The Challenge Continued
619 Words
Several hours later, Amelia found herself escaping to the gardens.
The noise of the banquet still echoed behind her.
She needed quiet.
Needed space.
Needed five minutes where nobody mentioned prophecies, mates, challenges, or secret identities.
The moon hung overhead.
Silver light spilled across stone pathways.
Flowers bloomed around her.
For the first time all day, she relaxed.
"You're hiding."
Amelia groaned.
Without turning, she said,
"You know, sneaking up on people is rude."
Kieran's voice carried amusement.
"And yet you noticed me immediately."
Fair point.
She turned.
The future Alpha stood a few feet away.
Without the crowded banquet around him, he somehow looked even more dangerous.
And annoyingly attractive.
Amelia decided she disliked that.
A lot.
For a moment neither spoke.
The bond hummed quietly between them.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Strange.
Kieran finally broke the silence.
"You accepted the challenge."
"You noticed."
"It was difficult to miss."
Amelia sighed.
"I wasn't planning to."
"So why did you?"
She looked toward the stars.
"Tinder Paw."
Understanding immediately crossed his face.
"You were defending your pack."
"Someone had to."
Kieran studied her.
The moonlight caught the auburn highlights in her hair.
Her hazel eyes seemed almost golden.
And for the first time, he understood why powerful Alphas feared her.
Not because of strength.
Not because of prophecy.
Because people followed her naturally.
Without force.
Without fear.
Without manipulation.
"You care about them."
Amelia laughed softly.
"Of course I care about them."
"No."
Kieran shook his head.
"You love them."
The simple statement surprised her.
Because it was true.
Tinder Paw wasn't just a pack.
It was home.
Family.
Everything.
"They made me who I am."
Kieran smiled.
"I think you did that yourself."
The compliment hit harder than expected.
Amelia looked away.
Heat touched her cheeks.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
For several moments they simply walked through the gardens.
Comfortable silence settled between them.
Until Amelia finally asked the question she'd been avoiding.
"Have you always known?"
Kieran frowned.
"Known what?"
"That I was your mate."
His expression changed immediately.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Amelia stopped walking.
"You did."
Kieran sighed.
"Not exactly."
"That's not a no."
The Alpha heir rubbed the back of his neck.
For the first time since meeting him, he looked nervous.
Which was surprisingly adorable.
Amelia immediately ignored that thought.
"I saw you once."
She blinked.
"What?"
"A gathering."
His voice softened.
"Years ago."
A memory appeared in his eyes.
"You were maybe seven."
Amelia frowned.
"I don't remember."
"You wouldn't."
A small smile appeared.
"You punched a boy."
Amelia groaned.
"Why does everyone remember that?"
Kieran laughed.
The sound wrapped around her like sunlight.
Dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
"You stood between him and a smaller wolf."
His golden eyes held hers.
"You weren't afraid."
The warmth in her chest grew stronger.
The bond responded.
Happy.
Content.
Alive.
Suddenly Nyx froze.
Every instinct inside Amelia sharpened.
Danger.
Close.
Watching.
Amelia immediately stopped smiling.
Kieran noticed.
"What is it?"
She scanned the shadows.
The gardens had gone quiet.
Too quiet.
Her wolf growled.
Low.
Threatening.
Kieran's expression hardened.
His Alpha instincts activated instantly.
"What do you see?"
Amelia looked toward a cluster of trees.
Nothing moved.
Yet the feeling remained.
Someone was there.
Watching.
Listening.
Waiting.
Then a faint silver glint caught her eye.
A blade.
Hidden in the darkness.
Gone a second later.
Amelia's blood ran cold.
"Kieran."
His voice dropped.
"I see it."
The future Alpha stepped closer.
Protectively.
Instinctively.
The bond flared.
Strong.
Ancient.
Certain.
Somewhere in the darkness, a shadow slipped away.
Running.
Retreating.
Reporting.
Because Amelia Blackwood had finally arrived at Nightfall.
And her enemies were no longer watching from afar.
They were here.
Inside the estate.
Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
- Writer
