“I– I don't understand my lord” Sienna bowed.
He didn't say anything— he was dangerously quiet that Sienna felt sweaty in her palm. The next thing she felt was his fingers under her jaw— he gently lifted her face so she could meet his eyes.
“What are you hiding from me Sienna?” his voice was cold— too cold. His golden eyes burned into hers, sharp and calculating.
Sienna did all she could to hold his gaze, she'd never looked into any eyes with such intensity before.
“Why do you always think I'm hiding something?”
Kieran opened his mouth to speak but his words hung as he suddenly remembered he was in the midst of his warriors. Without taking his eyes off Sienna, he dismissed them;
“You all can leave, we're done here”
The warriors scurried away whispering amongst themselves— some casted lingering glances at Sienna.
“Follow me” Kieran jerked his head, signalling her to follow him.
As they walked, each step felt heavy as if walking into a storm. He led her to a private corner behind the training ground, his body tensed and jaw clenched.
The moment they were alone, he quickly turned.
“Where did you learn that?” His sharp voice cut through the air.
“I lived in the woods for years, my lord” she lifted her chin– her tone calm.
“In there, I had no one to protect me. I was all alone and I had to survive— the urge to stay alive teaches one so many things”
Kieran's gaze narrowed as he stepped closer.
“Survival doesn't teach precision. Catching a flying sword? That's a skill, a trained skill, Sienna. Who are you really?”
“Alpha why do you always do this? Why do you always assume the worst about me? That hurts” she met his gaze.
A painful silence stretched between them– Sienna kept wondering what was on his mind but his eyes remained cold, unyielding and unreadable.
His jaw ticked and he finally took a step back "Fine, you can go."
Sienna didn't spend any second, she quickly turned and walked away, her heart hammering in her chest.
As soon as she left, Kieran turned to the guards standing a few steps away from him.
“Keep an eye on her— report her every move. I don't trust her.” he said in a note of finality.
—————
Sienna couldn't sleep, she slowly sat up on her bed surprised to see the maids quarters empty. She got down from her bed and walked to the door— as soon as she opened it, she saw the whole place in chaos. Whispers became loud murmurs as servants scurried around like frightened mice.
“What's going on?” Sienna, who was totally confused, asked a maid beside her.
“Something went missing,” the girl whispered.
“So the whole palace is about to collapse because something went missing? How important is that thing?” Sienna wondered, maybe a bit too loud.
“It's very valuable to the Alpha. I heard it's an ancient artifact tied to the throne and every Alpha must keep it safe else they'll die by hanging— it's gone missing!” Another maid explained.
Sienna’s eyes widened, she realized how serious the issue was. Could there be someone else in this palace who wanted Kieran dead except her? Else why would someone steal something so important and powerful?
Soon Kieran walked in, his fury was unmatched.
“Search everywhere! Tear down the palace if you must! Just find it!” He thundered.
Sienna had never seen him like this before and it sent shivers down her spine. The more she stayed in this palace, the more she witnessed different sides to Kieran.
The search was ruthless, every corner was examined— every shadow was questioned.
Until…
One of the guards returned with a place face. He held a small cloth bundle in his hand.
“We found it, Alpha”
Kieran's eyes sharpened.
“Where?”
“In the maid's quarters, the head maid identified the person in which we found it in her belongings as Sienna, the rogue refugee”
A deafening silence filled the room. The weight of the moment pressed down.
Sienna stood in a spot, frozen in shock. Her heart skipped beats as all gaze turned on her.
“I— I didn't take it, I swear” she said, her voice steady— though fear creeped up her skin.
“I didn't, I was framed”
Seeing her denying even after being caught made Kieran's temper boil, his patience for her had already worn thin. His eyes burned with betrayal.
“You dare lie to my face?”
“I'm not lying!” She insisted but he immediately cut in
“Shut up Sienna! Just shut the fuck up!” He yelled, his chest raising and dropping at an abnormal rate.
“You asked why I always assumed the worst about you?” He paused as he took a step closer, his power suffocating. The entire room was still silent as everyone watched in disbelief.
He continued.
“It's because you've never told a single truth since you came here! Sienna I can tolerate anything you throw at me but lies, I hate them!”
