Alpha's Rejected Mate Returns as Queen

173 Soul’s Best Friend

Selma Payne’s POV:

I was stunned.

I didn’t think there was anything wrong with what I’d done. It couldn’t even be considered a ‘sacrifice’. This word was too serious as if it was not worthy of something that had to be fought with one’s life.

But I’d never done anything so dangerous. Fine, it might be a little dangerous, but not to the extent of dying.

What we were facing wasn’t child’s play. There was no absolute safety. Someone had to pay a little more in exchange for everyone’s safety.

Since that was the case, why couldn’t that person be me? I didn’t have the power to decide the universe, and I didn’t have a brain as sharp as a computer. All I could do was take on more responsibilities and reduce the burden on my teammates.

“You don’t understand what I’m talking about,” Dorothy said helplessly and clearly. “It’s okay. If I could reason with you, you wouldn’t be Selma anymore. We wouldn’t have to worry about you. You’ll understand one day. Now, please go pack your luggage.”

“What?” I didn’t have time to react.

“That’s right. There’s nothing to pack. Aldrich has already packed your backpack.”

“Must I go back?” I asked unwillingly. “In fact, I ...”

“I respect your wishes, Selma, just as you will always respect our wishes,” Dorothy said earnestly. “However, there’s no room for discussion on this. You must abide by the decision made by the Lycan King, and you must be responsible for your health.

“You want to be a responsible leader and a powerful warrior, right? Even though I don’t have much experience, I understand one thing: If you want to be responsible for others, you must first be responsible for yourself. Of course, you can come back at any time, but the condition is that your body is fine and you can master the Devour skill.”

I suddenly reacted. “So you’re not coming with me? But you know how dangerous this place is.”

“That’s right. It’s dangerous here. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.” Dorothy winked at me. “But you have your responsibilities, and I have mine. I have to take responsibility for myself. The Eye of Insight is mine. Whether it’s a gift from fate or a curse, I can’t escape its existence. In that case, I’ll try to live in peace with it.

“If I can control it, I’ll have the ticket to the supreme door. If I can’t control it, then although it’s a pity, there’s nothing to complain about. I accept this ending.”

“Dorothy...” tears welled up in my eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dragged you into all of this. If you were still a student sitting in your classroom, there wouldn’t be many challenges in your life.”

Dorothy helped me wipe away my tears, looking helpless. “So you’re finally willing to tell the truth, right? It seems you’ve been carrying this all this time, treating everything as your fault. But you’re mistaken, Selma. You’ve indeed provided me with another path in life, but I’m the one who has decided to embark on this path. No one can determine my life for me, including you.

“I’ve never regretted or resented. On the contrary, such a fulfilling and exciting fantasy life makes me extremely happy. I think it’s compensation for my boring life over the past ten years, so I’m so glad to enjoy it.

“Therefore, there is no need for you to blame yourself, and there is no need for you to feel guilty about anything. Instead, I’m grateful that you can give me more life choices. Although it has honed me, it has also taught me more at the same time so that I don’t have to be reduced to a mediocre person full of complaints.

“So, don’t blame yourself for these non-existent conflicts, Selma. I’m happy you can be honest with me about your inner feelings. I also hope that you won’t laugh at my childish remarks.”

“Oh, Dorothy...”

I didn’t know what to say, so I hugged her excitedly.

We hugged each other tightly. At this moment, I realized I had a soul friend who could open up to me and be with me for life.

At this touching moment, a stomach growling that spoiled the mood broke our emotional link.

“Uhm... Maybe we should have some lunch first.” Dorothy chuckled softly, making me blush a little. “Cheese sausage and garlic stick. There aren’t many ingredients in the village, and I’m only good at making these two dishes.”

I said I didn’t mind and ate more than half of the food.

I was starving. My stomach, which hadn’t worked for a week, was eager to work. After all, the nutrient solution could provide for my body but not for my tongue and heart.

Aldrich didn’t come to eat. I believed he was still angry with me.

I hoped he would have a big fight with me. It was easier to resolve the conflict by venting his emotions. The silent treatment was what I was most afraid of because I was an idiot regarding relationships. I could only roughly understand the other party’s emotional state, but I had no idea how to solve the problem.

That was why every time we quarrelled... Yes, Aldrich and I would have a little conflict from time to time, just like all couples... It was always Aldrich who coaxed me. He was particularly magnanimous regarding relationships and didn’t mind putting his ego aside first.

But he didn’t this time, and I had no idea what the process of making up was like.

I was a little flustered. What should I do?