Chapter#17

Selene’s POV

A loud howl tore me from sleep. My eyes shot open, and my heart raced as I bolted upright in the alcove. Panic tightened my chest as I scanned the small space. Liam and Varian were gone. The howl echoed again, sending a shiver through me.

Where were they?

I grabbed my sword as I pushed myself to my feet. “Varian? Liam?” I called, but the only answer was another howl, chilling my blood.

My heartbeat quickened, and my senses sharpened as I moved forward. But the farther I went, the more I felt an undeniable pull toward the edge of the hill. It was a magnetic force I couldn’t explain, tugging at my wolf with an intensity that made my breath catch. Something was there. I had to go closer.

Reaching the edge, I froze. The sky transformed before my eyes. The darkness gave way to a silvery glow as the full moon emerged from behind the clouds, bathing the valley in ethereal light.

And there, at the hill’s edge, stood a wolf. Not just any wolf, but a towering, massive creature. Its golden fur shimmered like liquid metal in the moonlight. This was no ordinary beast. It was something more, something tied to the very essence of Lunareth.

The wolf turned its head. Its blue eyes locked onto mine, and in that moment, I knew it wasn’t just looking at me. It was seeing me, as if it could read the secrets of my soul. Those eyes burned with an intensity that pierced through me.

The mate bond flared to life. A pull so immediate, and intoxicating, that my breath caught in my throat. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. My heart hammered as I stood frozen. The world fading to nothing but the wolf and the connection between us was a bond I couldn’t escape.

I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. My mind screamed at me to run, to call for Varian or Liam, but my feet refused to obey. The wolf took a step forward, and without thinking, I mirrored it, as if I were meant to be here. My hand reached out, trembling. My fingers brushed its soft, golden fur. The wolf’s gaze softened, nudging my hand gently, and I smiled.

I forgot everything; the battle, the dangers, even the people I’d been with. All I knew was this wolf, its blue eyes making me feel safe, and something more; a longing I hadn’t expected, a pull that went beyond safety, stirring my wolf with a hunger I couldn’t ignore. It circled me. Its tail twirled gracefully. I knew what it wanted, and to my surprise, I didn’t shy away.

Slowly, I began to shed my clothes. The fabric fell to the ground, one by one. For the first time in so long, I wasn’t afraid to show who I was. There was only the wolf and I. As it moved behind me, I felt its warm breath against my back, sending a shiver through me. A long sigh escaped me, and for a moment, I let go of everything.

“Selene,” the wolf’s voice rumbled, deep and soft, filled with an intensity I couldn’t escape, “I’ve been looking for you.”

Before I could react, its grip tightened on my neck, but the slight pain somehow comforted me. I felt its deep breaths against my skin as it inhaled my scent, and then, I felt a sharp, hard pressure against my hips, drawing a soft moan from my lips. I needed it, craved it, wanted it to claim me.

It’s massive frame pressed closer making my skin prickle with anticipation. I could feel the hard planes of its body. My pulse quickened as I stood vulnerable under the silvery moonlight. Its claws grazed my sides. The sharp tips trailed lightly over my skin, leaving tingling trails of heat that sent shivers cascading down my spine.

The wolf’s growl rumbled against my ear as its hot breath fanned across my neck, making me tilt my head to the side, offering more of myself without thinking.

Its tongue flicked briefly against my neck. The wolf’s grip on my neck tightened just enough to hold me in place. Its claws now traced the curve of my waist as if it mapped every inch of me.

My hands, trembling with the intensity as I reached back brushing the silken edge of its golden fur. I let my fingers linger, tracing the contours of its form. Its low growl deepened, and my body responded with a shiver as I pressed myself closer.

Its massive paws slid down to my thighs, claws retracting just enough to avoid drawing blood. It nudged my legs apart slightly. Its breath was now hot against the back of my neck as it inhaled deeply.

