Selene

"How do you know where to go?" I ask in wonder as the wind blows my hair around my face lightly and I tuck it into my hood as I pull it over my head.

The stars, I know where your cottage is beneath the sky. We're not too far, maybe only a few minutes away, his husky voice caresses my mind and I shiver, most certainly not from the wind.

I let my thoughts drift as he carries me expertly through the dark woods, feeling completely safe from danger with him. I brush a hand against my mouth, recalling the warm softness of his lips against mine and smile wide. It seems crazy, the intensity I feel toward him and only knowing him for such a short time, but it doesn't feel crazy. It feels right, like pressing the final puzzle piece into its place, or turning a key in its lock. A gentle humming resonates from within me, lightly vibrating my body and I see my hands glowing again as I push up against Kyran's back.

Euphoric laughter bubbles up and pours out of me as I sit upright, adjusting my body to the movements as Kyran runs. Feeling completely free, I grip his sides with my legs and throw my arms out wide as more laughter escapes me. Tipping my head back and yelling recklessly at the sky, Kyran joins me, his deep howl resonating all around me as we race through the trees. My voice screeches into a shriek as Kyran's back disappears from beneath me and I hurl through open air, my limbs flailing frantically.

Strong, warm arms wrap around my waist, catching me before I hit the ground and my breath leaves me in a whoosh as he swings me around with my legs flying out in front of me. Giggling wildly, I grab onto his arms, tipping my head back against his chest until he stops spinning and plops us down beside a tree, placing me gently on the ground between his legs. I feel the stubble of his chin scratch my neck before he rests it on my shoulder and squeezes me tightly around my middle.

"I am really grateful to have found you, Selene," he murmurs in my ear, burying his face at the crook of my neck. “I wasn’t even looking,” he adds and his whispered words tickle against my skin.

A warm smile spreads across my face and I chew my lip nervously, thinking about a question I feel I already know the answer to. Pressing my lips together, I take a slow breath and prompt, "Ky?" in a whisper as I bite my lip again at the corner.

"Hmm?" He rumbles quietly, his breath caressing my neck.

"How is the mate bond formed, when the woman chooses to accept the man?" I ask as I lightly glide my fingertips across his thick forearms.

He flexes his arms around me and responds, "if she doesn't say the words of rejection 'I reject or deny this bond' and instead says 'I accept this bond or mate’s name', the pair then lay with each other, hence the name of ‘mating bond’. Much like the old human marriage tradition of consummation, werewolves become truly bound to one another through body, mind and soul in that moment. The stories I've heard tell of an experience unlike anything else, some of pure euphoria and some of extreme emotion. It's a beautiful thing, really," his deep voice drifts off as he presses a light kiss to my shoulder.

Pulling myself upright, Kyran releases his hold around me and I turn to face him. My cheeks flush when I meet his gaze and he gives me a lopsided smile, making me grin widely. Another question rises and I narrow my eyes, wondering how this works. Pursing my lips, I ask, "How long do the pair have before a choice must be made? Is it instantly upon meeting or can they continue on living without the decision being made?"

Kyran tips his head back against the tree and takes my hand, absently playing with my fingers. "Most are usually decided very shortly after meeting, though I do know of some pairs that had gone weeks without a choice being made. I do not know the reasons why, but I do know that they all had a hard time focusing on anything else other than getting back to one another. It was as if the bond magic became magnetized, pulling the pairs together regardless of how far apart they were. I, uh, kind of experienced it myself this past week," he admits, lightly rubbing his free hand across his strong bare chest.

"What do you mean?" I ask curiously, leaning forward a bit, trying to keep my gaze on his eyes.

He lifts his hand and runs it through his hair, slightly grimacing. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but every night I would find myself here, in these woods. I didn't understand what it was at first, but I was being drawn to you, to be close to you. Valdr would run here unknowingly, he said it felt like a pull from within that got stronger if he went in any other direction. That blackthorn over there is where I'd wake each morning at sunrise," he gestures past me with his hand and releases my fingers.

Rising to my feet, I turn around and take a few steps away from him, observing the large shrub he indicated. I notice how the earth beneath it is packed down and cleared, showing its disturbance compared to the messy forest floor around it. Glancing upward, I push some branches out of the way. I find myself at the edge of the woods with my favorite willow not far beyond me and my balcony is visible from where I stand. Recalling how Kyran said he'd find himself here at sunrise, my lips part as I realize that's when I would wake on my balcony each morning as well.

