His Silent Temptation

Chapter 17 - We're Out

S e l e n e

—

For a while, Killian disappeared. Beth always brought up my meals with a slightly worried expression on her face. When she’d set the plates, she’d glance at me, sigh to herself, and then leave without another word. The same woman doctor would visit me every day to check on my condition, make sure I was taking my medication, check that I changed my bandages correctly, and continued prescribing me IV drips.

I was “malnourished,” as she had put it. It was to the point where her brows shot up when I told her I was twenty. She thought I was at least sixteen from my frame. Her stone-cold expression only showed pity when she realized I had been abused and neglected for all these years.

It had been a week since I was locked in the room. Sometimes, I doubt about trying the doors and windows again, but after Leo’s strikes, I learned to not repeat my mistakes. If a man like Leo managed to get past the Thornov Pack’s tight security, just imagine the world beyond this mansion.

Where else were Malore’s men lurking? Who else would grab me in the street to punish me for running? I didn’t want a repeat.

“You should be good to go,” the doctor said to me before turning to leave without another word.

On the tenth day of my confinement, I was good as new. The stitches under my feet had been taken out, leaving behind fresh scars, but I didn’t mind. I was able to walk with ease, though slowly since I was still trying to get used to it again.

Werewolves healed faster than the average human. But I was wolfless, and my genetics weren’t as good. Still, I got better than the average human girl.

On the fifteenth day, I discovered the doors were never locked. When I poked my head out to the right and end of the hallway, I saw the dark-colored decoration of whichever wing I was staying at. If this was the guest one, the Thornov men truly had good taste.

Forest green drapes hung over grand windows, modern chandeliers lighted the way, and potted plants lined the walls with occasional small tables of priceless antiques.

When I turned my head to the left where the stairs were a few distance away, I froze.

“Selene.” Killian stood at the start of the corridors. I was instantly unnerved, tightly gripping onto the door knob. He was tall, dark, and handsome.

The way he called my name sent shivers down my spine. A tiny spark of warmth flooded my stomach. He uttered my name like a man before a sacred temple, peering up at a statute.

“Since you can stand now, come here.” Killian’s words implied a command, but his voice was serene enough for me to think it was a suggestion.

I remained glued by the door. His gaze flickered at my wrist, his lips almost twitching with humor. c*****g a brow in a cavalier manner, he tilted his head.

“You think that measle little thing can support you?”

My heart fluttered at his taunting words. This was not healthy. He ran a large hand along his black suit. His clothes clung to his muscles, revealing his broad shoulders, toned stomach line, and the power in his body. He was fresh out of work, his tie loosened like a delinquent, and the first three buttons released.

“I won’t hurt you, my sweet. Come.”

Killian wanted me to make the first move. He wanted me to have the impression I was in control. In reality, he had me in the palm of his hand, living under his roof, and eating the food his people cooked for me.

Killian gave me a chance—to leave or to stay. I chose the former. I slowly pulled away from the door. He was watching my every move. He observed with precision, like that of a predator stalking his prey. I felt intimidated, but the memories of his comforting palm on my spine a few days ago changed my mind.

When I was within an arm’s distance, Killian finally approached me. My heart thumped against my chest. I held my breath, blood rushing to my ears. What was he going to do to me?

Killian curled a finger under my chin. Wherever he touched, my skin burned. It was the briefest of caress, but I was ignited like a flame, drawn to his touch. His voice brushed upon my neck. He bent his head and raised mine to look into his eyes.

“How are the bruises? Are you still in pain?” Killian muttered. Only his forefinger was touching an inch of my body, yet, I felt naked under his pressing glower.

I slowly shook my head, my breathing growing shallow, and my palms perspiration. I shakingly wiped it on my sweatpants. His attention flickered to my action. Soon, his hand followed as it curled around my wrist. His thumb brushed tenderly on my pulse, almost waiting to hear it skip with fear. It did.

“Do I intimidate you, Selene?” Killian coaxed, his voice deep and smooth. He reminded me of a gun wrapped in silk.

I nodded.

Killian’s lips curled, almost in amusement, before dropping into a straight line.

“Why?” he humored.

Why not? Was he crazy?

I stared at him in disbelief because who in the world would not? Killian almost read my mind, this time, pressing his mouth together. He let out a dark chuckle. Butterflies erupted in my stomach. The sound echoed down the hallways, sending waves of terror across anyone that heard it.

I imagined this was the last thing a man heard before Killian murdered them.

“Yet, you willingly came to a man you’re intimidated by?” Killian’s iris flashed with the slightest bit of humor as if I had just performed a circus trick.

I suddenly had a feeling I shouldn’t have entertained him. That, perhaps, I should’ve quietly gone back into the room.

‘You told me to come,’ I signed with my freed hand.

