Selena's POV

"Mate!"

A tooth sank into my exposed neckline suddenly and I screamed out in agony. I tried to push him away but I couldn't. He was too grounded. His canine dug into my skin and sent ripples of pleasure down my spine coated in subtle pain. My wolf surfaced and I plunged my claws into his shoulder, he jerked away from me and retreated to the back of the stairs.

I held my bleeding shoulder and tried to locate Raymond that he had thrown towards the wall. I couldn't find him, I was baffled, my shoulder had stopped bleeding and now I feel a burning sensation in my shoulder region.

I had felt this pain before. I hoped I was wrong but I needed to be certain. I rushed inside the house through one of the numerous entry points. I made my way towards the closest female restroom. When I walked in, my heart sank. A large heart shaped scar sits ugly on my neckline.

I was marked, I am certain of it.

I was marked in the past by my previous husband, Alpha Holt so I know what it looked like but for some reason, his mark had fully disappeared on me and was replaced by this one. I contemplated searching for the bastard that had the effrontery to do this when I heard a deep voice.

"Wait! The smell is coming from here, she is in the restroom." I heard.

My heart thumped loudly in my chest. I couldn't wait to make sense of my situation, my claws emerged and I rushed out of the restroom to attack whoever they were. I opened the door with full force and was about to sink my claws into the closest person when someone else held my hand in place.

"You!" The deep voice called out.

I batted my lashes as my eyes scanned through the bloodied hand that held mine in the air, the shape of my claw digging into it.

"You!" I mirrored Adrian's surprise.

"This is impossible!" I heard him say as he dropped my hand suddenly, almost breaking my wrist bone in the process.

"You attacked me earlier?" I paused slightly "and...marked me!"

Adrian scoffed "this must have been a kind of a freaking mix up somewhere moon goddess."

I just stared intently at him, I was certain of what I heard earlier, he had called me "mate." but I agree with him right there, there must be some kind of a mix up somewhere, Adrian Holt can never be my mate.

"I agree." I said, I brought out a white handkerchief from my clutch and covered my neckline with it. I turned away to leave when Adrian grabbed my hand suddenly.

"Leave us and never breathe a word of this to anyone."

Alpha compulsion! That was what he used on the two men that had followed him to search for me. They turned away to leave, I was displeased, such power is a weapon to use against the enemies not on his own men, Adrian was definitely still a boy internally not the older man he was pretending to be outwardly.

"Where is Raymond?" He didn't respond to me. I was pissed. "You threw the innocent boy against the freaking wall."

"Shut up Selena."

I wasn't forced into compulsion but somehow the next word I had planned to say died totally in my throat. Many of the guests watched as Adrian dragged me through the hallway. Like a lost puppy, I followed without rebelling. Thankfully his wound had healed but the bloodstain remained on his white shirt.

That moment something baffled me, why didn't I smell Adrian at all? I knew his scent but this new one. It was different , I guess his transition had finally happened.

But should I be worried about that when he was taking me to an unknown location?

We finally got to the private area of the Frost fang mansion. I stopped, I resisted Adrian's dragging. This was very familiar. I had lived here for three years, three miserable years!

"Where are we going?" I said each word with emphasis.

He didn't respond, instead he suddenly swept me off my feet and gathered me into his arms. The next I know was dropping down on a soft bed, Adrian's bed.

"What...what are you doing?"

I said as I attempted to get up on my feet, he pushed me down and hovered above me. Adrian Holt, my stepson was on top of me. I struggled to get up again but he kept pushing me down but when I wouldn't stop, he pinned my body down with his chest.

"Be still, I need to check something out." He whispered in my ear.

What followed was quick and merciless, my stunning red gown was torn into shreds, my perky breasts bouncing up in his face. I had no underwear on, I was ashamed, I could smell his arousal.

He turned my face around and inspected my neckline, he scoffed loudly and uttered a word that sounded like "the moon goddess had to be kidding me!"

"You are on heat, aren't you?" His cold voice said, staring down at me.

"Let me go, Alpha Adrian." I managed to say, my voice was about to betray me. I couldn't exercise my usual authority over him, my voice melted away slowly before I realized it.

"Are you on heat?" He said again, more firmly.

I tried to calculate it in my head, I should be ovulating right now but even if I wasn't, having myself pinned down by this extremely gorgeous man could make any woman wet and aroused, even his arrogance wasn't enough to make me hate this moment.

