Chapter 4- Chance to Escape

ELYSSIA’S POV

I stared at the man standing at the entrance, wondering if I had heard him correctly.

Alaric Bellrose?

He had just addressed my father by his name?! He didn’t even say Alpha Bellrose, nor Alpha Alaric—as everyone else did when speaking to the head of one of the Seven founding families.

He just said Alaric Bellrose.

Was this man trying to get himself killed?

My father was not someone people addressed so casually, especially not in front of a hall full of Alphas and influential guests. Even those who disliked him knew better than to disregard his title to his face.

Yet this stranger had done exactly that.

And judging by the way he stood there, he didn’t seem the least bit concerned about the consequences.

“What exactly do you mean by that, Killian Blackthorne?” my father demanded, his voice cold, and he didn’t even acknowledge the fact that this stranger just called him by his name. “And who gave you permission to interrupt a private ceremony?”

Killian didn’t answer—instead, he started walking towards the ceremonial platform.

I watched him approach, my confusion growing with every step.

Does he have a death wish?

He was ignoring my father. Not just ignoring him, but walking away while my father was still speaking to him. If anyone else had dared to do that, the guards would probably have dragged them out before they reached the

first row of guests.

But nobody moved to stop him.

In fact, people began stepping aside to clear his path.

Conversations dwindled as he passed, and whispers followed him through the hall. Even the Alphas who had been standing near the entrance seemed content to let him walk by without challenging him.

My brows drew together as I tilted my head. What in the world is going on?

I had assumed he was a contractor working at our estate. An arrogant, insufferable one, certainly, but a contractor nonetheless. I had no reason to think he was anything more than that.

So why was everyone treating him as though crossing him would be a mistake they might not live to regret?

And why was my father, who had every reason to throw him out, choosing to question him instead?

“Blackthorne!” Darian’s irritated voice rang through the hall. “Whatever business you have with the Bellrose family can wait until this ceremony is over. You’re interrupting a sacred occasion.”

Killian continued as though Darian hadn’t even spoken at all, he just kept walking—straight towards me?

A cold knot formed in my stomach as I watched him approach the platform.

What was he planning to do?

He had already made a dramatic entrance, insulted my father without technically insulting him, and drawn the attention of practically everyone in the hall. Now he was coming straight towards the platform where I stood, still holding Darian’s hand.

I wanted to ask him what he thought he was doing, but the words caught in my throat when he stopped directly in front of me and his blue eyes settled on mine.

For one strange moment, the noise around us seemed to fade. I couldn’t read his expression, and that unsettled me more than his arrogance ever had.

Then he reached for my arm and pulled me away from Darian.

“What are you—”

I barely managed to get the words out before I found myself standing beside him, close enough to catch the faint, expensive scent of his cologne.

Darian’s hand dropped to his side. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.

I stared at the side of Killian’s arrogant face, utterly bewildered. Had he lost his mind? Had he come here to start a fight? And if so, why had he decided that I needed to be dragged into it?

I looked past Killian at Darian. His face was twisted with anger, and he looked ready to tear someone apart. My father stood a short distance away, his expression tightly controlled, while the guests watched in uneasy silence.

Even the priest seemed reluctant to interrupt.

Nobody was stopping Killian—not even my father.

I looked back at the man beside me. He was clearly no ordinary contractor, and whatever influence he possessed was enough to make everyone in this room think twice before challenging him.

Then my gaze returned to Darian.

I had spent the entire evening searching for a way out, yet every attempt had led me back to that accursed platform.

But now, this man had walked in and brought the entire ceremony to a standstill.

What if I could use that?

The thought was reckless, and I knew almost nothing about Killian beyond our brief encounters. For all I knew, he was more dangerous than Darian.

But what choice did I have?

I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away without trying.

Before I could lose my nerve, I moved closer to Killian and wrapped my hand around his arm.

“What took you so long, my love?” I asked, forcing affection into my voice. “I thought you’d abandoned me and left me to bond with someone else.”

The silence that followed was almost satisfying and I had to force myself to swallow.

Darian stared at me, wide eyed, his fists clenching at his side, my mother pressed a hand to her chest, while Vaelisse looked between us, with her brows knitted together.

My father, on the other hand, looked ready to explode.

“Elyssia!” he barked. “What is the meaning of this?”

I pressed my lips together.

“Oh Moon Goddess, please,” I prayed silently. “I wasn’t sure what I had done to deserve the life I have been given, but if you have any mercy left for me, I need it now.” I swallowed and looked at the blood moon, hoping my luck would shine today of all days.

“If you’ve ever loved me, if there’s even a little luck left on my side, please don’t let this man expose me.” I continued. “Just let him play along. Don’t let me end up bonding with that insufferable idiot.”

My palms were damp, and I could feel sweat gathering beneath my hairline, and the room felt incredibly hot and comfortable.

“Lenora,” my father snapped, turning towards my mother. “Talk some sense into your daughter before she disgraces this family any further.”

My mother looked from him to me, concern replacing her initial shock. “Elyssia, sweetheart,” she asked gently, moving closer, “what is going on? Since when have you been seeing this man?”

I couldn’t look her in the eye—I just looked at my feet. “Mother, I can explain.”

“Then explain,” Father demanded. “Since when have you been involved with Killian Blackthorne?”

My heart began to pound so hard I could feel it in my throat.

There it was—the question I had been desperately hoping he wouldn’t ask.

I had no answer. No believable story. No carefully prepared explanation for how I had supposedly fallen in love with a man I had barely spoken to.

I was doomed.

I held my breath, silently begging Killian to save me from the mess I’d created. Let him do this one thing, and I swear I’ll figure out the rest myself.

He glanced down at me. For a fleeting moment, his expression was unreadable. Then a faint smile touched his lips, and he turned towards my father.