Killian’s gaze landed on my attempt to respond, then, his attention landed straight on me. He should be able to understand me. That was how his mother once communicated.

“I got you a present,” Killian abruptly said. “Do you want to see it?”

Killian could’ve said ‘come with me.’ He could’ve pulled me down the hallways and I wouldn’t have been able to protest. Once again, he gave me the faux image of a choice. What for?

Despite the questions I had for him, I nodded my head.

“Good.” Killian’s grip on my wrist tightened, but this time, I didn’t flinch from his touch. He turned to glance at me, almost expecting the automatic response, but instead, I stared into his dark eyes.

They reminded me of obsidian. Hot, molten obsidian with enough darkness to forge a blade.

Soon, I found myself walking down the same staircase I once ran down. I stayed away from the spot where Leo had been mutilated by Killian. I didn’t even want to look at it. But even so, I found my concentration wandering. They changed the rug. I assumed it was difficult to wash away Killian’s crimes.

Soon, we walked through a set of double white doors, the only bright color scheme of the house. We moved into an enormous living room with dizzyingly high ceilings. There was a massive pool table on the left with an enormous bar shelved full of domestic and exotic liquor. On the other side were three arcade machines and a black-tiled area with a heavy boxing bag. To the center of the living room was a sprawling sofa, two loveseats, and a television screen that occupied almost half of the wall.

“This is the room where my brothers and I spend most of our evenings together, unless we’re out with business,” Killian said whilst turning to gauge my reaction.

I slowly nodded my head, wondering if he was planning on giving me a tour of the house.

“You’ll hang around here.”

My eyes widened. I pointed towards the punching bag.

‘Hang like that thing right there?’ I gestured with my hand.

Killian frowned. “I didn’t mean it literally.”

I blinked. He stared.

Then, Killian shook his head, as if I had told the greatest joke of the century. His lips curled.

“You’ll eat your meals here. Beth is only here on the weekends, but for the past ten days, stayed to feed you.”

I wondered why.

“We usually outsource cleaning to trusted pack members and Beth is only a housekeeper. We’d rather have privacy than servants,” Killian continued whilst pulling me towards the black linen couch.

The minute I turned, I saw the coffee table where a prominent white box and a half-bitten fruit logo were revealed to me.

“When I’m not around, either one of the twins will watch over you. They don’t know sign language.” Killian’s grip tightened on my palm. I sensed it was a touchy subject for them.

“You’ll communicate with this tablet and the pen it comes with it,” Killian stated, opening the box and showing it to me. He picked up the white pen and scribbled it onto an app.

“Like this,” Killian said, showing the pen’s magnetic features to the side of the tablet, meaning it was a low chance of losing it. He thrust the tablet in my direction.

“No one will ever take away your chance to speak again, Selene,” Killian grunted. “I promise you that.”

My heart stopped. I turned to him, lips parted in shock. Killian was staring right at me. His gaze hardened and his jaws locked. An angry vein popped on his firm jaw, red and pulsating.

With trembling fingers, I took the tablet from him. My chest was tight with emotions. I was both touched and overwhelmed by his efforts. Actions speak louder than words. And this was a gesture I’d forever remember.

Before I could process everything, I heard a commotion from behind me. Loud chatter filled the room and I turned to see the trio walking in. Nicolas was engaged in a conversation with Chester whereas another man who I assumed was the Thornov’s youngest was angrily bickering with them.

“I’m telling you, Jasper,” Chester exasperated. “You really should get your stick wet. At this point, I’m convinced you jack off to books and—”

Chester stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me. It had been days since I saw him, but I had caught glimpse of him before. Whenever Beth brought me food, I always saw the shadow of a man guarding me by my door. One time, I saw his face and knew it was Chester standing outside, whether it was on his phone or just within the vicinity.

When our gaze met, Chester revealed a sheepish expression. He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck as a strange emotion danced on his face. He couldn’t meet my eyes for long, and his concentration quickly diverted to Killian’s hand on my wrist.

“I do not,” Jasper hissed at Chester. “Not everyone wants to shoot blanks into every woman he sees.”

“More like you can’t even if you tried,” Chester retorted, but his attention kept drifting my way.

“Boys,” Killian stated, a hand coming to rest on my lowerback. Wherever he touched, I felt like I was licked by fire.

“Men,” Jasper corrected with a slight grumble of a rebellious teenager. “And lady,” he said upon seeing me.

I nervously rubbed my palm on my sweatpants. I didn’t expect to see all four Thornov in one place, much less, greet them in my ten-day-old outfit. What a sight I must’ve been.

When Chester took a step closer, most likely making his way to the couch, I flinched in fear. I scrambled back, the actions inevitable. Everyone in the room tensed. The room turned deathly still. The chatter died down immediately.

Every pair of eyes landed in my direction. I swallowed. Hard.

What have I done?