Selina's POV.
I arrived at the Alpha's quarter, carefully walking through the secret entrance and into the house before proceeding towards Alpha Malik's room. Thankfully, I met an empty room. I immediately felt a sense of calmness wash over me, the atmosphere surprisingly pleasant. His room was huge, obviously made for someone of his statue, his bed was made with the finest fabric, the floor covered in a deep black furs that was so soft and smooth that it practically massaged my feet as I walked. Aside the decoration, the room itself was finely scented, laced with a mixture of fragrance and his sweat. Strangely, I found the combination quite intriguing to my sense. I felt so drawn to it. "You have to be quick Selina," Cora, my Wolf snapped me out of my chain of admiration. I exhaled a deep breath and set out to dust the furnitures, trying to be as quiet as I could possibly be. I continued to bury myself in the work at hand, as I forced myself to scrub and dust faster, while also fixing the bed. I suddenly wished I possessed some sort of supernatural powers to blink and everything sets clean in a second, but sadly, I didn't. The sun was starting to crawl out of it's spot and I was afraid, Malik will return in no time. It is of utmost importance that I finish up and be long gone before he arrives. I hastened the speed at which I worked, and in a short while, the room was sparkling neat, well except for the garbage. I quickly packed them up into the garbage basket and headed towards the door, almost immediately, the door flew open in a flash startling the living daylights out of me, I was so shaken that I lost balance of my foot on the floor, which had me spiraling towards the ground. I was almost reaching the floor when I felt a pair of strong hands grab my wrist pulling me back up, but surprisingly, I never landed on my feet instead I crashed into a warm body. I suckled in a deep breath, grateful that I hadn't fallen and broken my bones but suddenly an adorable fragrance hit my nostrils hard. "Mate!" Cora howled. In all my years of existence, never have I come across anything as savory as the very scent sliding into my nose right now. But it didn't last longer than few second as I suddenly heard someone calling out to him from behind. My ears suddenly caught the name being mentioned. "Malik?" Gracious goodness! Alpha Malik is my mate? Before I could contemplate any further, I felt the firm grip around me loosen and I came crashing towards the floor. The sting I felt as soon as I crashed on the floor was nothing compared to the turmoil going on in my head. "I'll be back in a minute, be sure to be gone before then," his cold voice rang in my ears. Once he was out of sight, I quickly grabbed the trash can and ran off through the secret entrance. That was close. Nora had confirmed that he doesn't get back to the room until late in the day, why then is today different? I can't believe it's just the first day and this is already happening? "Malik is our mate!" Cora's voice snapped me out of my trance. "No, it can't be," I muttered, my voice came out barely audibly as I struggled to believe myself. "You can't deny what you feel, I can feel it too," Cora insisted. I ignored her further pleas to acknowledge Malik as my true mate and ran home. We are better off without him. He might be my mate but we don't belong together, the moon goddess obviously did not run a proper check before pairing us together. Malik doesn't tolerate weak subjects, how then could he possibly tolerate a lowly omega like me as his mate? It is better off hidden forever, it's a good thing he hadn't taken note of it during our little clash. *** After my encounter with Alpha Malik, I became extremely careful, I was determined to avoid running into him ever again, no matter what it takes. I always arrived earlier in order to finish up and run out before he gets back in, thankfully the routine worked amazingly well. I had a wide smile on my face as I scrubbed relentlessly knowing that today is the last day of my duty, I'll surely avoid anything that will land me in a situation like this henceforth. A huge sigh of relief escaped my lips as I packed up the last trash on the floor, I finally made it through. I made my way out of the room towards the secret entrance with a happy smile on my face but it suddenly crumpled into a frown as I sighted the figure mounted right at the dark alley of the secret entrance few feet away from me. Without straining my eyes, I already knew who it was. Alpha Malik. No, this can't be happening, not on my last day. "Oh! He scents so delicious, I want to feel his touch," Cora squealed. "Cora, Malik will never accept us as his mate, the earlier you get used to it, the better for us," I growled back at her. Malik doesn't look like