Chapter 9: Primal Awakening

Selena’s POV

The world around me seemed to blur and spin, everything fading away except for the feel of his lips on mine, the heat of his body pressed against me. But then something shifted inside me, a primal instinct awakening. I found myself leaning into the kiss, my hands moving to grip his shoulders, anchoring myself against the force of him.

The kiss deepened, and I could feel everything—his pain, his desperation, his need—pouring through our shared connection. It was like a flood, his emotions crashing into me, demanding to be felt and acknowledged. I could taste his torment and loneliness, the dark turmoil that he fought so hard to control. At that moment, I understood that this wasn’t just a kiss. It was a plea, a raw, unfiltered cry for connection, for something real in a world that had given him nothing but betrayal and pain.

Lucian’s lips moved with a heated urgency against mine, and I felt my heart hammering wildly in my chest. The air around us was thick with tension and desire, the room seeming to shrink around the intensity of our connection. His hands slid from the back of my head, his fingers tangling in my hair, to my waist, pulling me closer, his grip possessive and unyielding. I could feel the raw energy coursing through him, his wolf fighting for control.

My Healer powers were still active, but with every touch and kiss, it was becoming harder to concentrate and maintain the focus needed to keep his wolf at bay. His mouth was skilled, relentless, coaxing responses from me I hadn’t known I was capable of. His lips trailed down my jawline to my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I tried to remind myself why I was there, trying to hold on to my purpose, but his touch was a fire that burned away my thoughts, leaving nothing but sensation in its wake.

“Lucian,” I managed to whisper between gasps, trying to find my voice and ground myself. But my words were swallowed by a low, rumbling growl deep in his chest—a sound that sent a thrill through me despite myself. His hands roamed up and down my back, each touch igniting my skin, and I found myself arching into him, my own body betraying me.

His lips returned to mine, more demanding this time, his tongue parting my lips with a hunger that left me breathless. I could feel the growing urgency in his movements, the way his body pressed harder against mine as if he were trying to fuse us together. His hand moved to my thigh, lifting it, and I gasped, feeling his arousal pressing insistently against me.

A small part of my mind screamed for clarity and control, but it was drowned out by the overwhelming rush of sensations. Our breaths mingled, heavy and labored, and I felt myself getting lost in the heat of the moment, lost in him. His scent filled my senses—wild, intoxicating. I couldn’t help but respond, my hands moving to explore the hard planes of his chest.

Then, in a husky whisper against my ear, he murmured, “Mate?”

The word sent a jolt through me, a powerful, primal spark that seemed to reach deep inside, stirring something I hadn’t realized was there. His presence flooded my senses. For a brief moment, I felt a strange, almost electric connection trying to form between us—a mental link, something that reached beyond the physical. It was like a bridge being built, tentative but potent, reaching out to connect two souls.

But just as quickly, a sharp pain sliced through my consciousness, breaking the link before it could fully form. I winced, the sudden jolt bringing a painful clarity. What was I doing? Why was this happening?

Memories of Damien holding his mate, the cold dismissal in his eyes as he turned away from me, filled my mind. The hurt, the rejection, the feeling of not being enough… It all came rushing back, piercing through the haze of desire.

I flinched, instinctively pulling back from Lucian’s touch. My hands went to his chest, pushing lightly, my breathing ragged as I tried to regain control of myself and find my footing again. I needed to stop this, to stop him.

Lucian’s eyes flicked open, their intense darkness piercing through me. He looked confused for a moment, sensing the shift in my demeanor. His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing over my lips, and he leaned back just enough to meet my gaze fully.

“Selene,” he said, his voice husky, tinged with a mix of frustration and need. “Do you not want this?”

I swallowed, my mind racing. Did I want this? I didn’t know anymore. My body screamed yes, but my mind, my heart… They were tangled in a web of doubt and fear. I looked away, unable to hold his gaze, my silence speaking louder than words.

I felt his grip loosen slightly, the heat of his body pulling away from mine. “You’re not sure,” he said quietly, his voice softer now, a hint of disappointment coloring his tone.

I nodded, still catching my breath, feeling the sting of our broken connection, the ache of something that could have been. “Lucian, I…” He held up a hand, his expression hardening, but there was a softness in his eyes, a rare vulnerability. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice steadier now. “You don’t have to explain. I understand.”

For a moment, we just sat there. He then slowly pushed himself away from me, standing up, his movements a little shaky but controlled.

I tried to push myself up from the couch, but my body betrayed me. The energy I had poured into healing Lucian had drained me more than I realized. My muscles felt like lead, heavy and unresponsive. Every attempt to stand was met with a dizzying wave of exhaustion. I sank back down, frustrated with my own weakness.