For the first time, I got an up close look at my stepson, Adrian's dark brown short hair was gleaming in the colorful chandelier, his oblong face with sharp jawline and pointed nose made him look like he was carved out of a fashion magazine, not that he hadn't been featured in several of that.

"It had to be done, I had marked you already."

Each of his words sent ripples down my spine, what the heck was he talking about, do what?

But I got my answer immediately, he ripped off his own shirt and his hands cupped my boobs.

" Adrian!" I swallowed hard as his hand tickled my perky nipples.

"Isn't this what you wanted? Mother!" He whispered into my ear.

I hate his arrogance! I should have pushed him away, but I couldn't. Adrian was right, I was in heat. For She-wolves, this was our most vulnerable time and having a mate find us at that time of the month is even more dangerous because we could never resist them, as I couldn't resist Adrian right now.

My legs parted voluntarily and I watched him slip two fingers into my cunt.

"Ouch!"

I moaned softly as I felt wetness between my legs. His eyes bore deeply into mine and at that moment, we didn't look like two adults that couldn't stand each other's presence.

I felt Adrian's erection sticking close to my stomach and his hot lip tracing kisses down my neckline where he had just marked me. Sense flew out of me as I succumbed to my body's yearning.

"Dare me to stop!" He whispered seductively into my ear.

My body shuddered in ecstasy, my mouth made a move, I wasn't certain if the words came out correctly but my wolf took the lead in the response "I dare you not!"

Adrian's lips twitched slightly. He brought it down and was about to take mine when a loud banging noise hit the door. Adrian retrieved himself from me suddenly when a voice screamed out loudly from the doorway.

"Alpha Adrian, there is a problem!"

Selena's POV

"Alpha Adrian, there is a problem."

Adrian jumped off me and made for the door. He wrenched it open, not minding that I was naked.

"Jerk!"

I hastily wrapped myself up in the bed spread. I was too ashamed to lift my head up but I listened in on his conversation with his beta Jerald.

"He is gone Alpha, he disappeared into thin air but strangely...we found a dagger close to where he landed.

"Keep me updated Jerald."

The next I heard was a slamming of the door. I cowered under the sheet as the reality of what I had done washed over me. I heard his footsteps , each exuding power.

"Lift your head." I heard Adrian say.

Reluctantly I got off the sheet but was too embarrassed to face him.

"I lost my appetite, get out now."

"Adrian!"

"You heard me Sel! I have no idea what the fuck the moon goddess was thinking but you and I can't......"

"Don't talk down to me like I am some freaking slut Adrian Holt, I have endured enough of that from you!"

"I am the Alpha of this pack Sel and everyone needs to obey....."

"Then I will have to denounce this pack if my integrity had to suffer because I was once Luna too."

We held each other's gaze longer than necessary. I saw it, Adrian was challenged. He turned around angrily. He made for one of his inner closets and returned. He threw a dress on my face.

"Cover the bouncing boobs, we don't need to show that to the public."

I was embarrassed! Reluctantly, I picked up the dress which was thankfully my size. I could smell a familiar scent on it, it must have belonged to Leila. One of the pack bitches that Adrian frolick around with.

Adrian opened the door and walked out on me. I was overwhelmed . I wouldn't be able to face everyone this way. The jerk had rejected me publicly and now he privately attempted to claim me like this.

This was too much for me to bear. I wore the dress and left the room. I made straight for my car. I left the Frostfang crowning ceremony and made it home. My roommate Jane was already fast asleep when I walked into the apartment. I didn't need any drama for the night like having to explain how my gorgeous red dress was torn apart so I didn't wake her up.

I silently tiptoed to my bed and draped the blanket over my head. I closed my eyes but I couldn't sleep. Everything replayed all over in my head. I was more concerned about Raymond who must have sustained some serious injury.

The next morning came more quickly than I anticipated. Thankfully, I didn't have too much to drink. I rushed through my morning routine while Jane just kept snoring in bed. She was never the early bird type. My phone kept blaring endlessly but I pretended not to hear it. Jack was a freaking idiot without time etiquette. After I had my breakfast and was done getting dressed for work, I wrote a short note and stacked it on Jane's forehead before I left.

Frost covered the whole street that it was difficult to see properly in the middle of that. I drove straight to the training center. After Adrian's rudeness to me on the pitch, I had attempted to pull out of the job but Jane encouraged me to retain it.

"I know you have enough money to retire you for another decade Selena but don't quit your job because of a mere spoiled brat!"

