Chapter 07: "Selene, will you be my mate?"
At the entrance to the village, Selene hesitates, remembering the mistreatment she suffered in her old pack, fearing to face a similar or even worse situation among strangers.
"What's wrong, Selene? Are you afraid? Don't worry, we won't hurt you. But if you don't want to come in, I won't force you," Jamal reassures her.
"It's just..." Selene starts to say, not knowing what to do.
"Jamal, who's your new friend?" a beautiful middle-aged woman calls out from afar. She is tall, has short straight brown hair, big black eyes and tanned skin.
"This is Selene, I just found her. She must have gotten lost in the forest," Jamal replies.
"My goodness! Your journey must have been long to get here and you must be hungry. Come with me," the woman says, noting Selene's exhausted state and gently guiding her towards her home. Despite being suspicious, Selene decides to follow her.
Inside Jamal's house, Selene is warmly welcomed by the rest of the family. The elderly lady who welcomed her is named Rose, Jamal's loving grandmother, and her younger sister, Sophia, a curious and sweet girl.
Rose expresses her concern about Selene's tired appearance and invites her to sit at the table, where a hearty and delicious meal is served.
"My dear, you look exhausted. Eat, regain your strength, take a bath and get some rest. We have room for you to stay as long as you need."
Selene, still suspicious, thanks the family for their kindness, but does not want to burden her. However, the grandmother insists:
"My dear, in our house, there is always room for one more. You are safe here".
As she enjoys her meal, Selene begins to feel more at ease. Jamal's family treats her like an honored guest, making her feel welcome and protected. She notices the harmony between them, the loving way Ana takes care of her mother and Rose takes care of her granddaughter Sophia, while Jamal shows respect and devotion to his family.
Curious, Sophia asks:
"Are you also a wolf? I love wolves!"
Selene smiles and replies:
"Yes, I have a wolf that lives inside me, and I also have a very special connection with nature."
Rose looks at Selene tenderly and says, "Here, in our family, we love and respect nature and all its creatures. You are very welcome here".
Nevertheless, before accepting the offer from the matriarch of the moon village pack, Selene feels the need to confide about her anxieties and fears. She shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and the possibility of being pregnant.
Rose takes Selene's hand and says gently,
"My dear, fate leads us through unexpected paths. But here, you have found a safe refuge. If you choose to stay, we will take care of you, and if you are indeed expecting a child, they will be welcome in our family as well."
"Thank you so much!" Selene cries gratefully, feeling touched by the kindness and love she hadn't experienced since her parents' death.
At the same time, in the Silver Claws pack, After discovering that Selene had escaped, Ian pressures Ayda, using a chain to restrain her arms, which stay raised the entire time while her body is suspended in the air.
"Tell me everything you know. Are you really willing to die to protect that woman?" Ian shouts at Ayda, who is standing with her arms chained above her.
"I already told you I don't know anything. Please, Mr. Ian, let me go, I can't take it anymore."
"Search the pigsty she calls a room," Kassia orders.
After a few minutes, an Uktena Beta returns with a small box in his hand, looking strangely at the object, and turns to Ayda.
"Now, do you have anything to tell me?" Ian shows her the pregnancy test, and Ayda, barely feeling her arms, sighs and reveals what she knows:
"Yesterday, while I was sipping wine on a bench in the garden, I saw Selene running towards the woods. At the time, I thought I was hallucinating because of the alcohol, but as soon as it was light, I went to her room and it was empty. That's when I realized she had really run away."
Ian becomes enraged and punches Ayda in the stomach, causing her to scream in pain and spit up blood. Lyall and Ethan arrive on the scene just in time.
"What's going on here?" Lyall stares in astonishment at the badly injured and nearly passed out she-wolf.
"Stay out of this. I know you think you're the king of all werewolves, but I'm in charge of this house," Ian shouts angrily.
"I'm just asking what's going on." Lyall insists.
"My beautiful, hated mate decided to run away. That bitch thinks she can get away from me. That's what's going on."
"And what is that in your hand?" asks Ethan.
"It's a pregnancy test, probably from that miserable maid. I can't help but wonder who had the nerve to fuck you, Ayda." Ian scoffs and then hears the unbelievable, at least to him.
"That test is not mine, it belongs to Selene." Ayda reveals with difficulty.
"What did you say?"
"Selene is pregnant, and you're going to be a father." Ayda repeats, thinking she was doing a good deed, but the reaction from Ian and everyone present was not what she expected.
