Chapter 11 #3
I rinse out the shampoo, then grab the soap and work up a lather. Starting to clean her carefully, methodically, I move from her back to her arms, washing away the mud and fear. She doesn’t protest anymore, just stands there under the spray, accepting my care.
When I’m done, I turn off the water and wrap her in a towel, then grab one for myself. “Better?” I ask quietly.
She nods, some of the tension finally leaving her shoulders. “Thank you.”
I dry her off carefully, then lead her back into the bedroom. She moves to the window almost immediately, staring out at the dark forest. I let her have that moment while I find clean clothes in her dresser.
“Here.” I hand her a soft nightdress. “Put this on.”
She does, her movements slow and tired. Once she’s dressed, I sit with her on the edge of the bed.
“How long have you been sleepwalking?” I ask quietly.
Her eyes meet mine through strands of damp hair. “I don’t know.”
“Selene—”
“I mean it.” Her voice cracks. “I don’t know. I wake up in my quarters, my shoes dirty, my clothes wet. Sometimes I’m exhausted, as if I’ve been running all night. But I never remember leaving. Never remember where I went.”
My jaw clenches. “The night I found you at the lake—that wasn’t the first time, was it?”
She shakes her head slowly. “I don’t think so.”
Rage burns in my chest, but I force it down. She needs me to be calm right now, not angry.
“Tell me what happened the night you rescued Zane,” I say. “Everything you remember.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, her brow furrowing as she thinks back. “I heard someone calling for help. Followed the sound through the trees.” She pauses. “There was red powder everywhere. And mist. It was glowing faintly, swirling around my ankles.”
I inhale deeply through my nose. “You waded through it?”
“I had to. Zane was dying.” Her voice drops. “The mist was so thick I could barely see. But I could smell the blood, hear him breathing. I just…I had to reach him.”
“Fuck.” The word comes out harsh. My mind races through the implications. “That mist—it’s not normal magic. My wolf can sense it’s wrong. Dangerous.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know yet.” I stand and move to the bathroom, where I fill a glass with water at the sink. “But it’s obvious you’ve entered that forest more times than you know. That mist is doing something to you, Selene. Controlling you somehow.”
She shivers despite the warmth of the room.
A thought occurs to me, and I stop halfway back to the bed. “Wait. You talked about the mist just now.”
“Yes.”
“When we questioned you about that night, you never mentioned it.” I move closer, studying her expression. “You said there was nothing unusual. Just Zane, injured and alone.”
She’s quiet for a few seconds, thoughtful. “I know.”
“Why didn’t you—”
“Something stopped me.” Her voice is soft, reflective. “When I tried to mention it, I couldn’t. Something made me want to keep quiet.” She pauses, her gaze distant. “To protect him.”
Ice crawls down my spine. “You felt compelled to protect Zane?”
“Yes.” The word is simple yet significant. “It felt…necessary. Like I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about it.”
“Fuck.” I sit beside her on the bed, my mind racing. “It’s not just controlling where you go. It’s controlling what you say. How you feel.”
Selene grows quiet, processing this concept.
“We’re going to figure this out,” I say firmly. “And we’re going to stop it.”
She nods slowly, but I can see the fear still lingering in her eyes.
“From now on, you’re staying in my quarters,” I say.
She opens her mouth—probably to protest—but I cut her off.
“Lucian is trying to protect his mate.” I grip her shoulders gently. “But I need to protect you, Selene.”
She goes completely still, her eyes focused on mine.
“That’s my job now,” I say quietly. “Let me do it.” I press the glass into her hands. “Drink.”
She takes a small sip, then another, her movements automatic. Then, a question comes out, barely above a whisper. “Why are you doing all this?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“This.” She gestures vaguely between us. “Taking care of me. The flowers. The pastries. Everything.” Her voice drops even lower. “I know it’s just the bond forcing you to feel this way.”
I set my jaw, frustration building. We’ve been through this before, and she still doesn’t believe me.
“Maybe that’s the case,” I say slowly, watching her face. “But we’re bound for life, Selene. And unlike you”—I move closer to her—“I don’t hate the idea.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, a vulnerable look crossing her features. “But you were always so focused on avoiding me.”
“I was.” I run a hand through my damp hair.
“I’ve always hated the idea of being tied down.
Always thought my freedom mattered more than anything else.
” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “The women in my family are loud, brash, outspoken. Warriors and politicians and forces of nature. I always assumed my mate would be like that, too.”
“And I’m not.” Her voice is flat.
