Running with wolves

ELARA

I had no idea if I could handle the burn.

Killian’s body pressed against mine, caging me against the cold stone wall. I felt heat and power from every inch of him, but I refused to let it intimidate me.

Even as my pulse pounded in my throat.

Even as his golden eyes darkened, locked onto mine.

“You don’t know what you’re doing,” he said, voice low and controlled, but there was an edge to it, a warning.

I forced a smirk. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

His grip on my waist tightened, his fingers digging into my skin.

“You think I won’t break you, little human?” His voice came like a quiet threat, his breath fanning over my face.

I lifted my chin, meeting his stare head-on. “You already broke me the moment you rejected me.”

His jaw clenched.

Good.

He could pretend all he wanted, but I knew he was feeling the bond. I could see the struggle in his eyes, feel the way his body betrayed him by leaning closer instead of pulling away.

But I wasn’t about to let him win.

I wasn’t some damsel waiting to be rescued. I wasn’t weak.

And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let him control me.

So I did the most reckless thing I could think of.

I leaned up on my toes, just enough to bring my lips dangerously close to his ear.

“Go ahead, Alpha,” I whispered. “Show me how little I mean to you.”

His body tensed. His breathing turned ragged, his fingers twitching against my waist. For a moment, I thought I had him, I thought he would finally snap and say the words I’d been waiting for.

Then, just as quickly, he stepped back.

The feel of his body disappeared, leaving only the cold air between us.

I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding against my ribs.

Killian exhaled harshly, raking a hand through his hair. His expression was neutral, but I could see it, the cracks in his control.

The bond was affecting him. He was fighting it. But he was losing.

I needed to push him further.

“Why are you keeping me here?” I demanded, crossing my arms. “If I mean nothing to you, let me go.”

Killian’s golden gaze snapped to mine. “Because you saw too much.”

I scoffed. “Right. Because the big bad Alpha is scared of a human girl spilling his precious secrets.”

His lips pressed into a thin line.

“You don’t understand what you’ve walked into,” he said, voice tight. “If my enemies find out about you, they’ll use you against me. You’ll be hunted.”

I stared at him, my smirk fading slightly.

He sounded serious, almost concerned.

I shook my head. “That’s not my problem.”

“It is now.”

My hands curled into fists at my sides. “You can’t just decide my life for me.”

“You don’t get it, do you? You’re mine, whether either of us likes it or not.”

I flinched.

The way he said it, possessive and absolute, sent a strange heat through my body, one I didn’t want to acknowledge.

But I couldn’t let him see that.

I forced out a laugh. “Oh, please. You don’t want me, remember?”

His eyes flashed, and for a split second, I thought I saw something dangerous in them, but just as quickly, it was gone. He turned away, walking toward the door. “Stay in this room until I say otherwise.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Or what?”

He stopped, glancing over his shoulder. “Or I’ll make you.”

Then he was gone, leaving me alone. I let out a shaky breath, my fingers brushing over the spot where his hands had been.

Damn him. I should be terrified of him. I was terrified of him. But I was also furious.

I needed to find a way out of here, before he would drive me completely insane.

The moment Killian left the room, I sprang into action.

I paced the space, scanning every inch for possible exits. There had to be a way out. A hidden door, a weak window latch, something.

But the more I searched, the more I realized just how thoroughly trapped I was.

Killian had locked me inside. Of course, he had.

I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to think.

I had spent most of my life surviving on my own, outsmarting people who underestimated me. Killian Blackwood might be an overbearing Alpha with a god complex, but he wasn’t invincible.

I just had to be smarter.

The only problem? I didn’t know anything about werewolves, how they thought, how they fought. I had spent less than a day in this world, and already, I had made an enemy out of the most powerful man here.

And if what he said was true, if his enemies really would come after me, then I wasn’t just fighting for my freedom. I was fighting for my life.

I had to get out of here. Now. I pressed my ear against the door, listening for movement. There was no sound, meaning the coast was clear.

Good.

I took a deep breath, grabbed the nearest object which was a small, decorative lamp and smashed it against the doorknob.

The sound echoed through the room, but I didn’t stop. I slammed the lamp down again, harder this time. The metal bent slightly.

One more hit and the door suddenly swung open.

I barely had time to react before I was met with a pair of narrowed golden eyes.

Killian stood in the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. I swallowed hard.

“Well,” I said, forcing a smirk. “That was easy.”

His gaze shifted to the broken lamp in my hands, then back to me.

“You really thought you could break out?” His voice was calm, almost amused.

I lifted my chin. “Would’ve worked if you took longer.”

He exhaled, rubbing his temples. “You’re unbelievable.”

“You’re unbearable.”

His eyes darkened, then, to my utter shock, he stepped aside.

“Go, then,” he said.

I blinked. “What?”

“You want to leave so badly? Go.” His expression was unreadable. “I won’t stop you.”

I didn’t trust him. Not for a second.

But I wasn’t about to waste this opportunity.

I pushed past him, with a beating heart. I didn’t hesitate. I ran down the hall. Around the corner. Past rooms and doors I didn’t recognize.

I had no idea where I was going, but I didn’t stop.

Not until I heard a deep growl. I immediately came to a halt, my breath catching in my throat.

At the end of the hallway stood a massive black wolf, with golden eyes that gleamed in the dark.

I took a slow step back while the wolf stalked forward.

Oh, shit.

I turned and took to my heels, my heart slamming against my ribs. I didn’t have to look back to know it was chasing me, I could hear the heavy thud of its paws against the floor.

I was heading straight into a dead end. I barely had time to stop before I crashed into a wall.

Trapped.

The wolf prowled closer, in panic, I searched for anything I could use to defend myself but before I could make a move, the wolf lunged.

I squeezed my eyes shut but the wolf never came. Instead, I felt warmth. Heat. Sparks.

I slowly opened my eyes, Killian stood in front of me, his back to me, his body rigid with tension.

The black wolf had stopped inches away, and its snarl faded. Then, to my utter shock, it lowered its head and whimpered.

Killian let out a breath. “Lucas,” he said.

The wolf let out a soft huff, then shifted.

In the blink of an eye, the massive beast transformed into a man. Lucas.

I barely recognized him without his usual composed demeanor. His chest rose and fell rapidly.

“She ran,” he said, his voice tight. “I thought…”

“I let her run,” Killian cut in, his voice was calm but firm.

Lucas’s gaze was on me. His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t say anything.

Killian turned to face me, his golden eyes sharp.

“Still think you can survive out there?” he asked.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my breathing to steady.

I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of admitting he was right.

So I just lifted my chin. “I had it handled.”

His lips twitched, like he was fighting a smirk. “Of course you did.”

Lucas exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “We should get back before anyone notices.”

Killian nodded but didn’t move. His gaze remained locked onto mine, unreadable.

Then, finally, he turned.

“Come on, little human,” he said. “You’re not going anywhere.”

I scowled, but I had no choice but to follow.

For now.