Filed To Story: Destined Bond with My Forbidden Alpha Novel (Alpha Alexander & Selene)
Selene nodded.
“Your father has been drowning over the past few months. The deaths, his honor, his fear. The pressure of it all, he doesn’t trust his own judgment anymore,” Corrine smiled with the slightest pain. “When you suggested retirement, you gave him a breath of air.”
Corrine squeezed Selene’s hands again.
“It’s the right decision,” Corrine said, “one he couldn’t have made without you.”
Selene threw her arms around Corrine’s neck.
Corrine laughed and squeezed her daughter tightly.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Corrine said, “After all, now Wyatt has no excuse not to take me on a trip.”
Selene pulled back with a laugh. They chatted comfortably about the places they each wished to go.
It was another hour before Axel and Wyatt returned. But when they did, Axel told his mother and sister that he understood and would do his best as the new Alpha of Winter.
***
“So, I hear Axel finally took the chill pill about being the new boss man,” Bell said, setting down a plate of food in front of Selene.
“Yea,” Selene smiled. “He said he understood and would do his best.”
“Good,” Bell replied, sitting down across from Selene and picking up her fork. “Though, he does know that this changes nothing in terms of how I treat him, right?”
“I’m sure that he is very aware that you will always treat him like a little punk brother, even if he is three years older than you,” Selene laughed.
Bell shrugged with a chuckle and began to eat her pasta.
“Oh, there was something else I meant to tell you about,” Selene said, taking a bite.
“What’s that?” Bell asked.
“Before Dad and I discussed his retirement, we talked about something you’d probably be a little more interested in.”
“Hmm?” Bell asked, her mouth full of pasta.
“Yea,” Selene smiled. “We discussed how neither he nor Axel gets to have any more say in whether or not you pursue any kind of relationship. With Galen or anyone else you choose.”
Bell coughed and choked on her food in surprise.
Selene tried to stifle the laugh.
After drinking a few big gulps of water, Bell cleared her throat.
“Excuse me?” she said, her voice still hoarse.
Selene laughed.
“I asked him why you ended things with Galen. He told me it was his fault. He didn’t want you to get involved with Galen because of your bond to Winter and because he’s Alexander’s Beta. He was afraid that being too close to Alexander would put you at risk or in the spotlight.”
“Which is also a risk,” Bell agreed. “I know all this, Selene. Nothing about any of that has changed.”
“Not yet,” Selene said. “But it will.”
Bell sighed.
“Bell, I am going to figure this out. I am going to find the truth about Cain.”
“That’s great, Selene, but Cain’s truth won’t solve my problem. My mate will still be a threat to me.”
“But we can all protect you,” Selene said, grabbing Bell’s hand across the table.
“You don’t know him,” Bell whispered, pulling her hand away.
“Maybe not,” Selene said. “But I know all the people that care about you, including Alexander and Galen, and I know that none of us would ever let someone hurt you again.”
Bell looked up at her friend. Selene smiled.
“You’re not alone this time.”
Bell smiled. Selene was right; she wasn’t alone anymore.
“Besides,” Selene continued. “What was the point of surviving and starting a new life if you aren’t going to live it?”
“Are you sure we are supposed to be here already?” Galen asked as they drove past the final checkpoint into the northern territory of Winter. “I mean, the ceremony isn’t until the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes, Galen, I am sure that we were invited to arrive earlier than anyone else,” Alexander answered.
“It’s also the full moon tomorrow.”
“I am also aware of that,” Alexander replied.
“I’m just saying that you and Selene being near each other during the full moon has previously been… a little….” Galen trailed off, trying to think of the right word.
“Problematic?” Alexander offered.
“That is definitely a word that fits the general idea I was going for, yea. A word that you said, not me,” Galen said.
“Galen?” Alexander asked.
“Yea?”
“Shut up and drive.”
“Yep.”
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the event hall that had been host to Selene’s birthday party. Galen parked in the same spot he had the last time they had been here. He glanced around with a smile, remembering this was also where he met Bell for the first time.
Alexander removed his seatbelt and reached for the door.
“Alexander?” Galen called.
Alexander sighed.
“Yes, Galen?”
“I just want to give you a friendly piece of advice,” Galen said..
Alexander looked at him and took a deep breath. He laid his head back against the headrest.
“And what is that?” he asked.
“Each time we have been in Winter, you’ve managed to….” Galen pursed his lips, looking again for the right words. “Let’s just say you’ve drawn attention to yourself.”
“Hmm… Really?” Alexander asked sarcastically. “I hadn’t noticed.”
Galen rolled his eyes.
“I just think it might be in our best interest to remain a little more low-key this time around. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Is that all you’re saying?” Alexander asked. “Are we good? Can we get out of the car now?”
“Just trying to help you out, man,” Galen replied.
“No, no, I appreciate that.” Alexander smiled. “So now, how about you actually help me out? Out of the car?”
Galen huffed and got out. He grabbed the wheelchair from the back and set it up beside the passenger door.
“Alexander!”
Galen heard Selene shout as he helped Alexander into the chair and locked the car.
“I’m just saying, low-key,” Galen emphasized once more as he turned to let Alexander by.
Galen suddenly found himself thrown against the car door as someone jumped into his arms and smashed her mouth against his.
The surprise lasted less than a moment. He recognized the feel of her lips, the warmth of her body, and the rhythm of her heartbeat like a ballad in his ears.
Galen wrapped his arms around Bell and kissed her back fiercely.
“Yea,” Alexander laughed. “Real low-key.”
Alexander wheeled himself away towards Selene, who approached with restraint. Still, the look in her eyes shared the same enthusiasm as Bell.
“Hi,” she smiled.
“Hello,” he smiled back.
He reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. He pulled gently, but she resisted.
Selene cleared her throat.
“My brother is right around the corner,” she whispered. “I want my time with you to be happy, not spent pulling you two apart.”
Alexander nodded.
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?