he was about to walk away soon and I can't seem to think of another way out either, I stood frozen on the spot, my hands gripping the hem of my dress hard. Suddenly, he turned around to face me, I felt the breath in my lungs dry up as his gaze lingered on me. Then he did the unexpected. He started walking towards me in long strides, once he got to where I stood, he grabbed my wrists firmly and headed back to his room dragging me along. Oh no! What is he gonna do to me? Has he found out about our mate bond? What becomes my faith now? A sharp whimper of terror escaped my mouth as he shut the door with a strong force, slamming me against it. In a swift movement, he raised his hands to rest on the door beside the both sides of my head, pinning me in-between, as his hot gaze peered into my face. "Look at me," his cold voice sounded through my head. I slowly raised my face to meet his heated gaze. I felt Narla squeal in excitement as our gazes met, all I felt at that moment was a strong force pushing me towards him. The fright coupled with excitement was unlike nothing I had felt before, a feeling I knew I would never feel for someone else. "It's you," he muttered. "Your scent is all over my room even in your absence," his voice sent cold shivers down my spine. "So strong, so delicious, it can never be mistaken, I always hurried home hoping to catch a glimpse of who it belonged to, but somehow I never meet you here," he breathed out, his gaze fixed intently on me. I mopped at him, my lips too heavy to utter a word. "You've been avoiding me, haven't you?" He blurted out and I casted him a quick glance. Surprisingly, he didn't look pissed, instead all I could see in his eyes was admiration and yearning. "Why?" He raised his brows at me. Now how do I answer that? How could I possibly tell him that I've been avoiding him because I was scared of his brutal rejection which was bound to happen due to his resentment towards people like me? Why did moon goddess have to make things this complicated for us? It could have been someone else but him. "Why have you been avoiding me pretty mate?" His lips tilted up in a small smile. No! He knows about that too? "It's... It's for the better, nothing could ever happen between... The rest of my sentence was hooked up in my throat as he claimed my lips in a sloppy heart melting kiss, our tongues battling for dominance,his hands roamed my body igniting fire underneath my skin as I burn and craved more of his touch. After a short while, he pulled away, trailing soft kissed down my neck, he was extremely gentle as he claimed my body, my wolf howled in pleasure and excitement as our body became one. "You are mine, I don't care about anything else," he muttered through muffled sounds crouching down and scooped me into his arms heading towards the bed.Selina's POV.I walked home exhausted, after a full day of scrubbing and dusting at the Beta's chamber.Despite how tired I was, a small smile still managed to creep it's way to my face as his name rang in my head.Malik. It's been the only thing I could think of all day and ever since he claimed me as his.It has been the best days of my life, we spent every spare minute in each other's arms drowned in our soft kisses and the warmth feel of our bodies rubbing together as he softly grunted my name into my ears while thrusting into me with soft yet potent strokes, I couldn't count the number of times we made love.I was trying to savor the blissful moment while it last, because despite how real it seems, there was a constant voice in my head reminding me how soon it will all end. Despite marking me as his mate, I was still uncertain about my stand with him, is he willing to accept me as his future Luna irrespective of what people would say? How about his parents? Will he beat the odds
Selina's POVAs I prepared to leave the house, I turned to face the mirror, twirling slightly, usually when I looked at the mirror other days, tears would escape my face because all I always saw was weakness and misfortune. But today marked a difference, a huge smile was plastered all over my face as I prepared to go scrub the floor of one of the pack's Beta's house, knowing for a fact that it was my last time scrubbing anyone's dirty floor.Malik wanted me to stop immediately we started having an affair but I wanted to do it till the very last day. Today.Things have gone so well over the past few days, more than I ever envisioned.The queen has grown a deep likeness for me and she was in support of the announcement to the rest of the community about our union.Today is the long-awaited day, our official mating ceremony and I couldn't be more happier, it marks the end of my misery and the beginning of a beautiful life with a man who cherishes even the strands of hair on my head.
