Bound By Alpha's Blood

Chapter 5

RILEY

I froze. Killian’s sharp, emerald gaze bore down into me, making my heart hammer against my ribs like a trapped bird. My pulse thrummed wildly against the warm skin of his palm.

“It doesn’t matter now,” I forced out, trying to pull my wrist from his iron grip.

Killian released me instantly without resistance, but he rose to his full height. Standing directly in front of me, his massive frame blocked out the harsh fluorescent lights of the hallway.

At five-foot-six, I wasn't particularly short, but next to him, I felt swallowed whole.

“I have the right to ask,” he said, his voice flat, emotionless, and demanding. “Just like you had the right to give birth without my knowledge. Answer the question, Riley. Did you even try to contact me after that night?”

His persistent questioning stoked a fire of irritation in my chest. Why did he care? Why did it matter now?

The memory of the day the pregnancy test came back positive flashed vividly in my mind. I had been terrified, dazed, and completely alone in my final year of college. My entire life had been thrown into chaos.

Yet, I had gathered every ounce of courage I had and called the number he had given me.

I hadn't expected him to marry me or take full responsibility. I had simply hoped for a sliver of comfort, advice, or a little help from the man I’d shared a passionate night with.

And what had I received? Humiliation. A disconnected line and a brick wall.

“Yes, I called you!” I snapped, iciness creeping into my tone as I glared up at him. “Are you happy now? Does that change anything?”

Killian’s silvery brows knit together, a deep line forming between them.

“I don’t understand why you keep harping on this,” I pressed, stepping closer despite his intimidating stature. “It has nothing to do with what Dominic needs right now. Like you said in your office, we don’t have time to reminisce about the past.”

He didn’t reply. His face remained a cold, unreadable mask, but his green eyes burned with an intense, turbulent emotion I couldn't decode.

I didn't wait for his response. I had already expended too much energy on him, and I had none left to spare.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I said coldly, turning on my heel. “I’m going back to my son.”

To my relief, Killian didn’t follow.

When I pushed open the door to Domi’s room, I was surprised to find Dale sitting on the edge of the bed. Domi was dissolved in a fit of giggles, completely captivated as Dale performed a slick “magic trick” with a little plastic toy car.

Hannah sat nearby, watching Dale like a hawk. Petite as she was, my best friend possessed a fierce, protective presence. No man could intimidate her, and Dale’s playboy charm clearly wasn't working.

Jason was nowhere to be seen, but I was too drained to care where Killian’s shadow had gone.

I slid into the chair beside Hannah, letting out a long, heavy sigh.

“Men are exhausting,” I muttered.

Hannah immediately rubbed my back in soothing circles. “Tell me about it. That’s why I don’t even bother with them.”

I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch.

“You look like death, Riles,” she said gently.

“I feel like it,” I admitted, running a hand through my messy hair. “I need a shower and about six months of hibernation.”

“Well, hibernation isn't an option, but a shower and a real bed are,” Hannah insisted, her eyes full of concern. “Go home and get some rest.”

I shook my head. “I just got back. I’m fine, just venting.”

“If anyone has the right to vent, it’s you,” she urged, squeezing my shoulder. “You’ve been running on empty for days. Domi needs you sharp, and that means you need sleep. You’re going to collapse in one of these awful hospital chairs if you stay.”

“But Domi—”

“I’ve got Domi handled,” Hannah interrupted smoothly. “Let me take the night shift. I promise I won't let any of those built-like-a-house bastards mess with him.” She threw a sharp, warning glare at Dale.

A small, reluctant smile tugged at my lips.

“Go on,” Hannah encouraged softly. “Keep your phone on. If anything changes, I’ll call you instantly.”

I looked over at Domi, who was still laughing at Dale’s silly jokes. Hannah was right; I was operating on pure adrenaline, and it was starting to burn out.

“Fine,” I murmured, twisting the beaded bracelet on my wrist. “I’ll leave once he falls asleep.”

By the time night fell and Domi drifted off to sleep, I slipped out of the hospital and caught a cab back to my apartment.

Killian hadn’t returned, and I was too exhausted to wonder where he was.

My apartment was located in a rough, noisy part of the city. The building was old, with cracked paint and thin walls that seeped dampness. The unit itself was tiny—just one bedroom that Domi and I shared, a cramped kitchen, and a narrow bathroom.

Hannah had offered to let us move into her place multiple times, but I couldn't bring myself to burden her any more than I already had.

Stepping inside, I looked around the dim living room.

As much as I hated to admit it, Killian’s harsh words from earlier echoed in my head. My financial situation was dire.

Between my unfinished college degree, my low-paying waitressing shifts, and the astronomical hospital bills about to pile up, I was underwater. The basic health insurance I bought for Domi wouldn't cover a fraction of a bone marrow transplant.

Domi’s toys were still scattered across the secondhand leather couch, along with leftover decorations from his fourth birthday party last week.

My vision blurred with unshed tears. Everything had fallen apart so quickly.

If I hadn't been completely dead on my feet, I would have broken down right there on the floor. But the moment I dragged myself onto the couch and pulled a throw blanket over my shoulders, darkness pulled me under into a heavy, dreamless sleep.