"You must be making fun of me, right?" Natasha glared at Selena.
"Why would I do that? I am serious. Go mark Cayden, so that I can get over him."
Natasha narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what game you are playing, but I still don't trust you, Selena. Cayden might be blinded because of that wretched mate bond, but he will come to his senses once he sees your true face."
Selena sighed and replied, "I understand your concerns, Natasha. But I assure you, my intentions are pure. I only want to help Cayden move on and start a new life with someone who truly cares for him."
"And you don't care about him?" Natasha asked.
"No." Selena gave a placid reply. Even though her wolf protested.
"Now, if you are done, can I take a shower? I can't stand this smell."
Ignoring Natasha, she proceeded towards the shower. As she turned on the faucet, she couldn't help but think about the events of the night and how her wolf had reacted to them. She knew she had to control her inner beast before it caused any more trouble.
**************
Selena removed the bedsheet. She grabbed the comb off the counter and began detangling her long hair. Removing the grass and twigs, she walked over to the tub and plunged her left foot in front. Because of all the mud on her feet, she had expected the water to turn brown, but the device had a sophisticated filtration system. It had more of a Jacuzzi-like feel than a bathtub. She felt herself relax as she let the water rush over her body. Selena shut her eyes, remained motionless, and allowed sleep to overtake her.
"Hello, my daughter."
Selena popped her eyes open. She was shocked to see Hawk standing in front of her.
"Dad?" she mumbled, too shocked to shout or react.
"You don't look thrilled to see me, which is disappointing. I am still your family, after all."
Hawk said, with a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I just wanted to check on you and make sure you're doing okay."
As soon as she heard those words, her stomach lurched, and her heart leapt into her throat. All the feelings that she had been lacking earlier suddenly came rushing back. However, the discomfort she felt outweighed their significance.
"How are you here?"
"I'm not," he said. "Trust me, if I were really here, I would have already achieved what I wanted."
Selena's eyes went wide.
"Wait, this is a dream? It's not real." She mumbled almost to herself. "I need to wake up."
"That's it," he said. "Relax. Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."
"How is this possible?" she asked.
"I have part of you," he said. "Forever."
"You're doing this?" she said. "You're controlling me."
"You are my blood." "We'll always be connected," he said.
"How are you doing this?" Selena asked.
"I told you," he said. "You're my blood. All I needed was to pay a witch to connect me to you. It was expensive, but so worth it."
Selena felt a deep haze cover her. It appeared as though she was losing command of her faculties. She focused her attention on her father and noticed that he had a glimmer of light about him. She pondered whether it was a trick of the light or whether something paranormal was taking place. It was just a projection of his presence; he wasn't actually there.
"What do you want?"
He scooted closer to her. She felt like her eyelids were getting heavy.
"I want to tell you I wasn't lying. Your mother is indeed alive. I executed her just to show the pack that she was dead, but I saved her."
"I don't believe you," she said.
"I know you won't believe me until I show you. Do you want to meet your mother?"
"Please stop." The words escaped Selena's mouth with a whisper.
"You don't want me to stop," Hawk said. "Besides, I'm not even here."
"Leave me alone," Selena said.
"Come now. I know you want to see Jeniffer," Hawk said. "You will see her soon if you do as I say."
"I am not falling for your lies; just go away," Selena said.
A knock on the door made Selena look over her shoulder.
"Selena, are you alright inside?" Cayden asked.
"I am glad that you have turned my enemy into a poor lovesick puppy," Hawk said. "It will be easier to eliminate my enemies since you are so good at wrapping him around your finger."
"I wish you would both leave me alone," Selena said.
"You will get your wish once I get rid of Cayden. And you will help me. My daughter." He smiled brightly. She looked at him with a mix of confusion and fear, unsure of what he was asking her to do.
"Why would I help you?" Selena asked. "You killed my mom; you never treated me like your daughter. After sending me to Gerald, you abandoned me. Now you expect me to help you?" Selena's voice was filled with anger and pain as she confronted the person who had caused her so much hurt. She struggled to control her emotions as she waited for a response.
Cayden's face came to her mind. She felt her heart flutter, imagining his big green eyes looking at her.
Hawk gave her a scowl, and she shut her eyes. She was trying to hold on to the feelings that were burning inside her. She couldn't keep a grip, though. The fluttering stopped, and her body went cold.
"I understand you feel wrong, but I kept you alive. You might have died along with Jeniffer. No pack leaves the family of traitors alive." Hawk said.
"You kept me alive so that you could sell me to the highest bidder. It's not like you had any fatherly love for me."
"Selena?" Cayden asked from the other side of the bathroom door. "Are you talking to someone?"
"Get out of the compound and meet me in the city." "You know where to find me," Hawk said.
Selena gave him a perplexed look in her eyes. She wanted to say no, but she felt as though her sense of reason was fading. The bathroom door flung open. With his brow furrowed in worry, Cayden was standing in the doorway when Selena turned around to look at him. She reverted to facing the bathtub. Hawk had left. He was never here to begin with. Selena was certain that she was going crazy.
Cayden said, "I apologise; I didn't mean to intrude. I didn't know if you wanted help or not."
Cayden walked into the bathroom.
"I'm fine," Selena said.
She moved the bubbles over her body, making sure nothing was visible, which was a stupid move, as there was nothing he had ever seen before.
"It sounded like you were speaking to someone," Cayden observed.
"Only myself," Selena stated. " I must have dozed off."
"Are you done now?" "Need any help?"
She nodded weakly.
He smiled and went over to her. Cayden helped her stand up and put the robe over her shoulders. His touch was so delicate, she could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and felt a chill run down her spine.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
She nodded, and he scooped her up. This time, she put her arms around his neck. He took her out of the bathroom and walked over to the couch, setting her down with ease.
"I had them bring some more food," Cayden said.
He motioned to the table next to her. There was a giant plate of fruit and cheese. Selena grabbed a grape and popped it in her mouth.
"What was Max talking about?" She tried to change the topic.
"Max was discussing important information related to the rogue attack and our plan."
Selena popped another grape into her mouth.
"Cayden, I need your permission to go to the city." She asked.
"You want to go shopping?"
"Yes, I want to go shopping." She nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright, I will ask a few personal shoppers to get whatever you want....."
"No, I want to do it myself. I always feel confined here. I want to get out."
"Its dangerous outside. With these rogue attacks, I can't risk your safety."
"I'll be fine. Please," she pleaded.
He remained firm in his decision. "I understand," he whispered, "but I need some time to weigh my options before making a final decision."