Chapter 3:
The next evening, the bar was quieter. Seline wiped down tables, her mind racing. Rent was due tomorrow, and her paycheck tonight was her last chance. She’d begged the bar owner for an advance, but he’d refused. One more night, she told herself. Just get through tonight. Mira flitted around, restocking bottles. “Hey, Seline. Those wolf shifters are back. The ones from yesterday.” Seline glanced at the corner table. Austin sat with his pack two men and a woman. The woman was the same one she’d seen him laughing with. Her chest tightened. “Ignore them,” Seline said. “The dark-haired guy asked for you,” Mira added. “Said his name is Jax. The woman’s Lena, and the other guy is Cole.” Seline froze. “Why are you telling me this?” Mira shrugged. “Thought you’d want to know.” She didn’t. But her eyes drifted to Austin anyway. He was watching her, his expression unreadable. She looked away, cheeks burning. The night dragged on. Seline served drinks, avoiding the wolves’ table. But every time she passed, she felt Austin’s gaze. It made her skin itch, her wolf restless. During a lull, Jax waved her over. “Hey, hybrid! We need another round.” Seline hesitated, then approached. “What’ll it be?” Jax grinned. He had a scar across his cheek, but his eyes were friendly. “Three beers. And whatever the Alpha’s having.” Austin leaned back in his chair. “Whiskey. Neat.” She scribbled the order, avoiding his eyes. “So,” Lena said, her voice smooth. “You’re the hybrid everyone’s talking about.” Seline stiffened. “And?” Lena smirked. “Just surprised. Didn’t think someone like you could run a bar.” “Lena,” Austin warned. Seline forced a smile. “I’ll get your drinks.” As she walked off, she heard Jax mutter, “Be nice, Lena. She’s not the enemy.” Not yet, Seline thought bitterly. By midnight, the bar emptied. Seline counted the register, her stomach sinking. Still not enough. She’d have to beg her landlord again. “Need help closing up?” She jumped. Austin stood nearby, his arms crossed. “No,” she said. “Leave.” He didn’t move. “You’re hurt.” She glanced at her arm. The scratch had scabbed over. “It’s fine.” “You’re lying.” “Why do you care?” she snapped. His jaw tightened. “I don’t.” “Good.” She grabbed a trash bag and headed for the back door. The alley was dark, the dumpster reeking. She tossed the bag in, turning to leave— Five panther shifters stepped out of the shadows. “Miss us?” the leader sneered. Seline backed up. “Get lost.” He lunged. She threw out her hands, magic surging. A blast of air knocked him into the wall. The others hissed, circling her. “Witch tricks won’t save you,” one spat. She sent another burst, but they dodged. Claws slashed her leg. She cried out, stumbling. “Pathetic,” the leader growled. “Half-breeds shouldn’t exist.” They attacked together. Seline fought wildly. She threw spells fire, wind, whatever her magic could muster but there were too many. A claw raked her shoulder. Another cut her thigh. Blood soaked her jeans. “Stop… struggling,” the leader panted, pinning her against the dumpster. “This’ll be quick.” She kicked him, but he grabbed her throat. Her vision blurred. A snarl tore through the air. The panther shifter flew off her. Austin in wolf form slammed him into the ground. The other shifters froze. Austin’s wolf was massive, fur bristling, teeth bared. The panthers scattered, but he chased them down, snapping and clawing. Seline slid to the ground, clutching her wounds. When it was over, Austin shifted back. He knelt beside her, his hands trembling as he checked her injuries. “Stupid,” he muttered. “Why didn’t you call for help?” She pushed him away. “I… didn’t need… you.” Her vision swam. Blood pooled under her. “You’re dying,” he said roughly. “Then let me.” He scooped her up, ignoring her weak protests. “Put me… down…” “Quiet.” He carried her into the bar, kicking the storeroom door open. He laid her on a stack of boxes and ripped her sleeve to see the wounds. “This’ll hurt,” he warned. He pressed his palm to her shoulder. Heat flared a healing spell? But wolves didn’t do magic. Her skin knit together slowly, the pain fading. She gasped. “How…?” “Pack magic,” he said shortly. “Rare.” He moved to her leg, his touch gentler. Her wolf stirred, reaching for him. She tried to fight it, but the bond pulsed between them—bright, unignorable. Mate. Her breath hitched. Austin froze, his eyes meeting hers. “You feel it too,” she whispered. He pulled back like she’d burned him. “No.” “Liar.” He stood, fists clenched. “This changes nothing.” “You’re my mate,” she said, voice breaking. “You can’t deny that.” “I