Bound By Alpha's Blood

Chapter 3

RILEY

“Wait!”

Sophia bolted across the polished floor, placing herself directly in front of the double doors. Her hazel eyes flashed with pure venom as she glared at me before turning her pleading gaze to Killian.

“You can’t be serious, Killian,” she protested, her voice rising in panic. “She’s obviously lying to you! You can’t just take a human's word for it!”

“This has nothing to do with you, Sophia,” Killian said, his voice dropping into a dangerous register. “Get out of my way.”

She didn't budge. “I’m trying to protect you! You can’t just run off with some random stranger! How do you even know if she’s telling the truth? She’s probably just looking for money!”

“I am not!” I snapped, stepping forward. “I told you, I’m here for my son and my son only! I don't want a dime from any of you!”

Sophia sneered, rolling her eyes. “Right. Likely story. You’re all the same—”

“Enough,” Killian cut her off coolly. “Move, Sophia. I won't ask again.”

“Please,” she begged, taking a step closer to him. “You’re making a mistake.”

“Are you challenging my authority?”

His voice shifted—dropping into a deep, resonant rumble that vibrated straight through the floorboards and rattled my chest.

An invisible weight descended upon the room, so sudden and heavy it made me gasp. The air felt thin, suffocating, and terrifyingly cold.

Sophia went dead pale. Her lower lip trembled as if she were about to burst into tears. Her knees buckled slightly, and she shrank back as if hit by a physical force.

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Killian warned, his green eyes glowing with an eerie, lethal intensity. “Move.”

Sophia wavered, visibly trembling. But before she could speak, a raspy voice called out from the conference table.

“I’m sure that’s not what she meant, Alpha.”

An elderly man rose slowly from his seat, leaning heavily on an ornate wooden cane. As he limped toward us, I noticed his right leg had been amputated. Yet despite his age and disability, his presence was calm, steady, and strangely commanding.

Unlike everyone else in the room, he showed no fear under Killian’s oppressive aura.

“Then what did she mean?” Killian asked, turning his steely gaze onto him. “Enlighten me, Bram.”

The old man offered me a gentle smile, his gray eyes crinkling at the corners. “I think everyone here just wants to exercise... reasonable caution. Which is understandable, wouldn't you agree, Miss Clarkson?”

I narrowed my eyes slightly, keeping my guard up.

“I mean no disrespect, my dear,” Bram continued smoothly, “but are you absolutely certain the child belongs to Killian? One-night stands can be... a complicated matter in situations like this.”

The question was wrapped in polite silk, but the edge beneath it was razor-sharp.

“I wasn’t with any other men at that time, if that’s what you’re asking,” I said flatly.

Bram gave a slow, meaningful nod. “I hear you, child. But memory can be a fragile thing. Do you happen to have any documentation with you? Any proof?”

I pressed my lips together. Documentation? Did he expect me to carry a paternity test in my purse? I could show him a photo of Dominic, but if this pack was set on doubting me, they would just call it a fake.

When I remained silent, Bram cleared his throat and turned to Killian. “Sophia was only thinking about what’s best for the... company. Perhaps we shouldn't be hasty. Miss Clarkson could leave an address, and we could send a team—”

“Bram,” Killian interrupted, his voice deep and absolute. “I know what I’m doing.”

The older man studied Killian for a long moment before bowing his head in quiet submission. “Of course, Alpha.”

Bram shot a stern look at Sophia and stepped aside.

Sophia’s shoulders slumped in defeat. She ducked her head, unable to look Killian in the eye. “I-I’m sorry, Alpha,” she whispered meekly.

Killian ignored her completely. He turned toward a broad-shouldered man at the table. “Jason, get the SUV ready. We leave now.”

The ride to Bayview General Hospital was suffocatingly quiet.

Sophia had begged to come along, but Killian shut her down instantly. I couldn't figure out what they were to each other, but the hostility she radiated toward me was palpable.

Instead, Killian brought along Dale and the stern-faced man named Jason.

With Jason behind the wheel and Dale in the front passenger seat, Killian and I sat together in the back of a luxury, blacked-out SUV.

The interior smelled of rich leather and something uniquely intoxicating—a subtle, crisp scent drifting off Killian that smelled like spearmint and pine after rain. It was strangely grounding amidst my spiraling panic.

I stole a quiet glance at him. Five years ago, I hadn't been able to find a single trace of him online. No social media, no news articles—nothing. All I knew was that he ran Bryce Corporation, and that these terrifying, mountain-sized people treated his every word like divine law.

“What’s his name?” Killian asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

I blinked, startled out of my thoughts, before answering softly. “Dominic. Dominic Clarkson.”

Killian repeated the name under his breath, turning his gaze toward the tinted window.

From the front seat, Dale glanced at me through the rearview mirror, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“Dominic,” Dale echoed. “That’s a strong name. Did you choose it yourself, or...” He tilted his head, his eyes glittering with mischief. “...did your boyfriend help? Husband, maybe? Surely a gorgeous woman like you has someone back home?”

My cheeks burned hot. “No. There's no one.”

The truth was, I hadn't been on a single date since that night five years ago. Between working two jobs, taking night classes, and raising Domi alone, romance was a luxury I couldn't afford.

Besides, I’d learned my lesson: no more beautiful strangers.

“Seriously?” Dale gasped dramatically. “No way. A beauty like you—”

“Knock it off, Dale,” Killian growled softly from beside me. His tone was low, but it instantly cut Dale off. “Leave her alone.”

Dale put his hands up in mock surrender, a sly grin still plastered on his face. “Yes, Alpha.”

I frowned, glancing between the two of them.

Why did everyone flinch whenever Killian spoke? Was it just corporate fear, or was there something far stranger going on in this company? And why did they keep using that word—Alpha—like a military rank?

Before I could summon the courage to ask, the SUV pulled up to the main entrance of Bayview General Hospital.