Chapter Five
1130 Words
(Adeline's POV)
Aside from the sound of my heartbeat, the room was excessively quiet.
Morning sunlight seeped through the window bars, casting a diagonal shadow on the floor like a quiet alert. I sat upright, extending my aching limbs, my body rigid from the harsh mattress and the burden of yesterday’s talk with my wolf.
He’s our mate, Adeline.
No.
I shoved the thought aside like it physically burned.
Damian, being my mate didn’t change anything. It couldn’t. I wouldn’t let it.
A sharp knock broke the silence. My spine straightened.
“Get up,” came a voice from the other side. Killian.
I didn’t bother replying. The door creaked open anyway, and he stepped inside, his eyes sharp and scanning. Always assessing.
“You’re coming with me,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow. “Where to? Breakfast in hell?”
Killian’s lips twitched, but the smirk didn’t reach his eyes. “The Alpha wants to see you.”
My stomach knotted, but I didn’t flinch. I had expected this. Damian wouldn’t just let me stay here without pulling some power play.
“Fine,” I muttered, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
As soon as I stepped into the hallway, two warriors, Elias and Edison, flanked my sides.
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously? What do you think I’m going to do? Bite someone?”
Killian didn’t miss a beat. “I’m more worried you’ll do something reckless.”
Fair. Smug. Asshole.
The pack house was massive—cathedral ceilings, cold stone walls, portraits of past Alphas staring down like they’d carved the world with their bare hands. It reeked of power.
But the scent that really got to me?
Damian’s.
Cedarwood. Smoke. Something wild and dark underneath it all. It clung to the walls, wrapped around my senses like a noose.
Stop it, I snapped at her.
You feel it. Her voice was softer now. Longing.
I shoved her down.
Finally, Killian stopped in front of a set of double doors. He knocked once before pushing them open.
Inside, Damian stood behind a large desk. His eyes met mine. And for a heartbeat, just one—everything stilled. The pull between us tightened like a wire.
“Leave us,” he said, his voice a command, not a suggestion.
Killian paused. Gave me a look. Then stepped out and shut the door.
Silence settled between us.
I crossed my arms. “If this is about last night, I already—”
“What’s your real name?”
The question hit harder than it should’ve.
I froze.
I had given him a false one when he asked. A name that wouldn’t tie me to my past. But Damien…he saw right through me.
I hesitated. “Why does it matter?”
He stepped forward, hands braced on the desk. “Because I don’t trust liars.”
My throat tightened.
A beat. Two.
“Adeline,” I said finally. “My name is Adeline.”
Something flickered in his eyes. Gone too fast to read.
“You’ll stay here. Under my watch,” he said, turning away.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
He didn’t repeat himself, dismissing me.
The door opened again. Killian waited.
I walked out without looking back, but my mind was spinning.
Killian returned hours later. His tone was cooler this time.
“The Alpha gave you a bed and space to breathe. Don’t abuse it.”
I stared at him. “Is that a threat or a bedtime story?”
He didn’t laugh. “You’re dangerous. You know that?”
“Dangerous?” I scoffed. “To who? Your ego?”
“I don’t trust you,” he said. “And I trust my gut.”
Smart wolf
“Well,” I said, pushing off the bed, “your gut should probably eat a salad. It’s clearly full of shit.”
He gave me a tight smile. “Come on. You’re training today.”
“Why?” I asked
“You are not a prisoner,”he replied. “But you are also not a guest. Until we figure out what to do with you, you will train.”
I followed Killian down the long corridor, my mind racing. If they were keeping me busy, it meant they were stalling. Keeping me close.
Damien didn’t trust me either.
Good.
Because I didn’t trust him, either.
They led me outside, past the towering stone walls of the pack house. The training grounds were huge, a stretch of dirt and grass bordered by thick trees and stone walls. Warriors were everywhere—sweating, grunting, sparring. Some shifted mid-fight, their wolves quick and brutal.
It wasn’t just training. It was war prep.
Killian stopped near a cluster of fighters and turned to face me. “This is where you prove you’re not just dead weight.”
I bit my tongue. I couldn’t reveal too much. Not yet.
“Fine”, I said instead. “Who am I sparring with?”
“You’ll spar with Jace,” he said, motioning toward a brute man, twice my size, his arms thick with muscle.
Jace stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. “You sure this is fair, Beta?”
Killian smirked. “Try not to break her. Alpha still needs answers.”
My jaw tightened. I stepped into the sparring circle and faced Jace.
He grinned like he already won.
Let him think that.
I had been trained to kill. But here, in front of Damien’s pack, I had to be careful. I couldn’t show too much skill. Not yet.
He came at me fast. I dodge easily, letting his fist sail past my face. He recovered quickly, swinging again. This time, I let him graze my shoulder before twisting away.
He was strong but slow. Predictable.
I played along, dodging, pretending to struggle just enough to seem like I was holding my own but not excelling.
Then, I made a mistake.
I moved too fast. Too smooth.
And Killian saw it.
His sharp eyes locked onto me, his expression shifting from amusement to something far more dangerous.
I needed to end this—fast.
So, I let Jace grab me, let him throw me to the ground. I hit the dirt hard, wincing for the effect.
The warriors watching let out a few chuckles.
“Not bad,” Jace sneered. “For a rogue.”
I replied, “Not bad yourself ” forcing myself to smile.
Killian, however, said nothing.
His arms were crossed, eyes narrow.
“You’ve fought before,” he said quietly as I stepped past him.
I kept walking.
Let him wonder.
Let them all wonder.
Because the longer they underestimated me, the better chance I had of getting exactly what I came for.
- Writer
