Chapter 5: Killian’s Regret Begins

Nyla’s POV

The quiet was overwhelming.

Everybody stood motionless, staring at me and Killian. The weight of my name hung in the air as he pronounced it.

At his sides, his hands balled into fists. A mixture of shock and guilt blazed in his silver eyes. and something more profound.

I cocked my head, seeing his wriggling.

Excellent. Allow him to sense it.

Allow him to drown in the same suffering that he made me go through.

He stepped forward shakily. "How?" He spoke in a harsh, low voice. "How are you doing?"

I smiled. “Disappointed?”

His wolf stirred and he flinched. "Nyla." His mouth clenched as he took a step closer. "Where have you been?"

I gave a chilly laugh. "Where have I been?" I said it again, in a tone full of laughter. "Alpha, why are you concerned?"

He jumped. The title was chosen. Far away. Detached.

Confused, a few pack members whispered. After seeing my might, they were now witnessing Killian's frailty, which was much more horrifying.

In front of them, he was disintegrating.

Then I stepped forward and met his gaze. "Do you now regret it?"

He bobbed his throat. "Listen, Nyla—"

I silenced him by raising a hand. "I pleaded with you for mercy, but you ignored me." My voice was controlled and silky. "You ignored my cries for assistance."

The words were like daggers to him.

He gave a quick breath. "I believed you had passed away."

I raised an eyebrow. "And you found that to be easier?"

His jaw twitched a muscle. His hands shook a little, as though he wanted to touch me, but he knew he couldn't.

Inside of him, his wolf was screaming, clawing, and desperate.

However, I wouldn't allow him to feel the joy of relieving that pain.

Not quite yet.

With an angry expression on her face, Astrid took a step forward. "This is insane! She's telling lies! She is only a renegade; she is not Nyla.

I grabbed her by the throat before she had a chance to react.

The crowd let out a gasp.

Astrid's eyes were wide with terror as her nails clawed at my wrist. "Y-you can't—"

I spoke softly as I leaned in. "You're fortunate that I'm feeling forgiving." I pushed her away while observing her stumbling and shaking.

I looked at Killian again. "I don't have to tell you anything." I grinned. "However, if you truly want answers, you must earn them."

He scowled. "What do you mean?"

I took a step back and spoke in a firm, clear voice.

"Alpha, I challenge you to a duel."

Shock, gasps, and murmurs.

Killian's face grew serious. "What?"

I raised my chin. "I claim Silver Dawn as mine if I prevail."

His whole body froze.

His pack looked at me in horror.

Astrid's gaze expanded. "You can't"

I laughed. "I'll submit if you win."

There was a lingering challenge.

A risky game. A fatal risk.

However, I was convinced of one thing. I would never lose to Killian.

Killian was breathing erratically. He squeezed his fists till his knuckles were white.

This meant something to him.

He was aware of the consequences of losing.

Above all, though, he knew he couldn't say no.

A forthright challenge was something an Alpha could never back down from.

Not without his honor being taken away.

He fixed his silver eyes on mine. "You're not kidding."

I grinned. "Deadly."

There was mayhem around the courtyard. Warriors tensed, Astrid appeared to be about to faint, and pack members said in low voices.

Liam, Killian's beta, moved forward, his eyes wide. "Don't do this, Alpha. You're not required to—

Silencing him, Killian held up a hand.

He never took his eyes off mine.

I could see the conflict, the hesitancy.

He had no desire to fight me.

Excellent.

Since I desired to battle him.

I moved closer to you by taking a slow step forward. "Alpha, what's wrong?" I whispered. "Are you scared?"

His chest jerked up and down. “This isn’t a game, Nyla.”

I chuckled. "No, it isn't." My voice trailed off, my tone poisonous. "But you didn't give a damn when my life was being manipulated, did you?"

He winced.

I could just see him being struck by the memories.

The night he turned me down. The way I screamed as I was pulled away. The way he did nothing but stand there.

The roles were reversed now.

I also desired for him to suffer.

His voice was softer this time as he exhaled gently. "Nyla, what are you after?"

I looked him in the eye and spoke without flinching.

"All that you took away from me."

Quiet. Killian gave one nod. "All right."

The crowd let out a gasp.

Liam said an expletive. "Alpha"

Killian turned to him, expression unreadable. “Prepare the arena.”

Anger made Astrid's face flush. "Are you going to battle her? This is absurd, Killian! You don't need to provide any proof—

With a glance, he interrupted her.

"I agreed to take on the challenge." He spoke firmly. Final.

Astrid's hands shook. With anger in her eyes, she turned to face me. "You're going to regret this."

I simply smiled. "We'll see."

Killian's eyes were filled with something obscure as he gave me one more glance.

Then he went around, toward the training area.

With a steady heart, I watched him leave.

I desired this.

Retaliation. And when the moment arrived...

I would force him to bow down.

There was silence in the arena.

Killian's silver eyes were clouded with hesitation as he stood across from me.

The crowd held its breath. The whole pack was observing.

I didn't care, though. I fought this battle.

I took hold of my sword and moved forward. "Alpha, what's wrong?" I made fun of it. "Are you losing your nerve?"

He gave a quick breath. "Stop this, Nyla."

I made a lunge. Steel barely blocked in time as they clashed. Startled, he staggered backward.

Excellent.

I didn't wait for him to get well. I struck quickly and furiously as I swung once more.

Killian did not fight back, but he did dodge. He was reserving himself.

I tightened my jaw.

I wanted him to be hurt. He had caused me agony, and I wanted him to feel it all.

He refused to fight me, though.

Coward.

My blade sliced into his arm as I slashed once more. The dirt was soaked with blood.

Killian staggered, eyes darkening.

His wolf desired to leave.

"fight me!" I let out a yell. "Or are you scared of failing?"

He tightened his jaw. "I don't want to hurt you."

I chuckled. Chilly. Empty.

"You did that already."

I lunged once more—

He then grabbed my wrist.

He had a firm, desperate hold. The distance between our faces was just inches. His breathing was labored.

"Nyla," he said quietly. Begging.

I paused. Only for a moment.

And he could have overwhelmed me at that moment.

However, he didn't. Because he still had feelings for me.

And he was going to lose because of that.

I spun behind Killian after escaping his hold.

It was too late when he turned.

I pinched his chest with my knee and slammed him to the ground. I thrust my sword into his throat.

The whole arena went cold.

Killian's glittering eyes widened as he panted beneath me. Frightened. Defeated.

I whispered as I leaned closer.

"To me, you are nothing."

He gasped for air. Something raw filled his eyes. Pain. I'm sorry.

I gripped the hilt tighter. I could stop this with a single motion.

He took everything from me, and I could take everything from him.

Instead, though, I retreated.

Because it was a better punishment to make him live with his failure.

I looked at the pack as I stood there, blade spilling blood.

"I now possess Silver Dawn."