Chapter 47 : Painful Misunderstandings 4

Selene

Felix followed his owner, sensing her sadness as he walked gently by her side in his normal wolf form. She purred softly, trying to convey comfort, but she was deep in thought, so deep that she didn't realize how far she had gone until she heard the sound of a rock crashing into the water. The sound startled her, and she immediately jumped into a fighting stance, glancing around to see what had interrupted her whirlwind reverie.

She felt Felix by her side at such times. Whenever she was disturbed, Felix was always at her side, calming and protecting her.

She tensed when she saw someone standing behind her at the edge of the small pond. At first she thought whoever it was must be a woman, because of the beautiful long black hair that flowed down to a slender waist above her ass - but her shoulders were too big and broad for a woman, her legs were long, and the person was tall, taller than her, she was sure. The sun began to set, making the figure glow orange. Then he turned his face to her and looked at her over his shoulder with warm blue eyes.

She gasped at the man's masculine beauty. Then he spoke in a husky, deep voice that made her knees weak at the sound. "Oh, I didn't know I had a companion, and she's so pretty." He turned to face her, and Selene was surprised to find herself staring into his blue eyes, as dark as the night sky.

She blushed and shyly looked away, silently berating herself for being so girlish. Who cared how handsome he was? She had no idea who he was. For all she knew, he could be someone dangerous, but he didn't look dangerous. No, looking at him, at his dark blue pants and storm cloud patterned shirt, at the muscular body hidden by his shiny clothes, he could be dangerous if he wanted to be.

She justified her position and tried to overcome her sudden feelings. In this strange situation, she wanted to make sure she stayed alert.

He tilted his head at her continued silence and asked, "To whom do I owe the honor of meeting you, lovely young woman?"

Selene gasped at his friendly voice and looked up at him, her dark eyes meeting his. Still, she felt the need to be cautious.

She tensed slightly as she replied, "I'm Selene, and I'm looking for a man named Joshua, Princess Amy's older brother. Do you know where I might find him?" Beside her, she heard Felix growl a warning, but remained in his normal wolf form, ready to fight if necessary. She felt calmed by his presence.

He smiled softly and showed his signature line. "Then look no further, Miss Selene, for you have found him," he said, smiling and performing a graceful bow of the head and a slight tilt of the shoulders as a sign of respect.

She blushed again, though she didn't know why. This man was too attractive and good-looking for her own good. "Could you accompany me back to your house? Your sister would like to see you unharmed."

He smiled seductively at her before saying, "And if I'd rather stay by your side a little longer?"

"I think-" She started to say, feeling flattered but uncomfortable with this man's seduction and sex appeal, but then she remembered Mike and the heartless reason he ignored her feelings and changed her mind. Stepping hesitantly toward him, Selene said, "On second thought, I would like to stay with you a little longer," and sat down a few feet from the edge of the pool where he motioned for her to sit.

She tried to ignore the way he sat just inches away from her, his body heat flowing toward her, his musky, fresh scent wafting into her nostrils.

What was she doing? Flirting with a man far above her station. She should have stood up and insisted on taking him to his sister, but what if she walked into an intimate moment between Mike and Amy? Just the thought of it made her jealous and angry at Mike for making her fall in love with him and putting her through such pain and emotional highs.

"What brings you to my house?" Joshua asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Oh, uh, we were looking for a friend when we came across your house and found your sister," she explained, then turned serious. "She said that you were hunting down the rogues and witches that killed your family. I'm sorry for your loss, but did you ever meet the rogue or the witch?" Selene felt a deep bond with this strange man. He had lost his family just as she had. They were almost the same, almost.

He, too, became serious as he looked over the water of the pool, and she saw the turmoil of emotions that washed over his face and felt sad for him again, so much so that she could not help but reach out and place her hand over his that lay innocently on the ground between them. He slowly turned to face Selene, and her breath caught in her throat at the deep emotion in his stormy eyes. He was sad. It hurt her to see such sadness reflected there.

"You are a good woman, Selene," he said softly, his gaze falling to her lips.

Embarrassed and ashamed, not knowing what to do in this situation, she turned away from him and tried to remove her hand, but he would not let go and intertwined their fingers. She looked up at him in surprise.

"You don't have to be afraid of me," he said sincerely.

"It's not like that. You see... I..." She tried to explain her feelings for Mike, but the words stuck in her throat.

"You already have another man," he said more than he asked.

Unable to answer, she blushed and pulled her hand away from his, saying firmly, "It's none of your business."

She heard Joshua chuckle, and the sound made her heart race. What was wrong with her? Suddenly Felix jumped to his paws and ran back to the house, but Selene didn't notice because she was too focused on the man next to her; even though she tried valiantly to deny the attraction. Was she so lonely and thirsty for attention that she would feel comfortable with a handsome man showing interest in her? Could she be so superficial in her suffering?