Selina's POV. I flooded my knees to my chest, weary and tired as the cold floor of the cell blew at me.I shivered pathetically, my teeth gritted noisily against each other.For an intended future Luna, now ending up as a prisoner, my story is really pathetic.My once pretty gown was now soiled in dirt from the way the guards dragged me all the way to the dungeon, not that it mattered to me, I was certain that the mating ceremony would no longer be happening, not after everything that happened last night.Right now, I was more concerned about Malik, what was his take on the situation? Does he believe that I was innocent? He has to believe me.But then every hope of that being possible was brutally shattered as I thought back to last night, he couldn't hold my gaze despite how loudly I repeatedly screamed his name, neither did he utter a single word while I was dragged away. He stood still, his palms hurled into a tight fist. I never slept a wink through the night, I stayed up hopi
Selina's POV.A few hours had passed, though time had become a meaningless at this point, my body ached, my soul heavier than ever. Then, the door creaked open again.It wasn’t Malik this time.Two guards stepped inside, their eyes gleaming with fury, Their very presence sent a fresh wave of dread coursing through me.“Get up,” one of them barked, his voice drenched in hatred. “Time to face the council.”I didn’t resist. I had no strength left to fight, no words left to offer. I simply nodded and bit down on my lower lip, forcing my legs to carry my weight as I slowly pushed myself to my feet. Each step outside that cell felt like dragging a thousand regrets along with me.My heart thudded louder with every movement, the council chamber drawing nearer.But I’d made peace with something... my fate.Whatever judgment they passed, I would accept. What I would not do was kneel to a lie. I would not plead guilty to a crime I did not commit simply for a lighter sentence. Let them strip me b
Selina's POV.I have never felt this way before. The sharp shred of loneliness and deep pain.I walked through the shadows of darkness on the wet grasses, heading to nowhere because my mind was blank.It was already late, aside from the pack members, I knew nobody and had no external relationship.I clenched my hands on my arms, pressing the cloak on my body as the cold was unbearable."Where are we going to?" Narla's voice came up and I cleared my throat, closing my eyes briefly. What does she expect from me? I was as confused as she is."I don't know," I mumbled.Everything happened within the blink of an eye. As much as it was unbelievable and hurting, I just had to accept the bitter truth and my ill fate.I continued to drag my legs heavily through the woods, my eyes heavy and my head throbbing painfully but then I had no choice but to keep moving, straining my eyes to see through the dark alley.I was extremely tired following the thousand miles I've covered.I was making sure to
Selina's POV.I groaned in pain, as I felt rays of sunlight hitting my heavy eyelids.The discomfort prodded me to push my eyes open but as soon as I did, a sharp groan escaped my lips and I quickly squeezed them shut almost immediately as a heavy pound of pain hit me hard on the forehead.I slowly reached out to feel whatever I was lying on and it was a warm, floppy bed, It felt nothing like my small cranky bed.Then it suddenly struck me, this was far from being my home. The events of the previous night suddenly came rushing back to my head in a heavy rush.I could remember walking long miles until my feet were numb. Then the huge wolf.I remembered following him home. I didn't die in the woods, not in the hands of rogues. That was such a relief. But then, just when I was about relaxing back to take a deep breath, a loud bang screeched through my head.Where was I?I could barely remember where I followed him to, I just knew I saw a bed and I collapsed on it. Totally ignoring t
Selina's POV. I stirred slowly awake as the morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of the guest room I’d been assigned. For once, I didn’t wake up in a cold sweat. I didn’t spring out of bed, gasping for air, scanning for rogues. Neither did I sleep in a dungeon as dark as hell. Instead, I blinked slowly into the light and listened to the unfamiliar but comforting silence of the Alpha’s estate. No scurrying footsteps. No snarls. No whispered threats behind closed doors. House mistress wasn't yelling for me to come out and join the others. Just stillness. I sat up, surprised to find my body less stiff, less burdened. The bruises were fading. The gash on my arm was now a pale line under a healing scab. But the wounds inside… well, those still whispered quietly every time I closed my eyes. A sudden soft knock came on the door, and I tensed. "Come in," I said cautiously. The door creaked open, and Declan stepped inside. But he wasn’t alone. Behind him stood an elderly
