Selena POV:I was saved from the stand-off with Duncan’s uncle later by Neo who wished that everyone enjoy the meal. I turned my attention to helping to pass the dishes around the table and fell into a conversation about my training with Caleb. The rest of the meal remained civil as everyone paired off with the person next to them for more intimate conversations. I peeked over at Duncan occasionally to find him attentive to whoever he was holding a conversation with. He would catch my eye every so often and give me a reassuring smile that I felt was both for me and himself. As soon as the meal was over, I turned to Lamont, who nodded at me, saying that he was ready to talk to me. I glanced back at Duncan as the two of us excused ourselves from the table and walked out of the house and into the thin vegetation.My nerves returned to the fore as my thoughts centered on what happened this morning with Meredith and Argon. Or should I say… what didn&rsq

Selena POV:Icy cold winds surrounded me as I ran along a dark path. It was lined with tall, skeletal trees on both sides. Branches that looked like long, pale, spindly arms with clawed hands reached forward with the intent of capturing me as I tried to escape their grasp. I yelled for help, but my voice came out as a strangled, warbling noise that was quickly drowned out by the howling voices of the trees. All I could do was run. I thought that if I stayed on the path and did not allow the branches to touch me, I would make it to safety. Up ahead, along the path, a saw a tall figure with its back to me. It stood perfectly still as the trees thrashed in the wind, waving their arms around it, not even acknowledging the figure standing stoically. The light was so dim that it took me a moment to realize that it was Duncan.A glimmer of hope moved through me as I knew that if I reached him, I would be safe. “Duncan!” I attempted

Selena POV:After we went back to the house, the weekend felt like someone pushed the fast-forward button. Bed. Breakfast. Repeating the lessons with the wolf cubs. Reading. Another lesson in shifting with Duncan. Reading. Dinner. Bed. Even Sunday’s dinner with Meredith and Argon felt like I was watching it on television rather than actually partaking in the meal. There were moments when things moved so slowly and others where the scene sped up to double-time. All that I perceived of that meal was that it was tense the entire time. Silverware clanked against dishes, the food was hot, and the conversation was cold. It was with great relief that Meredith and Argon left shortly after dinner. None of us were comfortable during the meal, even though everyone wore amiable masks that said otherwise. The whole meal felt false from the start. There was too much history between everyone. I was certain that everyone’s thoughts were foc

Selena POV:Lamont looked between us in amusement then turned his head to speak to Meredith, who was standing a few steps behind him. “Excellent, their bond is moving along faster than expected,” he commented, satisfied. Test after test.“I will be in the study if you need my assistance,” Meredith said, giving both Duncan and me a nod before leaving us with Lamont. “So,” Lamont began, clasping his hand together as she addressed us with an excited smile.“Alpha Duncan, will you be joining us today?” he asked. “Yes,” Duncan responded contritely. “I will be overseeing the training today. I will see the progress for a few days before I return to pack business.”“Understood. Alpha, I suggest you take a seat and watch as I work with Selena.”I gave Duncan a reassuring look that I would be okay. He walked over to the small table on the side of the p

Selena POV:The surrounding area was completely shrouded in a gloomy mist as the sun decided to hide behind the masses of grey clouds the next day. It was as if the weather was privy to my thoughts and mimicked them for the world to see. I had felt unease after the phone conversation Duncan had telling us to meet at the location of the trap. The feeling had followed me through the rest of the evening and throughout the day as I trained. Along with the uneasiness, an odd certainty had taken up space within me. I suddenly knew my purpose of being in this place, being mated to Duncan. It seemed like I was living a strange destiny with people I have known for a very short but crucial period of time. I was connected to them by some twist of fate or the plans of a higher power, in their opinion. But this knowledge was making my head spin, making me wish I was elsewhere. Was it wrong of me to wish this and want to be removed from the responsibility? The expecta