The days following her encounters with Kael were a blur for Selene. She couldn't focus on her routine, nor could she shake the feeling of being watched. The memory of his piercing blue eyes and the undeniable connection she felt wouldn't leave her alone.
By the fourth evening, curiosity won out. Selene found herself walking the same forest trail again, this time armed with a flashlight and a determination to get answers.
The forest seemed alive, its shadows twisting and shifting as the wind whispered through the branches. She stopped near the clearing where she'd first encountered the black wolf, her breath visible in the crisp air.
"I know you're there," she called out, her voice steady despite her nerves.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, from the shadows, Kael emerged. He moved with an effortless grace, his silver hair catching the moonlight.
"You're persistent," he said, his tone edged with frustration.
"Funny, you're not the first person to tell me that," she replied, crossing her arms. "Why are you following me?"
"I'm not," Kael said, though his guarded expression said otherwise.
Selene narrowed her eyes. "Then how is it that every time I come out here, you just happen to show up?"
Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I can't risk you getting yourself killed."
"Why do you even care?" she pressed.
Kael hesitated, as though struggling with something unspoken. Before he could answer, the bushes behind him rustled. He tensed instantly, his head snapping toward the sound.
"Not again," Selene muttered, backing up.
But this time, it wasn't a rogue or Damon stepping out of the shadows. It was an older man, his long gray beard blending with the thick fur-lined cloak draped over his shoulders. His piercing eyes glowed faintly, and his presence radiated authority.
"Elder Lorcan," Kael said, his voice a mix of respect and unease.
"Kael," the elder replied, his gaze shifting to Selene. "And this must be the girl."
Selene blinked. "The girl?"
Lorcan ignored her question, stepping closer. "You've put yourself in quite the predicament, haven't you, Alpha?"
"I didn't ask for this," Kael said sharply. "And I'm handling it."
"Clearly," Lorcan replied dryly, his attention returning to Selene. "You have questions, child. Let me answer them."
Kael stiffened. "That's not necessary—"
"She deserves to know," Lorcan interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Selene glanced between the two men, her head spinning. "Would someone please explain what's going on?"
Lorcan studied her for a long moment before speaking. "You've crossed into a world you were never meant to know," he began. "But the bond has already been formed."
"What bond?" Selene asked, her pulse quickening.
Kael turned away, his jaw tight.
"The bond between mates," Lorcan said simply.
Selene's heart skipped a beat. "Mates?"
"It's rare, but sometimes, the moon chooses to bind a werewolf to a human," Lorcan continued. "The connection is unbreakable—a union of souls meant to strengthen both."
Selene's mind reeled. "You're saying I'm… bonded to him?" she asked, gesturing toward Kael.
Kael finally spoke, his voice low and tense. "It wasn't supposed to happen. I didn't want this for you."
"Want what?" she demanded. "You make it sound like a curse."
"It is," Kael snapped, turning to face her. His eyes burned with frustration and something deeper—something raw. "Being bound to me means being part of my world. And my world is dangerous, Selene. I've seen what happens to humans who get too close."
Lorcan stepped forward, his tone gentle but firm. "It's not a curse, Kael. It's a gift. One that could change everything."
Kael shook his head. "I don't want her involved in this. She's safer not knowing."
"It's too late for that," Lorcan said, his gaze shifting back to Selene. "The bond has already begun to take hold. She'll feel the pull, just as you do."
Selene's breath hitched. She thought back to the inexplicable urge to return to the forest, the way her heart seemed to race whenever Kael was near.
"And what if I don't want this?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Lorcan's expression softened. "The bond doesn't force love, child. But it does tie your fates together. Whether you accept it or not is up to you."
Selene looked at Kael, her emotions a whirlwind. He seemed torn, his usual stoic demeanor cracked by the weight of what Lorcan had revealed.
"I didn't ask for this," she said finally, her voice shaking. "Any of it."
"Neither did I," Kael said quietly.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. There was something in his gaze—something that mirrored her own confusion and fear, but also a quiet, unspoken longing.
"You don't have to decide now," Lorcan said, breaking the silence. "But you should know this: the bond is not just about you two. It carries a purpose, one that may determine the future of both humans and werewolves."
"What purpose?" Selene asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The balance between our worlds is fragile," Lorcan said. "Your bond could be the key to restoring it—or shattering it completely."
Selene felt the weight of his words settle over her like a heavy cloak. She glanced at Kael, whose expression was unreadable.
"I need time to think," she said finally.
Lorcan nodded. "Take all the time you need. But know this: the bond will not wait forever."
With that, the elder turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Selene and Kael alone.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
"I didn't want this for you," Kael said at last, his voice barely audible.
Selene looked at him, her emotions a tangled mess. "Maybe I didn't want it either," she said. "But here we are."
Kael's lips pressed into a thin line. "I'll protect you, Selene. Whatever it takes."
Her heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. "What if I don't want to be protected?"
Kael stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You don't know what you're asking for. My world is brutal. It will break you."
Selene met his gaze, her jaw set. "Maybe I'm stronger than you think."
Kael stared at her, something flickering in his eyes—admiration, fear, and a spark of hope.
"Maybe you are," he said quietly.
As the moonlight bathed the clearing, Selene felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. Whatever lay ahead, she knew one thing for certain: her life was no longer her own.