Chapter 98: The Scent Of Her Fear
STEPHEN
Two weeks.
That’s how long I’ve stalked the edges of Adam’s mansion like a ghost in the shadows watching, learning, blending in.
Now, I know every creak of the floorboards, every blind spot in the cameras, every rotation of the guards. More importantly, I’ve already planted my people inside, wolves loyal only to me. Disguised as guards. Waiting for my signal.
How I pulled it off? Let’s just say I have my ways. I’m Stephen this is what I do.
And tonight, I’m taking back what’s mine.
Selena.
The main gate creaks open as I approach in a stolen patrol car, my frame hidden beneath a crisp guard’s uniform. There’s no resistance Adam’s real guards are either unconscious or worse. My men handled them quickly.
The mansion looms in the moonlight, silent and still. Too still. The kind of silence that makes your instincts prickle with warning.
I step out of the car and stride to the front door without hesitation. No alarms. No resistance.
Everything is going according to plan.
Inside, the air is thick with tension and the scent of wolf blood. I follow it down a familiar hallway and find him Adam.
He’s tied to a chair, ropes biting into his wrists, his lip split and bleeding. His eyes blaze the moment he sees me.
“Long time no see, cousin,” I say, voice cold, steady.
He snarls, his fangs slipping out beneath curled lips.
“Save it,” I snap. “I didn’t come to hear you growl. I came for one person. You and I both know who that is.”
He laughs.
The sound is jagged and ugly, echoing through the room like a taunt.
“You’ll never get to her,” he says through gritted teeth. “She’s mine now.”
My jaw tightens.
Anger flares, hot and sharp, searing through my chest. I feel the shift prickling under my skin, my wolf pushing forward. My irises flash gold as the fury builds.
“How dare you call what belongs to me yours?”
“She chose me over you, Stephen.”
His words hit hard. Not because I believe them but because deep down, I don’t understand why she would.
Maybe I don’t deserve her. Maybe I made too many mistakes.
But I know one thing for sure I’m not leaving without her tonight.
I say nothing more. I let instinct take over. My wolf leads the way.
I move faster than the wind, my form a blur as shadows race past me. Every hallway, every doorway, every stairwell I've mapped them all in my mind. But now, I follow something stronger than memory.
Her scent.
Faint at first, like the ghost of a storm after rain. Lavender wild, untamed laced with something rawer. Something that screams hers. My heart kicks in my chest, faster than my feet. I know that scent better than my own.
She’s here.
The trail leads me to the east wing, to a door at the end of a dim hallway. I freeze for half a heartbeat, my breath caught between anticipation and dread. Her scent is stronger now fresh, heavy, real.
She’s behind this door.
I don’t knock. I break in.
The door crashes open beneath my hand, and time slows.
There she is.
Selena.
She stands by the window, bathed in silver moonlight, one hand braced on the wall, the other curved protectively over her belly round and full with life. My life.
Her head snaps up, and our eyes lock.
And everything shatters.
Not because she cries.
Not because she trembles.
But because there’s no recognition in her eyes.
Only fear.
Pure, cold, gut-wrenching fear.
She stumbles backward, knocking into a dresser, her breath hitching.
“Stay back,” she gasps. “Please please don’t hurt me.”
Her voice cuts through me like claws.
“Selena?” My voice comes out broken, my throat too tight.
She doesn’t answer. Just wraps both arms around her belly like a shield, like she’s protecting the cub inside her from me.
And the tears.
God, the tears pour down her cheeks, and I can’t move.
Can’t breathe.
She doesn’t know me.
She doesn’t see Stephen the man who kissed every inch of her soul, who once made her laugh like the world wasn’t falling apart.
She sees a threat.
A stranger.
A monster.
My chest caves in as I take a slow step forward. “Selena… it’s me.”
She flinches.
Like I raised a hand to her. Like my voice itself wounds her.
I freeze. Helpless. Shaking.
The scent of her fear floods the room now, stronger than her lavender, choking me.
What the hell did they do to her?
What did he do?
My gaze drops to her swollen belly, and a sound rises from deep in my chest part growl, part cry. My wolf stirs, pacing just beneath the surface. He knows what I do.
That child is mine.
The bond is there pulling at me like gravity. I feel the cub’s heartbeat like a distant echo of my own. My blood sings to it.
But Selena doesn't.
She doesn’t remember that bond. Or worse—someone broke it.
I clench my fists, willing my voice to stay steady. “You know me,” I whisper. “You have to know me.”
Another step.
She stumbles again, tears streaking down her face as she pleads, “Please… just leave me alone. Please, don’t touch me.”
Her knees nearly give out, and instinct kicks in I lurch forward to catch her, but stop short when she recoils like I burned her.
And that’s when the rage sets in.
Not at her.
At him.
Adam.
Whatever he did whatever lies he poisoned her with it’s cost me everything.
My Woman.
My child.
My name on her lips, now replaced with trembling silence.
I stare at her, unable to move, as her sobs fill the space between us.
And I swear to the moon
He will pay.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Thank you so much for reading and supporting this story. Your time, encouragement, and feedback mean the world to me. Every like, comment, and message keeps me inspired to keep writing. I’m truly grateful to have you on this journey with me.