Chapter 5. Unfamiliar Sensation

His cold green eyes locked onto a pair of bright blue orbs, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed to stop around them.

She blinked—once, then twice—and a soft gasp escaped her parted lips, instantly drawing Killian’s gaze downward.

Fuck. Those lips. So damn kissable. He was already painfully hard just from looking at them. His heart was pounding, and his wolf snarled in his head.

What the fuck was wrong with him?

But suddenly, her expression shifted—terror flashing in her eyes. She began to wriggle out of his arms, and the change made his brows knit in confusion.

Who was she terrified of? Was it him?

But when she struggled harder, he let her go.

She didn’t stay a moment longer. She turned and ran—as if fleeing for her life.

Killian stood frozen, still feeling the imprint of her in his arms.

‘Who the fuck was she?’

The question was growled in his mind by his wolf, consuming every ounce of Killian’s focus—pushing everything else in the world to the side.

"That was Isabella Hart. Your bride," Ethan informed, noticing the eager expression on Killian's face. It was as if Killian suddenly snapped out of a trance. He stared at Ethan, then looked again in the direction where Isabella had disappeared.

*

"Where were you, Bella?" Jessica scowled as Isabella entered the room where she was supposed to get ready for the wedding. Jessica was already there, waiting—and seething.

When Isabella heard someone had gotten hurt in the kitchen, she hadn’t been able to stop herself from going and helping the omega who had been wailing in pain. It took longer than she thought. But what she never expected was to collide with Alpha Killian.

How did she recognize him?

Well, no one had that intimidating cold aura as strong and commanding as the Alpha. The moment she realized that the unknown man she had bumped into wasn’t a stranger—but Alpha Killian, terror flooded her.

More terrifying than that?

That weird, unfamiliar sensation that passed through her when he held her.

What was that?

“Oh, dream girl, come out of your fantasy and return to Earth to grace us with your pathetic presence,” Jessica mocked, snapping her back to reality. “Now, hurry up and get ready. Alpha Killian is already here, and everyone is waiting for the bride. And Father is calling you,” she added before walking out.

Isabella sighed as she looked at her very simple white wedding gown. She picked it up and began to change quickly.

She fixed her hair into a messy bun and placed the veil on the crown of her head. Then she stepped out of the room, noticing a few omegas waiting to accompany her to the wedding hall—not her mother, not her sister. No one from her family.

The moment Isabella stepped onto the ceremonial grounds, her heart skipped a beat. What was usually an open stretch of land near the edge of the forest had been transformed into a majestic wedding arena—large fabric canopies in shades of deep crimson and gold billowed in the breeze, mimicking the structure of a grand hall. Lanterns hung from tall wooden poles, casting a warm glow over the gathering as twilight approached. The scent of pine mingled with the faint fragrance of fresh roses scattered along the aisle.

Her gaze traveled to the raised platform at the center, where her father, Alpha George, stood. His deep voice resonated across the pack grounds, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Today, I have a very important and joyous announcement to make,” he began, his eyes scanning the crowd. “We are honored to be joined by our esteemed guests—Alpha King James Nightbane and his son, Alpha Prince Killian Nightbane.”

A quiet murmur rippled through the pack. 

“I am pleased to announce that an alliance has been formed between our packs,” Alpha George continued. “And to seal this bond, Prince Killian will marry my daughter, Isabella.”

Isabella’s chest tightened with nerves. Eyes turned toward her—some filled with surprise, others with silent judgment. She stood frozen at the edge of the gathering, trying to keep her expression and emotions in check. Until now, the entire pack believed Alpha Killian would marry Jessica, but no one ever imagined Isabella would be his bride. 

Now that they knew, they feared his fury—if Alpha Killian discovered his offered bride was nothing more than a weak she-wolf, his wrath would be merciless… and every last one of them would pay the price.