His Silent Temptation

Chapter 3 - The Bride

S e l e n e

—

I wasn’t religious, but other werewolves were.

Weddings were sacred to us, no matter where they were, but it had to be during the middle of the night. Werewolves worshiped the moon goddess and only under the night sky would she bless a union.

Sacred vows, secret promises, and serious faces were all I remembered of weddings. So, why was the most respectable Alpha of the continent’s wedding held in the afternoon? Was it all just for show?

“What are you thinking about, Selene?” Malore asked whilst handing his tablet for me to write in.

I stared mutely at the item, for he refused to learn sign language for me.

‘Nothing,’ I wrote, which earned a narrowed glance from him.

“You sure it’s not Alpha Killian you were drooling over?” Malore threatened just as I bit my lips and glanced to the left, where the scene unfolded.

Alpha Killian was stunning, even from afar.

My throat tightened as I watched Alpha Killian exit the vehicle like he was beneath every man and their family. His sharp features were broodingly handsome, his cut crease suit hugging his powerful frame perfectly, and his large hand rested on his hip, where, no doubt, a gun remained.

“Now, now, Selene, if you continue to look, I might just have to gouge your eyes out.” Malore snatched my wrist and pulled me closer.

I was willing to bet my life’s fortune on the fact that Malore had a cozy spot in hell.

“And you’re already beginning to irritate me,” Malore finished.

I lowered my gaze tentatively, my hand trembling when I felt his fingers press into my spine. With each step forward, I winced in pain, for we were purposefully far from the paparazzi. Malore intended for me to hurt my feet to the point where I wouldn’t be able to stand the entire night. He must’ve thought I’d sneak away during the wedding and run.

Smart man. His suspicions were in the right place, but the wrong person. I was going to run, just not to where he expected.

“Bodyguards? Who could they be?”

The paparazzi hadn’t noticed our presence yet. They did, however, whisper to themselves when they saw a large group of men in black climbing out of dark vans. They were dressed in suits, with no visible weapon in sight, but I just knew guns were strapped to their chests.

Alpha Killian’s men were heavily armed, but this was a wedding. Nothing was making sense. What was going on?

“This way,” Malore insisted whilst resting his hands on my body. I strained and struggled to walk with the glass heels digging into my feet.

I looked up and saw Alpha Killian was only a few steps away from the stairs. Once he made his way upstairs, my ticket to freedom would be gone.

“Do we know who the bride is?” one of the paparazzi whispered to each other in confusion when he saw that none of the men present wore different suits from each other. This was going to be the most publicized wedding of the century, but the bride’s name was nowhere to be heard or seen.

“No idea… oh my goodness, it’s Alpha Malore!”

At the clamor, a few of the paparazzi raised their heads. Lights flashed in our faces as many people rushed forward, men and women alike pressing themselves through the heavily guarded street barricades to get a better look at him.

“Selene, smile for the camera.”

Let me flip you off instead.

When I refused, Malore forced a tight smile in my direction. Everyone was eager to take a picture of me on his arm. Men ogled in a manner I was used to, their eyes widening in appreciation at my sight. I was the perfect arm candy for Malore, everything in his wildest desires.

“Alpha Malore, is that the traitor’s daughter?”

“Alpha Malore, look over here!”

“Another picture this way for the hottest magazine in town!”

Shouts left and right rang in my ears. The event was deafening.

“Smile.” Malore grinned and waved. He was picturesque, not a single flaw in sight. His image was set in stone, the people loved him, viewing him as some savior that turned the traitorous daughter of the werewolf realm into some sweet angel.

For a while, I used to smile for the cameras and lower my head demurely. Not today. Not anymore. Malore had nothing over me, except the doom of tonight where he’d bed me and take the last part of me I had—my virtue.

“Selene, I told you to smile,” Malore gritted through his tight-lipped smile, but it was too late.

I stomped my glass stilettos onto his feet. It must’ve not hurt, but it did catch him by surprise. By then, I was already dashing off.

“She’s running!” the paparazzi shouted. Flashes went off. Thunderous gasps erupted in the crowd. Footsteps chased behind me.

Malore’s shoes slapped on the pavement, loud as thunder during a storm. He loudly cursed, attempting to grab me. I was ruining his moment, his reputation, and above all—his image.

I ran because my life depended on it. Amidst the flashing lights, my hair wild in the wind, my hands gripping my dress like a princess running down a tower, I had never felt freer. The wind tugged at my strands, and people shouted in the background, but I never once looked back.

This was a chase as crazy as grand theft. I ran as if I held the world’s most prized jewel in my hands and the police were chasing me. As I pushed and dodged people left and right, I bit hard on my tongue because the crystal shoes were truly beginning to shatter under my feet. I was in immense pain.

