His Killer, His Mate

CHAPTER 2 – Pretty Smiles and Locked Doors

Sable

Day four.

I know because I’ve counted.

Not by clocks or calendars but by meals, by footsteps, by how many times the silence has pressed in on me so hard I’ve had to stand just to remind myself I’m still here.

Still breathing.

Still.... trapped.

My wolf is not handling it well.

She paces beneath my skin like a caged animal, restless, irritated, confused.

This is wrong.

I know.

We shouldn’t be here.

I know.

Do something.

“I’m trying", I mutter under my breath, dragging a hand through my hair.

The room feels smaller today.

Or maybe I’m just more aware of it.

Same walls. Same bed. Same stupid locked door.

Nothing changes.

Except me.

And I don’t like what I’m turning into, this tense, coiled version of myself that jumps at every sound and snaps at every thought.

Yesterday didn’t help.

I let out a slow breath, leaning back against the wall as the memory resurfaces whether I want it to or not.

The Beta.

Tall. Massive. Controlled in a way that felt more dangerous than outright aggression.

Light brown hair, cut clean. Eyes that weren’t quite human. Silver threaded through them like something was always watching from behind.

He had walked in like he owned not just the room, but the air in it.

And the conversation?

Hostile would be putting it nicely.

“You’re not leaving,” he’d said, voice calm. Too calm.

“Watch me,” I’d shot back.

His jaw had tightened slightly, like he wasn’t used to being challenged.

“I’m not asking,” he added.

“And I’m not staying,” I replied.

We’d stared at each other like two people waiting for the other to blink first.

I didn’t.

Neither did he.

It ended with him turning away, like I wasn’t worth the argument.

That annoyed me more than anything.

I push off the wall now, pacing the room again.

“Four days,” I mutter. “Four days and no explanation. No freedom. Nothing.”

Even prisoners get more courtesy than this.

My wolf growls low in my chest.

We take it.

“Relax,” I whisper. “Not yet.”

But she’s right.

If they won’t let me leave…

Then I’ll find a way out.

A knock doesn’t come.

The door just opens.

I freeze mid-step.

Two women walk in.

And for a second, I just stare.

Because this?

This is not what I expected.

The first one has red hair. Not dull, not subtle, rich, vibrant, almost glowing under the light. It falls neatly around her shoulders, framing a face that’s… honestly unfair.

Green eyes. Sharp but warm. Confident.

She’s dressed in a light, flowery dress that moves softly with her steps, paired with simple slippers. Effortless.

Beautiful.

The second one is smaller.

Honey-brown hair pulled into a loose style, a few strands framing her face like they were meant to be there. Blue eyes, bright, lively, observant.

She looks soft.

But there’s something under it.

Strength.

The kind you don’t see until you test it.

They both smile at me like this isn’t weird.

Like I’m not locked in a room in their pack house.

“Hi!” the smaller one says brightly, stepping forward like we’re old friends. “Oh my God, you’re awake, well, obviously you are but like, properly awake.”

I blink.

Once.

Twice.

"What?”

The redhead laughs softly. “Ignore her. She gets excited.”

“I do not,” the smaller one protests immediately. “I’m just being welcoming.”

“By talking too much?”

“By being nice.”

They look at each other.

Then back at me.

I’m still standing there like I’ve just been dropped into the wrong scene.

“Okay…” I say slowly. “Did I miss something?”

The redhead steps forward, offering a small, polite smile. “I’m Victoria.”

She gestures to the other girl.

“And this is Lily.”

Lily beams. “Hi.”

I glance between them.

“Sable.”

“Yeah, we know,” Lily says easily.

Of course they do.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

Victoria tilts her head slightly, like she expected the question. “To keep you company.”

I let out a short laugh. “That’s funny.”

“We’re serious,” Lily says, already moving further into the room like she belongs here.

She drops onto the chair, completely at ease.

Victoria sits more gracefully, crossing one leg over the other.

I stay standing.

Watching.

Waiting.

“You’ve been cooped up in here for days,” Lily continues. “That’s not good for anyone. Especially not wolves.”

My wolf perks slightly at that.

She’s not wrong.

I narrow my eyes. “So you’re my babysitters now?”

Victoria doesn’t flinch. “Think of it as… company.”

I hesitate.

