014 ~ A warning ~

The estate felt like she was in a tight hole, one where she couldn't breathe or think or do anything.

Every corridor reminded Selene of Victor's spine-chilling whisper, as every passing servant made her wonder who was loyal to him and who was simply pretending not to notice the cracks in the walls.

She needed distance, and she was going to get it

She slipped through the main gates and followed the narrow path leading toward the edge of the estate grounds. The late afternoon breeze carried the scent of pine and damp earth, cooling the heat that had settled beneath her skin since leaving Victor's study.

She hadn't realized how tightly she had been holding herself together until she stopped beside an old stone fence and drew a slow breath.

"You shouldn't be alone." A voice and she didn't jump. She simply closed her eyes for a brief moment before turning around.

"Kieran."

He stood several feet away with his hands in his pockets and a hairy chest that felt unreal behind an unbuttoned shirt due to its immense size. He looked... Chill. But his eyes didn't agree as they searched the area before settling on her, as though making sure no one had followed. "I've been looking for you."

"I wasn't aware anyone cared where I was."

His jaw tightened. "I needed to speak with you."

"I've heard enough from you," she snapped, turning to leave.

"Please."

The word stopped her in her tracks, he sounded tired.

"You have one minute," she faced him again.

"I won't waste it," his eyes lit up.

He glanced toward the line of trees surrounding the estate before lowering his voice. "Someone is watching you."

Selene frowned. "What?"

"I don't know who."

"Then how do you know they're there?"

"I've noticed the same presence more than once since we arrived."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I expect you to listen."

She folded her arms. "I'm listening."

"They aren't watching me. They're watching you."

The certainty in his voice unsettled her more than the warning itself.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"That's becoming a familiar answer."

"I wish I had a better one."

He didn't blink for once while staring at her and her heart skipped a bit. It scared her that he might be telling the truth.

"You've started asking questions about the massacre."

Her eyes narrowed. "How do you know that?"

"I know you."

"No." She shook her head. "You knew the woman I used to be."

"I still know you."

"You don't." The words came so quickly they surprised even her.

Kieran held her gaze. "I know you don't give up when something doesn't make sense."

She laughed softly. "You've suddenly become very interested in understanding me."

"This isn't about us."

"There is no 'us.'"

He made a fist, clenching his jaw. "Fine. Then let's talk about the massacre."

She waited.

"Stop digging."

Her eyes went cold as every trace of laughter or even the slightest smile disappeared. "What?"

"Leave it alone."

"You can't be serious."

"I've never been more serious."

Her face turned red as her fingers trembled. "For five years I lived with a crime I didn't commit."

"I know."

"You don't know! You don't fucking know!" Her voice rose despite herself. "You don't know what it's like to have people look at you as if you're poison. You don't know what it's like to wake up every morning wishing someone would believe you."

"I know I failed you."

A sharp, bitter sound that mocked what laughing was came out of her mouth. "There it is."

"What?"

"The apology hiding behind different words."

"I'm not apologizing."

"No?" She took a step closer. "Then what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to keep you alive."

"By telling me to stay quiet?"

"Yes."

She stared at him in disbelief. "So that's your solution?"

"If it keeps you breathing."

She shook her head. "I'd rather know the truth."

"It could get you killed."

"It already cost me everything."

He looked at her for a long moment before speaking again. "I don't think you understand who you're dealing with."

"Then tell me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't have proof."

Her lips curved into a cold smile. "I've heard that before."

He frowned. "From who?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does."

"It didn't matter five years ago."

Silence, thick as a fog settled between them. Kieran looked as though he wanted to say something else, but the words refused to come.

Selene saw the hesitation and all she remembered was just another silence from another man who had chosen not to speak.

"You believed them."

"I believed what I saw."

"You believed what someone wanted you to see."

His eyes closed briefly. "Yes."

She took a step back, mouth open slightly as she wasn't expecting the answer.

When he looked at her again, there was no attempt to defend himself. "I've spent five years wishing I'd asked one more question."

She swallowed hard. Not because his words moved her but because part of her had once dreamed of hearing them.

"I don't need your regret."

"I know."

"I don't need your guilt either."

"I know."

"What I needed was for you to stand beside me when everyone turned their backs."

He lowered his head. "I can't change that."

"No," she nodded slowly. "You can't."

A breeze stirred the branches overhead as none of them spoke.

Finally, Kieran broke the silence.

"If you refuse to stop, promise me one thing."

She didn't answer.

"Don't investigate alone."

A quiet chuckle escaped her lips. "You still don't understand."

"What?"

She looked directly into his eyes. "You lost the right to protect me the day you rejected me."

She couldn't believe she just said the words that had been on her mind since that day. Most especially, she couldn't believe the silence that came from his open mouth

His shoulders seemed to sag beneath a weight he'd been carrying for years, and for the first time since she'd seen him again, he looked less like an Alpha and more like a man confronting the consequences of his own choices.

Selene waited, not sure why. Perhaps part of her wanted him to finally say something worth hearing.

Instead, he whispered, "I never wanted this for you."

"No, you didn't." She turned away. "You just let it happen."

After which she walked toward the estate without looking back.

Kieran remained where he was, watching until she disappeared beyond the gates, only then did he look toward the forest again.

His eyes went cold again. "I know you're there." The trees stood motionless as no answer came.

After several moments, he left and the woods fell silent once more.

A shadow shifted behind the thick trunk of an ancient oak as the hidden figure stepped just far enough into the fading light to watch the empty path where Selene had disappeared.

A faint smile touched his shadowed lips. Then, without making a sound, the stranger melted back into the forest, unseen by either of them.