10. Talk
1038 Words
|| Selene's POV ||
I woke up in the same king-sized bed, my entire body aching everywhere.
The memories of last night came rushing back, along with the soreness between my thighs.
Oh, Goddess!
I slept with him!
My heat had shattered every wall of reason I had built and dragged me straight into his arms to find comfort.
I slowly pushed myself upright and leaned against the headboard. My head pounded relentlessly.
So much had happened last night.
Those rogues...
They hadn't looked like rogues at all. If anything, they looked like ordinary pack wolves. There had been no scent, no obvious sign that would have given away who they really were.
Ely said the rogues were back.
And Dominic had found traces of Michael again.
Could the two be connected?
My chest tightened.
Michael.
He had done this to us.
He had taken my lycan.
He had driven Rowan to the edge of madness.
And he had killed Elra.
A sharp pain pierced my heart at the thought of her. And I became the culprit before Rowan for the rest of my life. If he was really back… my mind couldn't think any further.
Then another memory surfaced in my head.
I heard Snow last night, didn't I? Or was I just imagining?
She asked me to stay and mate with Rowan! Why the hell would she say that?
She said it was her only way back!
I thought Michael did something to trap my wolf forever… but if there was any way… anything I could do to bring her back… oh goddess! What was I even thinking? Mating with Rowan?
He did take care of me last night though! Maybe… just maybe… he didn't mean what he said on our first night.
Either way, he saved me from those rogues and helped me with my heat. The least I could do was thank him.
Right! Let's just start there.
Ignoring the ache in my body, I carefully climbed out of bed. My knees wobbled beneath me as I made my way toward the bathroom.
The same bathroom where Rowan had carried me last night.
Where Rowan took me, again and again, like the beast he was.
My cheeks became crimson at the memories. "Stop it," I muttered, shaking my head.
I splashed cold water on my face and forced myself to focus.
After cleaning up, I slipped into a simple yet elegant dress, something that could pass for either a queen or a princess. I pinned my hair into a neat bun before glancing down at my hands.
My eyes fell on the bruises on my hands. I sighed. I don't heal like I used to anymore.
Then my eyes fell on the hickeys on my neck. Goddess, Rowan! He did lose control last night.
My fingers brushed one of the marks. Instead of embarrassment, a strange sense of relief washed over me.
Maybe... just maybe... he did care.
Maybe his anger that night had been nothing more than an overreaction.
Maybe there was still something between us worth saving.
The thought made my heart flutter.
I immediately shook my head. Pull yourself together, Selene.
I quickly applied makeup, carefully concealing every mark Rowan had left behind. Once I was satisfied, I took one last look at my reflection.
The woman staring back at me looked composed.
Far more composed than she felt.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the bedroom.
The guards stationed outside immediately bowed.
I barely acknowledged them.
My mind was elsewhere. Crossing the long corridor, I headed toward the grand staircase. Each step sent a dull ache through my body as I descended into the heart of the castle.
My gaze wandered across Arkandale.
It was warm and opposite to everything North wasn't. Including not being my home.
“My lady!” A sudden voice made me jolt.
I turned to find Calla, my handmaid standing there. A tribute to my past life that Elysia made sure I have here with me.
Her worried eyes looked at me.
“I heard you are in your heat,” she said anxiously. “You must not walk around the castle at that moment.”
“I am just fine. I need to speak with Rowan, Calla.” I replied.
“But, princess…” she protested. “What if your heat comes back? It is not safe for you to walk around right now. The king himself instructed me to look after you and fetch him if you need anything.”
He did? Why? Did he actually care then?
With her words my chest tightened again.
“I said, I am fine. Trust me, it is more important.” I replied calmly.
“Alright!” She nodded finally. “The king's study is this way. I can accompany you.”
“Fine!” I didn't argue anymore.
I followed her through the sprawling corridors of the castle. We climbed to the second floor and walked past countless doors, paintings, and towering windows.
Finally, we reached the end of a hallway.
A massive wooden door stood before us.
The crest of Arkandale was carved into its center, the silver emblem gleaming beneath the sunlight streaming through the nearby windows.
“You may go now.” I said to Calla.
“But…” she said.
“I will be fine. Just go back and prepare a bath for me.” I told her and she gave me a nod.
I squared my shoulder and prepared myself to knock. But I couldn’t.
I had been staring at it for twenty minutes.
Not because I was afraid. I was not afraid. I was Selene Amara Jackson, Princess of the North, and I had ridden down three rogue wolves on horseback at seventeen years old without flinching. I did not fear doors.
I feared what was on the other side of them.
More accurately, I feared myself… what I might do or say the moment I saw him. The memories from last night sat heavy and warm and shameful in my chest.
Rowan's hands.
Rowan's voice.
Rowan's mouth and what it had done to every nerve in my body.
I told you, I am not done yet.
- Writer
