Crumbled.

Selene~

I was back in Silverthorn but something didn't feel right. I looked around but found no one. My breaths started to get uneven. I started walking towards my old home. "Mom! Zoe!" I called out to them but got no response in return. "Is anyone here?" My pace increased searching for any lives. My chest got heavier with an unknown weight.

My heart hammered in my chest. "Please...Reply to me," I again pleaded when a voice echoed, "Doll." A shiver ran down my spine, and my body froze. It was him. His sweet voice laced with malice, I can never forget it. I turned though my mind warned me not to. My body was accustomed to his commanding voice. "Happy to see me?" My lips remained sealed not able to gather any words. His lips curled into a vicious smug, "I guess not."

He started taking predatory steps towards me with his hands wide open, "Come here, doll. Give your husband a hug." My jaws clenched, not able to take it all in; my eyes started to burn. "No..." It came out as a mere whisper but he heard it.

His smile faded as his expression darkened, "Come. Here." My body almost betrayed me. Digging my nails into my skin, I tried not to give in to his demand. "It's a dream...it has to be." I kept repeating, trying hard to wake up.

"It's not a dream, doll," His eyes glint with something dangerous, "You'll always belong to me, no matter where you run."

My whole body tremored, overwhelmed with emotions. My eyes started to lose focus. Everything seemed blurred around me. My limbs started to feel heavy, unable to move. "No...please..I..No.." Darkness engulfed me, suffocating me till I jerked away.

My eyes snapped open, breathing heavily. It took a moment to realize where I was. I glanced around; the sun was on the horizon, and birds chirped. As a breeze went through, my whole body shuddered, snapping into reality. The blue and orange hues made me feel a little calm when I noticed something beneath me. Something hard yet warm.

My hands tried to detect when I recalled the last night's memories. My eyes straight went up to the man beside me. His one hand surrounded me, protecting me like a shield.

His eyes were closed. Did I sleep on him? And he kept sitting like that..for the whole night? I asked myself when he stirred in sleep. My breath hitched, closing my eyes in reflex. Waiting for a moment, I opened my one eye. He was still asleep. I confirmed. His slow breaths fanned over my face making my heart race.

I started to study his features with focus. His jaws were sharp like a dagger. His sleepy face carried a sense of peace. He looked less intimidating when he was asleep; I took a mental note. I saw many charming men in my life, but he...he was raw. Neither a charming prince nor a rugged soldier.

The bright yellow rays of the sun were falling onto him, which enhanced his features, making him more...handsome.

My gaze fell on his collarbone where black ink peaked out from his shirt. I couldn't contain my curiosity and forwarded my hand. But before my finger could come in contact with his skin, I felt a grip. My eyes snapped in his direction. He was awake! My breaths quickened, I tried to pull my hand from his grip but failed.

His eyes slowly opened, still maintaining his calm stature. He drew his brows together but didn't shout. Instead, his eyes fixated on me. "Explain," his voice was flat carrying a hint of dominance.

I opened my mouth, trying to arrange words when a voice echoed behind us, "Alpha," We turned, "We are ready to move."

It was a Damon, carrying his usual playful smile.

Damien stood up and walked to him while I drew a sharp breath. I thanked Damon in my mind. While Damon talked to Damien he threw a glance at me before he continued speaking to him.

Damien probably did not like his words as the next moment, his expression went grim. Damien walked away from him while he stood laughing out loud. I got up and walked up to him. As his gaze fell on me, he bowed, "Greetings, Luna."

I also bowed in return, "Greetings to you too, Damon," I took a pause before I put up the question, "Pardon me, but I have a question for you."

His eyebrow raised, yet his smile did not fade, "How this ordinary consigliere can solve your confusion?"

I bit my lip in nervousness, "How did you meet Damien?" Something flashed in his eyes as his smile faded a bit, "I mean...he is a Lycan and you are..."

"A Vampire." Damon completed. I slowly nodded my head, waiting for him to reply.

"Well, it's not a much interesting story. He just saved me from a grave danger, and in return, I paid him back with loyalty."

His tone was flat as if he was telling me about the weather. "But weren't you scared of him?" I put another question, which he responded to while diverting his focus in a direction, "He does have a tough exterior, but he is not as bad as people describe him to be." Following his gaze, I found Damien who stood with Max and Lyla. She was probably complaining about something to Max and Damien stood there with a blank expression. "If you give time, you will see his other side, which is not as scary." Damon's words kept ringing in my mind as my eyes observed his every inch.

Unexpectedly, his gaze met with mine. Something stirred in me, something primal but I cannot name that feeling. It felt so foreign and at the same time, very known.

"Are you thinking the same thing?" Zara's voice echoed in my head.

"I don't know," I replied, "He is just a stranger..."

"Yet being with him feels so much righteous." Zara completed. I took a sigh, confusion clouding my senses. Even if he was my mate, I cannot get attached to him. I was just a broken doll which no one would want, not even my mate.

Lucian was the only one who loved me and helped me. If it wasn't for him, I, my family, and the whole Silverthorn Pack would have crumbled. I owe him my everything, including my body and soul.