CHAPTER 25
1092 Words
(Selene’s POV)
I smelled blood. Not mine. Lucian’s.
His footsteps were hurried. I could recognize his rhythm even from dozens of meters away—always controlled, but this time? Panicked. Rushed. Angry.
I was torn between getting out of bed or staying still. My body hadn’t fully recovered, but the overwhelming anxiety wouldn’t let me rest.
“Lucian…” I whispered, trying to sit up.
The door burst open before I could even get out of bed. Lucian stormed in like a tempest unleashed from the dark sky.
His eyes searched wildly, and the moment they met mine, he rushed toward me.
“Don’t move!” he ordered quickly, his large, warm hands pressing my shoulders back onto the pillow. “You’re not fully healed yet, Selene.”
I stared at him with wide eyes. “What happened?!” I asked in panic. “Lucian, you… you didn’t do anything to Dexton, did you?”
Lucian’s body tensed instantly. I realized I had said the wrong thing, and it made me swallow hard in nervousness.
I had never felt this guilty toward anyone before. But with Lucian, I felt guilty just for mentioning Dexton’s name.
His gaze shifted—from worried to something darker, more terrifying than blood or wounds.
“Oh, so now you’re worried about him?” he asked sharply.
“Lucian… that’s not what I meant—”
“First, he asked about you after I told him what happened to you, as if you were still his.” Lucian stood, turning his back to me. “And now… you’re asking about him.”
I froze. “Lucian, I just—I don’t want anyone to get hurt…”
“Including him?” His voice dripped with possessive venom.
I hesitated but nodded. “He was my mate once, Lucian… but not anymore. I’m only worried, not because I still have feelings for him. I don’t love him anymore.”
Lucian turned to me, his eyes blazing.
“Then why does your connection with him still linger? I can feel it. I’m not blind, Selene.”
I bit my lower lip. The pain wasn’t just from my wounds—it was from his words, too. Still, whether it was a connection or not, I could feel the lingering bond with Dexton.
But I was also certain that no matter how much of a bastard Dexton was, he would never hurt me this badly.
“You know I chose you. I’m here, with you.”
Royne, who had been standing awkwardly in the corner, finally spoke. “I think… I should leave. You two need some time alone.”
Neither of us responded. Royne stepped out without another word, closing the door softly behind him.
I reached out for Lucian’s hand, which was now clenched at his side a few steps away from me.
“Lucian. Look at me. I’m yours. I want to be with you. But you have to trust me.”
He stepped closer, but his gaze remained hard. I knew he was battling a storm inside—fear, anger, and… jealousy.
So, I took a risk.
Slowly, I sat up and crawled across the bed until I straddled his lap. I winced as pain shot through my stomach, but I didn’t care.
My arms wrapped around his neck. My lips brushed against his ear. I never thought I’d do this—humble myself just to calm him down.
“Lucian… don’t you miss me?”
Lucian didn’t react. Silent. Tense.
“I can help you relax,” I whispered, teasing. “Aren’t you usually the one always teasing me? Why aren’t you reacting now?”
I touched his cheek, then trailed my fingers down to his neck. But his hands caught my waist and pushed me back slightly.
“Don’t, Selene,” he said coldly. “Don’t seduce me right now. It won’t work. I’m really angry.”
I froze. He… rejected me? Me? Rejected?
Usually, he couldn’t stay away from me. Even when I was mad at him, he’d still steal kisses or whisper sweet words just to see me smile. But now…
I huffed, irritated. “You know? Tonight was supposed to be special,” I murmured, loud enough for him to hear. “I wanted to give you everything… including letting you mark me. But if you don’t want me… fine. Maybe it’s not the right time.”
Lucian turned to me, his eyes blazing. His gaze darkened.
In an instant, his lips crashed against mine, silencing me.
The kiss was rough. Wild. But I felt the tremor in his hands as they gripped my waist, as if he was afraid of hurting me even more. His kiss wasn’t just anger—it was fear. A madness born from almost losing me.
When he pulled away, our breaths were ragged.
“Selene…” his voice was heavy. “You have no idea how furious I am. If I had been one second late…” His eyes closed briefly. “I could have lost you. Forever.”
I held my breath. My heart clenched.
“Lucian… I know. But look at me. I’m here. I’m alive. I’m okay.”
He shook his head. “No. You… you’re hurt.”
I touched his face. “It’s just a small wound. I’ll heal. This wound means nothing compared to losing you.”
Lucian looked at me, still warring with his thoughts. I smiled softly and pulled my hair to the side.
Revealing my bare neck.
“Didn’t you say you wanted me?” I whispered. “Then… I’ll give myself to you completely.”
He went still. I could feel his breath on my skin, his large hands resting on my waist. But he didn’t move.
I closed my eyes, letting the tension hang between us. My neck remained exposed, my heartbeat erratic.
And I waited.
Seconds passed, but for us, it felt like time had stopped. Lucian still didn’t move. His breath was warm against my skin, but the bite I was waiting for never came. Only silence, and the light pressure of his hands on my waist.
I could feel the war raging inside him—the pull of desire, the fear, and the anger that hadn’t yet faded.
“I’m yours,” I whispered again, softer this time, almost inaudible. “And I always will be.”
But he still remained silent. And I could only wonder…
Would he mark me tonight?
Or would he make himself wait—until I was healed?
- Writer
