Chapter 4: The Rejected Mate's Return

Nyla’s POV

As I stood at the boundary of Silver Dawn's domain, the night air was clear and strong with the aroma of pine. The place I used to call home.

The place where I had been deceived.

I could hear the faint buzz of voices. Laughter. Music. The sound of wolves swarming together to celebrate.

A diplomatic meeting.

Excellent.

As I passed the patrols, I lowered my hood to conceal my face. They gave me not even a sidelong glance. Why would they? I was simply another rogues going through, to them.

Nobody knew who I was.

A girl they'd beaten and kicked. They had abandoned the girl to decay in the dungeon.

I balled my hands into fists.

Before long, they would remember me.

Nobility and warriors in exquisite silks and embroidered tunics crowded the courtyard. Torches illuminated the stone walls with golden light, while silver flags floated in the wind.

I listened as I made my way through the mob.

There was a murmur, "The Alpha of Crescent Moon has arrived,"

"Killian is talking about trade agreements," someone else stated.

Killian.

My stomach turned over. My anger was triggered only by the term.

I walked in the direction of the big hall. He was there.

Killian, wearing all black, stood in the middle, his bulk demanding attention. His piercing, calculating silver eyes searched the room. As I remember, he had a captivating presence.

However, I had changed.

I wasn't the helpless, pathetic partner he had turned down.

I was more powerful. More deadly.

And he didn't know.

I inhaled deeply, bringing my heart rate under control. I was simply another visitor tonight. I'd hold off. Observe. Strike when the time was ripe.

However, after that...

He cocked his head slightly.

He squinted his eyes I went cold.

Was he aware of me?

I walked away, disappearing into the darkness. However, my heart was thumping in my chest.

Was there still a mate bond? Even now, could he sense the pull?

I needed to exercise caution. Killian, soon. Very soon.

I stood back, observing him from the other side of the courtyard. His attitude was opaque as he conversed with an Alpha who lived nearby.

However, after that...

His stance shifted. He tensed up.

His nostrils slightly flared.

I gasped. He noticed my scent.

His gaze darted around the throng, looking. Hunting.

I stepped back, but it was too late.

His eyes met me.

Time paused. Killian looked at me for the first time in two years. Looked at me, really.

I also witnessed it.

The shock. The incredulity. The terror.

I could practically hear the roar of his inner beast howling.

A shudder went through him. He stepped forward uncontrollably.

I raised my chin. Urging him to approach.

He opened his mouth. "No, it's"

Then someone said up.

"Killian?"

I pivoted. Astrid.

Her cold blue eyes darted from Killian to me. Jealousy. Fury. Suspicion.

He glanced at me, and she saw it.

And she didn’t like it.

Her mouth twisted. "Who is she?"

Killian remained silent. He was unable to. His fists were clenched, and his face was pallid.

Astrid's eyes grew gloomy.

"Watchmen," she yelled. "Take the rogue into custody."

Like a whip, Astrid's voice echoed over the courtyard.

"Guards, capture the rogues!"

The atmosphere changed. Warriors stiffened. Everyone's attention was on me, and the music and conversation stopped.

An rogues?

It nearly made me chuckle. They didn't know.

I stood motionless, my face shadowed by my cloak. My muscles relaxed, and my heartbeat remained steady.

However, Killian

He appeared to have seen a ghost. He had broad, unblinking silver eyes. Confusion and unrefined feelings were fighting inside him as his wolf clawed to the surface.

He was aware.

He may not have told himself yet, but he knew in his heart.

The connection remained. It couldn't be erased by rejection.

Astrid, however, wasn't waiting for him to solve the problem.

She narrowed her blue eyes, which were full of jealousy and mistrust.

I could almost hear what she was thinking.

What was causing Killian's reaction? Why hadn't he put me to death right away?

With my hood still covering most of my face, I raised my chin a little. "Is this how Silver Dawn welcomes visitors?"

Astrid grinned. "Rogues are not entertained by us."

The fighters in our immediate vicinity moved, preparing their weapons. Ten or more of them. Excellent. It would be enjoyable.

Nevertheless, I spoke calmly and maintained a comfortable stance. I wanted Killian to see it.

See what he had thrown aside.

Look at what I had turned into.

One of the guards came up, a big savage with a scar over his cheek. "You heard Luna's future. Give up.

Luna of the future.

My chest ached from hearing those words, but I forced the emotion aside.

Astrid may believe she belongs with Killian, but she never had that throne.

And it would never be.

I let out a slow breath. "I'll give you a shot."

The fighters paused. They weren't accustomed to warnings from rogues.

I moved forward a step.

“Leave. or perish.

Laughter. Joking. Someone in the crowd snickered.

With a sneer, Astrid tossed her blond hair over her shoulder. "Death her."

The first fighter made a lunge.

Then...

Everything was different.

My body jerked instinctively as his blade slashed toward me.

Quick. Accurate. Deadly.

My dagger slipped from my sleeve as I ducked and twisted around him.

A gleam of silver.

A scream that gurgled.

His hands gripped his bleeding throat as he fell to his knees.

The audience let out a gasp.

I stood up straight and lifted my hood just enough for them to see the sneer on my lips.

The other fighters paused. This was not what they had anticipated.

Astrid's face went white.

"You..." Her voice trembled a little.

She was beginning to understand.

She didn't have time to think about it, though.

Another pair of guards charged.

I grabbed his arm and twisted it until the bone shattered, avoiding the first one. His scream was brief because I crushed his windpipe by slamming my elbow into his throat.

My head was struck by the second warrior's sword. I grabbed his wrist in midair, gave it a violent twist, and then—

Hurry up.

There at my feet, he went limp.

The rest of the guards staggered back. Their eyes were filled with fear.

I released my breath slowly. I was filled with the excitement of combat.

I had been preparing for this moment for years. The shaky, feeble girl they had cast into a dungeon was not me.

I was The Crimson Shadow.

They all knew it now.

Killian was still standing.

His wolf clawed frantically to get to me, and his silver eyes pierced me.

He was immobile and unyielding.

With a hint of panic in her voice, Astrid turned to face him. "Killian! Give them the order to eliminate her!

He didn't respond.

He never took his eyes off mine.

I moved forward one more step.

He took a deep breath. He twitched his fingers.

I witnessed it. The want. The acknowledgment.

The mate link remained intact. He was being torn apart by it.

He was aware of my identity.

Tension permeated the air between us, and there was no denying the force that drew us together.

My mouth twisted. He had no right to mention my name.

Therefore, I spoke instead.

"Killian, I promised you I would be back."

Astrid stumbled backward. "No... No, it isn't feasible. She is no longer alive. She—

I paid her no attention.

I raised my hand and fully brushed my hood back.

Whispers gasps.

Startle.

Now everyone saw me. The girl that they had abandoned. They had discarded the girl.

I had returned.

And until I had what I wanted, I wasn't going anywhere.

Killian inhaled nervously. His voice was broken and rough.