“Throw her into the dungeon”
“My lord I—”
The guards didn't hesitate. Their rough hands grabbed her as they dragged her through the silent hall. She didn't struggle— not because she was weak but because she was in thought.
Who would've done this to her? She'd been careful since she came— or did anyone see through her plans and wanted to silently take her off the picture?
Could it be the maids? They're the only ones who really hate her in this palace.she clenched her fist— if she ever finds out they're the ones responsible, she'd deal with them when he gets out.
If she gets out.
—————
Sienna folded at a corner, her knees raised to her chest. A lot troubled her— Kieran's angry face kept appearing in her head and it sent cold shivers through her body.
The dungeon was cold and damp. It carried an offensive order that added to her discomfort.
Hours had passed— or maybe even longer.
Then, loud footsteps echoed. They sounded slow and purposeful.
Lucian appeared with a dim fire torchlight. He dismissed the guards with a nod.
“The Alpha wants to speak with her”
The guards obeyed as the door creaked open. Sienna stood, her body aching, and she followed.
“Does the Alpha really want to speak with me?” She asked but Lucian didn't reply so she swallowed back the other words she was going to say.
Lucian led her into a dimly lit room— Kieran wasn't there, nor the guards. Just both of them.
She sharply turned to him.
“Where's the Alpha?”
Lucian didn't reply as a slow creepy smile framed his face. “He's not coming”
Cold slid down her spine as she took fast steps to the door but he was faster, he blocked her path.
“What are you up to? Don't you know Kieran would get mad if he finds out about this?”
“Come on, Sienna” he said with a soft coaxing voice.
“You don't belong down there and I could help.”
She squinted
“What do you mean?”
He stepped closer, his eyes roaming over her body. “My friend, Kieran, listens to me. He always had, and I could tell him you're innocent”
“And in return?” Her stomach knotted
Lucian's smile deepened. His hand slid down, fingers brushing against her tiny waist. She jerked back away from his hold but he caught her arm, holding her still.
“You're smart” he murmured, his fingers tracing the curve of her hip.
“You know what I want”
His other hand grabbed her butt, squeezing it roughly. She gasped and tried to push his chest but he was stronger.
“Let me go,” she hissed.
Lucian chuckled darkly
“We’re both going to enjoy it”
His hand slided lower as they brushed over her thigh. She twisted— she wasn't going to let him have his way, never!
She struggled with him but his grip didn't budge.
“All these are useless” he whispered against her ears.
He pulled out a small bottle, popped the lid and a sharp scent hit her nostrils. She stumbled, her body betrayed her as heat surged through her veins.
"Aphrodisiac…?"
The words died as her body trembled, desire burned through her like fire.
She collapsed gasping.
Lucian knelt beside her, his fingers caressing her thighs. “Doesn't that feel better?”
"No..." she rasped, her skin tingling.
He grinned as his teasing fingers slid higher. A soft moan escaped her mouth before she could stop it.
“Trust me, you'll beg for me soon.”
As soon as his fingers slipped beneath her dress;
“What the hell are you doing?”
The voice was ice and thunder.
Lucian froze, his body stiffened as he turned slowly.
And there stood Kieran. His golden eyes burned with something unreasonable other than fury– his jaw tightened in rage.
With two steps, Kieran reached them. He grabbed Lucian by the throat, lifting him with abnormal strength.
Lucian choked as he struggled.
“You dare touch what's mine?” Kieran growled— low but deadly.
Lucian gasped— Kieran has never treated him this way before regardless whatever he did.
“I… I was just—”
Kieran didn't let him finish before slamming him against the wall— a sharp cracking sound was heard, Kieran released him. He groaned as he fell to the floor in a loud thud.
Kieran knelt beside Sienna, his cold and ever calculating eyes framed her figure.
“Did he touch you?” His voice is sharp and deadly.
Sienna’s body trembled, but she met his gaze. "He tried."
Kieran stood, his eyes went to Lucian's barely conscious form
“I'm disappointed” he sneered, voice cold as death.
He bent over as he gently carried Sienna in his arms as he turned to his guards. “To my room, now!’
He turned to Lucian one last time.
“Be ready to face your punishment”
As Kieran carried her away, her heart pounded— not from fear but from the way Kieran held her.
Firm but protective.
