Bound By Alpha's Blood

Chapter 4

RILEY

Unsurprisingly, the three tall, breathtaking men following me down the hospital wing drew stares from almost every nurse and patient we passed.

Killian, Jason, and Dale were striking in completely different ways, but together they looked like a force of nature. They moved with an unsettling, predatory grace—towers of raw power walking in tight formation.

When we reached Dominic’s room, I turned and held up a hand.

“Wait outside for a moment,” I whispered. “Let me check on him first.”

Before they could argue, I slipped through the door.

Inside, Hannah and Domi were watching a superhero cartoon on the small wall-mounted TV. The moment the door clicked shut, Domi’s face lit up.

“Mommy!” he cried, a bright, beautiful smile breaking across his pale face.

Seeing his genuine excitement—even while he was so weak—warmed my aching heart. I rushed to his bedside and leaned down to kiss his forehead. His skin was still burning hot.

“Hi, my sweet boy,” I murmured, gently stroking his sunken cheek. “Sorry I was gone so long.”

“I missed you,” he said softly, melting into my touch like a tired kitten.

“I missed you too, baby.” I kissed his forehead again. “Have you been good for Auntie Hannah?”

Domi nodded solemnly.

“We’ve just been binge-watching cartoons all afternoon,” Hannah said, leaning back in her chair. “It’s actually not bad.”

I caught Hannah’s eye and flicked my gaze toward the wall monitor, silently asking if the doctor had stopped by. Years of surviving the orphanage together meant we could read each other’s subtle facial expressions effortlessly.

Hannah gave a subtle shake of her head, but flashed a small hand signal indicating that Domi’s vitals were stable for now.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

Suddenly, Domi’s gaze drifted past my shoulder. He tilted his little head, his green-tinted eyes wide with curiosity.

“Who are they, Mommy?”

I froze and turned around.

Killian, Dale, and Jason had ignored my instructions entirely. They stood inside the doorway like towering marble statues, their expressions cool, guarded, and unreadable.

Hannah blinked in shock, her jaw practically dropping to the floor. She leaned toward me and mouthed, What the f**k?

Despite practicing a hundred speeches during the drive over, my mind went completely blank under Domi’s innocent stare. I wasn't ready to drop the truth on him yet—not when he was so fragile.

“They are... my friends,” I offered vaguely.

Hannah arched a skeptical eyebrow. Then, as her eyes darted between Killian and Domi, her lips parted in silent awe.

It didn’t take a detective to figure it out. Even without knowing Killian’s name, the resemblance was undeniable. Domi was practically a mini-clone of the massive man standing in the doorway.

Killian’s jaw tensed. A subtle crease formed between his silvery brows, clearly displeased with my "friends" cover story. Dale and Jason exchanged a quick, knowing glance, but no one said a word.

“Want some water, sweetie?” I asked, desperate to break the heavy silence.

Domi nodded.

As I poured a cup from the bedside pitcher and held it to his dry lips, Killian moved. He crossed the room silently, his sheer presence swallowing up the small space, and crouched right beside the hospital bed.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I braced for his reaction.

Domi took a few small sips, then paused, staring at the white-haired stranger crouching beside him.

Instead of shrinking away, Domi smiled.

“We have matching hair,” Domi pointed out happily, touching his own soft fringe. “Mommy said it’s really rare. Like snow.”

My breath caught in my throat.

Killian remained impassive, his face a mask of cool control, but the faintest soften occurred in his sharp emerald eyes.

“My mother used to say the exact same thing,” Killian said, his low voice calm and measured. “Fresh fallen snow.”

Domi beamed, visibly delighted. He leaned closer, studying Killian’s broad shoulders and sharp jawline. “I hope I get to grow up big and strong like you.”

Killian raised a brow, keeping his posture composed and patient. “Big and strong, huh? Why’s that?”

“So I can protect Mommy from the bad guys,” Domi answered with absolute seriousness. “Like a superhero. I’m gonna kick every single bad guy! Mommy says I’m her little hero.”

His attention immediately bounced back to the colorful cartoon on the screen, completely unbothered.

Killian stood up smoothly, glancing over at me with an unreadable expression.

I felt a sudden rush of heat in my cheeks and shrugged defensively. “He’s obsessed with Avengers.”

As Domi started babbling to the TV, Hannah grabbed my elbow and yanked me toward the corner of the room.

“So...” she hissed under her breath, eying Killian nervously. “I’m guessing that’s the father. But who on earth are the other two built like brick walls?”

“They’re... with him,” I whispered back. “I honestly don't know.”

“What are they, his personal bodyguards?” Hannah muttered, crossing her arms tightly. She glared at Dale, who offered her a charming, wink-and-nod smirk. Hannah rolled her eyes hard. “I don’t like him. He feels dangerous.”

Killian’s deep voice cut through our quiet conversation. “Riley. Step outside. We need to talk.”

Hannah gave me a reassuring push. “Go. I’ve got Domi.”

I hesitated, but followed Killian into the sterile corridor. Jason and Dale posted themselves on either side of the hospital door like sentries, while Killian walked over to a quiet row of plastic chairs.

We sat down. Killian remained silent for a long moment, his profile looking like it was carved from granite. He sat straight-backed, projecting an air of absolute control that made passing nurses sneak glances and blush.

To keep my hands from trembling, I began nervously twisting the beaded bracelet on my wrist—a little homemade gift Domi had crafted for me months ago.

Finally, Killian cleared his throat. His voice was smooth, cold, and entirely devoid of emotion.

“How did he get sick?”

The clinical tone felt like an accusation, and it took everything in me not to snap. But I needed his blood. I needed him to save my son. So, I forced myself to stay calm.

I explained everything from the start—the sudden high fevers, the bruising, the terrifying paleness, and Dr. Ward’s initial diagnosis.

Killian listened in absolute silence. Not a single muscle in his face twitched as I spoke, though his sharp green eyes tracked every small movement of my hands.

“When will the test results be ready?” he asked calmly when I finished. “And what is the doctor’s full name?”

“Dr. Arthur Ward,” I answered. “The full panel should be back by tomorrow morning.”

Killian leaned back, resting his large hands on his knees. “What is your current financial situation?”

I froze, staring at him. “What?”

“It’s a straightforward question,” he said, his tone detached, like a boss conducting a performance review. “Do you have a stable income? Adequate health insurance?”

A wave of humiliation and anger rushed through me. “That is none of your business.”

“It becomes my business when it affects my son’s survival,” he replied smoothly, without raising his voice.

“Don’t you dare imply that I haven’t provided for him!” I hissed, my knuckles turning white around my wristlet. “I have worked two jobs to give Dominic everything he needs! This illness is not my fault, and you don’t get to march in here after five years of absence and criticize my parenting!”

I stood up abruptly, unable to sit beside his icy, arrogant demeanor for another second.

Before I could take a step, a large, warm hand clamped around my wrist.

Killian didn't yank me down, but his grip was like an iron shackle—impossible to break. He didn't even look up at first, keeping his posture effortless and imposing.

Slowly, he raised his head. His emerald eyes locked onto mine, completely freezing me in place.

“We haven’t even gotten to the main question yet, Riley,” Killian said softly, his voice dropping into a low, chilling register that made the hairs on my arms stand up.

His grip on my wrist tightened just a fraction, holding me captive beneath his piercing gaze.

“Did you even try to find me five years ago?”