Unshift

316 Ava: Selene vs Grimoire

I crack my eyes open, glowering in Grimoire’s direction. To my surprise, Lucas mirrors my expression, his brows furrowed as he stares daggers at the sentient book. Even Selene, now sitting across the room as she watches, growls with unmistakable hostility.

Grimoire clears his throat, clearly sensing the shift in the room’s atmosphere. “Perhaps a more hands–on approach would be beneficial, he says, his tone noticeably softer. “Ava, if you would hold my hand, I’ll guide you through the process!

Hesitantly, I reach out and place my hand in his. The moment our skin touches, I feel a surge of energy coursing through me. It’s different from the raw power I’ve experienced before–more focused, controlled.

I want to ask him why, when I touch him as a book, he takes my magic. And how, now that he’s here and human, I can take his. But that’s a question for another time, not when I’m busy doing something important.

“Now,” Grimoire instructs, “close your eyes and follow my lead.”

I obey, letting my eyelids flutter shut. Grimoire’s presence in my mind is gentle but insistent, guiding my consciousness along unfamiliar paths. We delve deeper into the recesses of my psyche, searching for that elusive connection to Lucas.

But as we explore, Grimoire’s mental touch becomes hesitant, then puzzled. The silence in the room grows heavy as minutes tick by without result.

Finally, Grimoire’s voice breaks the stillness, tinged with confusion. “This… this can’t be right.” This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

I open my eyes to find him staring at me, his brow furrowed in concentration. “What is it?” I ask, anxiety creeping into my voice.

“You are correct, he admits reluctantly. “There’s nothing there. No trace of a pack bond, no lingering connection: Grimoire shakes his head, clearly struggling to articulate his thoughts. “As if the bond doesn’t exist.

How could that be possible? I’ve felt the connection between Lucas and me, felt the warmth of our bond, the presence of his mind, at the moment of our mating connection. It can’t just not

exist.

Selene sounds downright surly. This shouldn’t be news to you, book. Ava has no access to the pack bond. Why act surprised now?

Grimoire bristles at her words. “There should still be something,” he snaps back. “A remnant, a trace, anything. Even without access to the full pack bond, there should be some evidence of the

connection between mates.”

Lucas reaches out, his hand hovering near mine before he remembers Grimoire’s earlier admonition. “It doesn’t change how I feel,” he says firmly. “Bond or no bond, I know there’s something between us, Ava. I can feel it.”

“Of course there’s a bond, you alpha moron. It’s only one facet of it that seems to be missing…

310 Ava: Solone vs Grimane

Grimoire’s voice trails off as he looks at Selene, silver eyes brightening. “Of course. Of course!

Such an oversight.”

Apologize, Selene growls.

“Apologize? For what?”

She slinks forward, hackles raised and teeth gleaming as her upper lip lifts in a snarl. You disrespected our mate.

I nod. He did. I heard it.

Lucas, watching in silence, is as lost as ever.

“Excuse me? I have been nothing but–ah!”

The shriek that tears from Grimoire’s throat is almost comical. One moment he’s there, all righteous indignation and flashing silver eyes, and the next he’s gone. The heavy thud of his book form hitting the floor echoes in the sudden silence.

But Selene isn’t done. She pounces on the fallen magical tome, her teeth bared in a snarl as she clamps down on its spine. The growl rumbling from her chest is low and menacing, a sound I’ve rarely heard from her.

I bite my lip, trying desperately not to laugh. The sight of my fierce, dignified dog–wolf gnawing on a book like an overgrown puppy with a chew toy is almost too much to bear. But I know I need to intervene before she does any real damage.

“Selene, come on,” I say, reaching for the book. “Let him go”

She growls again, her teeth still firmly embedded in Grimoire’s leather binding. I have to tug a bit before she finally releases him, leaving behind a few wet marks and indentations from her sharp canines.

As I cradle the slightly worse–for–wear Grimoire in my arms, I glance up to see Lucas watching me. His eyebrow is raised, a mix of amusement and confusion playing across his features. Right. He has no idea what just happened.

“Sorry,” I say, feeling a bit sheepish. “They were arguing. Selene… well, she took offense.”

Lucas nods slowly, his eyes darting between me, the book, and Selene. “I see,” he says, though his tone suggests he doesn’t really see at all.

Grimoire’s voice suddenly erupts in my mind, loud and indignant. That flea–bitten mongrel! How dare she attack me? I am an ancient repository of magical knowledge, not a common chew toy!

I wince at the volume of his mental tirade. “Grimoire, calm down. She was just defending Lucas.”

Defending him? he scoffs. From what? Words? How painful they must be

Selene’s growl grows louder, her ice–blue eyes fixed on the book in my hands. Apologize, she demands, her mental voice a low, dangerous rumble.

For a moment, there’s silence. I can almost feel Grimoire’s indignation warring with his self–preservation instinct. Finally, he speaks, his mental voice noticeably subdued.

E.. apologice, he says grudgingly. Aly words were… perhaps… poorly chosen.

I have to stille another laugh at the reluctance in his tone. It’s clear he’s not used to backing down, but Selene’s fierce protectiveness has cowed even his considerable ego.

“There” I say, patting the book’s cover gently. “Was that so hard?”

Excruciating, Grimoire grumbles, but there’s less heat in his words now.

Lucas clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “So,” he says, a hint of amusement in his voice, “are we done for now?

His question brings me back to reality, “Oh. I don’t know-

It was an unpardonable oversight on my end, Grimoire says. We should try again. This time, that vicious monster needs to be a part of it.

The vicious monster in question snaps lazily at the air just centimeters away from him.

Selene, he hastily backtracks. Selene needs to be part of it.

“She does?” Somehow this makes sense, but-

Your mating bond involves your wolves. She is your access point to the pack bond. Such a simple thing I never should have overlooked.

I guess it’s good to know even a semi–omnipotent magic book of ages can make stupid mistakes.. It’s even a little bit of a boost to my ego.

Idiot, Selene mutters.

Murderer, Grimoire responds. And if there’s a mental equivalent to him hiding behind me, I’m pretty sure that’s what’s happening right now. It’s hard to put it into words, but I can feel it. In my head.

This personality of Grimoire’s is odd and capricious. At times his ego is more vast than the sky, and at others he’s little better than a child. It’s hard to get a grasp on him.

n

“Okay, okay. Exasperated, I press my palms against my eyes, trying to stave off an incoming headache. “Can we please get to the important stuff, you two? I want to help Lucas, not deal with bickering bonds.”

Of course, Grimoire save

find access to Lucas.

promptly. This time, enter through Selene’s mind. Through her, you will

“Wait. If I have to go through Selene, wouldn’t I have to go through Lucas‘ wolf?”

It is possible. As long as you can get to either of them, you’ll have access to the mental barrier in place.

Love at World’s End-