Chapter#07

Selene’s POV

“Please!” I exclaimed, “Stop fighting!”

And as soon as their heads turned to me, a long piercing howl came from the woods. I had no time to think. I pointed toward the trees, “I told you before,” I stammered, trying to sound convincing, “I saw someone go that way.”

But Varian didn’t buy it. My heart was caught in my throat as he stepped closer to the spring. Before he could do anything, Liam broke the ice. “I think that’s my mate…”

Varian had no choice but to run after Liam. As soon as they both were out of sight, I let out a long breath that had been caught inside me.

I had to be quick.

I wasted no time and scrambled out of the water. My hands fumbled as I threw on my clothes, not even noticing if they were inside out. The only thought pounding in my head was to get away—away from here before they came back.

Without looking back, I made a run. It was cold and I was shivering as I bolted through the forest. My legs carried me with wild desperation, feet pounding against the earth, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the pounding in my chest.

Those blue eyes haunted me. And his irresistible face and charm wouldn’t leave my mind. And his voice still echoed in my ears.

“Don’t lie to me. Do it again, and I’ll kill you.”

I shivered as the weight of his words pressed into my chest like a stone. I didn’t dare look back. What if he followed? What if they both had?

I reached the barracks and slammed through the door. My breath was heavy and uneven. My gaze darted around until it landed on Caden.

Without thinking, I climbed onto his bed and grabbed his arm. “Caden,” I hissed, shaking him trying to wake him up.

He blinked, startled. “Selene? What the hell—”

“Listen to me,” I cut him off, clutching his sleeve, “I don’t have time to explain. You have to help me. Please.”

Caden sat up rubbing his eyes. He took a moment to look around and then I caught his attention. He could clearly see my damp clothes clinging to me and could feel my shaking hands.

“Selene, why’re you wet? What happened?” I could feel the worry in his tone as he grabbed my arms with both hands.

I barely managed to whisper the words as I clung to him. “They’re looking for me. Liam and… Varian. They smelled me. They know.”

His face paled. “What? What are you talking about?”

“I’m…I’m their mate!” I spilled out, “I’m so sorry, I shouldn't have gone to the spring to clean myself.”

“It’s alright, Selene…” Caden rubbed my arms and shoulders to calm me down. He offered me a glass of water and wrapped his blanket around me.

“Now tell me everything from the start…”

I spilled everything in a frantic rush—the hot spring, the men, the scent. I told him about Varian, about how my wolf had stirred in ways I couldn’t control.

Caden cursed under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “You’re telling me two men—powerful men—caught your scent? Damn it, Selene! How did this even happen?”

“I don’t know!” My voice cracked as I hugged my knees to my chest. “I—I thought the scent blocker was enough. I thought I was safe.”

He exhaled sharply, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he got up and started rummaging through his stash of herbs and vials. “We need to double the strength of your scent shield. If they smelled you once, they’ll smell you again. And if they’re ready to fight for their mate, they won’t stop until one of them is dead.”

What? His words sent a chill down my spine. I hugged myself tighter, trying to steady my breathing. That couldn’t be happening! Liam was like a close friend to me in this brutal camp. And Varian. I couldn’t even think about not seeing him again. He was a dangerous call, but it was hard to resist him.

The fear of being discovered was suffocating, but it wasn’t the only thing clawing at my mind.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. Varian. The way my wolf stirred when he was near—it terrified me.

It was like my wolf had chosen him, and I didn’t understand why. I didn’t want to understand why. My mate was Damien. He had been everything to me. He gave his life for me. I lost him in the most brutal, unforgiving way.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as his memory filled my heart. The warmth of his laugh, the way he used to look at me like I was his entire world… And now, the Moon Goddess was telling me I had another mate? Another bond?

It felt wrong. I couldn’t betray Damien’s love and sacrifice. I clutched my chest, trying to think how to control my wolf.

“Selene,” Caden’s voice broke through my thoughts. He knelt in front of me, holding out a vial. “Drink this. It’ll strengthen the scent blocker for now, but we’ll need to reapply it every few hours until I can make something stronger.”

I took the vial with trembling hands. It tasted bitter, but I didn’t care.

“Promise me you won’t tell Rowan,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Caden hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Selene, he needs to know—”

“Promise me.” My eyes locked onto his.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair again. “Fine. But this is a terrible idea.”

I nodded, my grip on his arm loosening. “Thank you.”

But even as the scent blocker took hold, dulling the edges of my scent, it didn’t dull the storm inside me. I sat huddled on the edge of the bed.

How could I keep hiding when two powerful men were on the hunt for their mate? How long could I stay unnoticed?

And worse, what was I supposed to do about my wolf?

I clenched my fists in  frustration. My wolf’s restlessness felt like betrayal, a cruel twist of fate that left me questioning everything. Was this real? Could fate be so merciless as to rewrite my destiny?

I closed my eyes as Damien’s face flashed in my mind. “I’m sorry,” I whispered to his memory.

But deep down, I knew.

The bond was real. It was only a matter of time before Varian came for me. And I had to be ready for it.