Chapter 5
818 Words
Chapter 5: Denial
The moment Emilia disappeared into the gardens...
Killian followed.
Not because he wanted to.
Because his wolf refused to let her out of sight.
Every instinct screamed at him to protect her.
To stay close.
To make sure she was safe.
He hated it.
He hated how little control he suddenly had over himself.
"This isn't happening," he muttered beneath his breath.
His wolf answered with a low growl.
She's our mate.
"No."
She is.
"She's Sean's daughter."
She's OURS.
Killian clenched his jaw so hard it hurt.
For the first time in over twenty years as Alpha, he couldn't silence his wolf.
---
A cool breeze swept through the moonlit gardens.
Emilia leaned against the marble railing surrounding the estate's fountain.
The strange warmth in her chest hadn't faded.
Instead...
It was growing stronger.
Almost...
Comforting.
"Trying to escape your own party?"
The familiar deep voice made her jump.
She turned around.
Killian.
Standing only a few feet away.
His hands rested casually inside his trouser pockets, but his expression was unreadable.
"I just needed some air," Emilia admitted.
"So did I."
Silence settled between them.
Neither knew what to say.
Finally, Emilia smiled nervously.
"I guess birthday parties are more exhausting than I remembered."
A faint smile tugged at Killian's lips.
"They usually are."
The smile disappeared almost immediately.
He shouldn't be here.
Every second beside her made the bond stronger.
His wolf purred.
Closer.
---
Emilia studied him carefully.
Something was different tonight.
He looked...
Uneasy.
Almost troubled.
"Are you alright?"
Killian met her gaze.
For a split second, his icy blue eyes softened.
"I'm fine."
She tilted her head.
"You don't look fine."
His lips twitched.
"When did you become so observant?"
"I've always been observant."
"No."
He chuckled quietly.
"You've always been curious."
The sound of his laughter surprised both of them.
Emilia couldn't remember the last time she'd heard him laugh.
It suited him.
It made him seem...
Human.
---
Inside the ballroom...
Camila frowned.
"Where's Dad?"
Lillian looked around.
"He stepped outside."
"And Emilia?"
Lillian's smile widened ever so slightly.
"I believe she did too."
Camila shrugged.
"They're probably hiding from all the guests."
Sean overheard the conversation.
"I'll go find them."
Something about tonight felt...
Strange.
---
Outside...
Emilia wrapped her arms around herself.
"It's colder than I expected."
Without thinking...
Killian slipped off his suit jacket and placed it gently over her shoulders.
The fabric still carried his warmth.
And his scent.
Cedar.
Rain.
Something wild.
Emilia's heartbeat quickened.
"Thank you."
Killian immediately regretted the gesture.
His wolf practically purred with satisfaction.
Good. She smells like us now.
"Enough."
He took a step backward.
Creating distance.
Needing distance.
Emilia noticed.
Did I do something wrong?
Before she could ask...
A sharp pain shot through her chest.
She gasped.
"Emilia?"
Killian was beside her in an instant.
"What happened?"
"I... I don't know..."
The pain vanished as quickly as it had come.
Replacing it...
Was a strange whisper.
"Find him..."
Her golden eyes widened.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"A voice."
Killian's expression darkened.
"What did it say?"
She hesitated.
"...Nothing."
She didn't know why she lied.
But somehow...
The words felt too personal to share.
---
Hidden among the trees...
Roman watched the scene unfold.
His crimson eyes narrowed.
"So..."
"That's him."
He had expected Emilia to be surrounded by admirers.
Instead...
One man stood closer than anyone else.
One man instinctively protected her.
One man looked at her as though he was fighting himself.
Roman smiled.
"Interesting."
His Beta stepped beside him.
"Should we take her now?"
Roman's gaze never left Killian.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I want to know who he is."
His wolf snarled.
He stands between us.
Roman's own smile faded.
"Then he'll be removed."
---
"Emilia!"
Sean's voice echoed through the garden.
Both of them stepped apart instinctively.
Sean approached with an amused smile.
"There you are."
"We were just talking," Emilia said quickly.
"I can see that."
Sean looked at Killian.
"You stealing my daughter's attention already?"
Killian's expression remained perfectly composed.
"I was making sure she was alright."
Sean nodded appreciatively.
"Thank you."
"If you'll excuse me..."
Killian turned to leave.
Not because he wanted to.
Because if he stayed another minute...
He wasn't sure his wolf would let him walk away.
As he disappeared into the estate...
Sean looked down at Emilia.
"You seem happy tonight."
She smiled softly.
"I am."
Sean kissed the top of her head.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart."
For the first time in years...
Emilia felt like she had her father back.
She had no idea that, only a few steps away, Killian stood hidden in the shadows, gripping the balcony railing until it cracked beneath his strength.
His wolf whispered one word.
Mate.
Killian closed his eyes.
"No..."
But no matter how many times he denied it...
Destiny had already made its choice.
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