The Rejected Oracle

BACK FOR HELP.

Chapter 02.

BACK FOR HELP.

Selene's POV.

I walked to the door, and flipped the open/close sign to show that the bar was now closed. Then I walked back to confront Dorian.

“What are you doing here?” there was an edge to my voice as I asked. “How did you even find me?”

“It doesn't matter.” he said, shaking his head. “All that matters is that I'm here.”

“Of course, it does matter!” I raised my voice. “You rejected me, and banished me from the pack. I came here to rebuild my life, but here you are standing right in front of me again.”

“I wouldn't have come if it wasn't serious.” he said. “I need you Selene.”

“I don't care, and I don't want to know why you're here. I need you to leave.” I said, pointing towards the exit. “I didn't belong in the pack, so you don't belong here.”

“Selene, you don't understand.”

“No, it's you who doesn't understand!” I yelled, pointing a finger at him. “I don't want to listen to what you have to say. All I want you to do right now is to leave.”

“I will leave, okay?” he said, showing his palms as he lifted his hands. “But only after you listen to me.”

“I don't want to listen to whatever thing you've to say to me.” I said, speaking through my teeth. “Whatever reason you came here for, I'm sorry, but you've come to meet the wrong person.”

“Can you just listen to me, huh!” he snapped, raising his voice. “Do you think I want to be here right now? I don't. But I don't have a choice because the lives of every member of the pack depends on this.”

“You mean the same pack that banished me, huh?” I scoffed. “Like I said, you came to the wrong place. So, just leave.”

“I am sorry.” he said as I turned to leave. “I know that I wronged you, but I need your help now. If you don't help me, the pack is going to suffer.”

As he said those words, I froze, rooted to the spot. I formed my hands into a fist, and then turned back to face him.

“Let's get something straight here,” I said, looking him straight in the eyes. “I am not going back to that pack no matter what you say or do. Take a look around, I have a life here.”

“I can see that. But I'm afraid that your life here might be affected if you don't help me.” he said, looking more serious than he sounded. “I know that you don't believe me, and I understand why you don't. But things are about to go from bad to worse.”

“You have always had a way around things like this.” I said, shrugging a shoulder. “So go figure this out yourself. As you can see, I was about to clean when you walked in. So if you don't have anything to say, then please, I'd like you to leave.”

“The pack has suffered several attacks in the past few weeks.” he said as I turned to leave again. “It is only getting worse by the day. We have no idea what the rogues are planning next.”

“Let them plan whatever they want.” I said with ice in my voice. “I don't care what they do to the pack. I don't care if they burn it to the ground.”

“Would you really watch them burn down your home?” he asked. “I don't think that's something you want to do.”

“That pack stopped being my home the day you rejected me.” the words seemed to scrape my throat. “Besides, I'll be right here. So, I won't actually watch the pack burn to the ground.”

“I am not asking for too much, Selene.” he said, shaking his head. “All I want is for you to come with me, and do that thing where you see what's going to happen. Help us figure out what their next plan is, and how to stop it. That's all.”

“And why exactly do you think I would help you?” I folded my arms across my chest, and shifted my body weight to my left foot as I arched a brow. “I don't have any intention of helping you.”

“I know, and that's why I decided to come by myself.” he said. “Perhaps, you'll listen to me.”

“You know what?” I clicked my tongue, and shook my head. “You are wrong to have come here by yourself. If you had sent someone, then it would have been a lot better.”

“You know that's not true.”

“Of course, it's not!” I replied. “Wait… you just want me to pretend like nothing happened? Really? You want me to save the pack that threw me out like I meant nothing to them, is that it?”

“Selene—”

“I am not going back.” anger and nerves shook my voice. “So do yourself some good, and leave this place. I need to work.”

Even though I'd turned the sign to show that the bar was close, I noticed some men waiting outside. Of course, they could see me. And they were waiting for me to open the door. However, I wanted Dorian to have gone before opening the door because I wouldn't focus on my job with him around.

“I am not going anywhere.” he said with a serious look on his face.

“What?” the word jolted out of my lips. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me, Selene.” he said, his face unreadable. “I am not leaving here without you.”

“Are you kidding me right now?” I narrowed my gaze at the words. “What do you mean you're not going? Does this place look like home to you?”

“No, it doesn't. But it'll be if you don't agree to come with me.” he said. “I am asking you nicely, please. Come with me.”

“Look over there,” I lifted a hand and pointed towards the door. “They are waiting for me to open the door. But I'm waiting for you to leave. And here you are saying that you won't leave. You'd better be joking.”

“I am not joking, Selene.” he said, shaking his head. “I have to save the pack, and I need you help me save it.”

“And I just told you that I'm not interested in saving the pack.” I replied. “What part of my words don't you understand?”

“One week.” he said, showing a finger. “I just need you to come with me for a week. And then you'll return.”

“And what do you think will happen to my business in that period of time?” I asked, raising a brow. “I am sorry, but I can't.”

“Maya can watch over it while you're away, can't she?” he asked.

As he mentioned her name, my heart shook. He hadn't met her yet, so the only way he would have known about her was if he'd been watching us. My skin crawled at the thought.

“How long have you been watching me?” I asked.

“It doesn't matter.” he replied. “I am sure she can. And if she can't, I'll get someone to do so. I just need you for a week. What do you say? Do we have a deal?”

“Get lost.” I said.

“I wish I could, but I can't.” he said. “The raiders would attack in a week, and I need to protect the pack.”

“Ouch!” I groaned as a sharp pain stung my wrist.

It felt like my skin was being seared with iron that was dipped in hot coals. Looking at my wrist, a mark began to appear on it which even made the pain worse.

“Damn it.” he muttered, staring at his wrist as some mark began to take shape on his wrist too.

When I looked at both marks, my heart sank.

“Oh, no.”