can.” His voice was ice. “And I will.” He walked out, leaving her alone in the dark. Seline lay there, tears mixing with blood. Her body healed, but her chest ached. The bond the one thing she’d never thought she’d have was real. And he’d rejected it. She staggered to her feet, leaning on the wall. The bar was silent. Austin was gone. Outside, the moon hung high. She limped home, each step agony. Her apartment felt emptier than ever. She sank onto the couch, clutching a pillow. Mate. The word haunted her. But Austin’s words haunted her more. “This changes nothing.” She closed her eyes, wishing she could hate him. But her wolf still longed for him. And that hurt worst of all.Chapter 4The storeroom was cold. Seline shivered as Austin pressed a cloth to her bleeding shoulder. His hands were rough, but his touch sent warmth through her. She hated it. “Hold still,” he muttered. “I’m fine,” she lied. Her leg throbbed where the panther’s claws had torn her jeans. Blood soaked the fabric. Austin ripped the cloth into strips. “This’ll hurt.” “Everything hurts,” she snapped. He didn’t answer. He cleaned her wounds in silence, his jaw tight. When his fingers brushed her neck, she flinched. “Stop,” she said. “I’m trying to help.” “I don’t need your help!” He grabbed her wrist, sudden and sharp. “Why are you like this?” “Like what?” “Angry. Defiant. You act like the world owes you something.” She yanked her arm free. “The world owes me nothing. I know that better than anyone.” He stared at her. Then, slowly, his gaze dropped to her wounds. His frown deepened. “Your blood… it’s different.” Her heart skipped. “What?” “It smells like a wol
Chapter 5Austin stood at the edge of the forest, his pack gathered behind him. Lena tossed a stick into the fire they’d built, her sharp eyes watching him. “You’re distracted, Alpha.” “I’m fine,” he growled. Jax snorted. “You’ve been pacing since dawn. What’s going on?” “Nothing.” “It’s a hybrid, isn’t it?” Lena smirked. “The one from the bar. You’ve been watching her.” Austin’s fists clenched. “Drop it.” Lena raised her hands. “Just saying. If she’s a problem, we can make her leave town.” The words sent a surge of anger through him. “Touch her, and you’ll regret it.” The pack fell silent. Jax and Cole exchanged glances. Lena leaned back, her smile fading. “Understood, Alpha.” Austin turned away, staring into the trees. Seline’s face flashed in his mind her defiance, her tears. She’s better off without me, he told himself. But his wolf howled in protest. --- Back at the bar, Seline scrubbed tables mechanically. Her body ached, but the physical pain was nothing c
Chapter 6**Selene's POV**My eyes fluttered open, but I suddenly closed it because of the light that radiated through the window. After adjusting to the light, I fluttered my eyes open and gasped at where I was— in the dungeon.What in the world am I doing in the dungeon?The last thing I remembered was being dragged by the guards and calling the Alpha for help. They might think I'm mute, but I'm not completely mute. There are some voices I can still form, and it works when I'm in desperate need of help.I looked around and facepalmed. Did he really bring me to the dungeon? When I called, and he turned and walked towards me, I thought he was bringing me to stay with him, but no, he put me in the dungeon.I sighed as the last hope I had in me vanished completely. It would be better if I stopped putting my hopes high like this.I looked around the dungeon and saw diverse kinds of slaves. Some were old men while others, children. The ones that were older than me had been taken by the ot
Chapter 7 **Selene's POV**He wants me to be his maid?I looked at him shockingly. What he just said was difficult to believe and no matter how I tried to make myself believe? It just wasn't working. How could he do this to me? I looked at him with glassy eyes.He stared back at me, his eyes held so much hate and resentment. “You might be probably hurt by what I said, but I am not taking back my words. This isn't how it should be. We aren't meant to be,” He said, and my heart broke. “I don't want a weak wolf as my mate, it can't work that way,” He sipped his wine and tears rolled down my cheeks.I could sense the hurt in his voice, and it broke my heart the most. It wasn't my fault that I became mute, it was never my fault. Who was I kidding, thinking I could be accepted like this? He thinks I'm weak, and I don't blame him at all. His thoughts might also be fueled by the fact that whenever I get into trouble, I may not be able to ask for help. He wouldn't even want to help me anyway.
