Chapter 4 CHAPTER
CHAPTER 004
Selene's Point of View
“Come on! Stop being a wallflower. Let’s go!” Noelle grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the crowd on the dance floor.
I felt the fabric of my dress pull tight across my chest, nearly tripping over myself. “Are you sure I look okay?” I shouted to her, trying to be heard over the booming music.
Noelle handed me one of the drinks she had snatched off a passing tray. “You look amazing. You’re going to light up the room,” she yelled back, flashing me one of her signature smiles.
I rolled my eyes, not buying it. I didn’t feel amazing. I felt awkward. These girls around me were all so sure of themselves, radiating confidence while I stood here wondering if my dress even fit properly. My gaze wandered over the crowd, trying to avoid the uncomfortable truth that I didn’t belong.
Noelle slid her arms around my neck, pulling me into a lazy sway. “There we go, that’s more like it!” she cheered. I gave her a small smirk as we swayed to the beat, trying to push aside the uncertainty gnawing at my mind.
Then came that laugh. Loud. Boisterous. Impossible to miss. I turned to see Elira, our roommate who I barely knew, laughing like she was the center of the universe. She was standing close to Soren, Elias, and Livia. A strange, uneasy feeling washed over me.
My eyes focused on Soren—the Lycan heir.
His eyes were icy, almost cold, just like when we’d crossed paths in the restroom earlier. The guy was handsome in that hard, almost unapproachable way. His long hair, which had been loose when I’d first met him, was tied up in a messy bun tonight.
Elira, on the other hand, was flawless. Her pink dress hugged her in all the right places, and her red hair cascaded like fire down her back. They made a beautiful pair, matching in the way only ex-couples could. They were both captivating. It was easy to see why they’d once been together.
Why was I even looking at them?
I couldn’t pull my eyes away, and I hated myself for it.
“If you’re not into him, you should stop staring,” Noelle teased, nudging me.
I snapped out of my trance, annoyed at myself. “I wasn’t staring,” I muttered, my cheeks heating up despite my attempt to act cool.
Noelle just shot me a playful look. “Don’t overthink it. I’ve heard they do this all the time. Break up, get back together, repeat. It’s like a cycle for them.”
“Good for them,” I shrugged, though I didn’t really care. “I barely know him, and honestly, he’s not exactly friendly, so… yeah. I’m good.”
She raised an eyebrow, not convinced. “You’re telling me you’re not interested? I can think of at least ten guys hotter than him,” Noelle declared, glancing around at the crowd. “Take that guy, for example!” She pointed at a random guy who was walking by.
I followed her finger, only to choke when I realized who she was pointing at—Marcel, my brother. I immediately gagged internally. “You didn’t even see his face,” I protested. “You just saw the back of his head.”
Noelle wasn’t fazed. “So? Broad shoulders, dark hair, good fashion sense. That’s all I need to know.”
I had to laugh at her ridiculous conclusions. “Okay, sure,” I muttered, trying not to think too much about it. “Whatever you say.”
After a few more drinks, I started to relax. The music flowed around me, and the uncomfortable knot in my chest began to loosen. For the first time tonight, I actually felt like I was enjoying myself.
It was short-lived, though.
Without warning, the music cut off, leaving a loud static hiss filling the silence. Then came the unmistakable taps of a microphone.
Elias stood up on a small platform, his voice booming through the speakers. “Can everyone hear me?”
The crowd cheered.
Noelle squealed in excitement. “It’s happening!”
Elias grinned, raising his hands in the air. “Welcome to the annual Silverpine Festival!” he shouted. The crowd roared in approval. “Now, I could give you some boring welcome speech,” he continued, his grin widening, “but we all know why you’re really here.”
A ripple of excitement swept through the crowd.
Elias pulled something out of his pocket—a small potion bottle, glowing silver. He held it up high, catching everyone’s attention.
I leaned toward Noelle. “What is that?”
“That’s Astrid’s Breath,” she whispered. “The Moon Goddess’ potion.”
I frowned. “Astrid’s what?”
She shrugged, her eyes wide. “Legend says if that potion gets opened, you could find your mate right here, right now.”
I blinked. “Wait, mate? Like—what?”