I was consumed by it; craving its dominance, yearning for it to claim me, to mark me as its own. The wolf’s growl turned into a low, rumbling purr. Its body shifted to press more against mine, that made my knees buckle.

Its claws traced the line of my spine. The touch was slow and deliberate. My skin flushed with heat as I leaned into it. The wolf’s muzzle brushed against my ear. I turned my head slightly as my lips brushed against the edge of its jaw.

It grabbed my hands behind my back with one firm grip as its hold on my neck tightened, and I felt my body yield. My thoughts spiraled; would it bend me down, take me here under the moon? But then, a sharp sting cut through my haze. Its teeth sunk into my skin. Blood splashed as pain seared through me. A scream tore from my throat…

My eyes snapped open as I jolted upright with a thud. The dream shattered as reality crashed back. I was still in the alcove.

“What’s up with you?” Varian’s voice cut through the haze, but I was too shaken to respond. The dream’s aftermath clung to me like a second skin.

I blinked, trying to steady my breath, but it was impossible. My wolf was awake and restless. It was hungry not for food but for a mate. I squeezed my eyes shut, desperate to push down the instinct surging through me, but my body betrayed me. My scent spread as the wetness between my thighs grew.

I had to get out, before they noticed, before I lost control completely. Before I could move, Varian’s voice sliced through my thoughts like a dagger. “Kaelen!” I startled as I looked up, trying to focus.

No one could ignore Varian; the way his body moved, sweat glistening on his scarred chest, his nipples taut in the cool air, his deep blue eyes focused and predatory, perfection in every line of him.

Then there was Liam, even injured, his grace was undeniable, his russet hair were matted with sweat. His chest rose and fell with long, deep breaths that made me ache to press myself against him, to feel his softness against my skin.

My mind bounced between them, making me want their touch, making me beg for them. But now wasn’t the time. I couldn’t act on this.

Without wasting a moment, I stood. My legs trembled and my voice shook as I deepened it to Kaelen’s tone. “I just need a moment,” I managed to say, but Varian’s sharp gaze demanded more. His brow lifted in silent command. “I…” I managed, grasping for an excuse, “I need to go pee.”

He let out a frustrated sigh. His shoulders rose and fell, but he signaled me to go. I turned to leave, but his voice followed. “You can’t just go out there by yourself, can you?” Varian said, rolling his eyes.

“I… I’m fine,” I stammered, waving him off, though deep down I knew I wasn’t, “I won’t be long, and I won’t go far.”

Varian let out another sigh, and for a moment, I thought he’d insist on following. But he gave a sharp nod, “Be quick.” It wasn’t a request, it was a command, one I couldn’t ignore.

I hurried toward the stream. The valley’s darkness pressed in as I found a spot behind a large, jagged rock. I crouched down, letting out a shaky breath. My fingers slipped into my trousers, trembling as they moved. My legs parted wider as I shed the fabric entirely from my legs.

All I could think of was Varian; his hands grabbing me in places I ached to be touched, And Liam, teasing me to make me beg.

I was close, so close. My breaths were ragged. My moans escaped louder, beyond my control. My body trembled with the release I craved. I didn’t want to stop. I wanted them to hear, to know how they made me feel.

“What are you doing here?” Varian’s voice broke through the quiet as if he were calling for someone, or had he seen me?

I froze. My breath hitched, but my hand didn’t stop. My moans grew louder. I wanted him to know how desperate I was for him. How desperately my wolf wanted him.

“Come out. I can smell you,” he yelled again, “I know you want me too!”

His words fueled my hunger. The thought of him catching me, knowing who I was, claiming me in this moment, pushing me over the edge; a fountain of release trembled through me. A final, loud moan escaped as my body shuddered. My legs felt weak and my breaths came fast and deep. I struggled to stand, quickly washing myself in the stream’s cold water, applying the salve I carried to mask my scent.

Stepping out from behind the rock, I froze. Varian was there, blocking my path. My breath caught in my throat as panic surged. Had I exposed myself? Did he know?