Sorin lingered near the railing even after Jake had left, his mind in turmoil. The forest stretched out before him, silent and serene, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him. He had promised himself he would protect Selene, yet the mere thought of facing her now filled him with hesitation.
He wanted to see her, to make sure she was okay. But what if Selene didn't want to see him? What if the bond they shared wasn't enough to ease the pain she had endured?
Sorin clenched his fists, his chest tight with unease. The memory of Selene's trembling frame, the fear in her eyes, was burned into his mind. It had been only a few minutes since he last saw her, but it felt like an eternity.
Jake's voice broke through his thoughts, startling him. 'You're still here?"
Sorin turned to find Jake watching him with a knowing look, his arms crossed over his chest. "I... was just thinking," Sorin muttered, averting his gaze.
Jake raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "Thinking about .... Selene, I assume?"
Sorin stiffened, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I...."
Jake chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't have to pretend, Sorin. It's written all over your face. You want to see her, don't you?"
Sorin hesitated, his hesitation warring with his need to be near Selene. Finally, he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. But... I don't want to intrude. She's been through so much today."
Jake's expression softened, his teasing replaced by genuine warmth. "She needs you, Sorin. Even if she doesn't say it out loud, she does. The bond you two share... it's not something you can ignore. Go to her ."
Sorin looked up, his heart pounding. "Are you sure?"
Jake smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm sure. His room is down the hall, third door on the left. Don't worry, Elia won't bite if she catches you."
Sorin let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, gratitude flooding his chest. "Thank you, Alpha Vale," he said sincerely.
Jake clapped him on the shoulder. "Go and take care of her. She needs you more than she shows and call me brother next time."
With Jake's encouragement, Sorin made his way down the hall, his footsteps growing quieter as he approached Selene's room. His pulse quickened with every step, nerves fraying at the edges.
What would she say? What if she didn't want to see me?
He stopped in front of the door, his hand hovering over the handle. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and longing gnawing at him. For a moment, he considered turning back, running away from the vulnerability this moment threatened to expose but the pull of their bond was undeniable, an invisible thread tugging at his very soul. It was too strong to ignore, too powerful to resist.
Sorin could feel it deep in his bones, the ache that had been growing inside him ever since the distance between them had widened. He took a deep breath, his hand finally gripping the handle, and knocked softly.
"Come in," Selene's voice called from inside, quiet but steady. It held a trace of something he couldn't quite place, hesitation, maybe, or a flicker of hope.
Sorin pushed the door open slowly, his eyes immediately locking onto Selene. The sight of him sent a sharp pang through his chest. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her damp hair falling in soft waves around her face.
The dim light of the room made her look even more ethereal, almost like an angel, like someone lost between two worlds. She looked up at him, her eyes widening slightly, as if she hadn't expected him to come.
"Sorin?" Taehyung said, her voice a mixture of surprise and something else, something deeper. Her gaze flickered with uncertainty, as though she didn't know whether to welcome him or push him away.
Sorin stood frozen in the doorway for a moment, unable to move, as if the sight of Selene was too much to bear. The words he had rehearsed in his mind seemed to vanish the moment he stepped into the room.
All he could do was stand there, his heart racing, aching with every breath. He finally found his voice, though it came out hoarse and trembling.
"I... I just wanted to check on you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with a rawness that made his chest tighten.
Selene's eyes softened, but the tension in her posture remained. She shifted slightly, as if trying to find the right words but they seemed to escape her. There was a long, painful silence between them.
Sorin took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Selene, his heart pounded louder with each passing second.
"I didn't know if you'd want me here," Sorin murmured, his voice thick with the weight of everything unsaid. He wanted to reach out, to close the distance between them, but something held him back. Fear. Doubt. The memory of their separation.
Selene's eyes flickered to the floor, her lips trembling slightly. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken emotions. Sorin could see the conflict in Selene's eyes, the way she seemed torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.
For a moment, it felt as though they were both trapped in a world of their own, unable to bridge the gap that had grown between them.
"I... I don't know how..." Selene whispered, her voice breaking, and Sorin's heart hurt. He could see the vulnerability in Selene's expression, the walls she had built around herself cracking under the weight of her own emotions.
Sorin took another step forward, his hand trembling as he reached out toward Selene. His touch hovered in the air for a moment, unsure, but the need to connect was too strong to ignore. He wanted to reassure her, to let her know that he was there, that he wouldn't leave her alone.
Slowly, as if testing the waters, Selene brushed his fingers against Selene's arm.
Selene's breath hitched at the contact, and for a moment, she didn't move, her body froze in place. But then, something shifted. Her eyes closed briefly, a soft sigh escaping her lips, and before Sorin could pull his hand away, Selene's hand reached up to grip his wrist, holding him there.
The warmth of Selene's touch sent a wave of relief through Sorin, and he could feel the tension in her body begin to ease.
Selene's eyes fluttered open, and for the first time, Sorin saw the tears that had been threatening to fall. "I need you," Selene whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of everything she had been holding in.