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Looking over my shoulder, I turn to tell Kyran but squeak in surprise when I find him standing behind me. "You're so quiet!" I huff with a laugh, swatting him on the chest playfully.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to sneak up on you," he takes a step backward and runs his hand through his hair. "I know how this looks, but please know I never watched you. I left quickly each time I woke, I only ever saw you standing on your balcony. I wouldn't—"

"Ky, it's okay, it's alright. I believe you," I chuckle from his rambling. "I was going to tell you that I've been waking at dawn every day, finding myself on my balcony as if I was sleepwalking. I would have a reoccurring dream, which actually happened to play out in real life yesterday. I think...I feel the pull too, deep in my chest. It's eased whenever I'm near you and my head doesn't hurt either. I think this is Luna, pushing at her barriers and responding to the bond magic. It all makes sense now," I whisper, staring blankly out into the dark woods.

Kyran takes a step forward hesitantly, drawing my attention back to him. I'm abruptly reminded of his nakedness and my eyes involuntarily begin roaming his body. My face flushes warmly when my gaze drifts below his tapered hips, snagging on his impressive size and I remember how we were sitting moments ago, though it doesn't feel off-putting to me. I am comfortable with him, I realize, as I continue to appreciate his powerful physique. His body is thick with well-defined muscles, his bronze skin pulls taut over the chiseled dips and full rounded edges, and I find myself longing to caress every inch of him. When my gaze flits over his face, his amber eyes flash brightly and I press my hand to my mouth as I quickly apologize, "I'm sorry!" glancing away from him with a furious blush.

I hear his low laugh and peek back at him, smiling at the amused ease on his face. "Have me as much as you'd like, sweetheart. I'm not ashamed and have nothing to hide from you. I’m all yours," he rumbles softly, spreading his arms wide and giving me a heated smile.

I bite my lip as I step towards him and reach my hand out, slowly tracing the network of small scars visible through his tattoos on his broad chest. Electricity buzzes beneath my skin as I glide my fingers up his body, I follow the thick lines that run up his shoulder and along the side of his throat, watching Kyran's face as my fingers rest at the nape of his neck. He closes his eyes and reaches up to press his palm to my fingers, but he does not remove my hand from his scars.

"What happened, Kyran? If werewolves have healing capabilities, how come you have these scars, all of them? These two feel very intense, what would cause something like this?" I ask him softly, my brow creasing in concern and sorrow.

He takes a slow breath and opens his eyes to respond, "I," he huffs out a sigh, "I got these from—"

Kyran's entire body goes rigid as his face twists into a mean snarl. A menacing growl rips from his chest and I drop my hand immediately, afraid that I've upset him. I watch as the muscle jumps when his jaw clenches and how his arms and chest thicken as he flexes in anger.

"Kyran, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I won't ask again," I say meekly, worried I brought memories back he'd rather not share.

"Hekate!" He bellows and makes me jump from the sudden noise.

With a gust of wind, my mother appears beside us, her violet eyes whipping between him and I, and her misunderstanding seeps into anger on her face.

"No, mother, it's nothing like—"

"Hekate, I need you to send me home," Kyran interrupts me hastily, the rage making his voice hard and cold.

I look at him pleadingly, feeling so sorry for causing this and wanting him to not have to carry the pain of his past with him. I know all too well how that can affect life and I don't want that for him. A painful throb pulses through my head and I wince, a whimper leaving me as I press my hand to my temple.

Kyran looks at me sharply and stretches his arms out to cup my face gently in his warm hands. my pain immediately dissipates and I hear Luna's urgent voice.

Go! I wish I could help you. Please stay safe, she breathes hurriedly.

My brow pinches in confusion but before I can speak, Kyran leans forward and gives me a soft kiss to my forehead before pressing his head to mine, looking into my eyes.

"I am not upset with you, I will explain another time, but I have to go. My pack is under attack," he speaks gently but his voice is tense and I nod my head in understanding.

As he pulls away, I lean up and kiss him lightly, whispering, "Please be careful. Let me know you're okay."

He silently nods and turns to Hekate. She raises her hand and asks, "Anyplace specifically?"

Kyran's eyes are unfocused for a moment as a grimace pulls his mouth downward and he replies, "Eastern fields, near the woods," as his gaze snaps to my mother's.

She nods her head once and Kyran swiftly shifts. His enormous wolf is baring his teeth and looks extremely intimidating, but I don't feel any fear, just concern and some awe at his powerful presence. My mother waves her hand and Kyran vanishes in a blink. "Be wise, Custos," her voice quietly echoes behind him.

"What does he mean, his pack is under attack?" I ask quietly, concerned for what he will be going up against.

My mother turns to me with her mouth pulling into a tight line. I rarely see her angry, so I know this must be really serious and I clasp my hands together, feeling worried.

"Vampires. They have his sister," she tells me gravely and my eyes fill with tears with horror and worry for Kyran.