The Holy-Ground Rejection.

Eyes, shut and awaiting immediate punishment, Selene was quivering and whimpering.

"To be struck on sight!" Monrel's words echoed in her head.

But even after waiting, she heard nothing and she dared to raise her head as slowly and as carefully as she could.

She could see boots worn by someone , right in front of her, she soon saw that the pair of legs belonged to him, the beautiful, mean man with dark eyes and a very cold demeanor.

Selene hurried to her feet unable to stop her hands from feeling her body as if she was trying to be certain that she was still alive.

Her heart was still racing, she could not understand why nothing was happening to her.

"I…don't understand." She said to herself in a low tone.

"Are you done with your theatrics?" Zephyr's voice boomed and he took her attention again.

His face was unreadable but his voice sounded irritated and displeased.

He took more steps towards her closing the distance between them.

"Your lies won't help you." He said, then he grabbed her arm without warning and continued to lead her on.

A few number of torches were lit in the open spaced compound despite the fact it was not dark.

Selene saw two figures from a distance. Coming closer, she saw that one was the figure of a man and the other a large animal which she noticed was restless.

"My Alpha!" The horse wrangler greeted bowing his head at Zephyr while he held on to the lead rope despite the horse's impatience.

"Rocco." Zephyr called and the stubborn horse stopped fidgeting immediately .

Zephyr held out his hand for the rope and the horse trotted to him neighing gently as Zephyr ran his hand over its mane.

He got on its back swiftly and only then did he notice Selene's bewilderment as she stared at the horse.

Zephyr was uncertain of what to think, he could not help but wonder if there was a possibility that she had truly lost some of her memory. She stared at the horse like she had never seen one in her life.

Selene had read about horses but she had never seen any, she had no idea how big and intimidating they were. The stable where she found Lyall and Connor cheating was the closest she had ever come to horses even though they were locked up.

"Get on." Zephyr's cold voice interrupted her thoughts.

Selene eyed him and then eyed the horse wondering how on earth she was supposed to get on.

Zephyr pushed down a groan and offered his hand to her. She placed her hand in his.

For a split second, their hands sparked an intense connection which fuelled Zephyr's irritation as he lifted Selene up easily.

"Go." Zephyr commanded Rocco who started galloping immediately.

Grabbed by fear, she immediately held on to him and shut her eyes.

The last time she had moved so quickly admist trees, her brother and his lover had taken her for her assassination. Now, she was unsure of where she was headed to and what her fate will be. So when the movement stopped, she had expected herself to be at cliff, but they were at a serene land with a well structured and well lit bungalow.

Ralph and Zeeb were already waiting. Zephyr got down very quickly to get away from having Selene so close to him.

"Took you both long enough. I'm sure its thanks to Rocco." Ralph welcomed them. The horse neighed disapprovingly in response and Selene gasped in fear.

"We are not late because of Rocco." Zephyr corrected and his eyes turned to Selene. "Get down." He ordered and again she was startled by his cold tone and dark eyes.

Selene eyed the trio warily before her eyes fell back on Zephyr.

Too tired to say a word, she decided to try getting off the horse but instead, she landed on the ground with a loud thud.

Zeeb took a quick step forward.

"She's fine." Zephyr said, he stalked towards her and pulled her up.

They headed for the bungalow and stepped past beaded curtains.

Otsanna stood wearing her pure white gown as usual.

"Alpha, Beta, Gamma….Selene " She welcomed.

Everyone gave a sharp bow except for Selene who eyed Otsanna wearily as the memories of the shadow weaver's impact replayed in her head.

"Come." Otsanna directed Zephyr and Selene to stand in the middle of a circle of candles handing them a candle each to hold.

The room was silent while Otsanna recited some incantations before nodding at Zephyr.

"I, Alpha Zephyr, of the River Pack , First son of Kaulv reject my fated mate, praying the Goddess forgives this necessary action." He stated.

Selene wished she could speak up and tell him that she could not have a mate because she was cursed. But speaking up would do her no good .

There was a moment of tensed silence with everyone awaiting results.

Otsanna could see the candles flickering brightly as well as she could sense the strength of the bond.

"It didn't work." Zephyr growled angrilly and he turned to Selene who stepped back in fear.

Otsanna crossed in to the circle and stood between them.

"It's not her fault, Alpha Zephyr. This is a natural mate bond!" She said sternly.

"Then why can't I end it like the others?!" He growled angrilly.

Without waiting for an answer, he stalked out with Ralph and Zeeb following closely behind.

Otsanna turned around looking at the scared Selene.

"I didn't do anything." Selene breathed out.

"I know." Otsanna agreed.

The sorceress looked like she was about to say something but Zeeb came in to get Selene as per Zephyr's order.

At this point, a lot of thoughts were going on in Selene's head; why had she not been struck dead the moment she stepped outside? She had been told that all her life fhat she had to be locked in.

Why did zephyr think she was his mate? She was unable to have a mate!

Zephyr and Ralph were in the middle of a conversation but they stopped when Selene appeared with Zeeb.

She decided to move towards the tall dark horse that had brought her and Zephyr. She would wait until he was ready.

With her head hung and fighting the claws of depression, she walked to Rocco, the horse.

Just as she got close enough, Rocco executed the most gentle and perfect bow that stunned the group.

Selene was shocked but her heart gave a light flutter of appreciation for the animal. She hesitantly but cautiously reached out and touched it's soft nose.

Rocco nickered softly with approval. Selene's heart warmed up.

The others watched frozen and rooted to their spots as Selene mounted the horse gently after a deep breath.

"What just happened? I thought Rocco only did the bow for you and Blaize." Zeeb muttered in shock.

Zephyr growled but walked off to his horse.

Either Rocco had taken a liking to Selene just as Blaize or she had used her dark magic to control his horse

They left Otsanna's Sacred grove and headed back to the Alpha's estate

They did not expect to be welcomed by a group of four, shocked and curious women.