Declan's POV. "We have her right where we needed her." Mom exclaimed happily, pulling her cloak tighter as we walked down the hallway out of Selina's room, back to our quarter. "Mom, please. Not now." I casted her a knowing glance. "You saw the state she's in, didn't you? She's hurting," "Nonsense." She spat. "She wouldn't be in this situation if she wasn't mated to that brute, so yes, moon goddess already picked a cruel faith for her, even before us." "I still think we pushed too far, and now she's damaged." "It's collateral damage, boy. We did what was needed to be done."I dragged my gaze to the floor, her name echoing in my head. Selina.Even now, her name echoed in my chest. The way she had smiled when she saw me standing there with my mother. The way she had sat up despite her weakened state, her eyes lighting up in a way I didn’t deserve. None of it. Not the kindness in her voice, not the hope in her eyes. Not after what I’d done. What we’d done.I didn’t say a word. I ju
Selina's POV.I stood among them, yet I was entirely alone.The gathering was alive with laughter, warm lights, and the occasional playful snarl or bark as wolves played among themselves. I wrapped my arms around myself and stared down at everything and yet nothing in particular.Alpha Declan had long since disappeared into the gathering, unavoidably swept away by his duties as the pack of Blackwood. He had given me a gentle squeeze at the shoulder and flashed me a warm smile. “I’ll be back. Don’t wander off.” he had said before leaving.But I had already been wandering inside.Everyone around me glowed in confidence. And then there was me. Standing by a tree. Alone.I tried to keep my expression neutral, eyes fixed on the bonfire’s flame dancing high into the air. “Hey, you okay?”I jumped slightly at the voice, turning to see a short brunette I didn’t recognize. Her eyes flicked over me with curiosity, and surprisingly, not malice.“Yeah, I'm fine,” I lied.“You look… nervous.”
Selina's POV.The steady noise outside my window pulled me from the few minutes of peaceful nap I had surrendered myself to. Laughter, howls, and scattered voices echoed through the night air. I blinked up from where I laid on the bed.What now?I slipped off the bed and walked toward the window, peeking through the thin drape. Led lights glowed in the distance, forming trails of flickering orange among the trees. Shadows moved, pairs and groups of people, laughing, chatting as they headed into the woods. A sudden knock startled me.I hesitated before padding to the door. “Who is it?” I asked.“It’s me. Declan.”Declan?I opened the door, and there he was, in all his tall, self assured, calm glory. His black hair was slightly tousled as though he’d just run his hands through it, and there was a soft smile curving his lips.“Hey,” he greeted casually, eyes flicking over me like he was making sure I was alright.“Hi,” I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly aware th
Killian's POV."Selina?" My voice was barely audible as my gaze fell on her. She was standing there, in my room, looking as beautiful as ever, she had an adorable smile on her face as she drew closer to me, her skin glowed mercifully in the dark. I quickly stepped forward, closing the space between us, and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry I failed you," I breathed out.She smiled. "It's okay, I can never remain mad at you. Alpha Malik." "I'm truly sorry, I would never let you go again, ever," I leaned forward and captured her lips in an intense kiss.We pulled away from the kiss panting heavily. "Thank you for coming back to me," I flashed her a sweet smile scooping her into my arms and headed towards the bed.***I stirred gently in my sleep, wrapping my arms around the slender body lying beside me. I smiled as the flashback from our tender moment the previous night came rushing into my head.We made love again, it was the most beautiful thing, just like it had always be
Malik's POV.The silence in my room had grown into something more than just quiet, it had become a presence. Thick. Suffocating. reminding me of everything I had lost. Every breath I took tasted like regret. Selina's name echoed inside me, louder than any voice I’d heard in weeks.I lay there on my back, staring at the ceiling. If miracles existed, I would have used every ounce of whatever good I had left in me to summon one. Just one miracle. Just one chance to have her back. Not for forgiveness. Not for closure. Just… to see her eyes again. To hear her say my name like it meant something.I turned to my side, curling into myself like that would keep the memories from clawing their way into my chest. But it was no use. Everything reminded me of her, my bedsheets, the faint scent she once left on my clothes, the haunting sound of silence in a place where her laughter once lived.A sudden knock on the door pulled me from the edge of spiraling."Go away," I muttered. My voice was hoars
