Filed To Story: Destined Bond with My Forbidden Alpha Novel (Alpha Alexander & Selene)
‘She doesn’t have to be awake for the blessing of the Goddess or the marking.’
Jackson’s words at the hospital called out to her and sent a chill down her spine. At the time, Corrine had found his idea unacceptable, but she understood why he suggested it. He was scared. He was trying to do what was best for Selene.
But he already knew she had another mate. He knew Selene wasn’t ready to get married.
‘The Goddess blessed us with our mate, but she also gave us a choice to accept or reject them. One mate deciding for both is not honoring that bond.’
Alexander knew better. He had stepped in when it looked like Jackson was trying to take away her choice.
‘I made it clear to him that I would not leave Jackson…. he respected my decision.’
Selene’s word echoed in Corrine’s mind like a warning.
‘He stepped in when he knew Jackson would take away her choice….’ Corrine thought to herself.
Corrine’s eyes shot up to Selene as an overwhelming sense of dread washed over her, followed very closely by a building storm of anger.
“Why now?” she demanded.
“What?” Selene asked, confused but nervous as well.
“If Alpha Alexander has respected your boundaries and relationship with Jackson this entire time, why did he say he will pursue you openly and honestly now? What changed, Selene?”
Selene looked away.
Corrine took a deep breath; the storm reached its peak within her.
“Show me what you are hiding, Selene.” Corrine’s voice shook with anger. “Let go of your collar.”
Selene closed her eyes, feeling defeated and tired. A tear rolled down her cheek as she lifted her chin and let go of her shirt.
Corrine hesitated at first but then took a deep breath. She straightened her daughter’s shirt.
At first glance, she saw nothing, and for the tiniest moment, she was relieved. But then her eyes fell on the patch of deep red and purple poking out from just below the collar. With her hand shaking, she pulled at the fabric ever so slightly, revealing several more just as ugly bruises along Selene’s chest.
“Jackson?” Corrine managed to get his name out through gritted teeth.
Selene pulled at the shirt, covering her shameful marking, before quietly nodding.
***
Two men sat in an office, each at their own desk. One was on the phone while the other reviewed various requests and orders submitted from wolves across Winter. The first man hung up the phone with a confused expression.
“Hey, have you heard of anything happening at the Alpha’s house?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” the other replied.
“Just got a requisition and repair order. New dresser, new desk, and a level two patch job on one of the walls.”
“Whoa, really? And this is all for Alpha Wyatt?”
“No, Luna Corrine, but all the work is in Selene’s room.”
Selene sat quietly in the passenger seat of the SUV. They had been driving for an hour already without a word. She glanced at her mother, unsure if she should ask where they were going.
Selene confirmed Corrine’s suspicion about what had happened between her and Jackson. And though Selene had made sure Corrine knew that Alexander had stopped him before things went too far,
Corrine had been unable to control her temper. She had destroyed several pieces of furniture and even thrown Selene’s desk into a wall.
But she hadn’t really said anything.
“Mom…” Selene said.
Corrine did not respond.
Selene sighed and looked away.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
Corrine slammed on the breaks. The seat belt tightened painfully against Selene’s chest as her body was jostled at the sudden drop in speed. Before she could recover, Corrine had already turned to her, grabbing one of her hands and squeezing it.
“You have nothing to apologize for!” Corrine stated firmly.
Selene kept her eyes turned down.
“Look at me,” Corrine requested. “Hey, look at me.”
Selene turned her head slowly, not wishing to meet her mother’s eyes.
“I am not angry at you,” Corrine said.
Selene’s eyes closed. There were no tears left for her to shed. Instead, her eyes were swollen and dry from all the time she had already spent crying..
“You did nothing wrong, Selene. I am angry that I didn’t know and didn’t protect you.”
“Mom, no I–“
“I know you don’t blame me. But you should,” Corrine interrupted, her voice shaky. “I knew more was going on when you pushed the wedding back. I should have pushed; I should have made you tell me everything.”
“You tried,” Selene protested.
Corrine gave Selene a sad smile. She reached her hand up and touched Selene’s cheek.
“Not hard enough.”
They were quiet for a moment. Selene didn’t blame her mother, not in the slightest. She knew that no matter what Corrine had said or pushed for, Selene would not have told her about Alexander before today.
But convincing a mother that her child’s pain was not somehow her responsibility was a losing battle.
Corrine let go of Selene and turned her attention back to the road. She wiped away the tears that had threatened to fall and moved the car back into drive before continuing their journey.
“Where are we going?” Selene asked after a few minutes.
“We need to know the truth.”
“The truth?” Selene asked.
Corrine nodded.
“After what Jackson has done….” Corrine began, gripping the steering wheel hard enough that her knuckles showed white. “…regardless of how far he went. I refuse to believe he is your mate. Otherwise, how could he….”
She clenched her jaw and took a deep breath.
“But Alpha Alexander…” she sighed again, “presents other concerns….”
Selene wanted to ask what she meant. But Corrine continued before she had a chance.
“We need to know who your true mate is.”
“How?” Selene asked.
“We are going to see the Priestess.”
Selene was confused. She was aware of her pack’s traditions, beliefs, and customs and even some of those that belonged to other packs. Yet, she had never heard of anyone called the Priestess.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?