Spoilt brat! I scoffed internally, Adrian was mightier than a rich brat, he was the pack's Alpha, not that Jane knew any of that. She was a human but she was too garrulous to handle such confidential information so I kept it for her.

I do find an excuse not to return home every bloodmoon. I didn't want to hurt her unintentionally. Like me, she was a childless widow but she didn't inherit as much wealth I inherited from Alpha Holt but she was comfortable too.

I got out of the car, picked up my first aid bag and headed towards the training facility. After basic security protocol was done, I was allowed in. I marveled at how luxurious and accurate the pitch was from afar. Only the top hockey players were allowed in this training ground.

"Hi Doctor ."

"Hello you"

One of the human boys exchanged pleasantries with me and so did the others. As expected, the petty Adrian ignored me. He kept on dishing orders to his pack mates who were also a part of his team. I got myself a seat farther away from where he stood.

I watched the game diligently distracting my mind from my thoughts but each time Adrian's gaze locks on mine, I become frozen. He wasn't sparing me the embarrassment I felt at the coronation the previous day, how he grabbed my boobs.

"We need you here Doctor Ward." I heard behind me.

I picked up my box and headed straight for the human boy who had fallen down from the impact of a blow. I bent down and pulled up his top, he had a few bruises and obviously broken ribs. I knew one of Adrian's boys must have kicked him. Their team was named Frostfang wolves but a little percentage of it were actually human.

"Lay down and breathe slowly while I massage it."

He nodded affectionately while I placed my hands on his chest. I started massaging it in upward motion while spreading my healing energy across rebuilding his rib muscles. I was almost done when Adrian held out his hand and grabbed my wrist again.

My instinct was to protest but his words pierced my heart.

"I don't care if you die saving him but I won't condone your carelessness."

Adrian was right, I was careless. I checked my arms and I could see how much it had been sapped. One downside of healing power is that abusive use of it leads to fast aging.

Adrian dropped my wrist and walked away. Every eye followed him, not that they didn't know about the bad blood between us but nobody knew about the marking on my. I had kept it well hidden under the turquoise turtleneck dress that I had on.

"He would need a minor surgery now." I pointed out to the team captain who nodded affirmatively, thanked me before I walked away on my own.

I needed to make use of the restroom after dropping my stuff at a corner. After I was done. I made it to the dressing room and took off my dress. I inspected the huge wound that laid heavily on my neck, thankfully, it didn't look like it was infected. It only glowed when I shade it from light.

I wore my dress again. The day was already this boring. As I walked along the field, one of the younger players rushed up to me.

"Doctor Ward, your phone had been blaring since."

"Oh! Thank you."

I made for where I had kept my belongings, I picked up my phone, annoyingly enough, it was Jane's consistent call. I was to pick up the groceries today. I knew she would be calling to remind me about buying enough to last us the summer.

I reluctantly dialed the number, Jane's nagging voice was going to pop. It rang but she didn't pick it up at first. She picked it up at the second ring but a deep voice responded instead.

"Who is this?" I said slowly.

He asked me "Are you Miss Ward?"

"I am." I said slowly.

"My apologies,your roommate Miss Jane was murdered this morning."

"What?"

Selena's POV

The hospital had that cold, sterile smell that felt like no life could exist here. Walking toward the morgue was like dragging stones through my chest. Jane... was gone.

I still couldn't believe it. Even after getting the message, even after asking for directions, I kept thinking it had to be some type of prank. No way in hell was I going to accept it until I saw her with my very eyes.

A police officer waited in the hallway wearing a grim expression.

"Miss Ward?" he asked as I approached.

"Y-yes."

"I'm Officer Daniels. I called you about Miss Jane. Her body was found on the side of the road, probably on her way somewhere. We were able to reach you because her phone was in her purse, and your number was the first one we found."

Grief-stricken panic saw me barely get the words out. "Please, I-I need to see her."

With a small nod, he guided me down the hall to a private room. A doctor stood by the body, gloves on, keeping a calm, professional demeanor.

"Miss Ward... I'm very sorry," he said gently. "I need you to confirm the identity. We've preserved her carefully."

Inching closer to the table, my heart was racing like crazy. Hell... there my roommate was, lying motionless, eyes open but blank. Her once fair skin was now pale and bruised. I felt my throat close as I reached out before I even realized it.

"It's... her," I whispered in a broken voice.

Officer Daniels cleared his throat. "Witnesses claimed they saw nothing, but... the wounds look unusual."