Lucian watched me with a small, amused smile. “Looks like you’ve overdone it,” he said softly, a hint of teasing in his tone. Before I could protest, he grabbed a piece of clothing—a blanket that had been tossed carelessly over a nearby chair—and draped it over me, covering the exposed skin of my shoulders.

“What are you doing?” I muttered, trying to pull the blanket off.

He chuckled, a deep sound that resonated in his chest. “You’re in no condition to walk,” he said simply. Before I could object further, he leaned down and lifted me effortlessly into his arms. I tried to resist and push him away, but my strength was gone, and his grip was firm.

“Put me down,” I demanded, but my voice came out weaker than I intended. My face flushed with embarrassment as I struggled in his arms, but it was useless. He held me like I weighed nothing, his arms secure around me.

Lucian’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked down at me. “You’re not in any position to argue,” he teased. “Relax, Selene. I’m not going to drop you.”

The door to Lucian’s room swung open. Kate was standing there, her eyes wide with shock at the sight of me in Lucian’s arms. She looked between us, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, unable to find the words.

Lucian’s subordinates, who had been waiting outside, exchanged surprised glances, clearly taken aback. I felt my face burn even hotter, a mix of embarrassment and frustration boiling within me. I wanted to disappear, to melt into the floor and never be seen again.

“Kate,” I called out, hoping she’d help me. “Can you–”

But Lucian shifted his hold on me, tightening his grip as he stepped past her. “Stay back, Kate,” he said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Selene is fine. I’m taking her back myself.”

Kate’s eyes flicked between Lucian and me, her expression filled with uncertainty and concern. “But–”

“She’s fine,” Lucian repeated, his voice firm. “Trust me.”

And with that, he carried me down the corridor, ignoring the stares of his men. I tried to protest and wriggle free, but he was too strong, and I was too weak. The embarrassment was almost unbearable as we made our way out into the open streets. Heads turned, eyes widened, and whispers followed us, growing louder with every step.

I buried my face in his neck, mortified. “Lucian, please,” I whispered, my voice muffled. “This is humiliating.”

He just laughed softly. “Humiliating? I think it’s quite the spectacle.”

I shot him a glare, my cheeks burning with heat. “You think this is funny?”

“A little,” he admitted, a playful glint in his eyes. “You should see your face.”

I groaned, wishing for a way to make this whole ordeal end faster. When we finally reached the bar, the familiar scent of liquor and smoke was almost a relief.

Lilian, the landlady, stood behind the counter, her brows raised as we entered. Her gaze swept over me in Lucian’s arms, her expression shifting to something curious, almost amused. “Well, well,” she said with a sly smile playing on her lips. “What do we have here? Are you two together now?”

I scrambled to find my voice, shaking my head quickly. “No, no, it’s not like that,” I stammered, trying desperately to explain. “Lucian was just… helping me.”

“Is that so?” Lilian’s tone was teasing, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Because there are rumors going around about you two. People are talking about a new Luna.”

“Rumors?” I blinked, caught off guard. “That’s ridiculous. There’s nothing like that going on.”

Lucian, still holding me effortlessly, cocked an eyebrow at my hurried denial, a smirk tugging at his lips. He seemed to find my response amusing. Without saying a word, he walked over to an empty chair near the bar and gently set me down in it, his touch lingering just a second longer than necessary.

With the smirk still playing on his lips, he turned and walked away, leaving me flustered and even more embarrassed by the entire situation.

Lilian’s gaze dropped to my neck, and I realized too late what she was looking at. I could feel the heat creeping up my cheeks as her eyes locked onto the fresh hickeys that Lucian had left behind. She raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. “Nothing going on, you say? Those marks on your neck suggest otherwise.”

I clapped a hand to my neck, feeling the faint soreness where his lips had been. “These… these don’t mean anything,” I stuttered, trying to sound convincing. “Lucian… he’s just… he was affected by the Heat. It’s nothing serious. Besides, he has other lovers, like Maria. He’s… flirtatious.”

Lilian chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, I’m well aware of Lucian’s reputation. But I’ve never seen him act quite like this with anyone else.”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. “What do you mean?”

She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s had plenty of lovers, Selene, but I’ve never seen him carry any of them around like he’s carrying you. There’s something different about the way he looks at you.”

For a moment, her words hung in the air, heavy and confusing. I felt a strange flutter in my chest, but I shook my head, trying to dismiss it. “You’re reading too much into it,” I insisted. “Lucian and I… We’re not meant to be. It’s not possible.”

Lilian just smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. “We’ll see, won’t we?”

The events of the day had left me exhausted and confused, my mind a swirl of conflicting emotions. All I could do was hope that Lilian was wrong, that this strange, tumultuous connection between Lucian and me would fade as quickly as it had sparked.