Chapter Three: A Different Kind of Alpha
Pain and exhaustion clung to me like a second skin.
The stone floor beneath me was unforgiving, my body stiff from sleeping in chains. Every breath felt heavy, as if the weight of my reality was pressing down on my chest, suffocating me.
But the worst part was the silence in my mind.
Lara was gone.
I had tried reaching out to her, forcing the connection, but every attempt was met with the same hollow emptiness. It was as if someone had locked her away, caging her deep inside me where I couldn't reach.
I had never felt so alone.
The heavy door to my cell creaked open, cutting through the silence.
I didn't need to look up to know who it was.
Killian.
Only his scent was sharp enough like the air before a storm— as it hit me before his voice did.
"Get up."
Flat. Emotionless. But laced with the authority I despised.
I didn't move.
"Now, Nora."
Still, I stayed on the floor, my wrists limp in my lap where the silver shackles had rubbed them raw. I was too tired to fight. Too drained to care.
Killian let out a sharp breath, then suddenly grabbed my arm, yanking me to my feet. Pain shot through me, but I swallowed the cry that threatened to escape. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me weak.
He took off the chains, as he dragged me out of the room.
"Where are you taking me?" I rasped.
He didn't answer, just dragged me forward with an iron grip. His pace was relentless, forcing me to stumble to keep up.
The hallways were a bit dark, the stone walls were a bit colder here. It was the first time I had seen more of the packhouse, and I hated how imposing it felt.
Eventually, he shoved open a door, revealing an enormous bathroom.
I froze.
A clawfoot tub sat in the center, filled with steaming water that smelled faintly of herbs and lavender. The dark stone walls were lined with small lanterns, their flickering light casting soft light across the glossy black floor.
It was beautiful.
And it terrified me.
Killian turned to me, his silver eyes unreadable. "Take off your clothes and get in."
I lifted my chin in shock. "No."
His expression remained impassive, but something dangerous flickered beneath the surface. "I wasn't asking."
I crossed my arms. "And I wasn't answering."
His jaw tightened. "You're making this harder than it needs to be."
"Good."
The tension between us thickened, a silent battle neither of us was willing to lose.
Killian took a slow step forward, and for a moment, I thought he was going to force me. My pulse spiked, my body tensing—
But then—
"That's enough, Killian."
The voice was calm yet firm.
Keal.
He stood in the doorway, watching us with quiet intensity.
Killian exhaled sharply. "She needs to bathe keal don't act soft on her."
"I'll handle it," Keal said.
A tense silence stretched between them.
For a moment, it looked like Killian might argue. But after a long pause, he turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
The silence that followed was scary and heavy.
Keal didn't speak right away. Instead, he moved toward the tub and—without a word—pulled his shirt over his head.
I blinked.
"What are you doing?" I asked warily.
Keal didn't answer. Instead, he unbuttoned his pants—just enough to keep them on—and stepped into the bath, sinking into the steaming water.
I stared in utter confusion as he leaned back against the tub's edge, letting the warmth soak into his skin.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"I won't force you."
I hesitated.
His tone was so… gentle.
It caught me off guard.
He dipped a cloth into the water and wrung it out before reaching for my arm. His movements were slow, deliberate, giving me the chance to pull away if I wanted to.
I didn't.
The warm cloth brushed over my skin, washing away the dried blood and grime. He was careful, his touch barely there.
It was nothing like Killian.
This wasn't about dominance.
It wasn't about control.
It was something else entirely.
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. "Why are you doing this?"
Keal met my gaze, his expression unreadable.
Then, softly, he said, "Because I love you."
The words sent a shock through me.
I had expected anything but that.
I opened my mouth to argue—to tell him I'm just an omegy. But no words came.
Because there was no lie in his voice.
No hesitation.
Just a quiet, unshakable truth.
I looked away, my chest tightening.
Keal didn't press the subject. He simply continued washing away the dirt, treating me with a patience I didn't understand.
Once he was done, he handed me a clean dress and turned his back to give me privacy. I changed quickly, still shaken by his words.
Then, silently, he led me outside.
.
.
The moment we stepped into the open field, all eyes turned to us.
I stiffened.
The training grounds were massive—an open stretch of dirt and stone surrounded by towering trees. Wolves sparred in different sections, their movements precise and brutal. Some were in human form, others in wolf form, their snarls and growls filling the air.
Keal led me to the center.
"Nora will be trained from now on," he announced.
No explanation. No details. Just a command spoken like law.
Then, without another glance at me, he turned and walked away.
I watched him go, my stomach twisting.
He had defended me against Killian. Shown me kindness. Said he loved me.
But he had still left me alone.
I barely had time to process it before someone stepped in front of me.
A tall, muscular woman with dark hair and piercing blue eyes.
She stopped just inches away, her sharp gaze raking over me.
Then, slowly, a smirk curled on her lips.
"Well, well," she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "If it isn't the omega who wants the Alphas all to herself."
I froze.
Her words weren't a question. They were a warning.
A chill ran down my spine.
I had survived Killian's anger. Endured Keal's kindness.
But something told me…
This was going to be worse.
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