The golden light of sunrise streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the space between them. But for all the warmth it carried, Selene still felt cold.
Kieran watched her, waiting.
She had stayed.
She hadn't run.
And now, there was no turning back.
Her throat was dry as she forced herself to speak. "What does this mean?"
Kieran's lips curled slightly, though there was no real amusement in his expression. "You already know."
Selene hated how easily he could read her. Hated that a part of her wanted him to tell her anyway.
Because if he spoke the words out loud, then there would be no denying it.
No pretending.
No escape.
She swallowed hard. "And if I change my mind?"
Something flickered in Kieran's eyes. "You won't."
A chill ran down her spine, but it wasn't fear—not exactly.
It was something darker.
Something she wasn't ready to name.
—
Kieran stepped closer, watching the way her breath hitched, the way her pulse fluttered at her throat.
Selene had always been good at hiding her emotions.
But not from him.
Never from him.
He reached out, tracing his fingers along the curve of her jaw. "You think this is a choice."
Selene stiffened. "Isn't it?"
Kieran's smirk deepened, slow and knowing. "Tell me, Selene—when you walked through that door last night, did you ever really think about leaving?"
Her lips parted, but no words came.
Because she hadn't.
Not truly.
She had wanted to.
Had told herself she should.
But the truth was, she had never made a real attempt to leave.
Kieran tilted his head, his voice quieter now. "You already belong to me. You're just too stubborn to admit it."
Selene's heart pounded against her ribs. "You can't just claim me, Kieran."
His gaze darkened, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, fingers threading into her hair.
"I already have."
She should have pushed him away.
Should have fought.
But she didn't.
Because the way he touched her, the way his presence wrapped around her like a cage—
It wasn't something she wanted to escape.
It was something she craved.
And that realization was more dangerous than anything Kieran could ever be.