Page 19 of Owned by Four Alphas (Silverthorn Alphas #2)

Things were undeniably tense as Ronan, Kaelen, and Elian built the camp, their gazes always returning to her, a mixture of fear, anger, and regret.

She didn’t look back. Merely sat against the tree, staring at her hands, everything numb.

Malek still hadn’t returned. She wanted him back, but also understood why he had run away. Ever since she had collapsed the ceiling, causing him to lose control, he had been so cautious around her. The merest hint that he might lose control, and he would run away, returning in a few minutes once he’d calmed down.

This time, though, Elian’s magic was likely to have driven him over the edge. It could be hours before he came back.

Despite Elian healing them, her arms still stung slightly with the aftershock of his magic. It hadn’t hurt much, not really, not when her own magic had risen to protect her. In fact, she suspected it hurt Elian a lot more. He had been pacing, an agonized look on his face, shaking his head occasionally. It was no surprise. Alphas couldn’t bear to hurt their mates, not if that wasn’t their inclination. And Elian had never physically hurt her before.

She considered speaking up, consoling him. After all, any one of them could have accidentally injured her, losing control over themselves as they did. It was just bad luck that it happened to be Elian.

But she didn’t. Some part of her knew that it wasn’t her place to comfort her mates for hurting her. Not when it was because of their own actions. To do so would be giving up part of herself, putting their emotional needs above her own.

And right now, the last thing she wanted to do was concede any ground at all to them. She had meant what she said.

She couldn’t go on like this. She wouldn’t survive it. And they hadn’t given her the response she needed.

They seemed determined to fight, to go against each other. It would only be a matter of time until they fought again. And next time, what if one of them got killed? What if all of them did?

What if they destroyed her in the process?

It couldn’t carry on. She knew what she needed to do. And she wouldn’t let them stand in her way.

Her baby kicked, fluttering and light, and she caressed her stomach.

What had her mother felt, when she was pregnant with Selena? Not for the first time, Selena mourned that Eveya had never told her the truth about her father. She didn’t know anything about their relationship. Had they been in love? Were they mated? Did they get to spend any time together before Eveya had to return to the village? Was her father angry when her mother was cast out? Did he even know?

Selena closed her eyes, remembering the soft brush of her mother’s hands against her hair, how she had smelled like lilacs when Selena buried her face into her skirts.

“My pretty Selena,” her mother said, stroking her head, “my little beam of moonlight, why are you crying?”

“Some of the village children,” Selena wept, six years old with near-constant scraped knees and muddy feet, “they called me a…a…they called me a b-bastard!”

Her mother sighed, holding her close, rubbing her hands up and down Selena’s arms, “You know I told you not to listen to them,” she chided softly, “they don’t know what they’re talking about.”

“But I am a bastard!” Selena wailed. “I don’t have a father!”

“But you have a mother,” said Eveya, “a mother who loves you very much.”

She died two years later, leaving Selena alone.

At the time, the cause of her death was a mystery. Looking back, Selena knew it was probably because she was weakened without her mate. Omegas, separated too long from a mate, were more susceptible to illness and strife. Paired with being rejected from the village pack…

Her mother had fought to hold on. But the illness had taken her regardless.

Eveya had always been slightly mythical in Selena’s memory. A kind, gentle being who had all the answers, who could soothe any ailments, wash away any tears.

Now, pregnant and terrified, Selena realized her mother had been a girl just like her. Eveya had never had all the answers, not even close. She had just done the best she could to give Selena some kind of life.

And now, Selena faced the same challenge. The prophecy said her baby would either destroy Theldir or join him. If Selena did nothing, allowed her mates to destroy themselves and her, her child would be alone and vulnerable. She would not let that happen.

There was only one thing to do, one thing she could do. She had to find her father, and hope that he might be able to help her. He was the one who had started all of this, and now, he needed to help her finish it. Wherever he was, whatever state he was in, she would find him.

“Can I fetch you anything to eat?” She glanced up to see Kaelen standing above her, his throat bobbing, his eyes fixed on the tree line instead of her.

She didn’t respond until his gaze finally flickered down to meet her, a thousand emotions swimming behind his eyes.

Her throat became tight, tears welling behind her eyes.

Once, she had thought of Kaelen as her ultimate protector. Whatever dangers she faced, whatever battles she had to fight, he would be there, by her side. Wise and strong, powerful and protective, he meant everything to her. All of her mates did, of course, but none took care of her quite like he did. Since her mother died, she had always had to look after herself. And that was okay, she was more than capable of it, but nothing sent a thrill up her spine than handing that control over to Kaelen.

