Chapter 7-His Wolf Arrives Selene's POV: A massive black wolf landed on all fours, its fur gleaming in the silver moonlight, and its golden eyes- bright and intense-locked onto me. After a day filled with relentless chaos, I had imagined that I could finally collapse into my bed, that I could finally sink into some semblance of safety. I had seen many wolves before-Keanu's wolf was enormous-but this one dwarfed him. Breathe, Selene. Don't freeze. Close the door. I tried to remind myself, but it was already too late. The beast's enormous head slid through the narrow gap between the door and the frame, its predatory eyes lifting to fix on my struggling hands. There was a glint in them-sharp, dangerous, commanding. A low, threatening growl rumbled in its throat, reverberating deep in my chest. My knees buckled involuntarily, and an odd, unsettling wave of submission coursed through my veins. My hands slipped from the door, and my legs retreated several steps instinctively. The black wolf moved confidently forward, every step claiming the floor as if it were its dominion. Its tail lifted high and swept majestically, closing the door behind it. Moonlight spilled across its enormous form, revealing the sheer power and dominance radiating from it. I knew, deep in my bones, that this was an Alpha male. I knew, too, that if it chose to strike, I would have nowhere to run. It approached me in large, measured steps. I instinctively stepped back, but it advanced anyway, beginning to circle around me, sniffing, tail swaying back and forth like a pendulum of control and curiosity. "Hey... are you looking for someone?" I asked cautiously, trying to suppress the tension tightening my chest. Its stance wasn't aggressive, and I reminded myself that I was no stranger to wolves-l understood their movements and signals. The wolf stopped circling, rolled onto the ground playfully, exposing its belly. I couldn't help but laugh- a nervous, relieved chuckle. What a big boy! "You came for me?" I said, kneeling on one knee, eyeing it closely. After a playful wiggle, the wolf nodded ever so slightly and sat on its haunches. Its shining eyes fixed on me, bright and intelligent. I laughed again, feeling the tension ebb slightly. "So, what can I do for you, handsome?" I whispered softly, trying to gauge what it wanted. Then, without warning, it lunged, knocking me gently but firmly to the ground. Its snout pressed against the thin fabric of my camisole, nudging my chest, and I gasped sharply. "Oh my... stop..." I tried to push its head away, but the wolf refused to budge. To my shock, it moved further, licking me carefully, exploring, insistent yet strangely tender. My body betrayed me-I shivered and moaned softly. What are you doing, Selene? It's an animal! 15,32 192 I smacked the wolf sharply, and for a moment, it froze. I could have sworn I saw a hint of surprise in its eyes. Then it whimpered softly, like a baby seeking comfort, and I relaxed my clenched fists. The wolf slid beside me, settling down. I attempted to rise, but it pressed its paws against me lightly, nudging my neck with its wet nose, sniffing gently. Then it closed its eyes, a low, rumbling purr escaping its throat-as if saying. Let's sleep. Sleep next to a giant, mischievous wolf? On the floor? What is happening to me? Damien's POV: A subtle stir in my embrace pulled me from deep slumber. I opened my eyes to the sight of the most enchanting woman, sprawled against me. Astonishment washed over me as I realized I had slept until dawn. The ground was hard and cold beneath us-not the luxurious comfort I had envisioned-but her scent grounded me, made my wolf feel at home. Seeing her curled in my arms, my heart soared. I carefully lifted a strand of hair from her face, careful not to disturb her. I restrained every fiber of myself, not wanting to overstep, to violate this delicate trust. Our faces were close, breaths mingling. Our legs were entangled, the intoxicating mix of our scents filling the air. The strap of her nightdress had slipped from her shoulder, revealing a hint of cleavage. The fabric clung perfectly to her curves, riding up slightly to expose her long legs. She was... overwhelmingly sensual. Desire surged, hot and impossible to ignore, and I clenched my fists to suppress the urge to touch her, to feel her body under my hands. I swallowed hard. Although part of me longed to bite, to hear her call my name in ecstasy, I knew I had to leave now. I could not imagine her waking to see me naked beside her, and I could not-would not-become a monster in her eyes. Damien Hale must not be her terror again. Reluctantly, I withdrew my arms and rose as silently as I could. Arthur's antics last night had been outrageous, yet thankfully, he had not harmed her. I was still in awe-most beasts, most Alphas, lacked the patience Arthur had shown. My mate possesses power. And courage. Unlike me, Arthur could not mask the Alpha aura. His size, his dominance, usually intimidated everyone-but Vanessa had faced him head-on. Impressive. I smiled, lifting her gently and placing her on the bed. Around us, the room was sparse-a simple single room with basic furnishings. Nothing marked it distinctly as male or female, but the pink bicycle and the plush cushions hinted at a female occupant, or at least a female friend's visit. I breathed a small sigh of relief. I sniffed the air-hers, mine, and nothing else. Clearly, her friend had not been here for a long time. Satisfied, I searched for something to cover her with. I could not shift into my wolf form indoors; it would wake her. Eventually, I found a towel in the bathroom, lightly scented with Vanessa's sweet fragrance. A comforting signal that I could use it without disturbing her. 13 15:12 18.42 I pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek and prepared to leave. A sudden beep shattered the silence. My pulse quickened as I grabbed her phone from the table, careful not to wake her. A message notification. I hadn't meant to look, but the message popped up on its own: "Good morning, little pumpkin." Simple words, but they ignited a fire inside me. I was the only one allowed to greet my mate this way- no one else could call her that. Little pumpkin? Intimate, too intimate, and I did not like it. My instincts screamed. The sender, "K," was surely male. My mind raced-does she already have a boyfriend? Is he part of why she fled our wedding? My eyes darkened. A violent, possessive heat surged through me. Who's that man? 15:12 Leave a comment