Chapter 57 : Unexpected Message

Selene

Mike, please don't die because of me.

She pleaded silently, sitting vigilantly on his stomach as he slept soundly. They were at the pack house of the Moonlit Grove after Joshua had dropped them off safely at the Moonlit Grove. It was hard to trust the man with his friends' lives, but Mike would die without his help. It was even harder when Joshua led them to a small stream and gave no warning as he jumped into the cold river.

She was afraid that she had made a big mistake and now they were all going to die if she didn't get them out of there, but somehow they were able to leap into the air a few seconds later. Apparently, the wolf was able to carry herself and the others from one body of water to another.

They made it to the Moonlit Grove Pack in a short time, less than fifteen minutes, and the older healer named Rose was trying to pour a potion down the feverish Mike's throat.

The older healer had warned that the poison might have spread too far throughout his body, but Selene refused to give up. It was too painful to imagine that he wouldn't make it through this. Healer Rose had also said that Mike would need to be watched overnight to see if his condition worsened, but if he was lucky enough to survive, he would most likely recover within a few days.

Selene insisted on keeping an eye on him throughout the night, insisting that the older healer rest and call her if his condition began to deteriorate.

The sunlight coming through the window had never looked so beautiful to her, for it meant he would survive. She prayed with all her heart that he would. Even now, Mike seemed to be breathing better, his face less pale, though his cheeks were flushed with a slight fever. Even that didn't worry her too much because Mike was no longer hot to the touch.

He is starting to get better. Thank you Moon Goddess!

Unable to control herself, she gently lifted the hand she was holding and touched her cheek to the back of his hand, feeling his skin rub against hers.

She would not cry. She would not... cry.

No matter what she told herself, tears stung her eyes. She closed her eyes to keep the tears from overflowing.

The door opened with a creak, signaling someone's arrival, and she quickly lowered the man's hand, embarrassed to be caught in such an intimate and vulnerable moment. Before she could look back to see who had entered, a male voice spoke.

"How is your boyfriend, sweet Selene?"

Ignoring his sudden urge to call her sweet, Selene glanced at the man over her right shoulder, feeling uncomfortable having him behind her. Even though he had helped her friend, she still couldn't fully trust him. He was working for Nathan, her sworn enemy.

As if he understood her discomfort, Joshua walked around her and sat down on the other side of Mike's bed, watching her intently. His focused gaze made her face flush. He looked at her strangely, like a man attracted to a woman. It made Selene uncomfortable and her stomach fluttered strangely.

She looked away from his dark, penetrating gaze, only to find her eyes fixed on Mike as she replied in a low, worried voice. "He'll be fine."

Please, let him be okay. I can't live without him.

Suddenly she felt a big hand on her left shoulder. Her head turned to meet warm blue eyes again. She didn't even see Joshua move, which told him how much Mike's condition bothered her.

Moments later, she heard footsteps coming from the back room and ignored Joshua's comforting touch as healer Rose entered the room, dressed in old-fashioned clothes.

"Good morning, child." The older woman's eyes fell on Joshua. Selene had explained his presence, and the older woman made no comment as she walked over to Mike to check on his recovery.

"How is he, Grandma Rose? Is he..." Selene asked, her voice sounding low.

"I'm sure he'll live, so rest assured." Standing slowly on her old knees, Rose approached a teapot on the hearth and asked, "Would you like a cup of tea? It'll only take a moment."

She was almost relieved by the older woman's decision. Needing a distraction, her gaze fell on the man beside her, her eyes wary.

"That would be good-" Joshua started to accept, but she quickly took the decision away from him and stood up quickly.

"Can I talk to you for a moment, Joshua, if I may?"

Her eyes dared him to refuse. He had to have an answer and she was going to get it now. Joshua seemed to sense her determination as he nodded and rose without a fuss. "Maybe later, Granny." Joshua bowed respectfully to the older woman before following her out.