Chapter 8**Selene's POV**“Just know that it's going to sting… a lot.” The other lady smirked and I gasped.“Come on, Candice. You don't have to make her feel scared.” The doctor folded her hands.“I'm not trying to make her feel scared, Susan. I'm only stating the facts. Suppressants hurt a lot.” She chuckled.Suppressants? What were they giving me suppressants for? I looked at the doctor with a panic stricken face. She sighed.“Don't be scared, okay? This is for your own good. You're a Stealer wolf, and it would be dangerous for you to roam about, since all the unmated and widowed wolves are after you. With this suppressant, we'd be able to cage that stealer wolf in you and make your scent unperceivable for them. I hope you understand what I mean?” She asked and I nodded.“Can't she talk, or is she too terrified to speak?” Candice asked, and I lowered my head.“She's a mute.” The doctor replied and took the syringe.“What!” Candice burst out laughing.The doctor hit her and glared
Chapter 9** Selene's POV **“We need you to poison Alpha Austin and lock his wolf.” He dropped the bomb and my eyes widened.What the heck!I knew it. I knew there was a reason why my father would come to me and speak so nicely to me. He dared to come to me to ask for my help in poisoning my mate. I knew immediately that the only reason he was speaking kindly to me was that he needed something from me.Even though he had treated me poorly in the past, I was still shocked that he would ask me to do something so terrible.I couldn't believe that my father would want me to harm someone like Austin.I was confused. I stared at him as a surge of anger began to well up within me."Listen to me, Selene." He continued. "Austin doesn't love you. He is only with you because he doesn't want to stay without a mate.""You have to help your father. Remember that this is the only way you can prove to me and everyone else in the pack how useful you can be.""Perhaps it was for a time like this that
Chapter 10** Austin's POV**After eating my meal, I decided to stroll to the training ground to see how well she was doing. I knew that she was willing to do whatever I said and it was just to please me. I wasn't going to allow her to know that she could please me so easily too. I strolled, to the training ground, expecting to find there. At least she was supposed to have started the training.I was surprised when I got there and I didn't see her. "Maybe she had to take a detour. For someone as naive as her, things were bound to catch her interest."I had told myself that, at least I believed it to be true. But then even after twenty minutes, she hadn't shown up. Somewhere, I began to feel worried.What if the drugs which the doctor gave her weren't potent enough and wore out? Did it mean that she was in danger?I started pacing to and fro. About fifteen minutes after, I noticed someone approaching from the corner of my eye.I stopped my paving abruptly and behold, it was her. She
Chapter 11*** Selene's POV ***What just happened? Bad enough that he had insulted me and insinuated that I was acting like a slut, but he still punished me.I knew that something was wrong when I noticed that man whispering to him. Now I don't know what he heard. He seemed so angry and it hurts me.I hate having to be the source of his anger. He said I would train thrice as hard. That meant I would go harder and might end up staying out for eighteen hours rather than the usual six.It also meant that I would not eat until I was done with the training. I sighed. Food was not my problem, I had been starved for so long that not eating felt like a normal thing and eating felt like a luxury.Well, it's a luxury I can't afford for now. Austin had called me weak, stupid, idiot, foolish, useless, a liar, and a slut.It was high time I changed all of that. I was going to prove to him that I am better than he imagines. I will show him that I can be strong, I am not weak.I am neither stupid n
