Chapter Eight: An Unexpected Morning
Warmth.
That was the first thing I noticed when I woke up. A steady, solid heat pressed against my side—something firm, something warm.
I blinked slowly, my mind still foggy from sleep.
For once, I felt… comfortable.
Which was strange, considering I was sleeping in a packhouse I hated, surrounded by Alpha's I didn't trust.
I shifted slightly—and that's when I felt it.
An arm.
A very strong arm draped over my waist.
I stiffened, my heart lurching in my chest.
What the hell?
Slowly—terrified of what I might find—I turned my head.
And there, inches from my face, was Killian.
His eyes were closed, his breathing deep and steady, his dark hair tousled from sleep.
For a second, I just stared.
I couldn't process what I was looking at.
At first I thought it was a dream.
Killain—who spent all his time scowling at me, growling at me, threatening me—was curled up beside me like a peaceful little puppy.
It would have been sweet if it wasn't so horrifying.
Then, a slow realization crept over me.
He's in my bed.
He's in my damn bed.
My whole body tensed, panic slamming through me.
Why the hell is he here?!
My mouth opened. I was about to scream.
But before I could—
Killian's silver eyes snapped open.
For a second, we just stared at each other.
Then—
I screamed.
He screamed.
I screamed louder.
Killian jerked back, his expression pure panic, his hands flying up like he'd been caught committing a crime.
"What the hell?!" I shrieked, shoving him—hard.
Killian flew off the bed with a loud thud, landing flat on his back on the floor.
I scrambled upright, clutching the blanket around me, my heart slamming against my ribs.
"WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN MY BED?!"
Killian groaned from the floor, rubbing his back. "Ow."
I pointed at him, eyes wide with horror. "Explain. Now."
He sat up slowly, then stood, brushing himself off like he hadn't just gotten body-slammed off my bed.
He exhaled, muttering, "I fell asleep."
I blinked. "That's your excuse? You just accidentally fell asleep next to me?"
He crossed his arms, his dark eyes guarded. "I didn't mean to stay."
"That doesn't make it better!" I huffed, running a hand through my hair. "Why were you even here in the first place?"
Killian looked at me for a long moment.
Then he shook his head.
"Forget it."
And just like that, he turned toward the door—clearly about to walk away without explaining a damn thing.
"Oh, no, you don't!" I snapped. "You can't just crawl into my bed, sleep next to me, then walk away like it didn't happen!"
Killian didn't respond.
He just opened the door and left.
I sat there, flabbergasted.
"Did you just—?!"
I growled, throwing a pillow at the door.
I was going to kill him.
---
I stormed out of my room a few minutes later, still grumbling under my breath.
I needed air.
I wandered through the packhouse, taking in my surroundings. Polished stone floors, towering windows, paintings of past Alphas.
Everything about it screamed power.
I hated it.
I turned a corner—and nearly slammed into someone.
I stumbled back, my heart jumping—
Only to come face-to-face with Alex.
Oh.
This was going to be fun.
She stood there, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she looked me up and down.
My gaze immediately went to the scratches on her face—my scratches.
The ones I had given her during our little "sparring session."
I smiled.
"Alex!" I said brightly. "Wow, you look… different today."
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
I gasped, tilting my head. "Oh no! Did someone scratch you?"
Alex's nostrils flared. "You little—"
I cut her off with a dramatic sigh. "Honestly, you should be more careful. It would be a shame if you got another battle wound from another training accident."
Her jaw clenched, anger flickering in her eyes.
She opened her mouth—probably to insult me—but I held up a hand.
"No, no—let me guess! You were about to say something rude, right?" I smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, I already don't care."
Alex inhaled sharply, hands balling into fists.
I winked at her, then turned on my heel and walked away.
I could feel her burning gaze on my back.
But she didn't follow me.
Good.
---
I made my way outside to the garden, needing fresh air.
The sun had risen higher now. A soft breeze rustled through the trees, and for the first time in days, I felt something close to peace.
I sat down on the edge of a stone bench, exhaling slowly.
Then I felt it.
A presence.
I glanced up—my heart skipping a beat when I saw Keal.
Unlike his brother, Keal's presence didn't feel suffocating, He didn't hold that authority Killian held.
He wasn't looking at me with cold dominance or trying to force anything out of me.
He just… stood there.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked.
I hesitated—then nodded.
He lowered himself onto the bench beside me, his gaze drifting toward the sky.
"It's nice out here."
I nodded again, unsure of what to say.
For a long moment, we just sat there in comfortable silence.
And for the first time since arriving here, I felt… okay.
Like I wasn't just a prisoner.
Like maybe—just maybe—I could breathe again.
Then, slowly, Keal turned his head toward me.
His dark eyes held something warm. Something soft.
"You're not as alone as you think," he murmured.
I swallowed hard.
I didn't know what to say to that.
Before I could even process the moment, Keal leaned in—slowly, hesitantly, as if giving me the chance to pull away.
I didn't.
His lips brushed mine.
Soft. Gentle. Not demanding, not claiming.
It wasn't like the bond forcing itself on me.
It wasn't like the dominance Killian carried, who wanted me to do it at his will.
It was… different.
It was Keal.
And for the first time…
I didn't push away.
--