This could be a trick.

Probably is.

But…

My wolf is quieting.

Just a little.

And I’m tired of talking to walls.

“Fine,” I say finally, sitting back on the bed. “But if this turns weird, I’m kicking both of you out.”

Lily gasps dramatically. “Violence? Already?”

Victoria smiles. “We’ll take our chances.”

And somehow…

That’s how it starts.

It’s awkward at first.

Of course it is.

I don’t trust them.

They know it.

But they don’t push.

Lily talks. A lot.

Random things. Pack gossip. Stories that don’t really matter but somehow fill the silence in a way that doesn’t feel suffocating.

Victoria balances her out, calmer, more grounded, occasionally correcting Lily or adding context.

At some point, food shows up.

Junk.

Actual junk. Whatever you can think of. Popcorn, chips, ice cream, burger, everything.

I stare at it.

“Are you bribing me?”

“Yes,” Lily says immediately.

“At least you’re honest.”

“I try.”

I shouldn’t relax.

I know that.

But somewhere between the stupid movies Lily insists on putting on and the random conversations that don’t require anything from me, I do.

Just a little.

I laugh once.

Then again.

And it feels strange.

Like using a muscle I forgot I had.

Hours pass before I realize it and then then, I make a mistake.

“So,” I say casually, picking at the snacks. “When exactly are you people planning to tell me why I’m here?”

The shift is immediate.

Subtle.

But I feel it.

Lily goes quiet.

Victoria’s smile fades just slightly.

I watch them closely now.

There it is.

The wall.

“We don’t—” Lily starts, then stops.

Victoria steps in smoothly. “That’s not something we can discuss.”

Of course it isn’t.

I lean back slightly, studying them.

“Figures.”

Silence settles.

Heavier this time.

I could push.

I want to.

But something stops me.

Because for the first time since I got here…

This didn’t feel like a cage.

And I’m not ready to lose that.

So I wave it off.

“Forget I asked,” I say lightly.

Lily visibly relaxes. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” I mutter. “Just enjoy the peace while it lasts.”

But inside?

I’m already thinking.

Already calculating.

They’re comfortable.

Too comfortable.

And comfort makes people careless.

A slow smile tugs at my lips as I reach for another snack.

Good.

Let them think I’m settling in.

Let them think I’ve accepted this.

Because the truth?

I’m not staying.

I’m getting out of here.

And if gaining their trust is the first step…

Then I’ll play along.

Perfectly.

By the time the door opens again, it’s evening.

And I don’t need to look to know who it is.

Lily lights up instantly. “You took forever!”

Xavier leans against the doorframe like he’s been there the whole time.

“Missed me?” he asks.

“No,” I say immediately.

He grins. “Liar.”

Behind him, the Beta stands.

Silent.

Watching.

Victoria rises smoothly, moving toward him without hesitation.

There’s something unspoken there.

Solid.

Steady.

I look away.

“Time’s up,” Xavier says lightly. “Girls’ day ends here.”

Lily pouts but stands anyway. “Rude.”

They both head toward the door.

Victoria pauses beside me.

“Thank you,” she says softly.

I blink. “For what?”

“For not making it harder.”

I don’t respond.

Because I don’t know what that means yet.

Then they’re gone.

Just like that.

And I’m back to—

“Miss me already?” Xavier’s voice cuts in.

I roll my eyes. “You wish.”

He steps inside, arms crossed, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“You laughed,” he says.

I freeze.

Then narrow my eyes. “Don’t read into things.”

“Oh, I’m absolutely reading into things,” he replies. “You’re softening.”

“In your dreams.”

He chuckles. “We’ll see.”

I stand, crossing my arms. “You’re still not telling me anything, are you?”

“Nope.”

“Annoying.”

“Consistent.”

I sigh, turning away from him. “Get out.”

“Wow. After I so kindly checked on you?”

“You didn’t check on me. You came to collect your wife.”

“Same difference.”

“It’s really not.”

He laughs again.

And for a second—just a second—it almost feels normal.

I hate that.

“Knock if you need anything,” he says as he steps back.

I glance at him. “And you’ll come running?”

He winks. “Always do.”

The door closes.

The lock clicks.

And I’m alone again.

But this time…

I’m not just waiting.

I’m planning.