4

I shut my eyes as the wolf opens his mouth, but the fangs don't come. Instead, I feel his weight lift off me as a howl of pain tears through the night.

My eyes snap open and I jump to my feet immediately, sinking my teeth into my lips to numb the pain caused by my movement. “Took you long enough,” I hiss.

I watch as he grabs the wolf—Liam—by the head and slams it into the ground. Before he can recover, the man slides down the alley, grinding Liam’s face against the pavement, then flings him backward, sending him crashing... right next to me.

“What the fuck?!” Despite my words, I immediately drive the heel of my shoe into Liam's eye, channeling all my anger into my attack. I kick away quickly as his claws shoot toward me.

The man is in front of Liam in an instant, a silver sword gleaming in his hand. “Pure wolf or not, this will do the trick.”

A sword? Since when did he start using a sword? And… Why does his voice sound different?

“Bastard. Don’t—” Liam’s words are cut off as the man drives the sword through his heart. The color drains from his eyes as he crumples, lifeless, his body reverting back to his human form.

“Who are—” My words catch in my throat when the man turns to me. “K-Killian DuskBane?” I stutter. “What the fuck are you doing here!” My voice is harsher than intended, but really, why is he the one here?

Killian wipes off the blood on his sword, his eyes fixed on me. “I just saved your life, yet you seem irritated by my presence.”

“I was just shocked, but I'm grateful for your help,” I clear my throat before adding. “But why are you here?”

His eyes narrow suspiciously. “Earlier, it sounded like you were expecting me, which is strange in itself. But now it sounds like you were expecting someone. Why? Did you know you'd get attacked?”

“Is that what's important now?” I scoff, my anger rising. “I don't even believe in all this shit so how am I supposed to predict this? I almost died…” my voice breaks as tears pool at my eyes.

I blink them back. I refuse to cry because of this. Exhaling, I continue, “I almost died and you're claiming I staged this. Because I want to go out as wolf food? My words weren't directed at anyone in particular, alright? And then my boss shows up with a sword and—”

“That's enough,” he cuts me off.

My thoughts are sluggish, like they’re buried under a thick fog. My head is spinning, the world tilting around me, but I say, “I'm not done.”

Killian’s eyes flick to my shoulder, then meets mine. “How are you still standing?”

It's then I remember I'm losing blood. The blood spilling from my shoulder makes my limbs heavy, and my vision flickers. I can feel the cold creeping in, and I stagger backwards. My back slams against the wall, and I slide down to the ground, my body too weak to hold me up.

My consciousness slips in and out as I fight to stay awake. I look up at Killian. He's just standing there, watching me.

I want to ask if he's just going to keep watching, but I'm too weak to speak. As my consciousness fades, I hear popping and cracking sounds, catching a glimpse of Liam rising to his feet, his hungry gaze locked on me.

Didn't he die?

“You've got to be fucking kidding me,” I hear Killian curse.

This can't be good.

And then, darkness.

-----------

My eyes flutter open and I come face-to-face with a lady peering at my face. My eyes widen and without thinking, I headbutt her, making her shriek in pain and fear. Jumping to my feet, I take a fighting stance, my eyes not leaving her terrified frame for one moment. “What were you trying to do to me?” I demand, ignoring the dull pain in my shoulder.

The door jerks open and Killian rushes in. “What is…” he trails off when he sees me standing on the bed.

Wait a minute.

Fancy door. Fancy bed. Fancy room. Am I in his home?

“She headbutted me,” The lady says, her voice trembling. “I already checked her and she's fine. I'll get going now.”

“I apologize on her behalf. She—”

“I can apologize to her myself,” I say with an eye roll, but he doesn't see it. I turn to the lady who's more relaxed and give a curt bow. “I apologize for attacking you.”

“It’s fine. You must have been startled,” She beams, the fear vanishing before skipping out the door. Killian's concerned gaze lands on me. What's with the concern?

“What happened to Liam?”

He shrugs. “He fled.”

“Fled!” How can he be so casual about that? “What if he attacks someone else? You should have gone after him.”

“And you would have died.” He states.

That shuts me up.

He raises a brow, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Are you… blushing?”

“It's a natural reaction.” I say, biting my lips at how stupid the response sounds.

He lets out a small laugh. “Don't worry about Liam. My men are on his trail. He'll be caught before he can attempt anything.”

I nod. I want to ask about Liam's sudden change but on second thought, maybe I shouldn't ask him. Being in the same space as he is makes my stomach churn.

Weren't you just blushing at his words?

“Shut up!” I snap in a whisper. Turning to Killian who's about to leave, I say. “Thank you for helping me. I'll be leaving now.”

“What do you mean? You'll be living here from now on,” He says like it's the most normal thing.

Just as I open my mouth to speak, Jessica rushes into the room. “Babyyy!” She squeals as she throws herself in Killian's arms. His eyes light up, arms wrapping around her waist as he plants a kiss on her forehead.

“You didn't have to come.” His voice carries so much love it’s almost embarrassing to witness. It's soft and reverent, like he's talking to the sun itself.

There's only one explanation.

They're married.