The relationships she had with each of them, the love she felt, it was different between them all.

Ronan was her alpha. Malek, her soulmate. Elian, her friend and teacher.

She had always considered Kaelen to be her partner.

At his best, his gentle protectiveness and steady hand allowed her to settle into her femininity, her omega essence, with peace and excitement. His rock-solid masculinity, experience, and assuredness allowed her to be vulnerable and open, turned on and sensual, curious and inquisitive.

At his worst…

At his worst, she was not his partner at all, but his responsibility. A bird to keep in a cage. And she would not be controlled like that.

It didn’t stop her heart from physically aching with the pain of not being in his arms. But how many more chances could she give him?

“No, thank you,” she said quietly, looking back down at her hands.

Kaelen didn’t move, except for the clenching of his fists.

“Selena…” he started, and she looked up again. His face was so open, so vulnerable, it looked like he was fighting some kind of internal battle with himself.

She sucked in a breath, not daring to move. Kaelen’s jaw worked, and he opened and shut his mouth several times, clearly searching for the right words to say.

But whatever battle he was fighting with himself, he lost.

“I’ll get you something to eat,” he said, before walking away.

Selena’s heart cracked a little bit further, and she sniffled into her sleeve.

It was okay. She had been alone before. She could be alone again. She didn’t need her alphas. She didn’t need anyone. If this is how things were meant to be, then so be it.

Ronan returned, his arms laden with firewood, and soon a mighty fire blazed near the tree. Elian returned as well, trailing a fresh deer carcass behind him. Kaelen withdrew a knife and began to skin and gut it. She watched it all with cold detachment.

Before long, the scent of roasted meat and sizzling fat wafted towards her. It turned her stomach. She didn’t want to eat. But, to put her mates at ease, she accepted a small offering of deer, chewing slowly and forcing herself to swallow.

It did make her feel marginally better.

“I’ll take the first watch,” said Kaelen.

“Not a chance,” Ronan replied, his gaze full of mistrust.

“Are you going to stay awake all night, Ronan?”

“If I have to.”

“What if Elian leaves?” Kaelen said, folding his arms.

Ronan merely raised a brow.

“I’m serious. He can disappear to wherever it is he likes going, and then it’s just you and me. You know I won’t risk attacking you one on one. We’d kill each other.”

Ronan’s eyes flickered between them. “How will I know he’s really gone?”

Elian let out a strangled laugh. “After what happened, do you think I’d risk Selena’s safety again?”

“No,” said Ronan, “I suppose you wouldn’t.”

Light footfalls warned of his approach, and she didn’t look over as Elian knelt near her.

“Little dove,” he sighed, his voice mournful, “I can’t even begin to tell you quite how sorry I am. I’ve got to go again, I don’t want to leave you, but I think I know a way to fix all this. I’ll be back soon.”

She nodded mutely, waiting for him to walk away. Eventually he did, transforming into a hawk and shooting off into the night.

“I’m still going to take the first watch,” grumbled Ronan, and from Kaelen’s lack of response, she assumed he agreed.

The fire burnt bright as she curled up by the tree, close to Ronan’s watchful eyes, the huge wolf near enough to touch. Kaelen curled closer to the flames, unable to be hurt by them, his back turned on them.

An hour passed, and then another.

Selena feigned sleep, or at least, feigned attempting sleep. Every twitch had Ronan’s bright yellow eyes fixing on her.

Another hour.

She sucked in a breath,

It was now or never.

Gently, oh so gently, she let her magic creep from her fingers towards her two mates, careful not even to let her fingers tremble.

It was a slow, agonizing effort. Sweat beaded on her forehead. But it was working.

After a few minutes, Ronan blinked a few times, shaking his head. Then, he got up, pacing in a circle. But soon, he lay down again, his eyelids growing heavy.

Selena’s hand twitched, her magic pulsing through her.

Just a bit more…

Eventually, after what seemed like an entire lifetime, Ronan’s eyes fell shut, and his gentle snores filled the clearing. Kaelen too, his heavy breathing indicating his slumber.

Selena got up, wrapping her magic around herself, concealing her scent and essence. She had learned all these tricks from Elian. It was fortunate that he had left; she was confident she would have been able to enchant him, but if any of her mates were to sense her creeping magic, it would be him.

On ginger feet, she gathered some of the remaining meat, tucking it into a small satchel and stringing it over her shoulder. Then, she turned to the tree line, towards where she knew her village to be.

And she began walking.