12. Selena

12

SELENA

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. Zephyr's confession has left me reeling. I can't deny the connection that has formed between us, but the idea of becoming his mate is all so overwhelming.

"This is a lot to process," I say, my voice shakier than I intended. I avert my gaze, stepping back from his embrace. "I never expected any of this. When we first met, I was ready to kill you, and now you're telling me we're... fated?"

Zephyr remains silent as he folds his arms across his chest. He gives me the space to gather my thoughts, but I can feel his eyes on me, patient and watchful. The weight of his gaze is both unnerving and strangely comforting.

"I spent so many years hating demons, blaming them for my partner's death," I continue, the memories still raw. "And then you show up, saving that village, and you're... different. Honorable, even." I let out a humorless laugh. "Everything I thought I knew turned out to be wrong." I run my hand through my spiky hair.

Lifting my head, I meet Zephyr's intense stare. His eyes swirl with a kaleidoscope of colors from purple to bluish. I want to know what he's thinking as he watches me, but at this moment, I'm afraid to ask. I cannot take another confession. I need to think this through. The anxiety rises in my chest as I try to grapple with the emotions that are whirling in every direction.

Zephyr nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I understand this is a lot to take in. But you need to know the truth." He pauses, his four hands flexing at his sides. "I cannot deny what I feel, Selena."

His eyes turn bloody red. I could almost see his demon spirit surfacing. Zephyr's brow furrows, and for a moment, I see a flicker of his demon nature in the way his eyes narrow.

"And I won't hold back, not after all this time in solitude. You are meant to be mine," he growls.

I shiver at the raw honesty in his voice, the possessiveness underlying his words. It both terrifies and thrills me.

He takes a step closer, and I have to resist the urge to back away. There's a magnetism to him, a primal allure that I can't quite explain.

"I feel it too, you know," I admit quietly, hating how vulnerable I sound. "This... pull between us. But I'm not sure I'm ready to give in to it. Not yet."

Zephyr's chest heaves as he takes deep breaths, controlling his demon spirit. His expression starts to soften. "I will not force you, Selena. The choice must be yours." He pauses, his gaze intense. "But know that I will wait for you, for as long as it takes."

He towers over me as I stretch my head up to meet his gaze. The scent of rain and pine fills my nostrils. I feel so confused over my loyalty to my tribe versus my emotions.

"I have to return to my village." I divert my eyes from his, turning towards the slain beast lying dead to the side of us. I pull a coil of rope from my bag and begin to harness the beast with rope. Zephyr watches for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh.

A whirl of wind swooshes past me as I glance at Zephyr. He encircles his hands to control the winds as the dead beast begins to lift off the ground. The slain beast begins to float past me as we make the journey back to my village.

Not a word is spoken between us. I sneak glances at him, but he remains stoic with his red eyes glowing bright. I couldn't help but admire how his muscles flex and tense. He is a sight to behold. My heart skips a beat just looking at him. I lower my head quickly the minute he turns his head my way, walking faster ahead of him.

I reach the opening of my village first before looking back at the Zephyr who commands the wind to lower the beast slowly at the village opening. A gush of wind blows against my backside and before I can say a word, I turn to him. His eyes already a distant glow as the wind carries him away.

I take a deep breath, gripping the carcass of the beast I had just slain. One of the tribe members calls out to the others to spectate my arrival. The tribe stands before me with the Elders moving to the front of them. Their faces were etched with fury. I can see the disbelief in their eyes, the refusal to accept what I am about to say.

"With a sound mind, I speak to you all," I begin, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. "I tracked it and defeated it, with the help of..." I pause, knowing my next words will shatter the fragile peace. "With the help of the demon, Zephyr."

A collective gasp ripples through the crowd. Elder Mira raises a hand to silence the tribe members. She nods, gesturing for me to continue.

"I have not been bewitched as the tribe likes to think. Zephyr is not like the demons who killed Tomas. He saved the village, and he has shown me that not all demons are our enemies."

The tribe stands in attention as I continue to speak.

"This should be proof to you all. Yes, he is a demon, but he is kind, thoughtful, and willing to protect the innocent without a thought for himself. He stood up against his clan because he refused to be an instrument of cruelty to the innocent. And that is the man I stand up for today."

After the words slip out of my mouth, the realization hits me. I stand here defending him, fighting for my people to see the good that demons like him can do. Like I have since the day I left his palace. Everything I have done is to prove the good that this magnificent demon possesses. Why? My inner self asks, pushing me to the enlightened answer. Because of my feelings. And I can't deny it any longer. My heart ached the moment he left. I don't want to be without him.

I take another deep breath, clenching my fists to control my anxiety. "And that is why I have decided to be with Zephyr."

Loud gasps echoed throughout the tribal group. The Elders exchange dark looks, their faces twisted with distrust and fear. "You would choose a demon over your own tribe?" one of them spits.

I straighten my shoulders, my resolve hardening. "Yes, I would. Zephyr is..." I pause, searching for the right words to capture the depth of my feelings. "Zephyr is my mate. I have chosen to be with him."

The uproar that follows is deafening. Accusations and threats are hurled at me, each one cutting deeper than the last. I stand my ground, refusing to back down, even as my heart aches at the thought of leaving my tribe behind.

"You would be exiled for this betrayal!" another elder shouts.

I nod, unsurprised by their reaction. "Then so be it. I have sacrificed so much for the sake of you all, my people. My village…my family. My home. I followed without questioning. For the sake of the tribe. And in that process, I have lost so much." I choke on my words as the memories of Tomas' death surface in my mind. I clear my throat and push down those memories. "My place is with Zephyr now."

The elders exchange another round of heated whispers, their expressions dark and unyielding. I don't give them a chance to announce their final verdict. I head to my tent and pack my things along with my weapons with quick speed. Some of the tribe members linger in the main square, observing with curious eyes. I can hear the villagers whispering among themselves as I walk out of my tent and out towards the opening of the village.

I move forward, not looking back as the hurt on my face starts to show and the tears begin to fall. I may not know what the future holds for me, but one thing is certain, my life will never be the same.