SELENE POVOne week later…I stood in front of the mirror admiring my dress which I had just finished crafting. It had taken most of the afternoon to finish, but finally, it was done. The soft creamy silk glowed in the firelight with pearls dotting the elaborate lace trim. Walking over to the bedside table, I opened the jewelry box and found the bracelet that Tor had given to me on the night of the Fete many weeks ago. Slipping it onto my wrist, I admired the moonstone as it sparkled gently. It brought a smile to my lips when I thought about my and Tor's first dance together. It seemed like it was an eternity ago. My mind played through the events of the last few weeks. I couldn't believe that it was all finally over. Now on this beautiful warm night, I was about to celebrate my mating ceremony with Tor. My eyes landed on the scars on my wrists caused by the silver shackles that had yet to fade and thought of Damion. The man had been so lost in his grief that it had driven him ma
SELENE POVThe full moon was bursting with light as it sat like a glowing pendant in the sky. I had no time to appreciate its beauty as I dashed through the forest. Cursing the moonlight that illuminated the trees, as well as myself, I leaped fluidly over a stone. I could feel my pursuers gaining ground on me and the thought of being captured sent a thrill of fear through my bones. I pushed myself to run even faster. I went to jump over a fallen log covered in mushrooms when my boot slipped on some moss. With a curse, I rolled with agility and leaped to my feet before darting around a tree. I could hear the rolling thunder of the horses growing louder as the riders shouted at one another. I gritted my teeth, my breath coming in quick short gasps. I considered using magic to place a shrouding spell around me. I searched for the energy within my body but no magic called back to me. So, with all my strength I kept running. It was then that I felt it. A sudden blow of electricit
SELENE POVI woke with a start.Sitting up quickly, I inhaled sharply and scanned my surroundings. I found myself pleasantly in a warm bed covered in soft furs and silk. The room was warm from the fire crackling softly in the hearth and the sun which was beaming into the bedroom from two large, windowed doors on the opposite side. I let out a breath of relief trying to remember how I had gotten here. That's when it all came flowing back to me - my desperate flee through the forest from the witch hunters and my otherworldly encounter with the wolf. My hand went to my chest as I remembered the man who had transfigured right before my eyes. The memory of his sharp gaze brought a tingle to my stomach. Who was he? Was he the one who brought me here? At that thought, my gaze dropped to my body inspecting my clothes. I had been undressed and placed in a rose silk chemise. Heat started growing in my cheeks with excitement as well as anger at the thought of that man seeing me naked!
SELENE POVI had all but given up trying to free myself from Tor's iron grip by the time he strode back into the settlement with me slung over his shoulder like some type of trophy. It was times like these that I wished my magical abilities went beyond healing and defensive spells as I fantasized about the h*ll I would unleash on this arrogant b*stard with his superiority complex. I was brought out of my fantasies when I noticed people in the village streets were stopping to stare at the spectacle of me being hauled like a bag of grain. Unable to stand one more moment of this embarrassment, I conceded. "All right, all right!" I muttered. "I give up. I'll stay here for the time being, but only if you put me down!" It seemed that was all the shifter needed to hear as he stopped and gently lifted me off of his shoulder and placed me in front of him as if I weighed nothing at all. I let out a breath as I smoothed my hair and tried to compose myself. We stood there for a few moments
SELENE POVIt wasn't until the moon had reached its peak in the sky that I slipped from the bed. Fully clothed, I was ready to make my escape from the manor. The front door wasn't an option this time, since I didn't want to chance anyone spotting me leave. I made my way over to the balcony doors and opened them quietly.The evening was warm and the moonlight illuminated the tops of the trees. I checked my waist for the long dagger I had lifted from someone's pack that was left unattended in the hallway after dinner. With a sigh, I gave a fleeting glance to the bed chambers and Tor's face flashed in my mind. A feeling of melancholy washed over me at the thought of never seeing him again, but I couldn't endanger those who had shown me kindness. I gave the warm bedroom one more fleeting glance before I stepped to the balcony railing and hoisted myself over it. It took me a few minutes to slowly scale the stone wall, but eventually, I dropped to solid ground and started to head for t
SELENE POVI could still feel Tor's mouth on mine as I sat once again in my chambers in the Alder manor. The moment Tor kissed me played over and over again in my mind. And I kissed him back! A rush of heat rose to my cheeks while my finger brushed over my lips at the memory.I had kissed a complete stranger whom I had only known for a day and to my surprise, I did not regret it in the slightest. The sensation of his tongue tangling with mine as he backed me slowly into a nearby tree. The heat of his breath against my skin as we explored one another's mouths. The way he pulled gently at my hair so I could open myself up even further as he deepened the kiss. We had gotten lost in one another for God only knows how long, until he pulled away from me abruptly, leaving me panting and trembling from pleasure in his arms. And that was it. He then turned away and barked an order for me to follow and not dare try to sneak off again. I was left utterly confused, furious, and wanting. I
SELENE POV"I want to go with you," I said with determination."No," Tor said shortly as he turned on his heel and made his way back into the council chambers. I exhaled in frustration and stalked after him into the room. "I'm sorry, but did I miss the part where you became the authority in my comings and goings?" I asked haughtily. Tor leaned against the giant wooden desk and stared at me with an unreadable expression. "I don't need you tagging along and getting in the way," he said simply, his arms crossed over his chest. I scoffed. "The same could be said for you, considering how many times I've tried to leave and you keep dragging me back to your lair like a bone." Tor let out a deep chuckle. "Listen, little witch, there are only so many dog jabs that I am going to let you get away with before we have a problem." He leveled his eyes with mine. I tried to ignore the dangerous look he gave me; it was the same look he had last night when he was about to kiss me. I put my
SELENE POVThe dream from the night before kept flashing in my mind and every time it made my stomach flutter. I don't know if the erotic dream was due to all the time I spent isolated in my cabin or if Tor was really unearthing these hidden primal emotions within me. I took a cleansing breath as I approached the hunting party. The sun was barely beginning to illuminate the tops of the trees, so the mountain air was still crisp. I wrapped my cloak tighter around myself as I walked toward the seven male shifters. Two of them were sparring with one another and I had to jump out of the way as they rolled through the dirt in a tussle before springing to their feet. I watched as they wrestled one another with wide eyes. "You'll get used to it." I turned towards the voice to see Cassius had approached. He smiled at me before continuing. "Especially those two, they are constantly going at it."Cassius let out a laugh when the taller one got the upper hand on the other and pinned him