Chapter 3: : Chapter 3

Selene’s POV

I clamber to my feet, leaning on the wall and ignoring the pain shooting up my legs. He holds out one arm to block his companions from entering, and I take the opportunity to dart past him into the main part of the suite.

Gabriel Durand, the very image of Bastien were he a few decades older, steps forward. ‘Hello Selene.’

Without thinking I slink behind Bastien, using his large body to hide myself from view. I cannot explain it. I do not want any of them to be in this room with me, and Bastien is the one who brought me here against my will in the first place – he’s the last person I should seek for protection.

He reaches back, circling his arm around my body and catching me up before I can contemplate fleeing. ‘Come here, you.’ Bastien deposits me back into the plush bedding, taking a seat by my side so that his large form remains as a barrier between me and the strangers. ‘We need to talk.’

—

Third person’s Pov

Bastien watches Selene closely as his father explains everything that has happened since she escaped Garrick. She’s huddled among the pillows, leaning as far away from the Alpha as possible. Bastien’s wolf Axel is clawing at the surface, demanding Bastien moves closer.

There is a disturbing vacancy in Selene’s expression, and Bastien’s hatred for the man who imprisoned her spikes. He promised his Father that his men would return Garrick to the pack house to stand trial once he’s found, but in truth he has no intention of letting the bastard back into the city. Outside of Nova jurisdiction Bastien can do with him as he pleases.

“Your mother was very dear to me,’ His father was saying, prompting Selene to meet his gaze for the first time. She hasn’t been able to look at any of them directly, not even Gabriel’s Beta, Donovan.

“Yes I knew her.’ Gabriel continues, smiling sadly, ‘She helped me at a time when I could not help myself. I feel I owe it to Corrine to do the same for you now. You have my word that Garrick will be caught; he will account for his crimes.’

“And in the meantime?’ Her voice is stronger than it had been in the forest. ‘What do you intend to do with me?’

Claim you. Axel suggests, triggering Bastien’s instinct to scent mark the sweet creature in front of him. He leashes in the desire, gritting his teeth against the pain denying it creates.

Gabriel says reasonably. ‘The doctor is quite concerned that your injuries have not healed yet.’ He glances at Bastien reluctantly. ‘There was an inordinate amount of Wolfsbane in your system when Bastien brought you in.’

Selene just blinks. ‘He’s been dosing me with it every day for 8 years.’ Her statement is met with horrified silence, and she turns her eyes to Bastien. He falls into bottomless pools of sapphire and violet, sensing a profound hopelessness he does not understand until she speaks again. ‘My wolf didn’t survive it.’

Fury consumes Bastien in a conflagration so sudden and violent that he knows he needs to get out of the room before Axel forces his way out of his body. He stands as the wolf roars in his head, trembling with the effort of restraining him. Bastien storms from the room without another word, heading for the forest.

—

Selene’s POV

Bastien’s sudden exit startles me, and for some inexplicable reason I feel tears well in my eyes. I don’t know why I told him about Luna. I certainly hadn’t planned on doing so, but when I looked at him some force deep inside pushed the words to the surface.

Perhaps I expected to find some comfort in sharing the secret; instead I found rejection.

“Donovan, could you leave us for a moment.’ Gabriel’s gravelly voice pulls my attention to the present.

“It seems I’ve failed your mother even more hideously than I knew.’ He says once we’re alone.

“I don’t understand.’ I murmur softly.

“I promised your mother I would care for you if anything ever happened to her. She saved my life and I’ve repaid her by letting her only daughter suffer unspeakable abuse.’ Disgust laces every word. Before I can ask the questions waiting on my tongue, the Alpha pins me with a fierce stare. ‘I know the Volana secret. I know why Corinne brought you here.’ He admits, ‘If I’d known you survived the car crash I would have made arrangements long before now, but I can’t undo the past.’

“Arrangements?’ I repeat dumbly.

“To keep you safe.’ Gabriel clarifies.

I still don’t understand. ‘But Garrick–’

“Garrick isn’t the one you need protection from, Selene.’ The Alpha informs me gently. ‘He is an insect, the Calypso Alpha is a dragon, and he’s been out for your blood from the day you were born.’

_________________

“What are you talking about?’ I sputter, staring wide-eyed at Gabriel and trying desperately to make sense of his words. ‘What does the Calypso pack have to do with me?’

The Alpha sighs. ‘What do you know about your mother, Selene?’

“Garrick told me she belonged to another pack and she became pregnant after an affair with a married man. She fled in disgrace and he took her in.’ The story is still fresh in my mind; Garrick’s leering face flashes across my vision but I force it away, focusing on Gabriel.

The Alpha shook his head sadly, ‘Your parents were both members of the Calypso pack, until their Alpha – Blaise – learned the secret of your bloodline.’ He explains, ‘I have no idea how he discovered that Volana blood can grant eternal life, but he did, and he’s been hunting it ever since.’

“Your father sacrificed himself so you and your mother could escape.’ Gabriel jaw twitches with anger, ‘Corinne was so heartbroken over her mate’s death that she’d all but given up when Garrick found her.’

‘Their marriage was always a sham.’ His brow furrows deeply, ‘Garrick was hopelessly in love with her, so much so he agreed to adopt you. For a woman in her position… well it was the best of a lot of bad options.’

“How do you know all this?’

“She told me.’ Gabriel answers, ‘You’re probably too young to remember the uprising. My brother wanted to be Pack Alpha our entire lives, and though he was an alpha by nature, he wasn’t strong enough to challenge me.’

“Instead he mounted an uprising, hiring mercenaries without pack allegiances to help stage a coup. He planned to kill me, Bastien and my mate. Your mother was out for a run when she came across the mercenaries gathering at the border. She overheard their plans and ran straight to the pack house.’

“Her warning saved us all.’ The Alpha’s countenance became painfully haunted, ‘I killed my brother, and when it was all over, Corinne told me the truth. She knew if anything ever happened to her, Garrick would not be able to protect you.’

A dull pain sets in behind my temples as my brain tries to process the information overload, ‘So now that you know I’m alive, you plan on protecting me?’

“Of course.’ The Alpha vows.

I frown, trying to piece the puzzle together. ‘How?’

The Alpha considers me for a long moment. ‘Bastien.’

“Bastien?’ I repeat in utter bafflement.

Gabriel’s eyes, the same silver as his son’s, slice through me. ‘He’s going to be your husband.’

“What are you talking about,’ I’m out of the bed, edging toward the door. ‘You want me to marry Bastien?’