*CHANNING's PoV*

Channing saw her this up close and everything he was holding inside crumbled. His special abilities made everything reach tenfold high, and the emotion that was stirring in his heart was already touching the top.

He knew this was not right. Selene was not in her senses and that was only because of him. But holding back was so hard when she made that face. He wanted to hold her tenderly.

Her eyes closed, and he saw the guilt that lingered in her hazel eyes. Channing felt pushed forward by something inside him and even he wanted this to be stopped. His overflowing emotions needed to be given a halt. But when Selene closed her eyes in anticipation and her teeth bit into her lower lip before letting go of it, making it go darker, he couldn't help it.

Channing clenched his jaw. How could he hold back like this? It was tough to contain himself in the first place and with her; he felt all his inner barriers lift on their own.

Selene did not want this, and at the same time, she wasn't able to resist. Both of them wanted something to stop them, but the air was heavy and his special abilities had taken over both of them. Gulping, he leaned forward, the distance closing with every little tick of the clock that could not distract him.

Just when they thought there was no stopping this situation, which both would regret later, Channing's mobile rang.

His eyes flew open wide. The shock had brought him to his senses, but he saw Selene still adjusting. Chest heaving as her mouth gasped for the air which she needed. The ringtone filled the air with a sound that was registered at slow increasing volume as Selene's numb senses readjusted to reality.

Channing had taken his distance and removed his mobile device out of his pocket. He would rather answer this call than focus on Selene, because he did not want the same cascade happening between them again.

He saw the screen flashing 'Fang Warchild' on it before the ring died. Channing was about to call back when Fang called again and Channing picked it up, "Hello"

"I had a request to make," came the voice from the other end. Fang sounded impatient and somewhere vexed. Channing found it strange that Fang was making use of such words. He never requested anything, rather always asked. Though the slight irritation in his voice sounded usual.

Channing ran his hand over his hair, in a process to set them right. "You never use those words. What is it?"

Fang was impatient to explain and spoke, "I am around the outskirts of your village. There is some business I had with that girl Selene, from the court case." Channing glanced at Selene and heard Fang say further, "Make it so that I can meet her peacefully at her little broken adobe. Distract the police's eyes for me now."

Channing's eyebrows furrowed, "meet regarding what?"

No matter what had conspired right now, Channing was the Alpha of Winterwells, and couldn't just let Fang in this village for the sake of their bond. There were some duties that he had to do and one of them was protecting his village from Waterwoods, and Fang was the Alpha of that village.

He heard Fang click his tongue. "There is some stupid feast in the castle tomorrow. I will be bringing her as my plus one."

Channing looked at Selene, who was gulping down water like she was thirsty for an entire month. He saw her and what he had done to her. It wasn't her fault. She wasn't the one who felt the need to continue, but it was him and his emotions had reached so high that they carried her with him.

Somewhere he wanted to break his resolve and pursue her, but he knew that would put her through dangers. Just like his first and the last girlfriend had suffered the consequences.

It would be better for him to keep the distance, and what better than letting Fang give it a shot. When Fang said he wanted to take her as his date, there was a pain that crossed Channing's heart. But there was a relief that was settling there. Although Fang had tales of debauchery, Channing knew if he asked, Fang would not lay a wrong eye on Selene.

"I am a busy man, Channing. Do it fast. I don't have the entire night." Fang's voice reverberated through the mobile, and it had Channing startle back from his thoughts.

He cleared his throat, "ya, just give me five minutes. Also... if you are doing this date just to pass time, don't make that innocent girl fall for you or make any advancements towards her."

Fang chuckled, "Don't worry about that papa Channing. I would never do something that stupid to any girl. They fall for me out of their own will, and I can't help that now, can I," And that was the truth. It was always the girls who came to him and got stuck in his web while he did not even bother looking at them. It was the first time Fang was the one who had come to a girl, weaving his web around her to be stuck.

Channing cut the call and stared at the wooden interior of the house. In his mind right now, Fang was a better choice for Selene. Channing had hurt his previous girlfriends because of his abilities, and that was the last thing he wanted with Selene.

He turned to Selene, who stood there reluctantly to meet his eyes. Channing looked around awkwardly, "I-I am sorry. This happened because of me, don't hold yourself at fault"

Selen finally caught his grey eyes, and she had no answer. What she felt a while back did not feel wrong, yet it made her feel forced into something. It was hard to describe what she felt, but there was one thing for sure; she had gone in the flow of her desires and not her emotions. Her feelings towards Channing were still unknown to her and what happened today pushed them in one certain direction. The direction that felt too fast and wrong, filled with regrets and guilt.

Watching her not replying, Channing said after clearing his throat, "Take a break for two days. It would be odd to see you this healed in a night. We will have your stage 3 for Beta then. And um... Fang would be here in some time. If there is any problem, just call me... Or Sam, if that is comfortable." And he left the room. Without turning back and having Selene stare at his retreating figure with so much weighing her thoughts.

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Note: For the people who are not yet aware, the top fan section has some changed rules. Along with power stones, it also considers other aspects now... You can check it in the information window of the top fan section (check about the book).