I might as well be screaming for the hills, chased by a serial killer.

“My god, look at her shoes!”

“Is that made of glass? I see it cracking!”

Tears filled my eyes. Pain shot up my limbs, erupting into tiny fireworks that set agony through my body. But I was fighting for my life—for freedom, for everything I had endured all these years.

Enough was enough. My feet were going numb. I sobbed just as tiny shards of crystal sliced into my skin.

The torture was enough to paralyze me. My own shoes stabbed me, Malore’s words echoing in my head.

You’ll be immobilized for the rest of your life.

I was many things: a coward, a traitor’s daughter, but above all, I was a fighter. Desperate. Afraid. I was willing to risk my life for this rare opportunity to get away from Malore.

“Selene Yves, enough!” Malore roared, his voice piercing through the crowds, sending everyone back in fear, everyone but me.

No, this was not enough. I pushed myself further, faster, for freedom was right in front of me, and I was going to seize it.

No matter the cost, I will get it. No matter what it took me—even if it meant running from the wolf’s den and straight into the lion’s.

- - - - -

K I L L I A N

+ +

“Perhaps we should use a silencer?” Theo asked whilst reaching into his suit pockets. He raised his head in time to see a vision in ivory dashing towards them, her eyes wide, and her face panicked.

If there was one thing for certain, it was the fact that this girl could run. Fast. I was pretty sure she could outrun our best tracker if she wanted to.

The ribbon holding her hair into a bun fell with each step, her hair cascading down her shoulders, her dress whirling past her, and she panting for air the way I liked my women. The first sight of her was enough for my groin to tighten.

The second I laid eyes on her, I wanted her. I was going to make her mine.

Not because she was desperate as could be, but because I had finally laid eyes on her—the traitor’s daughter. The perfect candidate for my plans.

When her frightened gaze met mine, I held it. Her pupils were shaking, her skin pale from how fast she ran, and she was on the verge of collapsing. I forced her onwards, almost amused.

Come to me, little traitor’s daughter. Run faster. You’ll belong to me soon. And then, I heard it.

“Selene Yves!” A voice furiously roared behind her.

Lights flashed. Cameras clicked. Paparazzi clamored forward. They were all eager to get a slice of the juicy gossip. I couldn’t be more than happier to be pictured with her. Just imagine the look on the councilmen’s faces. It’d be priceless and worth all this hassle.

“Selene, get back here!” he demanded. Who was this nobody?

From beside me, Theo tensed and reached into his suit pocket, where two guns were strapped to his chest.

“Alpha,” Theo murmured, ready to shoot anyone and anything on sight.

“Let her.” I waited because I knew who she was running from.

I stood, lips curled, hands tucked into my pockets to watch this trainwreck happen right in front of me. Then, she was right before me.

Selene Yves collided with me—literally.

The lowlife was an inch away from grabbing her, but she was faster. He grabbed thin air, for she hid behind me. He stopped dead in his tracks, huffing and puffing like some big bad wolf, and she was his squealing piglet.

If looks could kill, he’d have to get in line to murder me.

“Alpha Killorn,” he instantly addressed, attempting to correct his posture, but I’ve already seen him in the most pathetic state. He looked familiar, but where?

‘This is Alpha Malore, you’ve met him a few times, he’s always eager to do business with you, but you barely speak to him.’ Theo whispered to me through the mind-link. Only certain people had direct access to speak to me through mind-link.

I don’t even acknowledge Malore, which only irked him further. He was the sorriest excuse I’ve ever seen for a leader—abandoning his pride and reputation for some woman. Maybe I was the same since I remained even with Selene Yves using me as a shield.

“Alpha Killian, I think that’s my pet behind you, she’s quite rebellious, I must apologize,” Malore gritted out, reluctant, but still forced to acknowledge me.

“You thought wrong.” I hauled her to the side—my side—I was aware of her tender flesh. Her green eyes clashed against my steel ones. She was so damn innocent, I wanted to make her mine.

“Malore was it?” I seethed, causing her to tense and tremble on the spot. Intriguing.

“We’re friends,” Malore deadpanned in disbelief. “We’ve spoken during business gatherings before.”

Man, he was as delusional as he was ugly.

I snorted. His eyes glowed the color of piss in a failed attempt to intimidate me. He immediately backed down when my men drew their guns, earning sharp gasps from the crowd, but none dared to comment.

“Well, Malore,” I coldly informed him, causing him to stiffen. “Start giving your congratulations on my wedding.”

Malore tilted his head in confusion. I grip Selene by the hips and pull her against me.

“Bow and greet Selene Yves Thornov, my new bride.”