Chapter 8: The Silent Threat

Selena's POV 

Turn around little mouse…

I squeezed my eyes shut and slowly, I did. Kai stood in the doorway behind me, hands clasped behind his back, looking calm like he had been waiting there the whole time but his anger was written in the stillness of his body. His muscles were tensed and he was poised like a predator about to pounce.

His eyes were dark, his cold stare pinned me to the spot I stood, daring me to make a move. There were no guards, no one to act as a buffer between us which made it all worse. 

“K–kai.” I stuttered helplessly, eyes darting around for an exit.

His gaze lowered to the doorknob in my hand and I let go of it quickly like it were on fire. A soft hum left him as he straightened and took one measured step towards me, his eyes still revealing nothing.

“You picked an interesting direction to explore, little mouse.” His deep voice was as smooth as silk.

I stepped back until my back hit the very door I was trying to escape from, “I–”

He raised a hand sharply, “Do not insult me with lies.” His voice didn't rise in volume but I could feel the dominance pouring out of him in waves. It was suffocating, my wolf was cowering and whining in submission with her belly up but it didn't stop the sharp spike of arousal running through me.

He lifted his fingers to the collar, just pressing against it lightly but enough to feel the weight and brush of his fingers against the skin of my neck. I swallowed nervously, praying that he wouldn't smell the scent of my body's betrayal, my arousal.

His voice lowered even more, “If you wanted to take a walk, you could have just asked your mate.” He murmured, tilting his head in a way that would look adorable on others but only made him much more sexy.

My voice came out breathless, “You aren't–”

His eyes darkened, “Finish that sentence. I dare you.”

Whatever words I wanted to say got stuck as my courage disintegrated and my throat bobbled nervously, I broke eye contact, choosing to focus on my shoes instead. A low chuckle sounded from behind Kai.

Kian, of course…

He leaned against a wall a few steps away, milky eyes only making him look eerie. His expression wasn't one of anger, it was almost like he was amused but his eyes gleamed sharply in an unnerving way that gave the only indication that he wasn't as amused as he looked.

“She didn't even make it past the front door, I thought she would be a whole lot harder to catch.” His deceptively soft voice rang out.

“Kian,” I whispered like a cornered prey.

His smirk widened but his eyes didn't lose that gleam, “The way I see it, it's either you ran away because you're scared or,” His eyes crawled slowly down my body and back up, “ because you wanted us to chase you.”

With both of their piercing gaze focused on me, I felt more like an ant under a magnifying glass. My heart pounded and my skin became clammy and moist. They were barely touching me and I already felt caged.

“I–I just needed air.” I stuttered, fidgeting with my fingers. My usual well-trimmed nails were already bitten down from all the stress and anxiety.

Kian chuckled darkly, “And you just conveniently chose to use the quickest exit out of our territory while hiding and creeping around like a thief.”

My stomach tightened and I felt nauseous, my mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. Kai tilted my chin up so he could look into my eyes better.

“We're not angry at you,” He started, my knees buckled and a relieved sigh left my mouth, he continued, “but you should have known we would find you. There's no version of this where you get to hide from us, no version where you are beyond our reach.” His hand came up to clasp my neck gently, a sure sign of ownership.

He released my neck and took a step away from me. Turning away from me, he said, “Come.”

My feet moved of their own accord, trailing behind the twins like a scolded puppy. Kian gently shuffled me until I was firmly in between them. I felt overwhelmed and a bit….lonely.

If Ellen were here, she would have some great advice to give, she always knew how to make things better. My mind kept flashing back to the assassin with my pack's crest, I wanted to scream and break something but even more, I wanted to leave and find the assassin. 

And kill him.

We entered what looked like a dining room with low-hanging chandeliers and a long dining table that had maids arranging food on it.

Kai drew out a chair and Kian nudged me softly with a hand at my back. I sat down and the twins sat as well, Kian sat beside me and Kai across. The first course was served, a creamy soup that looked every bit as delicious as it smelled.

My stomach grumbled in hunger but I paid no attention to it, “How did you know?” I asked, but there was no use trying to pretend I wasn't trying to escape. The twins weren't fools.

“Kyle told us to eat,” Kian said simply, pushing a bowl of soup closer to me.

I turned my head sharply, Kyle stood near the door, and a grimace crossed his face when he saw my betrayed expression. He mouthed the word ‘sorry’ but I just shook my head, I should have known better.

“Don't blame Kyle, his orders were to inform us about your every movement,” Kai said, indifferent, coating his tone, placing a napkin on his lap. The collar suddenly felt tighter.

“I don't need a glorified babysitter.” My voice was as sharp as broken glass.

Kian hummed softly, “Little mouse, we can't keep you safe if you run out into the woods alone.” I wanted to say that I didn't need to be kept safe but it would be too obvious a lie. I still had an assassin on my tail.

Kai gestured to my plate, “Eat.”

I picked up my spoon, my hands trembling slightly, and forced myself to taste the soup. It was rich and warm sliding down my throat with an ease that was comforting.

The twins ate as well, occasionally glancing at me with unbridled curiosity. Halfway through the meal, an uncomfortable pressure started building in my chest spreading to my throat.

I set the spoon down, something wasn't right.

Kian frowned, “Selena?”

I pressed a hand to my chest, “I don't feel well.”

Kai's brows furrowed in confusion, “What's wrong?”

I opened my mouth to answer but the pressure sharpened and my breath seized. My spoon clattered to the floor as I bent forward coughing too hard and too fast. The world spun and it felt like my lungs weren't getting enough air.

A huge cough splattered blood over the tablecloth. My vision blurred and my eyes rang. 

“Selena! Kai what's going on?!” Kian's voice was panicked as he stood up violently, in timed like this, his blindness was a liability and disadvantage.

Kai was already beside me, hands holding me up as I continued coughing, blood patterns across his white shirt but he paid no attention to it, “breathe selena, just breathe.”

I tried but all that came out was a wheezing sound as blood dribbled out of my mouth and nose.

“Get a healer now!” Kian snarled.

I wanted to tell him that it was no use, I was already dying. The world was tilting and folding in on itself, and my body gradually became numb.

My vision tunneled and shapes blurred but I could feel a cool hand on my cheek and a frantic scared voice, “Stay with me baby, please.’

One word sliced through the darkness, reaching me, Poison.

My world went dark.