Chapter 18: Candice's POVDid Alpha Austin just ask me if I was okay? And then ask if I worked here. And I detected softness in his voice.Of course, his aura is suppressing but the love I have for him is greater than that aura. He is so handsome, I can't help but fall harder. I danced into Susan's office to find her in the corner, looking pale as a white sheet."Suz, what's up?" I asked carefully. "Are you okay?""I... I'm fine." She whispered. "Has he left?""Who? Alpha Austin?"She nodded too quickly. I laughed softly. Was she afraid of him?"Are you afraid of him? What's there to be afraid of? He's just like you and I and everyone else." I praised.She glared at me. "You only say that because you're obsessed with him."I gasped aloud, touching my chest as if I was hurt. "Obsessed?""Mmhmm." She nodded."I am not obsessed, obsessed is such a strong word. You could say, I find him attractive.""What's the difference?" She asked. I giggled. Susan can be such a sweetheart. I can't be
Chapter 17: Austin's POVI watched the surprise on her face when I asked her to eat with me. She wasn't a bad person, she had a good personality and the only issue she had was her inability to speak.I had an important meeting today and I didn't want to miss it. She was also a very good chef."This is nice." I complimented. "The pasta is so tasty and I love the meatballs. It's exactly the way I like eating my meat."She smiled softly. She must have been so excited that I had complimented her cooking without her having to ask. She still wasn't comfortable eating with me. I had to hurry and finish my meal. I took only a glass of wine."You can have some if you want," I said. Seline was so surprised and every time I permitted her to do something or spoke nicely to her, she would look surprised and then sad.I left the dining and allowed her freedom to eat. I watched her for a while and I saw that she became comfortable and ate properly. I suddenly returned and she paused in her movement
Chapter 16: Seline's POVBad enough that I had to spoon-feed Austin, he made me stay up all night, watching him sleep. It was torture for me since I was equally tired. Eventually, I fell asleep on the floor. I lay completely on the floor and I slept there till morning. I only managed to get about four hours of sleep and by morning, I was still very sleepy.I opened my eyes and raised my head slightly. He was still in bed. I thanked the goddess in my heart. At least he didn't leave so he wouldn't know if I slept or not."Finally awake?" He asked and I jolted up in fright. He did know that I slept off!I slowly got up from the floor. I bowed in greeting and he stared back at me."You slept on the floor." He stated. I nodded. I mean, I slept on the floor."Why?" He asked.I was tired and sleepy, I couldn't hold it in. He chuckled. "So you chose to sleep on my floor?"After asking, he threw his legs down from the bed and stood up. My eyes widened in surprise. He could move his body?"Ye
Chapter 15: Seline's POVHe just said he was human. Did he know what that meant to me? It was a subtle reminder of what I had done. The evil I let my father compel me to do. Could I ever forgive myself? I noticed that his gaze was on me and I willed myself to be strong."I'm also hungry, do you think you can get me something to eat?" He asked.I was more than surprised by his new behavior. If I had known that the potion would make him act like this, I might have done it earlier. But the cost is too much and I feel guilty. Perhaps I should just drink the second one and write a note to him?Father said it will kill him off slowly, which meant I wouldn't die immediately. What if he caught me before I died and went through extra means to bring me back just to punish me?I nodded."Alright, hurry up, it's getting late." He said and relaxed back in his bed. I stood up and left his chamber.The person who had stopped me earlier was a servant. She dared to accuse me of doing something I woul
Chapter 14: Austin's POVThe food was sweeter than usual and if she hadn't tasted it with me, I wouldn't have believed that she didn't slip something into it. Everything seemed to taste good and I just felt somehow happy about it.I decided to go out and check on her if she was training properly. I noticed that she was doing her training well but how she did it would tire her out too quickly. No wonder she was always so tired after training.I helped her by giving her some tips and I noticed how well she took them. Suddenly I felt dizzy as if my eyes went closed for a nanosecond. I opened it immediately.Are you okay?"I feel a little dizzy."Maybe you should go and rest.Seriously, seeing her gesture things to me always made me pissed. I sighed and turned to go. Being an Alpha meant having to look okay even when you weren't. So I had to force myself to walk steadily to my chamber. I knew I was being watched by her and I didn't mind.The moment I entered my chamber, I felt this pang