Elias continued, raising the bottle higher. “As you all know, when this bottle is opened, it could mean one thing…” His eyes gleamed mischievously. “It could be your lucky night. But let’s remember, take it back to your dorms, yeah? We don’t want to see your business out here. There are condoms in every building for a reason.”
The crowd burst into laughter. My stomach churned with unease.
This was too much. Mates? Potions? Fur babies? Why couldn’t we just focus on the academy?
Elias raised his hand, starting the countdown. “Five… four… three… two… one!”
With a sharp twist, he uncorked the bottle. Instantly, a thick cloud of smoke poured out, swirling through the air like a living thing.
The music kicked back in, but the smoke only thickened. My heart raced. I tried to wipe my glasses clean, but all it did was smear the fog.
“Noelle!” I shouted, but she was already lost in the crowd. I was on my own now, struggling to see through the haze.
“Noelle!” I called again, but she was gone. I couldn’t even spot her in the crowd anymore.
Suddenly, a warmth washed over me. At first, I thought it was the heat of the festival, but no, it was something else. Something deeper. The heat spread like wildfire, from my cheeks to my chest and down to my limbs. The tingling in my fingertips grew stronger by the second.
Astrid’s voice surged in my head. “Follow.”
I barely had time to process her command before my body began moving on its own.
I stumbled through the crowd, not sure if I was even in control anymore. What was happening to me?
I needed to get out. I needed to get away from all this.
That’s when I saw him.
A shadowed figure, darting toward the edge of the woods. My heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, I followed. It wasn’t even a conscious decision anymore. I was being pulled.
I couldn’t stop myself. My feet kept moving, no matter how hard I tried to resist.
The sound of the festival’s music faded behind me as I stumbled deeper into the woods. The figure in front of me moved faster, almost as if he was running from me.
But I couldn’t stop.
It wasn’t me anymore. It was Astrid, her voice echoing in my mind.
I was losing control.
Was this what she wanted?
The figure stopped suddenly. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.
And then, I saw him.
It was Soren.
His cold eyes met mine. He stood still, watching me. A dangerous, piercing look in his gaze made my stomach twist in on itself.
“Why are you following me?” he growled, his voice low, almost menacing.
I could barely breathe. My body felt like it was on fire, but I still couldn’t stop myself from moving closer.
“I—I don’t know,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Soren snarled, his lips pulling back in frustration. “You don’t know?” He took a step forward, his anger radiating off him like a physical force. He was barely holding himself back.
Before I could react, Soren moved in a blur of motion, shoving me roughly against a tree. My back slammed into the bark, and I gasped at the sharp pain that shot through me.
But the pain was nothing compared to the intensity in his eyes.
He was close. Too close. His breath was warm against my skin. I could feel his anger, his confusion—his hunger.
And then—everything burned. That same heat. That same desperate need.
It surged through me, stronger than before. Stronger than anything I’d ever felt.
I couldn’t stop it.
And then the words just slipped out.
“Mate.”
Soren’s whole body froze. His grip on my arms tightened, but his eyes flickered. There was confusion in them now. He didn’t know how to respond. He didn’t want to.
But it was already too late.
Soren leaned in. His lips brushed mine, and before I could even comprehend what was happening, the kiss was real. It was rough, filled with anger, and yet—something else.
Something impossible to ignore.
His hands were everywhere, pulling me closer, his lips demanding.
I had no choice. I couldn’t stop myself.
I kissed him back.
And for a moment, I forgot who I was.
But then, he pulled away. His eyes snapped open, cold as ice again. He pressed his forehead to mine, both of us breathing heavily.
It was my first kiss.
But that didn’t mean a thing.
Soren’s lips twitched in disgust. “You’re nothing but a pathetic, low-rank puppy,” he spat, his tone venomous.
I flinched, my heart shattering.
He was right. He had always hated me.
And nothing could change that.
He took a step back, his gaze hardening. “You are no mate of mine,” he growled. “Never.”
And then he turned and walked away.
Just like that.
I was left in the woods, shaken and confused, wondering what had just happened.
Was it real? Did he feel anything?
Why was I so sure of the answer when it was clear that I shouldn’t be?