Truths and whispers

Selvara's POV

The party ended hours ago, yet I was wide awake. How could I sleep when the whispered I’s over looped in my head until I was seconds away from running mad.

‘Zyros will ruin himself if the rumors are true.’ ‘A fated mate too close to home?’

They hadn’t said my name, but they didn’t need to. I knew. And my wolf knew too. She hadn’t stopped repeating the word since last night; Mate. It thrummed in my chest, heavy and sharp, like a curse I couldn’t shake off.

'No,” I whispered quietly. My voice was so small it barely reached my own ears. “Not him. Not Zyros.” I added it almost immediately. I rolled restlessly on my bed until sleep finally got me. 

The morning came way too soon. I didn't bother to check the time I slept, but I knew it wasn't long ago.

I looked wrecked. Puffy eyes, aching head, hands that wouldn’t stay steady. I got off the bed and made my way to the toilet, had a quick bath and rushed to join the rest of the Omegas in the kitchen, as our daily routine was.

Queen Celine caught me there when the other Omegas were rushing about with trays of food. 

“Do you enjoy humiliating me?” she whispered in a way that I only get to hear those words.

“I wasn’t...”

“Don’t speak.” She cut me short. “Do your work, Selvara. Stay in your lane, It’s all you’re good for.”

The omegas smirked behind her, and I hated them for it. I was used to being alone, not only was I maltreated by the Alpha's family, but also by other Omegas, save Ravenna whose room is next to mine. 

By midday, I had found an excuse to carry water out to the warriors. I told myself it was just a duty. But the truth was uglier than that. I wanted to see him again, and there he was. 

Zyros was in the courtyard, sparring with warriors. I watched him keenly.

His shirt clung to his chest, every line of muscle shifting with each strike. His arms flexed, veins standing out, and I felt heat crawl up my neck. The loose tie of his training bottoms hung low on his hips, and for a heartbeat, all I could do was stare.

My wolf stirred instantly, a low whine curling in my chest. She wanted closer. She wanted him.

I bit the inside of my cheek hard, trying to force the thoughts away. But the pull only worsened. Every step he took, every swing of his blade, it was like my body was answering to him in ways I couldn’t control.

The heat pull hit me so hard my knees almost buckled. My chest went tight, my stomach turned, my heart thundered in my ears like it wanted to break free. I gripped the jug tighter, praying no one could see how bad my hands were shaking.

Don’t look, don’t look, don’t....Fangs! My eyes never listened.

“Selvara.” Zyros’s voice was right behind me. The jug almost slipped. Queen Celine would kill me if I broke any more of her ceramics.

I turned, slowly. He was close. Too close. I could feel the heat rolling off him. “Zyros.” My throat closed on the word.

“You’ve been avoiding me.” His tone was flat, but his eyes, damn his eyes, they locked on mine, pulling me in.

“I haven’t,” I said. My voice cracked.

“You have.”

He stepped forward and my whole body jolted. That invisible thread yanked harder, pulling my heart toward him until I could barely breathe.

I panicked, shoving myself back against the wall. “You’re the heir to this Pack. I can’t be seen with you.” I whispered. 

Zyros leaned closer, voice low. “We need to talk.”

“No.” My throat was dry. “We don’t.”

For a long second, he didn’t move. I thought he’d press, force it out of me. Instead, his jaw tightened, and he stepped back.

“Fine."

I bolted before my legs gave out. My heart wouldn’t calm until I was far, far away. But even then, the pull still burned.

 *****

The moon was full, the forest was bright from its light. My wolf paced beneath my skin, restlessly. Then Zyros appeared through the trees, bare-chested, his eyes glowing like molten fire.

He didn’t need to speak. He didn’t need to do anything. That bond, that invisible string, dragged me straight to him.

I felt his scent before his hands touched me, wild, sharp and overwhelming. It made my head spin. His palm slid to my cheek, warm and steady, and the world seemed to fall away. My skin burned where he touched me, 

My body trembled, not in fear, but in surrender. “Mine,” he growled, low and rough, the sound vibrating through my chest. 

And then his mouth crashed onto mine.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was fierce, desperate, like he had been waiting for this moment his whole life. His lips moved against mine with a hunger that stole every breath I had left. 

The bond snapped tight between us, so sharp and sudden it hurt. My wolf howled, wild inside me, clawing at the edges of my control. She wanted him. 

I melted into him, my hands lifting before I even thought to stop them. My fingers fumbled at his chest, snapping open the first button of his shirt. His skin was hot under my touch, and when his hand slid down my side, gripping my waist firmly....

*********

I woke with a jolt, gasping. Sweat clung to my skin, my sheets twisted around me like chains. 

And worst of all, his name slipped out of me. “Zyros…”

My hand flew to my mouth, but too late. The word was out. The pull in my chest thrummed harder than ever, alive. I pressed my palms against my heart, trying to hold it still. It only pounded louder.

I buried my face in the pillow, shaking, choking back tears.

This couldn’t happen. No one could know that Zyros is my mate. It wouldn’t just destroy me. It would destroy him too. 

_____