Unspoken bond

Rejection

As Austin finished dressing Seline's wound, his expression suddenly stiffened, and he leaned in closer to her. "Seline, I need to ask you something," he said, his voice low and serious.

Seline's eyes met his, and she saw a flicker of intensity in his gaze. "What is it?" she asked, her voice cautious.

Austin's eyes locked onto hers, and he asked, "Are you lycan?"

Seline's mind reeled as she tried to process the question. And why was Austin asking her this?

"I don't know what you're talking about," Seline said, her voice firm. "I'm Seline, the owner of the café. That's all I know."

Austin's gaze held hers for a moment longer, and then he nodded slowly. "I see," he said, his voice neutral.

But Seline could sense a change in Austin's demeanor, a sense of tension that hadn't been there before. What did he know about Lucan? And why was he looking at her like that?

As Seline waited for Austin to explain, she felt a sense of unease growing inside her. What secrets was she entangled in? And what did Austin's question mean for her future?

As the night wore on, Seline found herself opening up to Austin in ways she never thought possible. Despite the initial shock and fear, she began to trust him, and the words spilled out of her like a confession.

"I'm not just a witch," Seline said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm a lycan."

Austin's eyes locked onto hers, and he nodded slowly. "I knew it," he said, a hint of a smile on his face. "I could smell it on you."

Seline's eyes widened in surprise. "You can smell it?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Austin nodded. "As a wolf alpha, my senses are heightened. I can smell the lycan blood in you."

Seline felt a sense of vulnerability wash over her. She had kept her true nature hidden for so long, and now she was exposing herself to Austin. But something about him made her feel like she could trust him.

"Why did you keep it a secret?" Austin asked, his voice gentle.

Seline shrugged. "I was taught to hide it. My parents were part of a pack that was hunted by humans. They taught me to keep my true nature hidden to survive."

Austin's expression turned somber. "I understand," he said. "But you're safe now. You're with me."

Seline felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she still had a lot to learn about Austin and his pack, but for now, she felt like she could trust him. And that was a start.

Austin's expression suddenly turned cold, his eyes flashing with a fierce intensity. "Seline, listen to me carefully," he said, his voice low and harsh. "You need to forget we ever met. Forget everything that happened tonight. Forget I saved you. Forget I patched you up. Forget everything."

Seline's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from the sudden change in Austin's demeanor. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Austin's gaze bore into hers, his eyes unyielding. "You need to erase me from your memory. Pretend like I never existed. It's the only way you'll be safe."

Seline felt a surge of hurt and confusion. Just moments ago, she had felt a connection with Austin, a sense of trust and understanding. But now, he was pushing her away, telling her to forget him. What was going on?

"Why?" Seline asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why do I need to forget?"

Austin's expression didn't soften. "Just do it, Seline. For your own good. Forget me."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Seline feeling stunned and confused. What had just happened? And why was Austin pushing her away like that?

Seline walked through the streets, her mind reeling from the events of the night. She couldn't shake off the feeling of confusion and hurt that lingered inside her. Austin's harsh words kept echoing in her mind, telling her to forget they ever met.

As she approached her apartment, Seline felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was home, and she could finally try to process everything that had happened. She opened the door and stepped inside, feeling a sense of safety and familiarity.

But as she looked around her apartment, Seline couldn't help but feel like something was off. She felt like she was in a daze, like her mind was still trying to catch up with everything that had happened.

Seline took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling. She knew she needed to focus on healing and moving forward. She locked the door and made her way to her bedroom, feeling exhausted and drained.

As she lay down on her bed, Seline couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would she ever see Austin again? And what did he mean by telling her to forget they ever met? The questions swirled in her mind, but she knew she needed to rest and try to heal. Tomorrow would be a new day, and maybe then she would find some answers.

Seline sat on the couch in her living room, sipping a cup of tea and staring blankly at the wall. Her best friend and neighbor, Rachel, sat beside her, listening intently as Seline recounted the events of the past few days. Rachel's expression was a mix of concern and determination. "Seline, you're not giving up, are you?" she asked, her voice firm but gentle. Seline sighed, feeling a sense of frustration and helplessness. "I don't know, Rach. Austin told me to forget him, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to deal with all this supernatural stuff." Rachel put a hand on Seline's arm. "You're not giving up, Seline. You're just taking a step back. But don't let one person's harsh words define your journey. You deserve to know the truth about your past and your powers." Seline looked at Rachel, feeling a surge of gratitude towards her friend. "You're right," she said, a newfound determination rising within her. "I'm not going to give up. I'll keep searching for answers, no matter what." Rachel smiled, her eyes shining with encouragement. "That's the spirit, Seline. We'll figure this out together." Just then, Seline's phone buzzed with an unknown number. She hesitated, wondering who it could be. Rachel nodded encouragingly. "Answer it," she said. Seline's heart skipped a beat as she picked up the phone. "Hello?" she said, her voice cautious. The voice on the other end sent shivers down her spine. "Seline, you're in danger. Meet me at the old oak tree in the park at midnight. Come alone." The line went dead, and Seline's eyes locked onto Rachel's, filled with a mix of fear and determination. What did this mean? And who was behind the mysterious message?

Seline waited for a few days, her patience finally rewarded when she spotted Austin walking down the main street of town. She quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest as she approached him.

"Austin," she called out, her voice firm.

Austin turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in her determined expression. "Seline," he said, his voice neutral.

Seline stood tall, her shoulders squared. "I need to talk to you," she said, her voice unwavering. "You told me to forget you, but I won't forget what you did for me. And I won't let you dismiss me like I'm nothing."

Austin's gaze held hers, his expression unreadable.

"You think I'm less of a wolf because I'm a hybrid," Seline continued, her voice filled with conviction. "But you're wrong. Just because I have witch blood in me doesn't make me any less of a wolf. I have the same instincts, the same pack mentality. I'm just as loyal and fierce as any other wolf."

Austin's eyes flashed with surprise, and for a moment, Seline thought she saw a glimmer of respect in his gaze. "Seline, you're not like other wolves," he said, his voice low.

Seline took a step closer to him, her eyes blazing with determination. "I may not be like other wolves," she said, "but I'm still a wolf. And I deserve to be treated with the same respect and loyalty that any other wolf would receive."

Austin's gaze held hers, and for a moment, Seline thought she saw a spark of understanding. But then, his expression hardened again, and he turned to walk away. "You're not ready to be part of this world, Seline," he said over his shoulder. "You're not ready to be part of my pack."

Seline's eyes narrowed, her determination burning brighter than ever. She would prove to Austin that she was worthy of being part of his pack. She would show him that she was strong, fierce, and loyal. And she would do whatever it took to make him see her worth.

Austin's eyes flashed with anger as he turned to face Seline, his voice low and menacing. "What were you thinking, revealing your true nature like that?" he growled, his jaw clenched in frustration.

Seline stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I wasn't going to hide who I am anymore," she said, her voice firm. "I'm a wolf, and I'm proud of it."