Alpha's Fated Mate

Chapter 19

Sorin lingered near the railing even after Jake had left, his mind in turmoil. The forest stretched out before him, silent and serene, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him. He had promised himself he would protect Selene, yet the mere thought of facing her now filled him with hesitation.

He wanted to see her, to make sure she was okay. But what if Selene didn't want to see him? What if the bond they shared wasn't enough to ease the pain she had endured?

Sorin clenched his fists, his chest tight with unease. The memory of Selene's trembling frame, the fear in her eyes, was burned into his mind. It had been only a few minutes since he last saw her, but it felt like an eternity.

Jake's voice broke through his thoughts, startling him. 'You're still here?"

Sorin turned to find Jake watching him with a knowing look, his arms crossed over his chest. "I... was just thinking," Sorin muttered, averting his gaze.

Jake raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "Thinking about ....... Selene, I assume?"

Sorin stiffened, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I...."

Jake chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't have to pretend, Sorin. It's written all over your face. You want to see her, don't you?"

Sorin hesitated, his hesitation warring with his need to be near Selene. Finally, he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. But... I don't want to intrude. She's been through so much today."

Jake's expression softened, his teasing replaced by genuine warmth. "She needs you, Sorin. Even if she doesn't say it out loud, she does. The bond you two share... it's not something you can ignore. Go to her ."

Sorin looked up, his heart pounding. "Are you sure?"

Jake smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm sure. His room is down the hall, third door on the left. Don't worry, Elia won't bite if she catches you."

Sorin let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, gratitude flooding his chest. "Thank you, Alpha Vale," he said sincerely.

Jake clapped him on the shoulder. "Go and take care of her. She needs you more than she shows and call me brother next time."

With Jake's encouragement, Sorin made his way down the hall, his footsteps growing quieter as he approached Selene's room. His pulse quickened with every step, nerves fraying at the edges.

What would she say? What if she didn't want to see me?

He stopped in front of the door, his hand hovering over the handle. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and longing gnawing at him. For a moment, he considered turning back, running away from the vulnerability this moment threatened to expose but the pull of their bond was undeniable, an invisible thread tugging at his very soul. It was too strong to ignore, too powerful to resist.

Sorin could feel it deep in his bones, the ache that had been growing inside him ever since the distance between them had widened. He took a deep breath, his hand finally gripping the handle, and knocked softly.

"Come in," Selene's voice called from inside, quiet but steady. It held a trace of something he couldn't quite place, hesitation, maybe, or a flicker of hope.

Sorin pushed the door open slowly, his eyes immediately locking onto Selene. The sight of him sent a sharp pang through his chest. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her damp hair falling in soft waves around her face.

The dim light of the room made her look even more ethereal, almost like an angel, like someone lost between two worlds. She looked up at him, her eyes widening slightly, as if she hadn't expected him to come.

"Sorin?" Taehyung said, her voice a mixture of surprise and something else, something deeper. Her gaze flickered with uncertainty, as though she didn't know whether to welcome him or push him away.

Sorin stood frozen in the doorway for a moment, unable to move, as if the sight of Selene was too much to bear. The words he had rehearsed in his mind seemed to vanish the moment he stepped into the room.

All he could do was stand there, his heart racing, aching with every breath. He finally found his voice, though it came out hoarse and trembling.

"I... I just wanted to check on you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with a rawness that made his chest tighten.

Selene's eyes softened, but the tension in her posture remained. She shifted slightly, as if trying to find the right words but they seemed to escape her. There was a long, painful silence between them.

Sorin took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Selene, his heart pounded louder with each passing second.

"I didn't know if you'd want me here," Sorin murmured, his voice thick with the weight of everything unsaid. He wanted to reach out, to close the distance between them, but something held him back. Fear. Doubt. The memory of their separation.

Selene's eyes flickered to the floor, her lips trembling slightly. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken emotions. Sorin could see the conflict in Selene's eyes, the way she seemed torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

For a moment, it felt as though they were both trapped in a world of their own, unable to bridge the gap that had grown between them.

"I... I don't know how......" Selene whispered, her voice breaking, and Sorin's heart hurt. He could see the vulnerability in Selene's expression, the walls she had built around herself cracking under the weight of her own emotions.

Sorin took another step forward, his hand trembling as he reached out toward Selene. His touch hovered in the air for a moment, unsure, but the need to connect was too strong to ignore. He wanted to reassure her, to let her know that he was there, that he wouldn't leave her alone.

Slowly, as if testing the waters, Selene brushed his fingers against Selene's arm.

Selene's breath hitched at the contact, and for a moment, she didn't move, her body froze in place. But then, something shifted. Her eyes closed briefly, a soft sigh escaping her lips, and before Sorin could pull his hand away, Selene's hand reached up to grip his wrist, holding him there.