Reborn in shadow

CHAPTER2

Chapter 2: The Ghost of Hate

Like a poisoned arrow pointed at my heart, Killian's remarks lingered in the atmosphere. Act like you're his partner?

The concept itself was ridiculous and disgusting. However, a little, desperate part of me was compelled to think about it.

He was correct. I was exposed. By themselves. And Darius.

I felt cold at the prospect of seeing Darius once again. My soul was still aching from the remembrance of his treachery. I couldn't allow him to harm me once again. I had to keep him at bay.

However, Killian Draven? The Moonshine Pack's infamous alpha? A guy renowned for his slyness and brutality? Could I rely on him?

"Why?" With little more than a whisper, I asked. "Why would you protect me?"

His laughter was quiet and without amusement.

Aria, you're a useful pawn. A means of exerting influence on the Golden Claw Pack.

In addition, he said, his eyes sparkling with an odd brightness, "I think you'll be a lot of fun to watch."

His remarks made me furious, and I automatically reached for the blade that was concealed under my cloak. "I'm not a pawn," I said firmly. "And I'm not yours to play with."

A grin played on his lips as he lifted an eyebrow. "We'll see about that, little wolf."

His cold blue eyes stared into my eyes as he drew in closer. "So, what are your thoughts? Do we have an agreement?

I paused, my thoughts whirling. It could be my last opportunity, but accepting Killian's offer was a risky bet.

I said, "I need time to think," in a voice that was almost audible.

He gave a shrug. "All OK. Don't take too long, however. Time is of the essence.

He started to walk away but stopped, staring at me. "One more thing," he continued in a threatening, low voice. "I'll find you if you attempt to flee. Additionally, you won't like the repercussions.

I was left alone with my thoughts as he vanished into the darkness. I inhaled deeply in an attempt to slow my heartbeat.

Although Killian's proposition seemed alluring, it was a trap. He couldn't take advantage of me. I needed to go somewhere else.

But was there any other way?

I looked back at the group, trying to see Darius. His laughter reverberated through the night as he remained there, encircled by other pack members. He seemed so indifferent, so unaware of the suffering he had inflicted.

A rush of resentment washed over me as I thought, "He doesn't deserve to be happy." Not after his actions.

I looked aside, and hated weighing heavily on my heart. To clear my thoughts, I needed to leave this place. Somewhere I could ponder was what I needed.

I moved further into the trees and stole away from the group. The limbs of the trees formed a dark, tangled canopy as they loomed above. The smell of moist ground and pine needles filled the air.

For what seemed like hours, I walked while thinking about Darius, Killian, and the untenable predicament I was in. I need a strategy, a means of self-defense, and a means of retaliation.

Then, behind me, I heard a twig shatter. My hand automatically reached for my dagger as I spun around.

"Who's there?" My voice reverberated across the quiet forest as I yelled.

With his towering, commanding physique silhouetted against the moonlight, a person emerged from the shadows.

Darius.

Anger and terror were pulsing through my veins as my pulse skipped a beat.

His wide shoulders and powerful body were emphasized by the darkness, making him seem much more formidable than I had recalled.

His once-warm and hospitable golden eyes have turned into harsh, icy shards.

"Aria," he whispered in a hoarse, low voice.

My knuckles became white as I tightened my hold on my blade. "What do you want?" My voice trembled a little as I asked.

His gaze never left me as he stepped closer. "I need to talk to you."

I replied, "We have nothing to talk about," in a poisonous tone.

He recoiled like Ia had hit him. He begged, "Aria, please," in his voice. "Just hear me out."

"Why should I?" I spit. "After what you did?"

His shoulders slumped a little as he dropped his eyes. He continued, "I know I hurt you," in a voice that was almost audible. "But I can explain."

"Explain what?" I raised my voice and asked. "Explain why you killed me?"

He raised his head, agony shining in his eyes. He responded, "I didn't kill you, Aria," in a forceful voice. "I would never hurt you."

I sneered. "Darius, don't tell me lies. I noticed you. I sensed the blade.

He gave a headshake. "You're wrong," he responded in a frantic tone. "This was done to you by someone else. Someone who desires our destruction.

"Who?" I insisted. "Who would do such a thing?"

His jaw tightened as he paused. "I don't know," he murmured softly. However, I will find out. And they'll pay when I do."

My thoughts spinning, I gazed at him. Was he speaking the truth, perhaps? Could I have been murdered by someone else? However, who? And why?

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" With an accusatory tone, I asked.

He averted his eyes and kept his eyes on the floor. He added, "I was afraid," in a voice that was almost audible. "I'm scared of what you may assume. I fear losing you.

I responded, "You already lost me," in a voice that broke. "The moment you drove that knife into my heart."

He recoiled once again, agony shining in his eyes. "Aria, please," he begged, extending his hand toward me. "I'm pleading with you, even though I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. Give me another opportunity.

My heart ripped as I gazed at his extended hand. There was a little, weak part of me that wanted to trust him.

i want to pardon him. want to return to his embrace and put the hurt and treachery behind them.

However, I was hampered by a stronger, more cautious aspect of myself. I had already been duped once. I could not afford to be duped once again.

My voice was almost audible above a whisper when I added, "I'm not sure if I can trust you, Darius."

With his shoulders dropping in despair, he dropped his hand. "I understand," he remarked in a sorrowful tone. "But Aria, please. Don't abandon us. Don't abandon me.

He turned and left, vanishing into the darkness. My heart ached from a range of feelings I couldn't quite put my finger on as I watched him go.

I heard another twig break while I was still standing there, deep in concentration. My hand automatically reached for my dagger as I spun around.

It wasn't Darius, however.

Killian was the one.

His cold blue eyes gleamed in the moonlight as he stood at the edge of the open. I felt a chill go down my spine as he grinned, a savage, predatory grin.

His voice was full of hate. "Looks like someone's been busy," he added.

My palm clenched around my dagger's hilt as I gave him a fierce look. "What do you want?"

With mistrust in my voice, I inquired.

His laughter was quiet and without amusement.

He said, "Just checking up on my investment," while maintaining eye contact with me. "And it seems I have some competition."

He stepped forward, staring at the place where Darius had been standing only a second before.

"Don't trust him, Aria," he added in a threatening, low voice. "He's not who you think he is."

My rage flared as I reacted angrily to what he said. "And you are?" I spit. "You're just using me, just like he did."

He gave a shrug. "Perhaps," he answered, humor glimmering in his eyes. "But at least I'm honest about it."

His breath was warm on my ear as he drew in closer.

He said, "Choose wisely, Aria," in a low, sensual purr. "Your life may depend on it."

I was left alone once again as he vanished into the darkness. For a long time, I stood there thinking about Darius, Killian, and the terrible decision I had to make.

Who am I supposed to believe? Who was being honest? Who was the actual adversary?

I was about to go away when I saw a little, well-carved wooden box on the spot where Killian had been standing.

I traced the beautiful engravings with my fingertips as I took it up. The package was lovely, yet there was something... strange about it.

After a brief moment of hesitation, my curiosity overcame me. My eyes widened in shock as I opened the package.

There was a solitary blood-red rose inside, tucked up on a bed of plush velvet.

A little, handwritten letter was also affixed to the stem.

Tomorrow evening, meet me near the waterfall. By themselves. Killian.

My pulse thumping in my chest, I gazed at the message. What did he have in mind? Why did he insist on seeing me so much?

My mind was buzzing with questions as I closed the box. I suspected that this was just the start of a very risky game.

Furthermore, I wasn't certain I wanted to play.