The Exception

Chapter 20

*Selena POV*

What was I thinking?

I hardly slept last night after the party. I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that I actually kissed Jake! And... how I just ran off. I was so embarrassed I couldn't even bring myself to say goodbye to him before leaving. I felt horrible. I couldn't get over the shock that was in his eyes.

I made things awkward now. I probably ruined our friendship too because of that...

Finally I couldn't take it any more and I got up. It was still rather dark outside, but it was finally Saturday.

I just need to go for a run.

With my mind set, I changed out of my pajamas, grabbed extra clothes for later, and quietly went out the back door of my house. Although it was dark, I could still make out the tree line where the forest was. Humans wouldn't be out this early, so I knew that it would be fine to run in wolf form as long as I was back before the sun came up.

Without a second thought, I shifted into my light grey and white wolf. The night began to become clearer as my eyes shifted from human to wolf. As soon as I was able to clearly see in the dark, I took off running. I wasn't planning on going any where in particular, I just really needed to clear my head.

I felt the wind as it breezed past my fur. I felt free when I was like this. No thoughts of drama, issues, or my mate would bother me. In this moment, I was free of thought. I simply ran. For the first time in weeks, I felt as if all my burdens were lifted.

But sadly, I began to notice the sky becoming brighter.

Well, there's my cue.

I reluctantly turned back as I made my way back towards my house. However, on the way back, I caught a faint, but familiar scent. As I continued, the smell became more and more evident. I now realized what the smell was.

It kind of smelled like cedar trees mixed with amber or something. That is probably the best way I could describe it. I soon stopped short in my tracks when I noticed Josh just standing on the far side of the forest, facing away from me.

What is he doing all the way out here alone?

I knew that if I could smell him, he definitely could smell me. However, he remained still as if not aware of my presence.

As I went behind one of the nearby trees to shift, I quickly changed into the clothes I brought with me. Josh still made no acknowledgement of my presence.

Maybe I should just leave him? I thought.

But, I wanted to know why he was out here. I found myself slowly walking towards him. He continued to remain still as I made my way closer and closer.

"Josh?" I called out.

His head lightly twitched. That was enough to let me know that he knew I was here.

"Selena..." His voice sounded oddly calm, however I was more stunned when he continued.

"Why did you kiss him?" No voice inflection indicated that he was upset. And that was possibly why I was utterly terrified at how calmly this question rolled across his lips.

"I mean I realize that we have some things we need to work out, but how could you possibly do that when you know you have a mate?" The volume of his voice raised ever so slightly, giving away that he clearly was upset with me despite trying to seem calm.