His Silent Temptation

Chapter 19 - You Have My Word

S e l e n e

—

The Thornov men were rarely home. They seldom ate breakfast or lunch together and often, when I woke up, all of them were gone, excluding either Jasper or Chester standing outside. I recognized them by their footsteps. Chester walked with confidence, his footsteps loud and proud. Jasper walked with consideration, his strut low and deliberate.

For the past five days, I ate dinner in my room. Killian hadn’t come home since the day he gave me a tablet, but not a phone. Though, there was no one I could call… except two men.

Tap. Tap.

I sat by the window, fingering the cold glass in an attempt to catch the attention of a dog I saw outside. At least, I hoped it was a dog. His large eyes stared into mine, a dark hazel, before running off again. Bummer. I had spent the entire week trying to befriend him.

Releasing a sigh, I tensed upon hearing Jasper’s footstep disappear down the hallways. Not a second later, Chester’s loud ones bounced off the wall.

One. Two. Three—

“Ready or not, I’m coming in!” Chester said, but still gave me a three-second delay.

I turn to see his intent stare. There was a sense of wariness as he remained glued by the door, his attention drifting across my room, searching for something.

“Leo died today,” Chester stated, rubbing his pink-tinged hands together.

My throat tightened. I pressed myself against the windowpane.

“We prolonged his life as much as we could for more torture, but he was just a torso when we were done,” Chester continued, leaning against my door, keeping a distance between us.

I grabbed my tablet and wrote out my response.

‘We?’ I wrote.

“Nicolas, Killian, and I,” Chester said, spreading his hands across his chest. “I call it, the torture trio! I’m so intelligent.”

More like insane.

I hugged the device to my chest and didn’t bother responding.

“But guess what?” Chester remarked.

I gave him a pointed look as if I could do such a thing. Chester snorted and nodded his head in agreement.

“I found it strange,” Chester began. “He tortured you for an entire day, but we gave strict orders you’re to eat three meals a day.”

I tensed.

“That means,” Chester deliberated, revealing a sharp and unnerving smile. “He was working with someone. I trust, you know who?”

I swallowed hard and shook my head. I picked up the tablet and scribbled a response.

‘I haven’t seen her since,’ I admitted to which Chester raised a brow in suspicion. Did he think… I deliberately let Leo hurt me?

Chester opened his mouth, but suddenly, his eyes glazed over. His mouth moved slightly and I assumed he was using his mind link. Straightening, he offered me a grin.

“My babysitting ends here.”

I tilted my head, wondering if Jasper was returning. Instead, Chester’s cheshire expression widened.

“Your husband just came home.”

Five words were enough to instill five letters into me: dread. As I rose to my feet, I debated what I could possibly tell Killian.

“You coming?” Chester asked, but I kept myself contained on the windowsill. He stared at me, almost in disappointment. Not a moment later, he softened his voice.

“You don’t… still blame me, do you?” Chester questioned.

I simply glanced at him and turned back to the window, tapping when I saw the dog in the bushes. When his unfamiliar gaze met mine, he disappeared again.

The temperature dipped. His presence was thick and tense, taking up the entire room. His footsteps were intentional and intimidating. Always a busy man. He was the Alpha, after all.

I didn’t want to look, but how could I not? His shadow loomed over my small back, his silence more piercing than his screams.

“So this is how a wife greets a husband who’s just returned home,” Killian remarked. Whether or not it was a joke, I couldn’t tell. I remained curled up and staring through the glass, but this time, nothing interested me.

Without warning, Killian plopped down beside me. I freeze. He curled a finger under my chin, turning me to look at him. I was spellbound. He was the epitome of danger, his handsome features twisted in a knowing smirk, his eyes crinkled and composed, the world at his feet.

Alpha Thornov. Just the name sent chills down every man and woman’s spine.

“You’ve gained weight,” Killian said, almost in amusement, his thumb brushing up on the corners of my mouth. His cunning gaze flickered across my cheek, where I also saw some meat on my bones for once.

“Selene,” Killian drawled. My stomach fluttered in delight, my heart skipping. My name dripped from his mouth in the same manner as smoke from cigarettes. Molten. Addictive.

“Aren’t you going to respond?” Killian said, his free hand going for my ankles. My throat tightened and I feared he was going to pull me close.