Selina's POV.My heart did a double flip as Declan walked into the room. He had a warm smile on his face.I couldn't help but wonder if the smile would still remain intact after I've broken the news of my condition to him.Nonetheless, I had no choice left, Mary said he hated dishonest people and the last thing I wanted was for him to see me that way. I needed to tell him before he finds out. Pregnancy isn't something that could be hidden for a long time."Good morning, Alpha Declan," I tried to smile through my tensed state."It's always good to see you, Selina," I tried to hide my blush but it was an epic fail. I couldn't stop grinning sheepishly. Declan is a charming man. He knew the right words to use at the perfect time. He reminded me so much about Malik despite how hard I tried to forget, Malik was my perfect lover but I guess not everything good comes to stay."Here, have this," he handed a package to me, he always did that whenever he came visiting. "Thank you," I dropped i
Declan's POV.I ran a towel through my damp hair, as I walked out of the bathroom, trying to shake off the tension that had been clinging to me all morning. My thoughts had been heavy... Selina, the way she moved lately like she was trying not to fall apart in front of anyone, least of all me.Although she seemed to be doing well, she was beginning to warm up to the environment, and also step out of her room once in a while. but I could tell the trauma from everything that has happened was still clinging to her.It really hurts seeing her like that but it hurt me knowing well that I was behind everything. Someone else shouldn't be paying for the sins of another.But my hands were tied at this point. Just as I reached for the drawer, the door burst open with a heavy force.“Mom!” I shouted, grabbing the edge of the towel around my waist and turning, scowling angrily. “What the hell happened to knocking?”She strode in like she owned the place and waved a hand as though my nakedness w
Selina's POV.I stirred tiredly in my sleep, I was very much awake but couldn't bring myself to stand from the bed. Exactly the situation I've found myself over the past few days, I've been way too tired than normal. I doze off at every little chance I get and I eat a lot too.The few days I have spent at Blackwoods Pack have been unbelievably refreshing, more than I imagined it to turn out. My wounds were now healed up, all thanks to Mary, the healer that Declan introduced to me, she never missed a day of treatment, aside that, she visited quite often to keep me company since I didn't know anyone yet.Declan as well, has been a strong pillar, he made sure I lacked nothing, he provided everything I needed to heal faster, making me wonder how someone could be so kind to a total stranger. I had disregarded Mary's words to me on one of our discussions during her visit, she testified how much of a kind man he is, now I could totally agree to that, seeing how amazingly he treated me and
Malik's POV.I had spent the entire day in the woods, checking through the pack boundary, seeing how it was freezing out here made me wonder if she had survived, everywhere was dead silent with no sight of a living being.I spent several minutes scouring through the ground literally turning every single grass over, yet no sign of her. I tried to pick up faint whiffs of her scent sprinkled all around. I continued searching through the ground while inching forward until I was deep into the thick dangerous woods. There was no longer any trail of her scent. I stood rooted in my track with a heavy heart, a loud howl of pain and terror erupted through my throat as the sad realization really struck me. I really let Selina slip away from my fingers.*I dragged my heavy feet into the palace, heading towards my chamber, traces of dried tears coated on my cheeks. Taking a turn towards my room, I came across my mom."Oh my goodness, what the hell happened to you?" She panicked."Selina wa
Malik's POV.They say when your mate thinks of you... truly, deeply thinks of you... you feel it. Like a phantom ache. A breath stolen from your lungs for no reason. A flicker in your chest where their presence once lived.I used to think it was romantic nonsense. The kind of tale elders told to make pain sound poetic.Until that night.The night of her banishment. And ever since then. There has been no rest for me.It had been hours since moonrise, and sleep refused to come. I’d tossed and turned, trying to drown in dreams that wouldn’t arrive. My chambers were silent, still, too damned silent, and yet the ghost of her laughter still danced in the corners.Selina.Her name alone stirred everything I’d tried to bury.I turned onto my side, face to the wall, dragging in a breath that caught halfway down my throat. I could still smell her here. Her scent, no matter how many times I tried to wash it out, clung to the shadows so hard like it was struggling to let go.I hated it.I hated