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I finally stirred awake, I wasnβt in the woods anymore. I was lying on a soft bed, bathed in the pale morning light. My body ached, but I’m still alive. Slowly sitting up, the dull ache in my limbs made me wince, but I forced herself to sit. My mind began racing, replaying everything that had happenedβthe chase, Kaneβs transformation, the darkness that swallowed me right before I passed out. But one question gnawed at me more than any other.
Why didnβt he kill me?
His state last night doesn’t look like something he would spare anymore that he laid his claws on. I mean, he literally lost his sense of reasoning.
Scanning the room I’m in, the expensive items caught my eye. He certainly has a rich taste, but not the kind I love though.
While staring blankly, a thought struck.
βMaybe I have been held captive!β I gasped aloud.
Without hesitation, I dashed out from the bed and ran towards the exit. Just a few inches from the door, someone swung it open, nearly hitting me. My quick reflex kicked in and I dodged, but that cost me falling.
Expecting to feel the hard floor any second, I felt something else instead. A strong arm.
My eyes separated to see who my saviour was, and the face I saw left my mouth wide open. I’m staring at the most majestic face I have ever seen.
βWe can’t have our guest getting injured now, would we?β The voice was smooth as butter spoke.
βUhβ¦β I tried speaking, but remained speechless as I was helped to stand erect.
Observing my saviour, I discovered it’s actually a guy. A male would look more feminine than a female. Long silver hair that’s covering half of his face and sleepy icy blue eyes, a slender body, and a thin waist that’s snatched in a corset vest. Never have I been jealous of a man’s form.
βI know I’m irresistible, dear, but can we quit with the stares?β he said proudly and I shook my head lightly to come back to my senses.
βWho are you?β I sprouted.
βI believe the question should be where am I?β he chuckled.
There’s something weird about his chuckle, it sounds menacing. Likewise his aura too. And to be sincere, he’s right. I don’t even know where the hell I am to start questioning him about his identity.
βFor someone who slept for days, you don’t look weak like I had expectedβ he uttered as studied me closely.
βPlease come againβ I stated, finding what I just heard outrageous. βYou mean I have been lying unconscious for days?!β
βYesβ he nodded. βThree to be precise.β
What? Was I that shocked to be unconscious for that long? This is bad. My family must be very worried. No one even knows my whereabouts. I hope they’re not thinking I’m dead.
βYou must be hungry, follow meβ he said and with that statement, he started leaving.
Since I don’t have a clue where I am, I quietly trailed behind him. He seems nice, so I don’t think there’s a need to be alert. Anway, you can’t trust a stranger you just met, so I still have to be very observant.
As I followed the mysterious stranger down a long corridor, my mind raced. I still had no idea where I was or how I got here. Those horrifying images of Kaneβs monstrous transformation in the woods and his claws coming straight for me is still torturing me. Yet, somehow, I was still alive. My instincts told me not to trust anyone here, especially the guy walking in front of me, no matter how harmless he seemed.
He led me into a large dining room with high ceilings and a chandelier that sparkled like the stars. The table was set with more food than I had ever seen.
My stomach growled involuntarily, and the stranger chuckled. He gestured for me to sit, and despite my hesitation, the smell of the foodβroast meat, fresh bread, and pastriesβmade my stomach gnaw with hunger. I couldnβt help myself. The table before me was filled with an extravagant spread, far too rich for a random meal. Was this a setup?
βHelp yourself” he said as he took a seat.
βIt isn’t poisoned, is it?β I asked cautiously.
βWhy go through the trouble of doing that when your juicy flesh can just be ripped apart easily?β he replied, wearing a cunning grin on.
Glaring at him, I sat down. My eyes kept flicking toward him, unsure of his intentions.
Slowly, I reached for a piece of bread, my hands shaking slightly. I took a tentative bite, expecting some kind of reactionβpoison, paralysis, somethingβbut nothing happened. It was justβ¦ bread. Delicious, warm bread.
βSo⦔ I began slowly, “mind introducing yourself?”
βLyallβ he responded.
βOk, Lyall, where am I?β I threw another question as I kept feasting.
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Youβre in a safe place” he replied smoothly, his lips curling into a half-smile. βLetβs just say youβre lucky to be alive after what happened that night.”
I stiffened. βWhat do you know about that night?”
His icy blue eyes flickered with amusement.
βMore than you think.”
My heart started pounding in my chest again, the memory of Kaneβs growl still fresh in my mind.
βKaneβwhat did he do to me?”
Lyallβs expression darkened for a split second, so quick I almost missed it.
βHe didnβt do what he intended, clearly” he said softly. βBut that doesnβt mean youβre safe. Not from him. Not from anyone.”
The ominous tone in his voice sent a chill down my spine, and I glanced nervously at the door.
βWhy am I here? Why didnβt he kill me?” I swallowed and asked.
He leaned forward now, his eyes boring into mine with unsettling intensity.