Sorin's heart shattered at the words, and without thinking, he moved closer, wrapping his arms around Selene, pulling her into a tight embrace. Selene didn't pull away. Instead, she clung to him, her body shaking with the intensity of the emotions she had been bottling up for so long.
Sorin held her even tighter, feeling the warmth of his mate's body, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, and in that moment, he knew that no matter the distance between them, they would always find their way back to each other.
"I'm here, pup. You don't have to be worried. I'm here." Sorin murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Selene's grip tightened and she let herself lean into her alpha's touch, allowing herself to be vulnerable, to feel the connection that had always been there, even when they were apart.
Sorin, hesitating for a moment before cupping Selene's face in his hands. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you sooner. I'm sorry it took me a long time to find you. I'm sorry you had to go through this."
Tears welled in Selene's eyes, but she shook her head. "It's not your fault. You saved me, Sorin. You saved Jay. That's all that matters."
Sorin's grip on her hands tightened, his gaze intense. "It's not enough," he said fiercely. "I should have been there. I should have stopped them before they even had the chance to hurt you. I swear to you, I'll never let anyone harm you again. Not as long as I'm breathing."
Selene's tears spilled over, and she let out a shaky laugh. "You're always so intense," she murmured, her voice trembling.
Sorin's expression softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I can't help it, pup. Not when it comes to you."
Selene leaned forward, resting her forehead against Sorin's. "You make me feel safe, Even if everything feels like it's falling apart, you make me feel like I can breathe again."
Sorin closed his eyes, his heart swelling at words. "You're my everything," he murmured. "I'll protect you with everything I have, love."
For a moment, they stayed like that, their foreheads touching, their breaths mingling.
The bond between them hummed with unspoken emotions, and Sorin could feel his wolf clawing at the edges of his control, growling for him to close the gap, to claim Selene as his own. But he resisted. This moment wasn't about his desires it was about Selene.
The room was quiet except for the faint sound of their breaths. Selene's eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, locked onto Sorin's.
"You don't have to hold back," She whispered, her voice barely audible but carrying a weight that hit Sorin like a tidal wave. "I can feel it too, Sorin. The pull. It's... overwhelming."
Sorin swallowed hard, his jaw tightening as his wolf growled louder in his mind, urging him to act. But he shook his head, his grip on Selene's hands tightening. "No," he said firmly, his voice low and steady. "Not like this. Not when you've been through so much. My purpose right now isn't to give in to what my wolf wants, it's to make sure you feel safe. That you know you're not alone."
Selene's lips trembled, and a single tear slid down her cheek. "I've felt alone for so long," she admitted, her voice breaking. "Even with people around me, I've always felt... empty. Like something was missing. And then you came, and it's like I can finally breathe again. But it's terrifying. What if I lose you too?"
Sorin's chest ached at the vulnerability in Selene's words. He reached up, gently cupping Selene's face with one hand, his thumb brushing away the tear. "You won't lose me, I'm not going anywhere. Not now, not ever. You're my mate, my everything. I'll fight for you, protect you, love you until my last breath. Where can I go without you,hmm?"
Selene leaned into Sorin's touch, his eyes closing as if savoring the warmth. "I don't know if I'm strong enough for you."
"You don't have to be strong, not when I'm here," Sorin replied, his voice gentle but firm. He'd do anything to erase every ounce of suspense from his mate's mind. "That's why I'm here. To be your strength when you feel like you can't go on. To hold you when the world feels too heavy."
Selene opened her eyes, her gaze searching Sorin's. "How can you be so sure? How can you look at me and not see someone who's damaged?"
Sorin's wolf growled again, louder this time, demanding to close the gap, but he held back, his focus entirely on Selene, "Because I see you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Not just the pain, not just the fear. I see all of you. Your kindness, your strength, your heart. You're not damaged, love. You're perfect for me. My perfect Mate."
Selene's breath hitched, and she let out a shaky laugh, tears streaming down her face. "You're too good to be real. Too perfect."
Sorin's lips curved into a small, sad smile. "I'm not perfect. I'm far from it. But I'll spend every day proving to you that I'm here for you. No fear, no pain would ever touch you."
The bond between them pulsed again, stronger this time, and Selene's wolf stirred within him, a low growl escaping her lips. She flinched, startled, and Sorin's eyes darkened as his own wolf responded with a protective snarl.
"They're restless," Selene said softly, her voice tinged with both awe and fear.
"They want us to complete the bond or give them control." Sorin admitted, his voice strained as he fought to keep his wolf in check. "But this isn't about them. This is about you, about what you need."
Selene's hand moved to Sorin's chest, resting over his heart. "And what about you? What about your need?"
Sorin's breath caught at the touch, his heart racing under Selene's palm. "I need you to feel safe," he said after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need you to remember that no matter what happens, I'm here. That you're not alone anymore. All I need is to feel you close."
Selene's fingers curled slightly against Sorin's chest, her own wolf quieting as the bond between them settled into a gentle warmth. "I do feel safe," she said softly. "With you, I feel safest."
