Chapter 5 : Sienna

Where the hell did that car come from?

One second, I'm laughing at the barista's dumb joke, stepping off the curb without looking. Suddenly, I felt the headlights blinding me, the engine roaring, and the tires screeching as the car swerved.

Then him. Kieran's body slams into mine from behind, hard enough to knock the air from my lungs. All that coiled strength pressed against me,

Jesus, it's overwhelming.

He's not letting go.

My heart's pounding so loud I swear he can hear it. Being this close to him does things to me, the way his breath comes steady and controlled even now, those golden wolf eyes flashing.

God, he smells insane, like leather and something wild.

"You smell amazing," I blurt before I can stop myself.

He goes rigid against me. I can feel it.

"Careful, girl," he growls right against my ear, his breath hot on my skin. "Say that again and I won't let you walk away."

It's a threat and a promise. My pulse goes wild.

I should be scared. This is Kieran Byrne. He is the leader of the Alpha, a group of wolves who hate humans and who, after his dad died, swore never to trust us. I should remember the dead body at The Den, the creepy notes from The Architects. For every reason, this is a terrible idea.

But all I can think about is how perfectly I fit against him. How his thumb's tracing my jawline, leaving fire in its wake. His gaze keeps dropping into my mouth.

"Maybe," I breathe, tilting my chin up just to mess with him, "I don't *want* you to let go."

The growl that rips from his chest is pure animal.

For a second, I think he'll kiss me right here in front of everyone.

His hand fists in my hair, his forehead nearly touching mine. "You don't know what you're playing with," he murmurs, voice rough. "When a wolf wants something..."

"Then show me," I whisper.

His eyes go completely gold, pupils blown wide. The grip on my hair tightens—a reminder of how easily he could break me if he wanted to.

"I can hear your heart," he says, dangerously quiet. "Feel your pulse right here." His thumb presses against my throat. "Smell the fear on you..." He leans closer. "And something else."

My face burns. Because he's right. It's not just fear making me shake—it's want. Sharp and undeniable, tangled up with the danger until I can't tell them apart.

"Just like your mother," he rasps. "Smart enough to know better. Reckless enough not to care."

His hand slides down my back, leaving trails of heat through my dress.

"She walked into the dark with her eyes open too," he says. "Look how that turned out."

Mentioning her should snap me out of this. But it doesn't.

"You knew her," I breathe. "My mother."

Something flickers across his face—pain, maybe guilt. "My father did. They worked together. Trusted each other." His jaw clenches. "Until The Architects killed them both."

"Same people leaving me notes," I whisper.

His grip tightens. "What notes?"

"Last night. On my pillow. 'We see you.' Signed by them."

The sound he makes isn't human. Everyone within twenty feet freezes, staring. Pure Alpha power rolling off him in waves.

"You didn't think to tell me?" His voice is terrifyingly calm.

"I'm telling you now."

"After walking around campus alone. After standing on street corners like a damn target," His fingers dig into my hips. "Making yourself their easiest mark."

"I didn't know they—"

"They always watch," he snarls, voice dropping low. "They watched your mother until she knew too much. My father until he was in the way. Now it's you."

His thumb strokes my cheekbone, weirdly gently.

"You're coming with me."

"What?"

"You're not safe. Not here, not at home." His hand wraps around my wrist like a shackle. "Only place you'll be safe is with the pack."

It should feel like a kidnapping. It feels like a claim.

"And if I say no?"

His smile is all predatory. "Then I'll throw you over my shoulder and carry you. Your choice—walk or make this difficult."

Heat pools low in my stomach. The way he's looking at me—like I'm already his—scatters every rational thought.

"This is insane," I whisper.

"Probably." His thumb finds my racing pulse. "But you stopped being safe the second you walked into my club wearing silver and smiling like you wanted to be eaten."

"Maybe I did."

Kieran goes completely still. His eyes search for mine, looking for hesitation. Finding none.

"Then you're about to get your wish," he murmurs, lips brushing my ear. "Because once I get you onto my land? Under my protection?" His voice drops lower. "I'm not letting you leave until you're safe."

"How long's that going to take?"

His grin is wicked. "As long as I want."

Before I can respond, the café door bangs open.

Tabitha comes flying out, and the phone is already recording. Takes one look at us—Kieran's arm around me, my flushed face, how we're pressed together and screams.

"OH MY GOD!" She's practically vibrating. "DID YOU TWO JUST—? SIENNA YOU LUCKY BITCH!"

"Tabitha—"

"WAIT—THIS IS GOLD!" She's narrating like a hype man. "Alpha saves the girl from getting hit! Epic romance moment! And now—" She gestures wildly at us. "He's totally about to carry you off into—"

"Get in the car, Tabitha," Kieran says flatly, not looking away from me.

She blinks. "Huh?"

"You're her friend. Means you're coming too. Not leaving loose ends for The Architects."

Tabitha pales. "The who?"

"People who killed Sienna's mom," he says. "And will kill anyone close to her to draw her out."

All the excitement drains from Tabitha's face. "Oh. Shit."

"Yeah." Kieran finally steps back but keeps hold of my wrist. "So choose—come with us now, or I station a guard outside your place until this is over."

Tabitha looks at me, panicked. "Are you—"

"GET. IN." Kieran snaps, Alpha command rolling through his voice.

Tabitha jumps. Then mutters, "Well, when you put it like that..." and scurries toward the car.

Kieran turns back to me, eyes burning gold. "Last chance to run, little human."

I swallow hard. Then take a step toward the car.

His grin is pure victory. "That's what I thought."