“No.” I lean closer, cupping her jaw. “You’re soft-spoken and gentle. When I realized you were meant to be my mate, I was sure it was a mistake. That the fates got it wrong somehow.”
Pain flashes across her face, and I curse internally.
“But then, I had you,” I continue quickly, my thumb brushing her cheekbone.
“And I realized you’re exactly the kind of mate I want.
I just hadn’t figure that out yet.” The words come easier now, more honestly.
“I like that you are soft-spoken but won’t let me walk all over you.
I like how gentle you are, how kind. I like being around you, Selene. Even when you’re furious with me.”
Her eyes widen slightly; she is clearly surprised.
“I was being foolish,” I say. “I never bothered to get to know you. Never gave you a chance. I hurt you over and over because of my own stupidity.” My voice drops. “I’m asking you to give me a second chance.”
She’s quiet, her gaze dropping to her hands.
“Seth—”
“I know it bothers you. My past. All the women—”
“I don’t care about that,” she cuts me off, her voice stronger now. “I just don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t want me.”
The words land heavy between us. I’ve heard them before, but they still cut deep.
“Everyone in my life has made me feel like I wasn’t enough,” she continues, tears gathering in her eyes. “My family. My pack. And then you—you confirmed every fear I had about myself.” Her voice cracks. “Why would I want to be stuck with someone who sees me as a burden?”
“But I don’t.” I grip her shoulders, desperate for her to understand. “I want you. I’m trying to learn about you, to get to know you.” I sigh. “I’m asking you to get to know me, too. I’m not that bad once you give me a chance.”
She stares at me, tears tracking down her face, and I can see the conflict happening behind her eyes. Fear fighting hope. Past pain battling present possibility.
“I don’t know,” she whispers finally.
Somehow, this hits harder than an outright rejection. I release her shoulders and capture her hands instead, bringing them to my lips.
“Please, Selene.” I press a kiss to her knuckles, then her palm. “Give me a chance to prove myself to you.”
She tries to pull away, but I hold firm, kissing my way up her wrist to her forearm, making her shiver despite herself.
“Seth—”
“One chance,” I murmur against her skin. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
A reluctant smile tugs at her lips, even as she tries to maintain her resistance. “You’re not playing fair.”
“I never claimed to play fair.” I kiss the inside of her elbow, then look up at her. “Is it working?”
The smile widens slightly, and the thrill of victory surges through me. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” I press another kiss to her wrist. “Just maybe?”
“You’re ridiculous,” she mutters, but there’s no malice in it.
“Ridiculously charming?” I offer.
She actually lets out a laugh—soft and brief, but genuine. “Ridiculously persistent.”
“I can work with that.” I place one more kiss on the back of her hand, then meet her eyes seriously. “Please, Selene. Let me try.”
She studies my face unblinkingly, and I can see her defenses crumbling. Finally, she takes a shaky breath. “Okay.”
Relief crashes over me so hard, my grip on her hands tightens. “Okay?”
She nods slowly. “I–I’ll try. But Seth, if you hurt me again—”
“I won’t.” The promise comes immediately, fiercely. “I swear to you, I won’t.”
“You can’t know that.”
“Then, let me prove it.” I brush away her tears with my thumbs. “One day at a time.”
She’s quiet for a moment, then nods again. “One day at a time.”
“Will you move into my quarters?” I ask, pushing my advantage while I have it.
Hesitation flickers across her face. “I don’t know if—”
“I want you there, Selene. Not seeing you every day is driving me insane.” I pause. “I’ve been following you around like some kind of stalker just to catch glimpses of you.”
A small, reluctant smile tugs at her lips. “That’s pathetic.”
“It is,” I agree. “Completely pathetic.”
Her smile widens slightly, and my chest loosens at the sight.
“So?” I prompt her. “Will you move in with me?”
She takes a deep breath, and I can see the exact moment she makes her decision. “Yes.”
The word sends satisfaction gushing through my chest, my wolf practically howling with joy. “Good.” I kiss her forehead. “We’ll move you in tomorrow. Tonight, I’m staying here with you.”
“Seth—”
“No arguments.” I scoop her up before she can protest, ignoring her startled gasp. “You’re exhausted, you almost drowned, and something is hunting you in your sleep. You’re not staying here alone.”
She doesn’t fight me, just wraps her arms around my neck as I lay her down on the bed.
Whatever that mist is, whatever else it is doing to her, it has gotten inside her head, making her protect someone who might be using her.
And I’m going to destroy it.