Sorin exhaled a shaky breath, relief washing over him. "Then, that's all I need," he said, voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. His wolf quieted, content to wait, while Selene's wolf purred softly, a sign of acceptance and trust.
She nodded, a small, tentative smile breaking through her tears. "I know" she said, hee voice steady despite the lingering fear in her eyes.
Sorin's heart swelled at the words, and he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Selene's forehead.
"Lay down,'' he said softly, his voice a gentle plea.
Selene hesitated for a moment before nodding. She allowed Sorin to guide her down onto the bed, her body instinctively curling into her mate's warmth.
Selene leaned into the touch. Sorin hesitated for a moment, his arms hovering uncertainly as he searched her eyes for permission. When he saw no resistance, only a flicker of vulnerability mixed with longing, he finally gave in. He wrapped his arms around Selene, pulling her close, holding her as though the world itself might try to take her away.
SELENE stiffened for the briefest moment, but then, as if a dam had broken, she melted into the warm embrace. Her head rested against Sorin's chest, and the steady rhythm of her mate's heartbeat filled her ears, calming the storm inside her.
Sorin buried his face in Selene's soft hair, inhaling the faint, soothing scent of his mate. "Everything is fine." he whispered, his voice barely audible. "You're with me now, and nothing will ever hurt you again.''
Selene let out a shaky breath, her fingers clutching at Sorin's shirt. "I... I thought I'd forgotten what it felt like," she murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"What?'' Sorin asked gently, his arms tightening protectively around her.
"To feel... safe. To feel wanted," Selene admitted, her voice breaking.
Sorin's chest tightened at the words, and he tilted Selene's face up to meet his gaze. "You've always been wanted, my heart. Always. Even before I knew you were mine, my soul was searching for you. And now that I've found you, I'll never let you go.''
Sorin held Selene tightly, his arms a protective cocoon around not so smaller Alpha. Selene's breath hitched as she buried her face into Sorin's chest, her fingers clutching at the fabric of alpha's shirt as if letting go would shatter the fragile sense of safety she felt.
For a long moment, they simply stayed like that, the quiet hum of their synchronized breathing filling the room. Sorin's wolf growled low in his chest, a deep rumble that spoke of both possessiveness and comfort. Selene's wolf stirred in response, a soft whimper that broke through the silence, urging Selene, closer to her mate.
"You're trembling, pup" Sorin whispered, his voice thick with concern as he gently ran his hand down her back. "Baby, talk to me. What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?"
Selene hesitated, her grip tightening on Sorin's shirt. "I... I don't know how to say it," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "Everything feels so heavy. Like I can't breathe sometimes.''
Sorin pulled back just enough to cup Selene's face in his hands, his dark eyes searching the others for answers. "You don't have to carry at all," he said firmly. "Whatever it is, whatever's weighing you down, I'm here. Let me hold the burden,hmm?"
Selene's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she met Jungkook's gaze. ''I've been alone for so long," she confessed, his voice trembling. "Even when I was surrounded by people, I always felt... empty. Like no one really saw me. But then Jay came into my life, and for the first time, I had a purpose. Someone who needed me. Someone I could love without holding back."
Sorin's heart ached at the vulnerability in Selene's voice. "And you've been giving all of yourself to him ever since," he said softly. "But who's been there for you? Who's been holding you when you felt like falling apart?"
Selene's lip quivered as a single tear slipped down her cheek. "No one," she admitted, her voice breaking. " No one until now. I never let anyone in."
Sorin's thumb gently wiped away the tear, his touch tender and deliberate. "I'm here now, I'll take care of everything." he said, his voice a vow.
Selene's breath hitched again, but this time, it wasn't from pain, it was from relief. She leaned into Sorin's touch, her eyes fluttering shut as she let herself feel the warmth and safety of her mate's presence.
"I don't know why," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "But being near you... it makes everything feel less heavy."
"That's because you're meant to be with me," Sorin said, his voice low and steady. "Your soul recognizes mine, just as mine recognizes yours. We're Fated mate. And that bond... it's unbreakable."
Selene opened her eyes, the vulnerability in them replaced by a flicker of hope. "You really believe that?"
"I don't just believe it," Sorin said, his voice filled with conviction. "I know it. I feel it in every part of me. You're my mate. My other half. And I'll spend the rest of my life proving to you that far from what you think. That you're loved. That you're safe."
Selene's eyes filled with tears again, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. She let out a shaky laugh, her lips curving into a small, genuine smile. "You have a way with words, Alpha Aldric," she teased, her voice soft but lighter than before.
Sorin chuckled, the sound warm and soothing. "Only when it comes to you, pup," he admitted. "You bring out a side of me I didn't know existed."
Selene curled into Sorin's chest, her body relaxing as she listened to the steady rhythm of her mate's heartbeat. Getting a whiff of her mate's scent she felt truly safe.
"Sorin" she murmured after a while, voice soft and hesitant.
"Hmm?" Sorin hummed, his fingers gently combing through Selene's hair making her sleepy.
"Thank you," she said, voice filled with quiet sincerity. "For being here. For... for seeing me."