Selene POV
It was almost dawn when we left the clearing and started back to the road that led to Moon Whisper.
We both had to endure not going beyond a kiss and right now... I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The way our lips had moved together as if it was ant to be... the way his hands had hovered around my body until I thought I would go mad with want.
I sighed, clearing the thoughts from my head, hoping Noah wouldn’t be able to notice Kragen’s scent on . I stared out of the window; my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Everything, I had learned in the last few hours was just too much to digest. Jared’s revelations, Kragen’s confessions, deciding whether or not the moon goddess had lied to , the sudden, unexpected kiss – it was all tangled together, leaving feeling raw and overwheld.
Kragen sat beside , his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He had been unusually silent since we left the clearing. His gaze was fixed ahead but his thoughts were elsewhere. I glanced at him, noticing how tense he looked. There was a sadness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before, a heaviness that made my heart lurch with pain, wishing I could comfort him.
"Kragen," I said softly, breaking the silence. "Do you have a plan?"
He inhaled deeply and turned to glance at for a second, a wry smile on his lips. "Yes!" he nodded finally. "I’m going to submit myself to the ’FATES’. They’ve been searching for since I was born. I think it’s ti I stop running,".
My heart sank at his words. I knew the ’FATES’ were not just so mythical beings. They were real, ancient entities that governed the destinies of supernatural beings and mythical beings alike and their judgnt was often harsh and unforgiving. They were strict followers of their rules and didn’t change it for anyone.
"How do you know submitting to them will put a stop to anything?" I asked, my tone edged with worry. "What if it only makes things worse? We don’t even know the root cause of all these problems,’.
Kragen shrugged his expression one of weary acceptance. "I don’t know," he admitted "But I’m out of options, Selene. I’ve been running my whole life. Maybe it’s ti I stop,".
I turned fully to face him, "You can’t just throw yourself at the rcy of the ’FATES’, Kragen. That’s not a plan – that’s giving up. Fine, I think I know what we need," I sighed "We need to get a clearer and more truthful version of what’s going on. I’m not going to lose you to so half-baked decision made out of fear,".
"It’s not a half-baked decision, Selene and it’s not they would kill or sothing but I need to do it for your sake and the sake of your mate. Noah, will die if he loses you and I might vanish into thin air, just thinking about you not being here," he reached out and pushed back a strand of hair that was in my eye "And I’m not scared, Selene. I finally confessed how I feel about you after all these years we’ve been friends – to that’s the scariest thing,".
I shook his hand from my face, trying not to grit my teeth in frustration. "It’s cowardice, will you throw away everything just because you don’t feel like fighting today?"
He glanced at , his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I don’t know what else to do," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’m tired, Selene. Tired of fighting, tired of hiding... I just want it all to stop and give you a future filled with laughter and happiness. I want to watch you grow up and see your son and watch your daughters’ beco mothers. It’ll be sad that I won’t be the one but I’ll be happy knowing that you’re happy,".
"And I don’t want you sacrificing yourself for , Kragen," I said coldly. "That’s not love for ... you cannot prove you love by doing that... and I don’t need your savings,".
He arched his brow, giving an amused smile as he started the car again and we continued to move. My expression softened. I reached over, placing a hand on his arm.
"I know you’re tired," I said gently, "But submitting yourself to the ’FATES’ won’t solve anything. It won’t give you the answers you’re looking for. Your mother tried to protect you as a mother should Kragen. Your parents love you so much, that’s why they’ve been doing this for years without complaining – just like I would have done in their place. You can’t let her sacrifice be in vain,".
Kragen swallowed hard, his eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and sorrow. "I just ... I feel like everything I do makes it worse," he said "And the ’FATES’ – they’re the only ones who can decide what happens to ,".
I shook my head, refusing to accept that as our only choice. "No," I said firmly. "We need the truth, Kragen. The whole truth. There’s always a way to by-pass these things just like I did with and Xavier. There’s too much that doesn’t add up, and I’m not about to let you be judged without knowing all the facts,".
Kragen sighed, his resolve wavering under my gaze. "And who do you think would tell us the truth then? Who could we even trust?"
"Your mother has told her version of the story, even Jared too, how about your father?" I suggested, "Would he tell us the truth without bending it?"
Kragen hesitated, his expression conflicted. "My father... he’s strict and he’s done so things I don’t agree with, but he’s always been honest with . Even when it hurts,".
I nodded, my mind made up "Then that’s where we’ll start. But first, I need to go ho and see my family. I can’t keep them in the dark any longer,’.
Kragen glanced at , the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips "Of course. Your girls need you,".
My heart tightened at the thought of my daughters. I had been away too long, I wondered if they were doing fine. Several days ago, I was sure I wanted to die for Noah but now, I didn’t want to die and I wasn’t going to lose Noah either. If there’s anything, I’m good at, that would be protecting the things I hold dear to my heart.
The rest of the drive passed in a blur until we arrived at Moon Whisper. When we finally pulled up to the familiar gates of the pack house, I felt a rush of conflicting emotions – relief, anxiety and a deep aching love for the people waiting for inside.
Kragen parked the car and we sat in silence for a mont, neither of us ready to part but knowing we had to. I turned to Kragen, squeezing his hands. "I’ll see you soon," I promised. "We’ll figure this out. But, how can I reach you? I don’t want to die of anxiety waiting for you,".
"You can call for ," he said quietly "All you need to do is imagine I’m here with you and boom..." he shrugged "I’ll co. You could always do that you know. One of the perks of being an elental wolf,".
"Really?" My eyes widened with disbelief. "Why didn’t you say sothing then?" I queried.
He smiled "Noah won’t be able to tell my scent on you," he continued quietly "The girls are fine and they miss you but they were told you went to prepare for the birth of the baby, you might want to co up with a suitable excuse whey you’re back and still pregnant... and my feelings for you won’t change, overnight, Selene... I loved you even before I t you,".
I froze and turned to stare at him. All of what he said was thought in my mind just seconds ago.
"I can hear your thoughts, Selene," he added with an easy smile "Although sotis I try not to, I can hear everything you say and you can hear my own too if you want,".
"What?" I eyed him strangely "How is that even possible? You’re a god and I’m a werewolf,".
"We’re more connected than you can imagine," he said slowly. "But that’s another story for another day. Right now, I’m going to miss you so much that I feel like I shouldn’t have brought you ho,".
"You know!" I turned to him finally realizing sothing "I’ve never really asked you questions about who you truly are, Kragen. I just know you’re the god of death but that’s all. Surely, you have other specialties aside from dealing with dead people, right?"
"Yes!" he nodded "I’m also good in bed!".
My face reddened with embarrassnt as I turned to him. "How can you even say that right now, when we’re having a serious conversation?"
"I’m answering your question from before, Selene. You can read my mind too," he said "You can feel – my pains, my thoughts, my love and how I’m trying to hold back from not lunging at you and ...".
"That’s enough," I stopped him reaching for the car door. "I best go in now, before the guards co to ask questions. I’ll call you when it’s ti okay?"
I opened the car door and stepped out refusing to look at him as I started towards the pack gate.
I had barely walked several steps when suddenly, a voice filtered into my mind. Startled, I paused.
"Selene!" the voice filtered in again. It was Kragen’s voice.
I turned to him, surprised that he was in my head. He wound down the window of the car and winked at .
"Just so you know... If you fuck Noah, tonight... I’ll know. I will feel it... everything but you could wait until tomorrow... our temporary bond must have sizzled out! Okay?" There was a small pause before his voice ca on again "I love you!"
Then he set the car in motion and drove away, leaving standing there, like this was the first ti I was hearing a love confession.
Reviews
All reviews (0)