Chapter Seven
1011 Words
Crash!
The door splintered into pieces as a massive claw tore through it. I spun around, heart pounding, as dust and wood fragments rained down.
A growl vibrated through the room.
“Run.”
Kieran’s voice was sharp, commanding, but I stood frozen.
“Not until you tell me what’s happening!”
“This isn’t the time to argue, little wolf.”
Another snarl cut through the air. My stomach twisted as glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness beyond the wreckage. Then another.
And another.
A cold, rotten scent filled my nose.
“That’s—”
“Rogues.” Kieran shifted beside me, his muscles coiled, claws extending. “And they’re not alone.”
The red eyes moved closer. A deep, guttural growl echoed through the room. My heart slammed against my ribs.
“How did they—?”
“They tracked you.” Kieran’s silver gaze flicked to me. “And now they’re here to finish what they started.”
A rogue lunged.
Kieran moved faster.
His arm snapped out, grabbing me, shoving me behind him in one swift motion. “Stay down.”
“No.” I ducked under his arm and drove my knee into the rogue’s ribs before it could reach him.
The beast howled, staggering back.
Kieran’s head whipped toward me, irritation flickering in his eyes. “You fight now?”
“Better than waiting to die.” I didn’t look at him.
A second rogue lunged.
Kieran was already moving, slamming into the beast mid-air. The impact sent them both crashing into the stone wall. Blood sprayed.
I barely had time to react before the third rogue charged straight for me.
Kieran was still locked in combat.
I was on my own.
The rogue hit me like a truck, knocking the air from my lungs. My back slammed against the ground. Claws slashed down, barely missing my throat.
I twisted, reaching my fingers wrapped around a broken piece of wood.
The rogue snarled, jaws snapping.
I drove the jagged wood into its side.
A piercing shriek.
The rogue jerked back, thrashing, giving me just enough room to shove it off and roll to my feet.
But it wasn’t dead.
Not yet.
It turned to me again, snarling, blood dripping from its wound.
“Persistent,” I muttered, lifting the wooden stake. “Annoying, too.”
It lunged.
I twisted, yanking the stake free—then drove it straight into its heart.
The rogue let out a choked snarl before crumpling to the ground.
Kieran finished off the second rogue with a final, brutal s***h of his claws. Blood dripped from his fingers as he turned to me.
“You’re reckless.” His silver eyes scanned me for injuries. “You could’ve—”
A howl tore through the air.
Everything went still.
Even the remaining rogue froze.
The air turned thick. Heavy.
I knew that howl.
Kieran’s expression hardened. “Shit.”
I turned toward the sound. My breath hitched.
A figure stood at the end of the hallway, golden eyes glowing like fire in the darkness.
My stomach twisted.
No.
It can’t be.
Not him.
Liam.
The rogue whimpered and slunk back.
Kieran stiffened beside me, his posture shifting into something predatory. “Took you long enough.”
Liam stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the bodies on the ground before locking onto me.
“You’re hurt,” he said.
I touched my arm, feeling the sting of a cut I hadn’t noticed. “It’s nothing.”
His jaw clenched. “It’s not nothing.”
“Oh, spare us the concerned mate act.” Kieran rolled his eyes. “You lost that right when you tossed her aside.”
Liam’s golden gaze darkened. “And you think you have that right?”
“She’s here, isn’t she?”
Liam’s fists clenched. “Not by choice.”
“Oh?” Kieran smirked. “Then let’s ask her.”
My heart pounded as both of them turned to me.
“Well, little wolf?” Kieran’s voice was low, almost teasing. “Will you stay with me?”
Liam’s eyes burned into mine. “Or come back to your real mate?”
My throat closed.
I looked at Liam—the man I had loved since childhood, the mate who had turned his back on me when I needed him most.
Then at Kieran—the rogue king who had stolen me, marked me, but never once made me feel like I wasn’t enough.
I exhaled, my hands trembling.
“I…”
A snarl erupted behind me.
The last rogue lunged—
Straight for Liam.
Everything blurred.
Kieran moved.
Liam turned.
Claws slashed.
Blood splattered.
Not Liam’s.
Kieran’s.
He had thrown himself in front of the attack.
“Kieran!” I choked out.
He staggered, blood dripping from a deep gash along his ribs. His expression twisted in pain, but he didn’t go down.
With a snarl, he grabbed the rogue by the throat and twisted—
A sickening c***k.
The body hit the ground.
Silence.
My breathing was ragged. My hands were shaking.
Kieran swayed slightly, but he forced himself upright. “That…,” he exhaled, “was annoying.”
Liam stared at him. “You protected me.”
Kieran huffed. “Don’t get used to it.”
I rushed to Kieran’s side, pressing my hand against his wound. “You’re bleeding.”
“I noticed.” He winced.
Liam took a step forward. “Selene—”
“No.” My voice was sharper than I intended. “Not now.”
Liam’s gaze flickered with something unreadable. “This isn’t over.”
Kieran smirked, though there was exhaustion in his eyes. “You can try, Alpha.”
Liam held my gaze for a second longer before turning and disappearing into the shadows.
I swallowed hard, my emotions a tangled mess.
Kieran let out a low, pained chuckle. “Well… that was dramatic.”
I shot him a glare. “Shut up and let me help you.”
And for once—he did.
- Writer
