A Dangerous Proposition

Sienna’s POV

“Do you really think locking me up here forever is going to change my mind?” I said, and made a swift turn to see Kieran standing by the door. 

I had sensed him earlier. 

I was angry, and I hated being imprisoned. 

He smiled, walking right up to me. 

I was always amazed how soft his eyes could be. Yet, they would switch back to being dark. 

“You’re not a prisoner,” he said smoothly, “just… contained.”

A harsh, quaking laugh burst out of my throat. “Is that what you have been calling this? A gilded cage with silk sheets? I am not a simpleton, Kieran.”

His lips slightly curved upward. “No, you’re not. Which is why you should be smart enough to understand why you’re here.”

I had my arms folded. “I know the reason I’m here.”

“Don't you?” He asked, smiling. 

“You want me to be the cure for your mental illness. The entire werewolves clans know,” I spat. 

Kieran didn’t deny it. Instead, he moved closer to me. His gaze locked onto mine like a predator sizing up prey. “I don't see why I can't use you to get what I want,” he said. 

I fumed. He was direct and I felt hurt. 

“Right now, you need protection,” he continued.

I scoffed, stepping away from him. “Protection? From who? Probably you,” I answered.

“No,” he answered. “From the Midnight Syndicate.”

“They want you because you're the last ruby wolf, don't they?” He asked. 

How did he know? Only the queen and I knew of my origin.

“They won't stop until you're dead. If you stay with me, I can help you,” he bargained. 

“No,” I answered. “I'd rather die than be your mate.”

“You might be heading there quicker,” he answered, smiling. 

“You’ve lost your damn mind,” I whispered.

Kieran smirked. “I’ve heard that before.”

I turned away, searching silently for ways to make a run for it. 

“What do you say?” He asked calmly. 

I frowned, and lashed at him. “It will forever be no.”

“Be reasonable, Sienna,” he said, almost yelling. “I am the only thing stopping you from getting a painful death. I have no intentions to hurt you.”

“And you intend to force me to marry you for a solution,” I countered. 

“Would you rather be my slave?” He asked, looking serious. 

I stayed silent, unable to answer. I had known the feeling of being a servant. 

“Are you silent?” He asked, letting out a soft chuckle. 

“Screw you and your offers. I’d rather take my chances out there,” I retorted. 

“Then run,” he said calmly. 

I stiffened. 

“But I promise you, I won’t be the only one hunting you,” he answered and stepped out. 

*******

I paced around the room, thinking of a possible exit. The door was locked and the window seemed very high for me to jump down. 

I didn't want to be his leverage. I searched the room again, and noticed the ventilation shaft near the ceiling. 

I smiled, happy with my discovery and moving quickly, dragging a chair. I climbed, and tested the screws. They were loose. 

I heard someone coming from the hallway and my heart raced. I had to do this before anyone came in. 

The door handle twisted, and I quickly got off the chair, as the door opened. 

“Who made you?” I asked, staring at the unfamiliar face. 

“Darius, Alpha kieran's beta,” he answered. 

I didn't know how he knew, but his eyes moved from me to the chair and then up towards the ventilation shaft. 

He smiled, and closed the door. “Alpha was right. You would try to escape.”

My eyes widened as I listened to him. 

“I was figuring you’d go off the deep end at some time,”

My muscles constricted.

I forced myself to stand up straight. "If you're going to lecture me about being a lot safer inside, then spare me the lecture. Kieran tried that."

Darius chuckled, low and sharp. “I’m not here for that.”

He stepped forward, not taking his gaze off me. I felt weak compared to him. I stood still, despite my entire body yelling for me to run. 

“You think you're special, do you?” He grumbled softly. “Untouchable just because Kieran is interested in you?”

His fingers tightened hard into a bruising hold on my wrist. 

"Let me go!" I yelled.  

I winced, struggling to free my hand.  

“I know your kind. Always greedy and looking for a way to strike a bargain,” Darius hissed softly, the chill of his voice creeping down the back of my neck. “And you can bet you will not live to see the Blood Moon.”

The way that he worded it made all the alarms go off inside of my head. He was warning me.

I yanked back again, but his grip tightened. "Let go."

He smirked. "Or what?"

A low powerful snarl appeared before I could answer. 

Darius shook hearing it, and he moved in time to see Kieran pounce on him, knocking him into the wall. 

The wall cracked, and I froze. 

Kieran had become something else. His eyes turned red and he growled. "If I ever see you touch her again, I'll rip your throat out."

Darius nodded, looking scared as his hands wrapped around Kieran's hand, trying to pull it off his neck. 

Kieran didn’t ease his grip. "She is with me."

Darius’s gaze turned to me then and a cough slipped out of him. “Of course, Alpha.”

Kieran shoved him back, his expression hard. “Get out.”

He coughed, and dropped to the floor as soon as Kieran's hand left his neck. 

I knew I had made an enemy. Darius slowly rose and left the room, flashing one last glare. 

I held my breath, only letting it out when he left. 

Kieran turned to me. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, avoiding his eyes. 

His gaze dropped to the bruise that Darius’s hand had left on my wrist. His jaw clenched.

“I am fine,” I grumbled.

Kieran walked closer, and raised my face with his finger, so I could meet his gaze. “I didn't ask you to lie.” His voice was slightly softer, but no less firm. 

His eyes moved down to the clothes I was wearing. "I'll have the maids send you some clothes."

I shook my head, stepping back. "When will you let me leave? Locking me in here won't make me trust you."

Kieran smirked. "I wasn't expecting your trust, little wolf."

"But I do expect you to hear," he replied. 

My fingers tightened into a fist by my side. "I'd rather take a chance out there."

His smirk increased. "Run then."

"What?" I asked.

"Run. But, I'll bet you darling that you won't last a day because I won't be the only one looking for you."