The Alpha’s not-so Human Mate

12. Selene

I felt myself spiraling down into a dark space. Free fall into the abyss, it seemed. My head felt light and my body, weightless. With nothing to hold on to, I fell deeper into the bottomless void.

Am I dead? It wouldn't be the first time.

But suddenly, a ray of light appeared from above, it shone brighter than anything I had ever seen. I felt my body get sucked into the light. I was helpless and it had all the control.

"Jace!!" I screamed out as I opened my eyes. What was that? It felt like a dream, a nightmare. I looked beside me to check if Jace was around here somewhere...but, no.

Wait, where am I?

The last thing I remembered was collapsing in the woods, but this place was entirely different from the woods.

I sat up and observed my surroundings; I was on a white mattress, with a white blanket placed over me. I had on a comfy outfit cardigan and sweatpants.

The warmth of the room embraced me like a mother’s hug. Its coziness enveloped me, bringing a sense of peace and comfort that was somewhat unattainable. I had never felt so safe in my entire life—like I did not want to leave this place. I could just go back to bed and continue to sleep forever. What am I thinking? What is wrong with you, Esnie? I think something is messing with my head. Without my Jace, there is no way I'm staying here.

I pushed off the comfy blanket and placed my two feet on the warm, soft, brownish-red carpet on the floor. The pattern was of rich, Middle Eastern design embroidered upon it. I got up and walked towards the double-door. I stopped to observe the yellow wall which had some stunning gypsyish antiques hanging on it. Surprisingly, there was no window, the source of illumination was a light bulb that resembled a full moon—suspended up the ceiling right above the chandelier.

Again, I caught myself from getting sucked into this alluring space; there was no time to admire the beautiful room.

I took slow strides to the double door which I presume to be the exit. I twisted the doorknobs and pulled open the doors.

I was met with a long hallway that had a similar carpet design to the one in the bedroom. I walked down the empty hallway until I reached a brown door. I pushed open the door and was met with a sight: A garden with a rather whimsical appearance.

The sky was a bluish-lilac color, and cloudless. The songs of the nightingale and sparrows filled the air, accompanied by all other types of birds—the melody they created brought me some kind of peace and familiarity in this strange land.

Roses, lilies, tulips, orchids, and flowers of all kinds grew all over the garden floor, I was careful not to step on them as I wandered barefoot through the paths. Tall trees grew on either side of the path, their full branches hugging each other to form a shade over the flowers and smaller plants.

Where am I? Where is this paradise? If only Jace was here with me, I would not be so uneasy, I would be the happiest.

"Esnie" A gentle voice called out. It was a feminine voice so soothing, I didn't feel the slightest bit of fear.

I looked around yet saw no one. "Where are you?"

"Right here". The voice came from behind me.

I turned around abruptly to find a girl standing a few feet away from me. She was around my height or a bit taller. Her silvery hair flowed like a river over her shoulders and down to her hips. Her milky-white dress hugged her perfect frame down to her ankles. Her smile was radiant like the sun, warming everything within its reach. Her kind, hazel eyes gazed at me with such interest.

"Who are you?" I asked the elegant-looking lady.

She responded: “I am the one who you asked for help not quite long ago.”

“What?” I thought to myself...then, the realization hit me. “It can’t be...”

She gestured with her hand. “Come with me.” Then she turned around. Before I could follow her, the garden vanished and I was back in the room I had woken up in. Except this time, she was there too.

I found myself sitting on the same bed with my feet hanging over the edge. The girl was seated opposite me on some kind of throne, a throne with lunar symbols all over it.

Just then, two other girls appeared in the room; the two girls wore sky-blue dresses. One of them held in her hand, a basket containing all kinds of fruits, familiar and unfamiliar. And in the hands of the other girl was a jug containing water and a cup. They said nothing, nor did they look at me. They only me offered fruits and water which I politely refused.

"Are you not hungry, child?" Asked the first girl from the garden.

I found it rather odd that she referred to me as 'child' since we both kinda look the same age, but I brushed that aside and said what was on my mind...

"I just want to see my Jace, I don't want to eat anything. Who are you and why did you bring me here? A guy was lying next to me in the woods, did you bring him here as well? Is he-" I swallowed. "-still alive?".

She chuckled, revealing her dimples. "So many questions for little ol' me. Well, I advise you to eat so you can have strength. And as for Jace, he is not here anymore". Her smile faltered when she said the last part.

My curiosity grew. “Where is he then?" I asked without missing a beat. My heart raced against my chest wall in fear of her response.

She sighed. “Eat, Esnie. Or am I too young to give you an order?" Her countenance changed to seriousness.

I took a small fruit and put it in my mouth without thinking much of it. The sweetness exploded on my tastebuds. “What kind of fruit is this?" I asked and took another bite. It was like nothing I had ever tasted.

She laughed. "Careful not to eat too much".

I stopped after a few more bites and focused back on her. "Please, where is Jace?".

With a wave of her hand, the two girls disappeared, leaving just me and her. She faced me and began to speak: "Jace is gone".

"Gone? Gone where?" I asked, hoping she didn’t mean what I think she meant.

“To the world of the dead. He is not coming back to you-"

I gasped. “No! Stop it! Just stop lying!”

I fell to the floor with my hands over my ears. No, this isn't real! This must be a dream. My Jace is not dead. “It's a lie!” I shook my head in disbelief.

"I do not lie, child". She said calmly.

"Stop calling me that! Why did you bring me here?! Take me back, n-!" Before I could finish my sentence, she held her hand up in the air and balled it into a fist.

The next thing I felt was my lungs collapsing and my breathing ceased. I began to gasp for air but none was entering my lungs. I held my throat and coughed harshly.

She rose and walked toward me slowly. “Never raise your voice at me... I am Selene, the goddess of the moon and keeper of the night! I symbolize the cycle of transformation! I am the link between earthlings and the mysteries of the universe. I illuminate the darkness, nothing is hidden from me!”

She knelt beside me, and brought her lips near my ear: "Are we clear, child?".

I nodded my head as buds of tears escaped my eyes. My body trembled as I struggled to breathe.

"Good". She smiled and released her hand.

With that singular movement, my airways became free and I could breathe again. I took deep breaths to calm my racing heart. She went back to her seat and smiled warmly at me as if she hadn't attempted to kill me a moment ago. “Now, does that answer your first question?"