeling confused. Back then, my father told me that Noah was my brother and I should treat him well which I did because he was such an adorable child but my mom would not even talk to me. I would spend hours in front of her room, pleading for her to eat something but whenever I crept to her door without announcing it was me, and knocked, she would open it with anticipation on her face and when she saw it was me, she would slam the door right in my face,".

Nora gritted her teeth. "She loved my father so much like a fool that she ignored her daughter. If she was so scared about someone taking my inheritance, shouldn’t she have focused on that and on grooming me? instead, she became a lovesick fool,".

She paused again, taking in a shaky breath. "The day she died... I finally summoned the courage to face her and said something terrible to her. Something I can never take back,".

I leaned forward, curiosity and concern warring within me. "What did you say?" I asked.

Nora’s eyes snapped back to mine, filled with pain so raw it made me flinch. "I told her she was a pathetic, weak fool and that’s the reason why my father will never love her. She was my mother no matter what... I could have tried my best to be there for her. Maybe I should have shouted at her to pull herself together, pull tantrums like Teens normally would but I didn’t want my father to see me like that too," she sighed.

"Even after she died," she continued "I could have gone to my father and cursed at him for abandoning my mother. Threaten to kill myself or leave but I cuddled up to him like a fool, pretending like he didn’t kill his wife of 16 years because of his lusts,".

I gasped softly. "Oh Nora...".

"Don’t!" she snapped. "I don’t want your pity. I didn’t tell you this for sympathy,".

"Then why did you tell me?" I asked confused.

Nora’s expression hardened, the vulnerability of moments ago replaced by a cold, calculating look. "As a warning, dear Selene. You see, I’ve had a lot of time to think in here. About my past mistakes, yes but also about my future. The only thing I regret is taking Noah into my wings like a loving sister would. He didn’t deserve that. He doesn’t deserve my love,".

"You should be angry at your father and not anyone else. You said so yourself. Noah’s only crime is to be born. He didn’t ask for it,".

"Oh shut up!" she snapped giving me a cold gaze.

A chill ran down my spine. "What do you mean?"

She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You should run, Selene. Run far away while you still can. Because when I get out of here – and I will get out – I’m going to hunt you down. I’m going to kill you and that bastard growing inside you. In case you didn’t hear, I am the strongest warrior in the province. The only person that had beaten once is Noah and the poor thing is sick to death... so don’t think I cannot get you,".

My hand flew protectively to my stomach again. "You’re insane," I breathe.

Her eyes glittered dangerously. "Maybe. But I’m also determined. I will be the next ruler of Moon Whisper. Me or a child from my loins. No one else,".

For a moment, I sat frozen, processing Nora’s words. Then, something within me shifted. The fear and shock melted away, replaced by a steely resolve. I straightened in my chair, meeting Nora’s gaze with a sneer of my own.

"You know, Nora, for a moment there I thought and hoped you might have changed and was remorseful for your actions. I was a fool to think so,".

Nora blinked, clearly not expecting this reaction.

I continued, my voice gaining strength. "Let me make something very clear to you. You will never get out of here. I will personally make sure that you rot in this prison until you’ve paid for every single one of your crimes. Even then, it won’t be enough,".

I stood up, pushing my chair back with a screech. "You’ll be here for a lifetime before you’ve paid for even half of what you’ve done,".

Nora’s face contorted with rage. "You bitch! You can’t keep me forever! I’ll get out, and when I do...".

"You’ll what?" I cut her off. "You’ll come after me? After my child? I’d like to see you try. I survived death, Nora Carrell Steele, I can survive anything,".

I turned to leave, Nora’s furious shouts following me. "You’ll regret this, Selene! Do you hear me? You’ll regret the day you ever crossed me!"

I paused at the door, looking back one last time. "No, Nora. The only thing I regret is ever believing you could be anything other than the monster you are,".

With that, I walked out, closing the door on Nora’s stream of curses and threats. As I made my way down the prison corridor, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The fear and uncertainty that had plagued me since learning that Nora tried to kill my girls seemed to dissipate with each step.

I understood now. I finally knew why Nora hated me so much. It wasn’t just about power or position. It was about a deep-seated pain. A wound that had never healed. In a twisted way, Nora saw me as everything she could never be – loved, accepted and now, a mother not the love-hate relationship she had with Xavier.

I stepped out into the sunlight, taking a deep breath with one hand resting on my belly.

"We’re going to be okay, " I whispered to my unborn child " I promise,".

I may not have the power to change Nora or heal her past wounds but I had the strength to protect my future and that was enough. That was the only thing I was perfect for.

The guard at the prison gate nodded to me as I passed. "Everything alright, Luna?"

I smiled, surprised that they could recognize me through my stupid disguise. "Yes," I replied, "Everything is going to be just fine,".

As I drove away from the prison, my mind wandered back to the conversation I had with Nora. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness for the broken woman I’d left behind. But that sadness was quickly overshadowed by a fierce protectiveness for my children but the unborn one.

I thought about Nora’s words, the pain and regret in her voice when she spoke of her mother. It was a stark reminder of the power of words, how they could wound deeper than physical blow. I was going to be a good mother for the remaining months I had to leave and a good mate to Noah. I wanted my children to have only good memories when I die.

As I pulled onto the driveway of the pack house and handed the key to a guard who drove it to park it, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. This was the path I have chosen and I will see it through. Nora was in prison and I will make sure she stays there. No matter what... I cannot afford to put my children in harm’s way.

And as for dying... for the first time, since that strange woman told me I would die at childbirth, my heart felt stronger. I was no longer scared of it. I am stronger, better and wiser than I was five years ago.