Note: Quick reminder that text in [square bracket] is an event from a past chapter, like a reminiscing memory.

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Outside the rundown house, the night was hovering around the corner, with darkness having blanketed the grounds. My hazel eyes stared at Channing, who would not hear a twist of words today.

As long as I hide my identity, every other piece of information would be fine, "I came here on a mission, to end the feud" I didn't understand why I waited for his reaction but he was intently listening to me. The anger in his eyes had subsided, but the sternness had risen to its peak. "I came to help dissolve the internal war going on between Winterwells and Waterwoods. It was allowed for me to come here on the condition that I don't reveal my identity doing that"

My eyes searched for a reaction from him, but there was almost nothing. He was waiting for more. But there was nothing more.

I cleared my throat, "I- That is the reason I am here, and also I have another condo rented here. It is just above yours, but I am yet to go there." He shifted in his position and that, some kind of reaction, made me feel a little better. "That is all the truth I have." I couldn't even remember anything else.

The time went by with me fiddling my fingers and Channing staring at me. Either he was waiting for more or deciding. After a few heavy minutes, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes. I could see his buffed chest expand inside his shirt and heave with his breath. His eyes opened and this time there were no scary emotions, just the normal Channing. The one I have known.

He patted his thighs and got up. "I believe you are all healed now. I should get going then"

What was that about? This odd tension was being created again. Was he not going to support my mission?

He turned to leave, and I got up, "Channing '' His back was facing me, broad shoulders were all I could see and it made it hard to read his face, "Did I say something wrong? Do you not want me to carry out this mission?" Even though my second question was a direct one, my first one was to ask him why he was being this distant.

Getting this treatment without explanation was very hard to take. It makes one create scenarios in their head with all kinds of possibilities involving your insecurities. Especially when you saw that person in a special light.

Channing finally turned around with a smile that even I could tell was fake, "It is a noble cause, Selene. I would help you in every way possible with your mission, even I have it in my heart to end the feud"

I was glad to hear his words, but it was not what I wanted to hear. With every passing moment, he was stretching the distance that he himself had created between us.

What was going through his mind? While the fake smile on his face died, I kept staring. It was my turn to wait for the answer that was not coming out of his mouth. My mind went through all the series of things that I could have done wrong and the only one that popped was me breaking Hailey's skull, which I did restore, along with all her other injuries, for that matter.

"I am sorry about what I did to Hailey", I wanted answers, but he wasn't filling up the silence.

"She had it coming," came his curt reply. It had not offended Channing. I could tell somewhere he was glad that Hailey got her fill, "You healed her, so there is no injury. No disqualification. You will still be in the running, but Diana gets the win for the finals of Stage two. You don't need to fight, get some rest"

I nodded in response, trying to think whether something else was the matter. How can he casually say get some rest with that emotion on his face? It was like something was amiss and yet so much his eyes were saying.

I couldn't help but keep staring. It took me back through the court case. How this person had made me feel protected when I was stupidly struggling to adjust to the outside world. I had truly expected him to not show up and, even if he did, to speak against me.

But that never happened. He trampled those expectations and trusted my words over that stupid police chief, Jack. His words still ring loudly in my head...

[I turned halfway to leave but Channing held my hand turning me to face him. It was a bit of shock as he covered the distance between us and pulled me in a hug. An odd feeling engulfed my heart as he said his next words, "Don't be scared, I promise to stand with you through it all, Selene, just like you did for me back then."]

Look at him now. A person who could say that needed a powerful reason to be distant. Till now I have known some things about Channing and that is he never gave up on his people.

How his previous Beta had taken advantage of his same behaviour and pushed him to death. The hurt is still visible in his eyes. The cautions he was taking with the selection of the next Beta were evident.

"I will be leaving then. Take care," He said as he turned walking further to the door. His retreating frame was unbearable to me.

The first person I trusted outside of the castle. It would not be wrong to say, the first friend I made. Things aren't supposed to be left unresolved like these. He was going and there was no way I would stretch things, even if he wanted to. I would make him speak.

I ran after him. He had just opened the bedroom door, and I called, "Channing" But he was still leaving, going out and shut the door behind him as if he knew I was going to ask him, what was wrong?

Like hell, he was leaving like that.

These unresolved things pile up and lead to drastic decisions later on, like how I had to be in the dungeon for 14 years because they failed to simply talk to me. They did not wish for me to carry the crown they were preparing me for, but for my brother. I would have happily obliged. But those unsaid words cascaded into me being not explained why I was held in the dungeons.

Before the door closed behind him, I held his wrist and he halted. "Is something else the matter, Channing?"