She rocked backward to fling her suitcase onto the bed, her long skirt catching on the corner. She smoothed the material down, then unzipped her bag to start unpacking. She’d had the plaid brown monstrosity since she was a kid. It had served her well. But maybe this time it would stay unpacked.
“Welcome back,” Artemis said from behind her. “I thought I saw you coming through the gate.”
Selene smiled. “It’s good to be home again.” She accepted Artemis’s embrace.
“I assume your return is a positive sign. Was your mission effective?”
“Jason has complete control over his vice. I am confident he has been successfully rehabilitated.”
“Hmm.” Artemis nodded. “I knew you were the right choice for this assignment. Congratulations. A novice acolyte could not have performed the deep spiritual cleansing you did.”
Eyes focused on the folded clothes within her suitcase, Selene hummed affirmatively.
“Why do I sense unhappiness within you?”
“Artemis, I have to tell you something. I… made a mistake last night. Or maybe you might call it an accident. There was an accident.”
The older woman steadied Selene’s trembling hands with her own.
“What happened, sister? This is a safe place. You can tell me anything.”
“We kissed. Jason and I kissed. I kissed him.” The words bubbled out of her, extricating themselves and flooding her with relief.
Artemis’s eyes widened, although her face remained impassive. “Go on.”
“I was trying to jog his happiest memory. I got too close. We were dancing, and I kissed him. He stopped the kiss, thank the goddess. But it happened.”
“How did you feel about the kiss?”
Selene’s cheeks warmed. She wasn’t expecting Artemis to ask her that question. She placed a cool hand to her cheek. “It was pleasant and shocking. Afterward, I knew it was wrong, but when it was happening, it felt like jumping over a waterfall. Exhilarating. Weightless. Almost as if I couldn’t stop it if I tried.” She rubbed her chest. “And there’s more. I feel something here, a tug, like my wolf is drawn to him. Like she’s whimpering to be near him.”
“Oh dear.” Artemis laughed.
“Can you forgive me?” Selene pressed a hand to her chest.
Artemis started. “Forgive you? Whatever for?”
“Men are off-limits to our order.”
She tipped her curly gray head. “The encounter ended after the kiss?”
“Yes. But in full disclosure, it was, um, passionate.”
“Do you know why we remain celibate here?”
“In honor of the goddess. Our virtue is an offering to her, and in exchange, she gives us power.”
Artemis nodded. “Your encounter honored the goddess as well.”
Selene blinked rapidly. “Sorry, I’m not following.”
“That feeling your wolf is having, you don’t recognize it for what it is? You’ve been trained to see it in others. Can’t you see it in yourself?”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Jason is my potential mate. Fated by the goddess. If we claim each other, the bond will be blessed by her.”
“She does not extend an invitation like that lightly.”
Tears formed in her eyes. “Oh, but this isn’t how it’s supposed to be! I wantedthislife, here at Sanctuary.”
