MATED TO THE STRONGEST ALPHA
Chapter Eighteen

*Selene's POV

After two and a half months of training, my body had adapted to all the pain and grievous training that was caused by my cruel trainer. Today, he postponed our training. He said he would need something special, but he didn't tell me what that was. He told this to my father, but the King looked like he didn't want me to know about it. But that was okay. If that was personal for Axel, I respected his privacy. Besides, I didn't want anyone to invade my privacy. "What are you thinking about right now, Selene?" When I heard my mom's voice, I got back to life.

I shook my head. "Nothing. I am simply amazed at your talent," I reasoned. That was true; I was amazed at how she could handle this painting. I didn't have such talent.

She put down the brush and looked at me.

"You want to try this? I could replace a mentor."

Axel jumped again into my mind. If my mentor would be like him, I didn't want to have any. They would be the ones who would kill me. They are all terror and cruel.

"You didn't give a reply; that means you didn't want to?" my mother said when she noticed my silence.

"Uhh, not like that." I scratched my head. How was I going to tell her about my fear?

For a moment she was silent; she nodded, and it seemed like she knew what the reason was.

"Is this about Axel?"

I needed to replace a reason.

"Uhh... no?" Even my answer is enough.

"So, what is the reason?"

"Did you read what was on my mind?"

She laughed softly and got closer to me. "I don't have such power, darling."

"But how did you know what was on my mind?" I pouted.

"Because of your reactions. You were transparent about your emotions. You're really plain and very easy to read."

I was transparent about my emotions? Was that what Axel meant when he told me that I was weak because of my emotions? They knew what was on my mind because they saw my emotions. How? "But how did you read me?"

She gave me a sweet smile. "I saw it in your eyes. If you want to be someone who cannot be read easily, you need to control your emotions when needed."

In my eyes? They read me using my eyes. That was impossible. For a moment, I just kept quiet while my mom talked about the other thing I could do if I wanted. She would replace me a mentor that would help me to master the thing I wanted. But for now, I objected to her decision with purpose.

"I am just thinking about my studies." I was hesitant to tell her about this.

"Studies?"

I let out a heavy breath before I answered it. "Yes. I want to go for my second degree. I am planning to enroll this coming school year."

I had originally completed my first degree before going on the quest to become a Luna, and I originally planned to enroll for my second degree after becoming a Luna, but before I could make that happen, the whole incident with Riker happened. However, things have changed, and I was planning to go to school now.

She didn't respond for a second.

"If that is okay with you?" I added.

She looked away for a moment, and before she could tell me her decision, she looked back at me. "If that is what you want."

My heart jumped as I hugged her tightly.

This was one of my goals, and it was finally going to come to pass. I could finally scratch that off my bucket list, and because of all this, that was the reason I couldn't control myself, and I was ecstatic when my mom agreed about it. "Thank you, Mom, thank you so much." I let go of her and looked into her eyes. Was this the emotion in the eyes she talked about? I saw her happy for me without even saying a word.

"Would Dad be okay with this? I haven't told him about it yet. I wanted to get your opinion on it yet."

"I bet he would be as ecstatic as I am. Have no worries though; I'll speak with him myself."

"Thanks, mom"

I couldn't erase my smile. I was lucky to have her as my mom.

"I've always needed you," I said gleefully

Her face was overcome with joy, and she had all smiles, but soon after I felt sadness for her. She looked at my face as if she could forget my look when I went to school for at least a month. "You look sad," I said.

She shook her head. "No. I am just happy with your decision. You are grown up, and you've kept your decisions in place. I am proud of you."

Those words melted my heart. My eyes wanted to start raining tears, but I held the tears back.

"You made my eyes want to cry." Because of what I said, we both laughed together.

Every day since I came here, there was no time that my heart didn't want to cry. I was overwhelmed by everything that changed my life. All the dreams I've wanted since I was a child, they fulfilled. I would never waste those opportunities they gave me.

"What university would you like to apply for, and when will you enroll?"

I paused for a moment and thought.

"I would like to enroll in Livingstone University in the city. I've already applied and I've been accepted. The school year commences in a week. I did all these secretly and didn't tell you. I'm sorry"

My mother nodded gently. "It's fine. I'm not offended in any way. I'll talk to your father, and we will start preparation for the things you will need."

My face lit up with a smile. However, thoughts started flooding my mind. I was going back to the city where Father, Lilith, and most importantly, Riker stayed. It was, however, a different part of the city, quite far from where they all stayed. That was my only comforting thought. I was too ashamed to face Father and Lilith, and as for Riker, obvious reasons made me not want to see him.

*