KIERAN'S POV
I've spent most of my life in control. Control of my body. My temper. My thoughts. My emotions.
Especially my emotions.
I've always hated the concept of feeling, of emotions. They make people reckless. Blind. Soft.
I've seen Alphas crumble because of them.
So, I built walls. Thick ones. Steel-reinforced. No one gets in. No one touches me.
Until her.
Layla.
I don't even know when it started. And it's not just because we're mates. Maybe it was that day I saw her standing in the rain, hair clinging to her cheeks, looking up at the sky. Or maybe it was when she laughed during her tasks even when she was supposed to be working.
She has no idea that I watch her all the time. I see her. I see everything.
And worst of all—she makes me feel.
When I watch her, something inside me claws at my chest. My wolf paces beneath my skin. He's never been this agitated and hungry before. She walks by in that damn maid uniform, simple and modest, and somehow she wears it like royalty. Her eyes are too bright. Her voice is too warm. And every time she says my name, my guard cracks.
"Alpha Kieran."
God.
She doesn't even know what she does to me.
So, I avoid her. I keep the conversations short. Nods. Orders. Nothing more. I have to. If I don't, I'll pull her to me and never let her go.
And I can't afford that kind of weakness.
That morning, I make my way to the shower. Why? Because it seems like the only place where I can cool off since my thoughts are filled with Layla. As soon as I take off my clothes and the hot water touches my skin, I'm reminded of her again.
I try to close my eyes to shake off my thoughts and focus but it only makes it worse. All I can see in my mind is her beautiful face and her body in that damn maid uniform.
I wonder what I'd find if I bend her over on my desk and raise that short dress of hers up. Would she be wearing a thong? Nothing? Fuck. The thought of it makes my cock twitch without me touching it. only she can have that effect on me.
I'll probably find her soaked panties underneath that dress. I'll stand there for a moment, admiring the view, watching how her cunt soaks through her panties even without me touching her. she'll want me just like I want her. I know it.
I can't help it. I grab my cock and start touching myself as I think of her. The water is hotter now but I don't care. I welcome the burn. I need it.
I tilt my head back, getting lost in my imagination.
I'll insert my index finger deep inside her wet folds. She'll moan loudly, making my cock even harder.
In real time, I pump my cock faster as I think about it.
"Fuck" I mutter.
And then, I'll-
A knock on the door shatters my moment. I freeze. Who the hell is it?
"Kieran?" it's Killian's voice.
"What?" I snap
"Hurry up. The countil's waiting for us. We have something to address"
"Give me a minute"
I hear the sound of his footsteps fading away. I let out a sigh and shake my head.
Layla will definitely be the death of me.
-
It's nearly midnight when I sense her.
I'm patrolling the north side of the estate, but my feet take me toward the servant quarters without me realizing. My wolf is restless tonight—unusually so.
Then I see her.
Layla.
She moves quickly, quietly, like she's trying not to be seen. Her cloak is drawn tight around her shoulders.
I lean into the shadows and watch, hidden beneath the tall columns of the west hall. I should call her out—ask her what she's doing out so late. But I don't. I just… watch.
Her steps falter. She turns her head, sensing something.
And so do I. I sense a shift in the air. My instincts are on high alert now and my wolf is telling me that something is wrong.
Someone else is out here.
Then it happens—too fast.
A hooded figure breaks from the corner, lunging at her.
My body moves on instinct. I'm in front of her in seconds. I grab the figure by the throat and slam them against the stone wall so hard the building shakes. They choke, clawing at my arm with their feet dangling above the ground.
Layla gasps behind me.
"Who sent you?" I hiss.
The attacker squirms in my arms but I only tighten my grip.
"She must not uncover the truth," he rasps, spitting the words out.
Layla steps closer, breathing heavily. I can see how terrified she is. She has every right to be. What if I wasn't here? What if I wasn't watching her?
"What truth?" she asks. Her voice is soft but firm.
I tighten my grip. "What are you talking about?"
The man lets out a broken laugh. Then he jerks suddenly and his eyes roll back.
Foam spills from his mouth.
"No!" Layla cries.
But it's too late. He's gone.
Dead.
Poison.
I open his mouth and see a pill filled with poison. He must have swallowed it to keep himself from betraying whoever sent him. This is dangerous. He rather commit suicide than speak? Who sent him? People who usually do this have powerful cult leaders.
I drop the lifeless body and step back. My hand trembles a little but I shove it into my pocket. I'll have to tell my brothers. There could be a threat in the pack. But what does Layla have to do with this?
"Damn it," I growl, turning toward her. "What the hell was he talking about?"
Layla doesn't answer.
She isn't even looking at me.
Her eyes are locked on the body. Her eyes are wide and her body trembles a little. There's something in her expression I can't place. Not fear exactly. Not shock either.
She looks like someone who's just had something confirmed.
Like some shadow that's haunted her has just stepped into the light.
I take a step closer. "Layla."
Still nothing.
"Layla, look at me."
Slowly, her gaze lifts to mine. And for the first time in my life, I feel something I don't know how to name.
Not lust. Not even the ache of the bond that constantly pulls me to her.
It's deeper.
A gut-level knowing that this woman, this girl with secrets in her eyes and fire in her heart, is going to unravel everything.
And I don't know if I'll survive it.
I don't know what's happening but one thing is clear.
This isn't over.
Something's coming.
And she's at the center of it.