"Ian, did you get that useless Selene pregnant?" Kyma asks her lover indignantly.
"Of course not! I barely touched that bitch and when it happened, I always used protection."
"So that means she cheated on you. How hilarious!" Kailel scoffs.
"Now I understand why Selene ran away. The child she carries is not an Uktena." Ayda thinks aloud, drawing the attention of Ian, who was already furious, and he takes it all out on the poor, helpless Omega, killing her in cold blood, piercing her heart with his sharp claws and ripping her heart out mercilessly.
As he watches the whole scene, listening to Ian give orders for his minions to find Selene and bring her back dead or alive, the Lycan King realizes the danger Selene is in. He must find her before Ian and his allies do. He walks away with his advisor to say:
"Ethan, gather the search parties. We need to find Selene".
"Finding Alfa Uktena's companion? Why? That's not our mission here. We should take advantage of the two packs being distracted and attack them to finally defeat them." Ethan argues without understanding.
"No! Now I have a new priority. Saving Selene and my son. Besides, it wouldn't be any fun to attack now, neither Ian nor Kailel would be there to surrender. I want a fair fight, I am not a coward like them. I am the Lycan King and I must act with honor. Now, let's find a way to leave without drawing too much attention." Lyall is determined in his words.
Back in the room where everyone was gathered, and noticing Lyall's presence, Alpha Uktena turns to say:
"Sorry for the mess, Your Majesty. I have a small problem that will be dealt with. I hope you will not take rash action against our packs because of what just happened."
"As you said, you are the pack leader. Anyway, I came to say goodbye; I need to continue my visits to other packs and clans. Thank you for receiving us so well, I hardly felt your hostility and arrogance." Lyall returns Ian's sarcasm.
Being away from the enemies' territories, Lyall and Ethan return to Lupinia, intending to ask Petros' help to find Selene. They explain the whole situation, and the Alpha of the Lupines of Aurora summons his subordinates to fulfill this mission. Lyall gives Selene's physical description and, with the help of Petros, who knew Nifhil very well, the Lycan King forms two teams, with him and four trusted werewolves on one team, while Ethan leads the other. They agree to keep in constant contact to get updates.
Days pass as Lyall and his allies search for Selene at the same time as Ian. Their motives may be different, but their determination is the same. They each search everywhere, every corner, every known pack, every hospital, every hotel, everywhere, and find nothing. One day, Lyall is already desperate and tired of searching without finding any trace of Selene when suddenly Petros shouts:
"IT'S CLEAR!"
"What was that, Mr. Petros?"
"I remembered a place so well hidden that I guarantee no one has been there yet."
"So what are we waiting for?"
Meanwhile, in the village, Selene has adapted well to the moon pack. She helps everyone as she can, but also takes time off to rest and look after herself and her almost two-month-old baby. She is with Sofia, picking apples in the orchard, when she senses someone approaching.
"Finally, I found you."
At that moment, Selene feels a chill and, despite her fear, turns to the deep male voice, surprised to see who it is.
"Mr. Lyall?! What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I've come for you. I know you're expecting a child, and he's mine. Please, Selene, let me take care of you both."
" Don't feel obliged to anything. That night, I was out of my mind and did things I wouldn't normally do. I was needy, needing comfort and, I found that in your arms, but I don't know if I would do it again. I'm so sorry, Mr. Lyall".
"I understand and respect your feelings. But I ask you to listen to my proposal."
"Proposal?"
"Miss Selene, accept to be my companion and I will give you the opportunity to take revenge on those who have always humiliated and mistreated you, what do you say?" Lyall looks into Selene's amber eyes that always turn away.
"If you haven't noticed, I'm very well here. And everyone is my friend" Selene continues to avoid looking at Lyall.
" É? And how long do you think all this will last? Ian is after you like crazy. It's only a matter of time before he gets here, and when he does, there won't be anyone left to tell the tale, and you know it."
"This place is too remote and hidden, he won't find us." Selene tries to delude herself
"Selene, pay attention. I found this place, and before me, you found this place. Do you really think Ian, Kailel and company won't find you?"
"I still think..."
"Ian killed your friend Ayda, he just stuck his claws in and ripped her heart out."
"What?" Selene finally looked at Lyall, her eyes were full of tears, and continued:
" It's my fault. I shouldn't have run away, Ayda would still be alive now." Selene cries at that moment and feels Lyall's strong and warm embrace, which made her decide:
"I accept to be your companion and I will take revenge on all those who humiliated me and treated me like dirt."