Chapter Two:Bound by Instinct, Shackled by Denial
1242 Words
Killian didn't sleep.Not after what happened. Not after the way Eliot had kissed him back.The taste of him still lingered-fire and defiance and something Killian couldn't name.He had crossed a line.He had spent weeks convincing himself that the bond meant nothing. That what happened the night Eliot almost died was just instinct, desperation.But now?Now there was no excuse.Killian sat in his office, staring at the same damn report for over an hour, seeing nothing but Eliot's eyes staring back at him.This was wrong.This wasn't how it was supposed to be.I shouldn't have kissed him.The worst part?He wanted to do it again.His wolf was restless, hungry. The bond had been fed, but it wasn't enough. It wanted more.No.Killian slammed the report down and pushed to his feet. He needed to get out. Away.But as soon as he stepped outside-he froze.Eliot was there.Training.Like nothing had happened.The Omega moved fluidly, his muscles taut, his expression focused. There was a faint flush to his skin, a sheen of sweat clinging to his throat, to the mark Killian had left on him.Killian's fists clenched.His wolf rumbled in approval.And then Eliot's head turned-as if he felt him watching.Their eyes met.A slow, knowing smirk curled at Eliot's lips.Killian turned on his heel and walked the other way.For the next three days, Killian avoided him.Not just avoided-outright ran. Eliot tested it, watching Killian closely, waiting for him to react. But every time their eyes met, Killian looked away.The Alpha was retreating.Eliot wasn't sure if he was amused or pissed.Maybe both.At dinner, Killian sat at the far end of the table. When Eliot entered a room, Killian left.The only time Killian couldn't avoid him was during strategy meetings. And even then, the Alpha refused to meet his gaze, speaking only in clipped, calculated words.Eliot watched it all, eyes sharp.Killian was afraid.Not of Eliot.Of himself.The realization sent a thrill through him.You can run, Killian.But I'm not going anywhere.By the fourth day, Eliot had enough.If Killian wanted to play this game, fine. Eliot could play, too.He found Killian exactly where he expected-alone, deep in the woods.The Alpha was shirtless, his body gleaming with sweat, fists bloodied from hours of training against a worn-out punching bag.Eliot leaned against a tree, arms crossed, watching."You keep running, and people are gonna start asking questions."Killian stiffened.He didn't turn. Didn't even look at Eliot."I'm not running." His voice was low, tight.Eliot pushed off the tree, stepping closer. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, it looks a lot like you are."Still, Killian wouldn't face him.The tension was thick, crackling like a storm on the horizon. The bond pulsed between them-hot, undeniable.Eliot felt it.He knew Killian did, too.He took another step. "You kissed me."Nothing.Eliot's lips curved. "I kissed you back."Still, nothing.But Killian's shoulders were tense.Eliot tilted his head, voice dropping. "And now, suddenly, you can't even look at me?"Killian let out a slow breath. "It was a mistake."Eliot smirked. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that."That did it.Killian turned-fast. His silver eyes blazed, furious."You don't get it, Eliot." His voice was sharp, raw. Frustrated.Eliot arched a brow. "Then make me get it."Silence.Killian took a step forward, his chest heaving. "This bond-it's not something I wanted. It's not something I can afford."Eliot's smirk faded. "You think I asked for it?"Killian's jaw clenched."This bond exists whether you want it or not," Eliot continued, stepping closer. "So tell me, Killian-what are you so afraid of?"The Alpha's breath was ragged. His wolf was near the surface.Eliot didn't back down.Didn't look away.Because he saw it now.Killian wanted him.But Killian hated that he did.The realization sent a thrill through Eliot's veins.He leaned in, his voice low, teasing. "You can fight it all you want." His lips brushed against Killian's ear. "But I feel you, Alpha."A shudder ran through Killian's body.Eliot smiled. "And you feel me, too."Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.Killian didn't stop him.Couldn't stop him.Because Eliot was right.And it was killing him.---It started with the dreams.They weren't like before.Before, they were memories. The battlefield, the blood, the way Eliot had almost slipped away. The nightmares had haunted him for weeks.Now?Now they were something else.Heat. A body pressed against his. Soft gasps. Nails dragging down his skin.Eliot's scent wrapped around him like a noose, suffocating, intoxicating.Every time he woke up, his skin burned, his wolf snarling with frustration.But it wasn't just the dreams.It was everything.The way Eliot moved through the pack like he belonged-like he wasn't just an outsider anymore. The way the warriors respected him now, how he stood his ground, challenged orders, questioned Killian's decisions.The way he smirked every time he caught Killian staring.It was driving him mad.Killian couldn't sleep. He couldn't focus.His temper was slipping-his grip on control unraveling, thread by thread.The worst part?Eliot knew.He could feel it through the bond.And he was playing with fire.The Slow SpiralIt was in the little moments.At meals- Eliot would brush his hand against Killian's when he reached for something. Their eyes would meet. Eliot would smirk. Killian would grit his teeth and look away.During training- Killian would hear Eliot's heartbeat over everyone else's, would feel the weight of his stare from across the field. When their bodies collided in a spar, the bond flared, and Killian had to force himself to let go before he lost himself.At night- he found himself standing outside Eliot's door more than once, fists clenched at his sides, his wolf clawing at him to go inside.He never did.But it was getting harder.His pack noticed.His Beta, Rhys, was the first to say something."You're distracted," Rhys muttered after a strategy meeting. "You keep making calls you wouldn't normally make."Killian scowled. "I'm fine."Rhys snorted. "Right. And I'm a fairy princess."Killian glared.Rhys crossed his arms. "Look, I don't care what's going on between you and Eliot, but the pack sees it. Your wolf is on edge. You're tense as hell, and if you don't handle it soon-""I said I'm fine."Rhys gave him a long look. Then, with a sigh, he muttered, "Denial's a b***h, Alpha."Killian nearly ripped his head off.It happened on a moonlit night, deep in the woods.Killian had gone to train, to try and exhaust himself, to clear his head.Eliot followed.The Omega leaned casually against a tree, arms crossed, watching him. "You keep running out here at night," Eliot mused. "What are you running from?"Killian didn't answer. He couldn't.Eliot stepped closer. Slow, deliberate."You've been different," Eliot continued, voice smooth. "Avoiding me. Losing your temper." He tilted his head. "You dream about me, don't you?"Killian froze.Eliot smiled. He felt it.That was it.That was the moment Killian broke.One second, he was standing still-the next, he had Eliot pinned against a tree, breath ragged, eyes burning silver.Eliot didn't flinch.Didn't even look surprised."Finally," he murmured.Killian growled. "You don't know what you're playing with."Eliot smirked. "Don't I?"Killian's grip tightened. His entire body was on fire.The bond screamed between them, pulsing like a second heartbeat. His wolf was howling, demanding.Eliot lifted his chin, baring his throat. Challenging.Killian's breath hitched.He had been so careful. So controlled.But Eliot was breaking him down, piece by piece.And now-there was nothing left to fight with.With a low, guttural growl, he finally gave in.His mouth crashed onto Eliot's-hungry, desperate.Eliot gasped against him, but Killian didn't let him pull away. He devoured him, teeth scraping against lips, hands gripping Eliot's waist like he would disappear if he let go.The taste of him-it was everything.The bond flared, heat flooding through them, and Killian knew.There was no going back.He had lost the battle.And Eliot?He had won.
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