Instead, Killian maintained an unsaid boundary. He examined the bottom of my feet and saw it was fully healed. Nodding in approval, he stood up and then headed for the door.

Suddenly, I panicked. I scrambled to my feet and followed him out. He never once stopped for me. One hand in his pocket, the other on his tie. I listened as his long and sturdy fingers loosened his tie, buttons propped open, and only then, did he bother sparing me a look.

“Come.”

Like a fool, I stopped. I had been beaten by Malore many times, until my skin was blue and purple, but I still haven’t learned to obey. Malore had broken my spirit enough for me to drop into a ball and cry.

What made Killian so different?

“For a woman whose fate lies in my hands, you sure aren’t obedient.”

I clutched the ends of my dress, realizing I left my tablet behind. There was no way for me to communicate with him. I wasn’t even sure he was 100% fluent in sign language. Seeing my anxious gesture, he shook his head.

“I trust you know the rumors about my father?” Killian remarked.

I did. Everyone did. The remnants of the late Luna Thornov flickered in my mind, her skin matching mine, and her hands also tired from communicating.

“I’m not him,” Killian said.

Whether he was referring to Malore or his abusive father, I didn’t know. I only recalled the pitter-patter of my feet as I slowly walked beside Killian. He slid his hand upon my spine. I stiffened under his heated touch, warmth radiating from his powerful body. Despite that, the muscular Alpha bent his head and pressed his lips against my ear.

I hitched my breath. His thumb circled my skin sensually. I was coaxed by his voice, dripping with intent. He wasn’t trying to seduce me, but I already felt my core tightening at his words.

“Rest assured, my sweet. The only time my hand comes down on your body, it is for pleasure, never pain… unless you wish for it to be.”

- - - - -

Shortly after his words left me burning, Killian took me on a tour around the house. There was a strange blend between forest green, navy blue, and steel gray. Some furniture was warm wood and the other cold metal, a perfect concoction of abstract meets art.

The mansion sprawled across acres of land that the eyes could see. In the distance of the garden, I saw a little town just beyond the mansion. I assumed it was where the majority of the Thornov pack members lived.

Besides the garden was an enormous swimming pool, more rooms than I could count minus the twins’ and Nicolas’s wings of the house that I didn’t venture into. I walked enough for my feet to be sore. I was lagging behind him, tired, but still curious to see more.

“Now, the library,” Killian said.

I perked up, my attention snapping to him. Now, I was eager. He was humored by my expression whilst pushing the doors open to reveal rows upon rows of black wood, a variety of books, reading tables, and vintage lamps.

As I excitedly bounced into the room, picking a book here and there, Killian followed me closely. I thought it was to observe me, but when I stopped at the back of the library, I realized he was here to watch me.

I grabbed the door knob and twisted it. Locked. Instantly, he slammed a hand over the surface, pinning me into the wood.

I gasped, startled and stressed from his action. He pressed his chest against my back, caging me in. His body was heady and large, his muscles straining against his shirt.

“Careful. One more step and you’ll never set foot in here again, you understand?” Killian warned, his tone darkening.

I trembled in fear, hugging the books tightly. Bobbing my head, I glanced down to see his large feet standing between mine. He slithered his hand around, resting it upon my stomach, bringing us closer. I could feel the tension in his body, the anger in his voice, and his barely restrained temper.

“Never go near this corner,” Killian deadpanned.

I agreed with a nod.

Then, Killian spun me around. Immediately, I pressed my body against the door. I missed it when he was kinder. When his touch didn’t feel like a branding on my skin, and when his tone didn’t cut like glass.

Killian’s face was cruel, yet composed. His voice showed fury, but his features never expressed it. He was good at keeping his emotions hidden. Then, he cupped my waist and brought me close.

I bit my lips. Instantly, Killian brushed the hair from my space.

‘Are you mad at me?’ I signed, not knowing why I’d care if he was, except, what could result from it.

Killian simply stared. “I’m not the kind to lash out on women when I am.”

My heart stilled.

“So you can rest assured,” Killian muttered. “I’d never touch you with the intention of hurting you, Selene.”

My head spun. He was so close, I could practically taste pine on my tongue, and citrus in my nose.

“You have my word, Selene.”

Despite that, I was still trembling. Terrified to the core, I could only wonder what the future had in store for us.