Selena POV:
After practicing with the wolves that morning, Duncan informed me that my identification was ready. It had been fast-tracked and I needed to sign the release forms and get them together.
Returning to civilization was something I had pushed to the back of my mind during the past few weeks. I hadn’t thought about what it would mean to go back to that office mated after vehemently saying that we were not mated. To integrate myself back to the system that Duncan had prepared for me in advanceIt was with a bit of a shock that, as Duncan pulled his car into the parking lot of the diner, I realized that exactly I would be facing. People seemed to stare as we paced. Fingers pointed and heads leaned together in private conversation. Conversation that I was certain was about what happened between Duncan and me.
I had dealt with so much in the past week and was facing things that could mean destruction for the whole residing population, but this l
Selena POV:Lamont looked between us in amusement then turned his head to speak to Meredith, who was standing a few steps behind him. “Excellent, their bond is moving along faster than expected,” he commented, satisfied. Test after test.“I will be in the study if you need my assistance,” Meredith said, giving both Duncan and me a nod before leaving us with Lamont. “So,” Lamont began, clasping his hand together as she addressed us with an excited smile.“Alpha Duncan, will you be joining us today?” he asked. “Yes,” Duncan responded contritely. “I will be overseeing the training today. I will see the progress for a few days before I return to pack business.”“Understood. Alpha, I suggest you take a seat and watch as I work with Selena.”I gave Duncan a reassuring look that I would be okay. He walked over to the small table on the side of the p
Selena POV:“I am so sorry. Here, let me take a look,” I asked him. “I know Ed has some burn cream in the kit. Maybe it can help.”“Selena, I am fine. I will just run it under cold water,” Duncan grumbled as he stood in front of the kitchen sink in the house, with his arm under the water. I tried to get a look at the damage that I had inflicted on him during the lesson, but he was being the strong alpha male and kept maneuvering his body to block my sight. His pain was fading but his irritation grew with each second. I knew without a doubt that I deserved it. He had warned me of the type of lesson that I was facing. I should have tried harder to keep my cool. “I am so sorry,” I said again. “Elemental power caused the burn, you need to get it checked out by Ed quickly. Please.”When I felt his pain during the lesson, it had scared me. Lamont had indeed continued his subtle twist of words
Selena POV:The surrounding area was completely shrouded in a gloomy mist as the sun decided to hide behind the masses of grey clouds the next day. It was as if the weather was privy to my thoughts and mimicked them for the world to see. I had felt unease after the phone conversation Duncan had telling us to meet at the location of the trap. The feeling had followed me through the rest of the evening and throughout the day as I trained. Along with the uneasiness, an odd certainty had taken up space within me. I suddenly knew my purpose of being in this place, being mated to Duncan. It seemed like I was living a strange destiny with people I have known for a very short but crucial period of time. I was connected to them by some twist of fate or the plans of a higher power, in their opinion. But this knowledge was making my head spin, making me wish I was elsewhere. Was it wrong of me to wish this and want to be removed from the responsibility? The expecta
Selena POV:Entering through the narrow opening of the cave was treacherous. The ground was slick with wet rocks and plant life and the lighting was extremely poor. The ranger was a few steps in front of me with the flashlight that gave off just enough light to guide us along the dark passageway, but it didn’t show every nuance that could be a potential concussion risk. I put my hands on either side of me as I moved along the tunnel. I felt tingles of charged Earth energy along my fingertips as they grazed the damp, smooth texture of the rock walls. It was getting stronger with each step I took. I could hear voices talking up ahead. Coming through the bend in the path, a crevice of light appeared a few steps ahead of us. Seconds later, we passed through another opening to our right and stepped into a huge cave. I stopped in amazement a few feet inside the doorway. I was conscious of the others standing at the center of the room, but my eyes were drawn to
Selena POV:“Let’s go out,” Argon said finally to the group, giving no apology for the private conversation, and turned towards the exit. Lamont gave me a quick look that showed that he was displeased. Some of the others had the same expression but there was no malice behind theirs, more of perplexity. Yes, I had made a mess. Duncan wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. I placed my cheek against his chest, stiffening myself against letting his emotions, most likely expressing disappointment in my actions. I was disappointed in my actions. Could I not get anything right these days? Should I even be counted on to work with magic?“Shit,” I whispered against Duncan’s jacket, fisting the material in my hands. “Stop it. Stop thinking like that,” he said smoothly, gently rubbing his hand up and down my back. “I messed it up again,” I muttered.&ld
Selena POV:As we approached the others, I noticed that the smaller groups were now standing together. Duncan and Neo stood a few steps away from the rest, waiting for Meredith and me to join them. When Duncan took my hand in his, he leaned down to whisper in my ear, inquiring about my conversation with Meredith. I was too mortified to say anything as I felt like all eyes were watching me. I shook my head at him saying ‘later’ and left it at that.He ran a finger down the side of my face, through the blush that took residence the moment the words were out of his mouth. It was his silent way of saying he knew something was up and wasn’t going to let it drop. Damn this observant man. “Everyone, if I could have your attention, please!” Lamont raised his voice over the others. The circle of people quieted. All eyes were on Lamont, while Argon was on one side of him. “The majority of people needed for the protectio
Selena POV:I woke up to the shrill sound of the home phone ringing in the wee hours of the morning. The sun had not yet broken the horizon and seeing that Duncan’s phone remained cold on the bedside table, I knew I had to pick it up. He must have been exhausted after spending a day and a half with a half-catatonic me. He stirred as I scooted off the bed and I had to reassure him that I was okay and for him to rest before I made my way to the phone. When I pulled it to my ears, I felt a yawn overcome me. “Good morning, Selena. Come to the greenhouse for another lesson with me in Life element. We need to get you up to par.”I wasn’t surprised at the voice of Lamont on the other side. “Two sessions in a day?” I asked, just in case. “Practicing the ritual is different from a lesson in Life magic. You are so tired because you don’t have a good grasp of your element. Once you learn how t
Selena POV:“Sorry that I laughed,” she said, placing her palms on either side of my face when she saw my startled expression. “Lamont is high strung. He doesn’t like people who challenge his authority and he will live in someone else’s pack. The one he needs to teach is the alpha female. He doesn’t mean bad… mostly, but he can come across as overbearing. Neither of his parents really wanted him, so he tried very hard to be the best in whatever he was doing.Unfortunately, that overachieving tendency has spilled into the rest of his life, making him an unbearable ass. Don’t take it personally.” She paused. “As for feeling like you are failing… we all go through that. You have to calm yourself and keep trying. Center yourself and try again until you get it right.”“But… the pack…”“The pack is okay. Duncan has seen a lot worse during his father’s