Kieran
The air between us was thick with tension, the scent of her fear clinging to my skin like a curse.
Different thoughts ran through my mind like a forbidden secret, a bond I had never expected, never wanted. Yet here she stood before me, trembling, eyes darting everywhere but at me.
My mate.
It was absurd. Impossible. Humans weren't meant to be mates for our kind. The Moon Goddess had never made such a mistake before.
So why her?
I forced my expression to remain impassive, even as my wolf clawed at the surface, desperate to do something—anything—to make her look at us again. To claim what was ours.
But she was afraid.
Of me.
I clenched my fists, pushing the irritation down as I focused on her words.
"No."
A lie.
I had ruled for too long, crushed too many enemies underfoot, not to know when someone was lying to me.
Her scent didn't shift with deception—either she was an excellent liar, or she truly didn't know where the boy had gone.
And I hated that I believed her.
Hated that my instincts were more focused on the rapid rise and fall of her chest, the way her tiny hands curled into fists, than the words coming out of her mouth.
She was small.
Frail.
Far too meek to be tangled up in any rebellion.
Garrick's voice cut through my thoughts. "She's lying."
My gaze flicked to him, my patience thinning. "Are you sure about that?"
Garrick's smirk wavered, just slightly.
He didn't have proof.
And I wasn't about to let him force words from her with fear and pain—not when something inside me roared against the very idea.
I turned back to her, watching as she stood stiffly, waiting for judgment.
"Take her to my quarters," I ordered.
A ripple of shock spread through the room.
Even her breath hitched.
Garrick sat forward, his smirk returning. "Kieran—"
"Did I stutter?" I cut him off sharply, my tone leaving no room for argument.
Garrick's amusement vanished, replaced by something darker. A challenge.
But he wouldn't dare push it.
Not here. Not now.
A beat of silence passed before he leaned back into his chair, his sharp golden eyes assessing me. "Of course," he said smoothly. "She's yours to deal with, then."
Mine.
The word felt like both a curse and a salvation.
Two guards grabbed her by the arms, but I stopped them with a look.
"I said take her. Not drag her."
They hesitated before releasing her, stepping back as she rubbed at the red marks on her wrists.
Her gaze darted between me and the others, as if searching for an escape.
She wouldn't find one.
And gods help me, I wasn't sure I would ever let her go.
—
Cassidy
I couldn't breathe.
My legs felt weak as I was led out of the hall, my mind spinning.
Why?
Why had he done that?
Why had he stopped Garrick from pushing me for answers?
Why had he ordered me to be taken to his quarters?
Terror clawed up my throat as I was led through the winding halls of the fortress. The whispers of the guards reached my ears, but I barely processed the words.
I shouldn't be here.
I was nothing—just a kitchen girl who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
What did he want from me?
My stomach churned violently.
The moment we arrived at a large wooden door, the guards pushed it open and motioned for me to step inside.
I hesitated.
One of them scowled. "Move."
I swallowed hard and obeyed, my feet carrying me into the dimly lit room.
The door slammed shut behind me.
My body went rigid.
I was alone.
In the Moon Warden's room.
Panic surged, but I forced myself to stay still.
I wasn't dead yet.
I had to be smart. Careful.
The room was larger than I had expected. Dark curtains lined the walls, the furniture massive and made of leather. A fireplace flickered dimly, casting eerie shadows across the floor.
I took a shuddering breath, wrapping my arms around myself.
What now?
Would he kill me? Interrogate me?
My thoughts spiraled, fear closing in—
The door creaked open again.
I turned sharply, my pulse hammering.
Kieran.
He stepped inside with the grace of a predator, his dark eyes locking onto me immediately.
Everything in me screamed to lower my gaze, to make myself smaller.
But something about him made it impossible to look away.
He was beautiful.
Terrifying.
I gripped the edge of my sleeves tightly, trying to keep my hands from trembling.
His gaze dragged over me, unreadable.
Then, without a word, he walked past me, shedding his heavy coat and tossing it over a chair.
I swallowed.
"You…" My voice came out weak, breathless. "Why am I here?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he moved to the fireplace, watching the flames.
"Because you're mine."
The words sent a chill down my spine.
I took a step back, shaking my head. "No. I—I don't understand."
He finally turned to me, his gaze heavy, unyielding. "You will."
I didn't know what that meant.
But I had a horrible feeling that my life, my fate, had just been ripped from my hands.
And there was no escaping him.