The doctor carefully rolled up Jane's sleeves, revealing deep, crescent-shaped bruises along her arms. Leaning in, my stomach squeezed as my hands hovered over the huge-ass bite mark on her neck.

"Animal attack?" the doctor asked. "Possibly a stray dog or... something wild. It looks like she was trying to defend herself."

Nodding outwardly, I let them speak, but inside, I was damn near losing it. This wasn't a stray dog. Hell no. The bite was too clean, the claw marks way too exact. My wolf instincts flared up.

Wolf.

I stayed quiet though. Humans would never get it. They couldn't see what I saw, couldn't grasp what I knew. We weren't supposed to reveal ourselves anyway.

"Yes... it's consistent with an animal attack," I said carefully. But rage embraced me under the surface. Rogue wolves. There was no other explanation. No wolf in their right mind would dare go against the laws and attack a human.

Officer Daniels's voice dragged me back to reality. "We'll need you to answer a few questions, Miss Ward. Anything you remember, any contacts Jane had this morning or last night... anything could help."

I answered him as best I could, keeping my voice steady, but my mind refused to cooperate. Thoughts ran wild, crashing into each other.

How could Jane just... be gone? She had no enemies. None that I knew of, anyway. Sure, she could be loud and reckless, but she was endlessly kind. I'd met her three years ago, while looking for a roommate, and somehow, she'd become like a sister.

Rogue wolves in the human world? Hell, that's dangerous. Reckless. Totally unforgivable. If they were out there now–hunting, attacking–someone had to put a stop to them before anyone else got hurt.

And there was only one person who could.

Adrian.

Even after everything between us, after how damn frustrating, arrogant, and infuriating he was, he was Alpha now. The pack obeyed him. If rogue wolves were out there, breaking the rules, he was the only one who could rein them in, make them pay for daring to defy the laws.

I clenched my fists, my hands trembling anyway. So much for walking away from the supernatural world.

***

The whole talk at the hospital ended up taking much longer than I could bear. Between the questioning, the paperwork, and the pity-filled stares, I felt like I was losing air. By the time I was done, I locked myself in the women's restroom and finally broke.

I'd tried to stay composed, goddess knows I had, but grief didn't care about strength. So I let it crash over me until there was nothing left.

After shedding enough tears to fill a well, I finally splashed water on my face and stared at my reflection. My amber eyes were red, swollen, and tired. Jane was gone, and no amount of crying would change that.

If I couldn't save her, then I could at least make sure whoever, or whatever, did this paid. That much, I owed her.

That's what led me back to the training facility.

It made more sense to find Adrian there than at the pack house. After what happened yesterday, he'd never let me past the gate. He'd probably have the guards toss me out before I even spoke.

The place was quiet when I arrived. The bursts of laughter and clashing sticks were gone; training had wrapped up for the day. Players were heading out with their bags slung over their shoulders, their breath visible in the cold.

"Hey, Doc," one of them greeted, offering a small, tired smile.

I returned it weakly, scanning the area. "You seen Adrian?"

"Yeah," He adjusted his bag. "Still in the men's locker room. Stayed back to shower. Should be done any minute."

My throat went dry.

Out of everything he'd said, the word 'shower' kept running through my head along with impossible images of his naked body covered in soap.

My heart started beating fast, and the liquid that should've gone down my throat felt like it was running between my legs instead. Last night flashed in my mind–his hands on my boobs, his deep voice, that godlike body pressing down on mine.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath. Heat. It had to be the damn heat. That, and the stupid mate mark on my neck that wouldn't stop pulsing every time I even thought about him.

Taking a steadying breath, I thanked the player and waited until the last of them left.

Now alone, I was at a crossroads.

I could remain waiting for him like a normal person. Or I could just... check. Just to see if he was done. That was all. Nothing else.

Right.

My heat-fogged brain apparently didn't get the memo because before I knew it, my legs were already carrying me toward the locker room.

The warm air inside reeked of soap, sweat, and musk. The locker room led straight into the shower area with rows of benches leading into a tiled corridor where the sound of running water echoed faintly.

"Adrian?" I called softly, cautious.

No response.

"Adrian," I tried again, a little louder this time.

Still nothing. Just the sound of water. Okay. He was still showering. I should go.

I spun to leave, but every muscle in my body froze when a low, rough grunt cut across the sound of the running water, followed by my name, breathless.

"Selena..."

That wasn't the voice of a man simply washing off a long day. That was the sound of a man lost in pleasure.

And he had just moaned my name.