Isla’s POVMy body shook violently as I buried my face into Killian’s chest, the scent of pine and smoke grounding me even as my lungs strained for air.“You’re safe now,” his voice came low, rough, close to my ear, the words cutting through the chaos, steady and sharp like a blade. “You hear me? No one’s hurting you again. You’re safe.”I couldn’t answer.The sobs kept coming, my shoulders trembling against him, the weight of the suffocating dark still curling tight around my chest.Killian didn’t speak again, but his arms never loosened. He held me so firm but careful, carrying me effortlessly up the grand staircase.I tried to steady my breathing, wiping my damp cheeks with trembling hands. His footsteps echoed down the long hall, neither of us speaking for a moment.I could feel his eyes on me, the unspoken question in the way his jaw clenched — he wanted to know why the dark shatt
Isla’s POV The words still echoed as Killian leaned back, that maddening smirk curving his lips. “Good… I wouldn’t trust me either.” I swallowed hard, my heart pounding despite every warning screaming in my head. He didn’t say it like a threat. No, there was something… else. Something that crawled under my skin, curled low in my stomach, dangerous, commanding, and yet, borderline teasing. The way his voice dipped, rough, smoky, it wasn’t entirely innocent. I let down another gulp, my eyes trailing over him before I could stop myself. His scent hit me next, wild pine, smoke, faint spice that curled low in my stomach, frustratingly intoxicating. The man radiated power from every inch of his tall frame, and the fact that his shirt remained unbuttoned, exposing the hard lines of his chest and the black ink curling along his golden-brown skin. The rumors about his god-like
Isla's POV“Sheila… this mark, it’s not going away, is it?”I traced my fingers along the faint bite mark etched across the curve of my nape, eyes fixed on the reflection staring back from the mirror. Pale skin. Wild dark hair. A crimson mark shaped by sharp canines — his canines.Sheila’s hands were busy tying my hair into a loose braid, but I didn’t miss the small smile tugging at her lips.“It’ll fade,” she promised softly, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror. “The temporary ones always do. Alpha Killian only marked you to save your life, Isla.”I held her gaze a moment longer. Her words were meant to reassure, but the knot in my stomach refused to loosen.Temporary or not, nothing about that mark felt insignificant.“And yet no one talks about him,” I muttered, fingers still hovering near the mark. “Not even you.”Sheila’s hands stilled briefly in my hair before resuming their rhythm.“You’ve been healing. That’s all that matters right now.”It was a neat deflection, but I didn’t
Chapter 5Killian's POVThe amusement, shock, and fear on her face when she realized who I was… it stirred something in me I hadn’t felt in years. Maybe ever.Amusement curled at the edge of my lips.The moment her desperate whisper floated up from the river, begging anyone, even the devil himself, for vengeance and life, it called to me. Pulled me like a predator to a wounded doe.But Isla isn't any prey, she was mine.Even now, cradling her against me, the need to protect her warred with the urge to claim her fully.I studied her now, fragile and trembling against me, yet defiant even in her pain. Her long black hair, tangled and matted, shimmered faintly with streaks of grey, evidence of suffering far beyond her years. I hadn't pieced her whole story together yet, but I'd tasked Liam, my Beta and second in command to find out why the fates almost let my mate die alone in the woods.Her eyes, goddess, those eyes. The most captivating shade of silver I'd ever seen. Even clouded by fe
Isla's Pov “Ack!” I awoke with a start, my eyes darting around, trying to figure out where I was. I was in a huge room, the bed beneath me was soft, layered with thick quilts and pillows that smelled faintly of lavender. My eyes swept across the wooden walls and the flickering fireplace across the room.Where was I? Where was this place? The last thing I remembered was the cold biting water. My heart pounded against my chest, and I pushed myself up, only to freeze when I felt a sharp jolt of pain shoot through my legs.“No… no, no, no…” I whispered, my voice trembling.I threw the blankets off and looked down. My breath caught in my throat. Both of my legs were bound in thick, clean bandages, splinted and propped up slightly with pillows. Bruises trailed up my thighs and hips and it all came rushing back. I let out a strangled cry, crawling back instinctively, my hands gripping the headboard as if it would shield me from memory. My breathing quickened, shallow and panicked.They must
Isla's Pov “W… What? The long lost daughter of the… Arielle, you don't need to lie about things like these. If you want to hate me, then hate me, bringing up stories just because you want me to…” “I wish I was joking as well!” Arielle suddenly screamed, her eyes wide and pupils shaking, “I wish it wasn't true, but it is. Why do you think mother never liked you? Why do you think some of the elders looked at you like they wanted to snatch you away. Why do you think Lucien hated you? That he wanted to get rid of you so badly? It wasn't because of the fact that you married him in my place, it was because of your identity. You were meant to be above him, and in the position that you were in, below him and pining after him despite your authority, he didn't want that taken away from him. He loved the fact that you were a nobody!” Arielle confessed, the corner of her lips tremblingly. “He… So… All these months, he hated me for something I didn't even know about? He treated me so badly beca