Chapter 8
The Enemy Within
Killian~
I stormed out of the room, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. I couldn't believe how stubborn and reckless she was. How could she keep defying us when all we wanted was to protect her?
I made my way to the office, slamming the door shut behind me. Dropping into the chair at my desk, I stared at the letter Grey had handed me earlier. My fingers drummed against the wood as I read it over again, the contents leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
"The Silverclaw Alpha is really starting to get on my nerves," I muttered, my tone sharp. "Don't you think it's time we strike?"
Keal, seated across the room, barely glanced at me. He was lost in thought, his expression unreadable as he stared out of the window. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Not yet."
His words made me stop. I walked over to him, standing beside the window as well. The view outside was peaceful, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me.
"Do you think we're being too hard on her?" Keal asked suddenly, his voice soft.
I laughed bitterly, shaking my head as I walked back to my desk. "Too hard on her?" I scoffed. "You think this is us being hard on her? She doesn't like us, Keal. Hell, she almost killed you. She tried to run. We've barely done anything to her, yet she acts like we're monsters."
Keal turned to look at me, his gaze as cold as it had been since we were kids. He didn't respond to my rant, but I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced.
"About the Silverclaw Alpha," he said, changing the subject. "Do you have a plan?"
I smirked, leaning back in my chair and propping my feet up on the desk. "Of course. He wants us dead, and now he knows about Nora. That's why we need to keep her here, within the pack. She's our strength. If she dies, we both go down with her. And that's exactly what Dorian wants."
Keal sighed, running a hand through his hair as he returned to his seat. His shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of everything pressing down on him.
"Do you think she'll ever love us?" he asked quietly, his voice almost hesitant. "Not because of the bond, but because she actually cares?"
I stood, walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to meet my gaze. "Don't worry," I said firmly. "Once she sees how much we care about her, she'll have no choice but to love us back."
Keal didn't respond, but the doubt in his eyes was clear.
I let go of his shoulder and stepped toward the door. "If you need me, you know where to find me."
❧❧❧
As I walked down the hallway, I passed the room where Nora was being held. I stopped, drawn by the silence inside. Something about it didn't sit right with me.
I opened the door slowly and found her lying on the floor, curled up as if trying to make herself invisible. Her chest rose and fell steadily, her exhaustion evident even in sleep.
Quietly, I walked over to her, lifting her into my arms. She was so light, so fragile. For all her fiery defiance, she looked almost peaceful when she wasn't awake to glare at me.
I carried her back to the bedroom and laid her down gently on the bed. Her hair fanned out across the pillow, and I brushed a stray strand away from her face.
Her eyes fluttered open slightly, and she stared at me in confusion and fear, though sleep still clouded her gaze. "What... what are you doing here?" she whispered.
I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled the blanket over her and climbed into the bed beside her, resting her head on my chest. My arms wrapped around her protectively, and I pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
"It's okay," I whispered. "Sleep. I'm here."
Her breathing slowed as she drifted off again, and I sighed, leaning my head back against the headboard. Why couldn't she see how much we cared? All we wanted was to keep her safe, yet she fought us at every turn.
After what felt like hours, the door opened quietly, and Keal stepped in. His eyes softened as they landed on Nora, still asleep against me. He walked over to the bed and sat down on her other side.
I nodded at him, gently shifting her so her head rested on his chest. He held her carefully, his touch tender as he brushed his fingers against her hair.
Keal rarely spoke about his feelings, but I knew how much it hurt him every time Nora said she didn't want us. He might have a softer heart than me, but I knew he'd never let anyone or anything hurt her.
"Stay with her," I said softly, standing up. "I'll tell Grey to bring up some food for her when she wakes up. She'll need to eat."
Keal nodded, his eyes never leaving her sleeping form. I walked to the door, pausing as I opened it to glance back at them.
"Don't worry," I said. "We'll protect her. Dorian will never get his hands on her."
Keal gave me a small nod, his expression grim.
❧❧❧
I stepped into the hallway, shutting the door behind me and taking a deep breath. But as I turned to leave, I froze.
Standing a few feet away, leaning casually against the wall, was the last person I wanted to see.
"Dorian," I whispered, my voice filled with venom.
The Silverclaw Alpha pushed off the wall, his smirk widening as he walked toward me.
"Hello, dear friend," he said, his tone mocking.
The bedroom door creaked open behind me, and Keal stepped out, his eyes immediately narrowing as they landed on Dorian. His posture stiffened, anger radiating from him in waves.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Keal growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Dorian's smirk didn't falter. "Oh, just visiting," he said, his tone light but dripping with malice.
I stepped forward, my fists clenched. "You've made a mistake coming here, Dorian."
He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Have I? Or is it you who's made the mistake, Killian?"
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