Chapter 13 Seline's POVMy gaze remained on the vials that stood in my drawer. Was I supposed to listen to a man who had made my life hell? Or protect a man who was bound to make my life another hell?Would I ever experience something like freedom in my life? I picked them up. One was red and the other was green. I knew that the red one was poison. That meant that the green one was the one that would lock up his wolf forever.I took the green one and placed it in my dress. I the red one, I hid it properly. Even if I wasn't going to accept yet, I wasn't also going to allow myself to be jeopardized by it. It was time for me to begin my service to Austin for the day. I quickly made my way to his chamber. He was seated in his bed with his back to the backrest of the bed. His eyes were on me from the time I entered the room, almost as if he had been expecting me.I bowed in greeting, putting my hands in a pleading manner before me. His gaze suddenly turned hard, seeing me gesture my gree
Chapter 12*** Beta Brent's POV***After discussing with Selene during the day, I couldn't return home. Somewhere I kept having this feeling that she had been caught. I knew what kind of trouble she would enter if she was caught with me. Not just that, she could lose any form of trust which Austin had developed for her.That was going to jeopardize our plans. Nevertheless, I returned to the pack house. The Alpha summoned me immediately after he heard I had returned."Brent, tell me you succeeded." He said. "I don't think it would be that hard to convince that girl. She is too gullible and naive.""It was kind of hard," I confessed. "The girl has formed a deep-seated hatred in her heart for me, she refused to even let me touch her.""I did tell you then to be careful about how you treated her. I told you there would be used for her one day but you never listened to me." He accused. "Now you can see? We need her but she is keeping a grudge.""Well, what do you expect me to do? How did y
Chapter 11*** Selene's POV ***What just happened? Bad enough that he had insulted me and insinuated that I was acting like a slut, but he still punished me.I knew that something was wrong when I noticed that man whispering to him. Now I don't know what he heard. He seemed so angry and it hurts me.I hate having to be the source of his anger. He said I would train thrice as hard. That meant I would go harder and might end up staying out for eighteen hours rather than the usual six.It also meant that I would not eat until I was done with the training. I sighed. Food was not my problem, I had been starved for so long that not eating felt like a normal thing and eating felt like a luxury.Well, it's a luxury I can't afford for now. Austin had called me weak, stupid, idiot, foolish, useless, a liar, and a slut.It was high time I changed all of that. I was going to prove to him that I am better than he imagines. I will show him that I can be strong, I am not weak.I am neither stupid n
Chapter 10** Austin's POV**After eating my meal, I decided to stroll to the training ground to see how well she was doing. I knew that she was willing to do whatever I said and it was just to please me. I wasn't going to allow her to know that she could please me so easily too. I strolled, to the training ground, expecting to find there. At least she was supposed to have started the training.I was surprised when I got there and I didn't see her. "Maybe she had to take a detour. For someone as naive as her, things were bound to catch her interest."I had told myself that, at least I believed it to be true. But then even after twenty minutes, she hadn't shown up. Somewhere, I began to feel worried.What if the drugs which the doctor gave her weren't potent enough and wore out? Did it mean that she was in danger?I started pacing to and fro. About fifteen minutes after, I noticed someone approaching from the corner of my eye.I stopped my paving abruptly and behold, it was her. She