Chapter 3 – Secrets Unleashed

Killian’s presence filled the tiny cabin like a storm, his aura pressing against me with raw dominance. My wolf trembled inside me, torn between anger and the irresistible pull of our bond.

“Aria…” he repeated softly, voice strained as if holding back a thousand unspoken words. His gaze flicked toward the floorboards again, sharp and knowing. “That sound… it wasn’t an animal, was it?”

I swallowed hard, my pulse thundering. For years, I’d managed to keep Luca hidden from his father, from Nightfang’s grasp. Now, with one careless sound, everything threatened to unravel.

My body moved instinctively, stepping closer to Killian, my chin raised despite my pounding heart. “Leave,” I hissed, my voice trembling but firm. “You’ve done enough damage. You don’t get to walk back into my life and take what little I have left.”

His eyes darkened, the silver glow of his wolf sparking. “What are you hiding from me, Aria?” he demanded, his Alpha command curling around the words like a whip.

I clenched my fists, fighting against the pull of his authority. My wolf whimpered under his dominance, but my love for my child burned hotter than any command.

“Nothing that concerns you,” I snapped. “Now get out.”

Killian’s jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring as he drew in a sharp breath. Then, in an instant, his expression shifted—his eyes widened, lips parting slightly as if a puzzle piece had just fallen into place.

His gaze snapped to my stomach, then to the faint scent of wolf pup lingering in the air. Slowly, deliberately, he whispered:

“You had my child.”

---

My breath hitched, my knees weakening. The cabin seemed to shrink, the world tilting dangerously. “No,” I lied weakly, voice barely a whisper. “You’re imagining things.”

But Killian’s Alpha instincts didn’t miss lies. He stepped closer, his massive frame towering over me, yet his expression wasn’t anger—it was something far more devastating.

“You were pregnant when you ran,” he murmured, his voice trembling with disbelief. “And I—” his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, silver eyes shimmering with raw pain, “—I didn’t even know.”

I bit my lip until I tasted blood, tears stinging my eyes. “You rejected me,” I choked out, fury and heartbreak colliding. “You humiliated me, Killian! I had nothing left… nothing but him. I couldn’t let you or anyone in that cursed pack destroy him too.”

For the first time since I’d met Killian, the ruthless Alpha looked utterly broken. His broad shoulders slumped slightly, his breathing uneven. “Aria…” he whispered hoarsely, “I’ve made a mistake I can never forgive myself for.”

---

Before either of us could say another word, a small, trembling voice cut through the tense silence.

“Mama…?”

I spun around, heart in my throat. Luca stood at the edge of the crawl space, his wide silver eyes—Killian’s eyes—gleaming with fear and curiosity. His little fists clutched the hem of his shirt, his dark hair messy from hiding.

Killian made a sound I’d never heard before—a low, guttural noise that was half-growl, half-broken sob. He staggered a step closer, as if drawn by an invisible force, his hands trembling at his sides.

“My son…” Killian whispered, voice cracking.

Luca looked from me to him, confusion etched on his young face. “Mama… who is he?”

I dropped to my knees, pulling Luca close and cupping his small face. My chest ached so badly I thought it might split open. “Baby,” I said softly, my voice trembling, “this… this is your father.”

---

Time seemed to freeze. Killian dropped to his knees in front of us, his huge form suddenly looking fragile as his silver eyes glistened with unshed tears.

He reached out a shaky hand, hesitated, then pulled it back as if afraid to touch. “I… I don’t deserve to,” he murmured brokenly.

Luca blinked up at him, his little brow furrowed. “You’re my daddy?”

Killian’s voice cracked as he nodded. “Yes, little wolf. I’m your daddy.”

Something inside me shattered at the sight of the feared Alpha of Nightfang pack—my former mate—completely undone by a boy barely five years old.

Luca glanced at me, silently asking for permission. I hesitated, torn apart by instinct and emotion… but then I nodded softly.

Slowly, Luca stepped forward. Killian scooped him up carefully, as if holding something sacred. The mighty Alpha buried his face in his son’s hair, a choked sob escaping his throat.

“I missed everything,” Killian whispered, voice trembling. “Your first breath… your first steps… your whole life. And it’s my fault.”

---

The sight clawed at my soul. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to stop the wave of emotions crashing over me. Part of me wanted to rip Luca back, to shield him from the man who’d destroyed me.

But another part… a part that still remembered Killian’s touch, his once-soft words, the bond we shared… couldn’t ignore the truth in his voice.

Killian finally looked up at me, still holding Luca protectively. His silver eyes glistened, raw and pleading. “Aria… please. I know I’ve lost the right to ask you for anything. But let me be his father. Let me make this right.”

I stared at him, heart pounding. My mind screamed no, but my wolf… my wolf whimpered softly, recognizing its mate’s pain.

“Make it right?” I spat bitterly, tears streaking my face. “You can’t erase what you did. You think you can just show up after all these years and—”

A loud crash interrupted me. The cabin door swung open violently as three Nightfang warriors rushed in, their eyes glowing fiercely.

“Alpha!” one barked. “We’ve been tracking rogues near the border. It’s not safe here.”

Killian snarled low, his protective instincts flaring. “Out,” he commanded, his voice laced with Alpha power that made even me flinch. “No one comes near them. This is my family.”

---

The warriors hesitated only a moment before bowing their heads and retreating. Silence returned to the cabin, thick and heavy.

Killian stood, still cradling Luca gently. “You’re coming home,” he said firmly, his Alpha tone brooking no argument.

I stiffened, my own wolf bristling. “Home?” I spat. “Nightfang is not my home. Not after what you did.”

Killian stepped closer, eyes burning with determination. “I don’t care if I have to fight every Elder, every law of the Moon Goddess herself—I will make it your home again. I will make it safe for you… for both of you.”

I stared at him, my body trembling with conflicting emotions—rage, pain, longing, fear. My heart knew one thing with terrible certainty:

The man who had once destroyed me was now the only shield standing between me and a world that wanted us broken.

And I didn’t know if I could ever forgive him… or if fate would even let me try.