βThatβs the question, isnβt it? Why didnβt he kill you? The Alpha Kane we know wouldnβt have hesitated, especially in the state he was in. Yet, here you are.” He paused, letting the words sink in. βWh@tΓ«ver stopped him…you need to figure it out. Because next time, you might not be so lucky.”
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words pressing down on me. βNext time?”
βOh, thereβll be a next time” he said with a smirk. βAnd when it comes, youβll need to be ready.”
βIt won’t happen againβ I frowned.
Lyall chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing slightly,
He chuckled darkly and asserted, βWe would see about that.β
I gave him a glare but continued to eat. The warmth of the food helped calm my frayed nerves, though the tension between us never fully left.
After a few moments of quiet, I finally asked, βWhere is Kane?β
Lyallβs gaze flicked to mine, his expression hardening. βYou wonβt be seeing him.β
βWhy not?β I pushed, feeling irritation build. βHe was the one whoββ
βAlpha Kane commands that you go home, Nevaehβ he cut me off, his voice colder now. βYouβll be escorted back to Cedar Ridge shortly. This… this is as far as it goes.β
Something about his tone made me stop chewing. I set down the fork, my heart pounding. βWhatβs going on? Why wonβt he see me?β
Lyallβs face tightened, as if he were wrestling with something internally.
βItβs for your own safetyβ he muttered. βYouβve seen too much already.β
My stomach churned, and not from the food. βSeen too much of what?β
My skin prickled at his words.
βThatβs not important. What matters is that youβre leaving.β
I glanced at him, but his expression was unreadable now.
βLeaving? Without even knowing whatβs going on?β
Lyall stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with amusement. βYou think you get answers? How adorable.β His voice was laced with mockery, and every word made my blood boil. βAlpha Kane has no time for you. Wh@tΓ«ver happened in the woods was a mistake, an anomaly. Best for you to return to your simple little life and forget everything.β
βA mistake? I didnβt ask for any of this or to be his fated mateβ My jaw tightened.
Lyallβs smile widened, sharp as a knife. βNeither did Alpha Kane.β
The air in the room grew heavier, the tension between us thickening. Lyall shifted, looking uncomfortable, but remained silent.
βListen to meβ he said, his voice low and smooth, almost hypnotic. βGo home. Forget this ever happened.β
I clenched my fists under the table. The weight of everything was crashing down on meβthe attack, the transformation, Kane sparing my life. None of it made sense, and this man isnβt about to explain it.
Maybe he’s right. I should listen to him and go home. After all, my family would be worried sick about my sudden disappearance.
KANE
I paced back and forth, my mind churning with the weight of the recent revelations. Nevaeh. My mate. How could fate be so twisted? I clenched my fists, the sharp sting of my claws digging into my palms, but it was nothing compared to the burn of realization that sheβ*an rogue*βwas bound to me by the sacred bond.
The crunch of footsteps behind me broke through my thoughts. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Lyall.
βAlpha” he greeted, his voice low, respectful.
I stopped pacing but kept my back to him. “Is it done?”
βYes” Lyall replied. “Nevaehβs been sent home, just like you instructed. She seemedβ¦ confused, but she didnβt resist much. For now.”
My jaw clenched at his words. Of course sheβd be confused. She didnβt know the danger she was in. Or worse, my dislike for her.
βGood.” My voice came out harsher than I intended, but I didnβt care. Everything was unbearable. βShe has no business with me.”
Lyall shifted his stance behind me, the subtle scrape of his boot against the floor catching my attention.
βAre you sure about that, Alpha Kane?”
I turned slowly to face him, narrowing my eyes.
“What are you getting at?” I frowned.
He lifted a brow.
βSheβs your mate.”
The word hung in the air like a death sentence, and I growled low in my throat, stepping closer.
βDonβt remind me.β
Lyall stood his ground, his eyes steady but cautious. “Ignoring the bond wonβt make it go away, Alpha. You know that.”
I shoved past him, the anger swirling inside me like a storm.
βSheβs not my concern!” I thundered.
βIsnβt she?” His voice was quieter, almost thoughtful. βYou didnβt see the way she was worried about you.”
I froze mid-step, my back to him again. A bitter chuckle escaped me. βI donβt care how worried she was. She’s a weakness I canβt afford.”
Lyall sighed, the sound heavy. βShe might be the key to ending your curse, Kane. But you know what that would cost her.”
My chest tightened at his words, and for a split second, I imagined it. Her sacrifice. The curse lifted, my freedom gained. But at what price? Could I really live with that?
βDoesnβt matter” I said coldly. βSheβs out of my life now. End of story.”
But even as I said the words, I knew they were a lie. A twisted knot of fate had tied us together, and there was no running from it.
Lyall didnβt push further, just nodded.
βUnderstood, Alpha. For now, Iβll keep an eye on things.”
βYouβre fighting fate, Alpha” he added quietly. “That never ends well.”
βFate has never ended wellβ I emotionlessly asserted.
