Alpha's Rejected Secretary: Bound by Fate

Chapter4

The Bond That Burns

Kieran’s POV

Danger permeates the dense tension-filled air.

Kieran's eyes blaze into mine, ready.

The hold Lucian has over me gets tighter.

I feel as though I am drowning.

Like in whatever decision I make... I am going to lose something.

Afterwards, Lucian murmurs in my ear, so gentle only I can hear.

"I'll see to it he never sees the sunrise again if you leave with him."

My heart quiets down.

Freeze.

And all of a sudden I understand—

This goes beyond just me these days.

This has to do with survival.

Regarding who would live and die.

"I'll see to it he never sees the sunrise again if you leave with him."

Lucian whispers slithering into the air, and I watch Selene stiffens.

Something within me cracks.

"You believe threatening me will cause her to leave?" My voice is lifeless, black, low.

Lucian's smile became more pronounced. "Oh, Alpha, I do not think. I am aware."

Inside me, my wolf ranges for release.

Not presently. Still not yet.

I pay especially attention to Selene.

She seems divided; her chest rises and falls too quickly.

DAM it.

I approach ahead.

"'Selene.'" My voice is calm now, consistent, anchoring. You know what he is, really. You know what he has done.

Her eyes darted but she stayed still.

Red shows up as Lucian's fingers tighten on her wrist.

I'm having fun with this game.

"Let She. Go."

Lucian chuckles, teasing. And if I don't?

Then I'll create you.

I advance before he can respond.

I am still standing two seconds later.

The following—

I hammer him against the wall.

The effect throws the whole room.

Lucian snarls, his teeth open, but I hold his throat harder.

You do not own her. My voice is a snarl tinged with unquenchable wrath.

Lucian starts to chuckle. "And you do?"

I say nothing.

I'm not needed in this regard.

The one who talks is Selene.

"Kieran."

She speaks softly and hesitantly.

I slant my head slightly and meet her gaze.

Her fists are clasped even though her face is inscrutable.

She is having difficulties.

struggling thanks in part to me.

Lucian takes advantage of my diversion—

His elbow smashes against my ribs.

I groan, trip back, and he lunges.

His claws cut towards my throat—

I dodge, just barely.

His second strike arrives very quickly.

A jaw-dropping blow to the mouth

a kick directed at the ribs—

I take the blows; my wolf grows out of the suffering.

"That's all you had?" I tuck in, wiping blood from my lip.

The grin of Lucian disappears.

He advances once more too quickly—

This time, though, I am faster.

Mid-strike, I grab him, whirl his arm behind his back and bang him to the floor.

From his lungs, the air leaps forth.

"Stay. down." My voice sounds like a deep, forceful growl.

Lucian looks up at me, his eyes flickering red, but he stays still.

For now.

I then go back to Selene.

Frozen in place, she is staring widely at me.

My chest gets tightened.

"We have to leave." Right now my voice is softer.

She slows down.

Hey Selene, Damn it.

I reach out for her hand—

Also for the first time in eternity...

She grants me permission.

But when I drag her ahead—

A good rip across the space.

a snare.

Eventually—

One of the blades.

a silver cutting blade.

Lucian's hand flies too quickly to follow.

I see the metal glinting here.

Then pain bursts from my side.

I w staggered.

Selene gasps, fear widening her gaze.

I cast a quick peek down.

My ribs have the dagger buried there.

The globe slants.

Selene lunches ahead. "Kierán!"

The chuckle of Lucian is nasty. "Oops".

I taste blood in my mouth and see swimming.

Silver is burned.

I eat alive from fire in my veins.

I won't fall, though.

Not yet.

Not while Selene is still in between us.

"Run," I say, rasp.

She gives a strong head shake. No. I am not bidding farewell to you."

Lucian licks his lips. "How heartfelt."

He makes his way towards her.

Mania.

Raw, blinded wrath floods over me.

I reach for the dagger— .

And tear it right away.

Though I don't care, pain tears across me.

I fly the blade—

It finds its way to Lucian's shoulder.

He falls and starts to growl.

Not sufficient to kill him is it.

Still, it gives us ample opportunity.

Desperate, Selene reaches for my arm.

"Kieran, we really have to leave!"

I gritted my teeth.

Though I am screaming in anguish, I keep on.

I am not going to fall.

not now.

Not at her need for me.

Lucian eyes flaming as he takes the dagger from his shoulder.

"This isn't over, Alpha."

I force a stinging smile, bleeding. "No, it isn't."

Later—

We dash.

The woodland is deep, the night air cool against my scorching flesh.

Selene's fingers tightly seize mine, her breathing breathless.

Lucian is behind us and his screams resound over the forest.

I'm losing blood rapidly.

I do not quit running, though.

I can't.

Not right now when she is with me.

Not when I at last have her returned.

Nevertheless, then—

The sound of wolves howling.

Then abruptly—

I understand now.

Lucian is not the only one.

His group is hunting right now.

The hand of Selene closes tightly around mine.

"Kieran?!" She speaks shakily.

I turn to gaze behind us.

And watch shadows slink between the trees.

Around us.

latching us in.

Tonight we are not running away.

We are squarely heading towards hell.

To be kept on.

Chapter Seven: The Start of the Hunt

Kieran's viewpoint

We're encircled.

On my tongue, the words taste like iron and certain truths.

Selene holds my arm, her breaths stacc. "we can fight our way out—"

"Not in my condition," I cut in, voice strained. My side is still hurting; Lucian gave me a scorching wound like hellfire. " Not against this many."

The trees echo the growls, twelve pairs of brilliant red eyes cutting across the shadows.

Lucian's voice slinkers over the evening.

Did you truly believe you could sprint, Alpha?

He advances, the moonlight creating sharp angles on his haughtiness. His shoulder now shows the silver dagger, but the blood covers his ripped clothing.

He is hurt.

Nevertheless, not weak.

Also with him is his pack.

Selene moves in front of me and I sense the conflict in her body—that between fear and will.

"Kieran; we cannot simply—"

'Stay behind me.'" My voice is quiet but definite.

I refuse to permit him to pick her.

Lucian tilts his head and lips start to curve. "Always the defender; are you not? But let me tell you, Alpha..." His eyes sparkle. "Are you ready to pass go for her?"

I move without thinking. Definitely yes.

Selene puffs on a breath next to me.

Lucian chuckled. "Then let's have fun with this."

He makes a quick finger snap.

Attacks by the wolves.

I go before I can think, sheer instinct guiding me.

The first wolf runs—

I twist and grip its throat then bang it to the floor.

Still another leaps from the side:

I dodge, just barely.

Though I don't stop, pain lances my side.

Selene launches a ferocious growl, her claws tearing through skin as she removes an assailant of her own.

Lucian amusedly watches while arms crossed.

He is messing with us.

I snip at the throat of a wolf—

I noticed it then as well.

Sene.

Not focused.

From behind, a great wolf attacks her.

"'Selene!"

I move—

Too Late.