Moonlit Fever

24 Hours Earlier

I told Nate I would meet him before the full moon. My heart hammered in my chest as I stood outside his apartment above Selina's Bar, staring at the door.

The thought of seeing Nate made my nerves buzz with dread. The type of dread which made me feel like I didn't know what was going to happen next because I had no control over the situation.

What if he rejected me? What if he saw through my carefully constructed facade and realized just how much I needed him, more than he needed me?

I clenched my fists, hesitating for a moment longer, debating whether to knock or turn around and leave.

But I couldn't leave. Not now. Not when Nate was in danger. Donavan was coming after him and I needed to make sure he was safe during the full moon. If I left now. It would be like that night five years ago, when I left him at the club and Sebastian took him from me.

I wouldn't make the same mistake again.

Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and knocked on the door. The sound echoed in the hallway.

My pulse quickened as I heard talking and movement inside. Someone unlocked the door, and it creaked open, and my heart sank.

Selina.

Her presence was unwelcoming, and I couldn't hide my irritation when she spoke to me in her bitter tone. "Lucius Novak."

"Nightshade," I hissed. "You know I don't go by Novak anymore." My jaw clenched, and my tone of voice matched hers.

I had hoped—no, needed—Nate to be the one opening that door, not her. "Is Nate here?"

I tried to look past her, but she blocked my view as she leaned casually against the doorframe. Her fiery red hair was thrown up into a lazy bun, and she was wearing sunglasses. She was still drunk from the Moon Festival.

The sight of her, disheveled and unapologetic, and taking a slow sip of her Bloody Mary, only heightened my frustration.

"He's getting ready." She slurped through her straw. "What do you want?"

I didn't like Selina.

I never had. But I came to distrust her after what happened five years ago with Sebastian.

If she had stayed by Nate's side, if she'd only gone to meet Nate outside of the club. Then Nate wouldn't have ended up in Sebastian's hands.

I had my faults since that night. But Selina, she disappeared. She failed to protect Nate that night just as much as me. Yet she didn't seem to care.

"I know you're up to something." I glared at her, my voice lowering into a dangerous whisper. "I just haven't figured out what you want with Nate."

"Whatever do you mean?" Selina's expression hardened beneath her sunglasses.

"If you ever do anything that compromises Nate's safety ever again, I will kill you." I retorted.

"I'm a very difficult wolf to kill." She took another loud slurp from her Blood Mary. "My husband tried, and look at what happened to him."

"Don't bring that asshole into this."

She shrugged. "What do you want, Lucius?"

"I can't take Nate to the cabin because I'm busy with my pack. I need you to take him for me." I ground my teeth. "And protect him this time."

"I will always protect Nate with my life," she stated, as she curtly nodded. "Even if it means protecting him from you."

I felt my face burn as my anger flared up, memories of that terrible night flashing before my eyes.