She walked quickly, stretching her legs with long strides, but he easily kept up with her, walking beside her. She refused to even look at him. He was too much, too handsome, too manly, too... everything! When he was near her, all her thoughts were with him. Why?

Selene led them out of the pack house and to a secluded spot on top of a hill that overlooked the meadow. Unable to stand still, she spun around in her flip-flops, which she had changed out of hours ago, and stared at Joshua, silently blaming him for her attraction to him.

Since she had never reacted so strongly physically to another man than to Mike, Selene didn't realize that it was lust she felt for the man. Selene had little experience with men, and she felt insecure about this one.

She loved Mike, even though he was just a flirt, but her body was reacting to this man. Why? She didn't understand and her confusion made her voice sound sharp as she demanded, "I want answers, male wolf, and I expect them to be answered."

He just smiled at her, his face looking calm even though his eyes were closed. "Must you speak to me in such general terms, sweet Selene? And in such an evil tone?"

His gentle rebuke made her feel small and petty. Embarrassed, she turned her face away. "I am sorry. It was rude and unwarranted."

A warm hand on her chin gently brought her eyes back to the midnight blue sky. "Don't take your eyes off me, Selene. It makes my heart feel strange."

She stood still, unable to take her eyes off him. Her heart was racing and her stomach was doing strange swirling movements. Why was she reacting like that?

Her breath caught in her throat. If I feel this way about Joshua, how do I feel about Mike? I love him... right?

She saw his face looking down at her. Joshua wanted to kiss her. She felt her body screaming at her to let him, to feel his strong lips on hers, but before they touched she turned her face away, her heart would not allow it.

Instead of pulling away, she felt the man's lips kiss her cheek, and she clenched her fists at her sides, seeing her body react by betraying her.

She quickly took a step back and then another as her mind focused on a single thought. He was her enemy, Nathaniel's ally.

"How do you know Nathan?" She hadn't expected him to answer honestly, so she was surprised by his answer.

"A few days ago, I was approached by a hybrid who called himself Nathaniel Visconti. He ordered me to kill a she-wolf warrior while Amy took care of a male wolf warrior."

"And you agreed, just like that?" Doubt clouded her voice as she looked at the tall man.

"Normally I would not have agreed, but he has two of my children. In exchange for their safe return, all I had to do was kill those who have made it their life's work to eliminate my pack."

There was no expression on his face, no desire for sympathy, just a statement of fact.

"That's terrible. I'm sorry, Joshua." Now she felt two feet taller. How could she judge someone who was only trying to save his loved ones? Wouldn't she have done the same if the situation had been reversed? Looking at him, Selene wondered why he had changed his mind when his children's lives were at stake.

"Then why are you... helping us?" She didn't understand why.

Then Joshua smiled, the same friendly expression, but this time there was sadness in it. "Because the first time I looked into your wounded eyes, I felt your strong will, and I knew I couldn't end your life."

His confession shook her. Then he took her hand.

"I know you don't believe me, but I'm asking for your help. Will you help me save my child?"

"But Mike..." It was hard for her to tear her eyes away from his serious expression, to think about what he was asking with a clear mind.

"He's alive. Your healer said the same." Joshua squeezed her hand pleadingly, and a silent communication passed between them.

I saved this man when I could have let him in and killed you.

How could she refuse his request? Joshua had saved Mike, and his children were in grave danger the longer Nathan was with them. Before she could stop herself, Selene found herself saying, "Yes, I'll help you."

Joshua released her left hand to caress her cheek with gentle strokes of his knuckles before leaning down and kissing the corner of her mouth. "Thank you," he whispered against her skin before leaning back and releasing her as if aware of her discomfort.

Suddenly, he stiffened, his eyes narrowing over her left shoulder. As she turned, her body instantly fighting ready for whatever danger she was about to face, Selene took a defensive stance, grabbing her weapon in preparation to throw the deadly weapon.

A tall man stood a few steps away from her, wearing a light blue cloak with dark blue flames.

"I'm looking for the she-wolf Selene and the male wolf Mike. I have a message from Alpha Xavier Westwood."