Chapter 4

The room air was thick with tension filled on it. My mind was racing with questions.

Every step I took backward felt like walking through a battlefield—one where I didn’t know who my enemies were and what he meant by he was protecting me.

Killian was the worst of them all. He had put me into confusion. He was protecting me? Or was he leading my enemies toward me.

One moment, he’d let his golden eyes flashes on me, I was confused on what those glance met.

Sometimes he would be cold and ruthless, barking orders as if my mere existence offended him. It was as if he was at war with himself. Or probably with me.

I didn’t have the luxury of worrying about his mood swings. Not when I was barely surviving in a den of wolves—some of whom wanted me dead.

Tonight was no different from the usual.

I was scrubbing the grand staircase which he had ordered I do when I noticed a shift in the atmosphere. The other maids had disappeared. A sudden chill crept down my spine, leaving my hands trembling.

I wasn’t alone.

My instinct screamed at me to move, but before I could react, a tray fell to the ground behind me. I spun around, heart pounding heavily.

“You look exhausted, dear,” a sickeningly sweet voice pops up. It was Lady Vivian. One of Killian’s former mistresses.

Behind her, were two other women who were watching.

“You work so hard, I must commend ” Vivian continued, stepping closer to me. “It would be a shame if something happened to you before you could enjoy your new… position.” she dropped.

I stiffened. “I’m just a maid. I wasn't expecting any other position”

She laughed, but there was no amusement in what she said. “We both know that’s a lie.”

Before I could respond, she reached for a goblet resting on the nearby table. “Drink,” she ordered. “A small gift for your hard work. To regain your lost strength”

I stared at the cup for a while. The scent was off—too sweet, too strong. My stomach churned.

Poison.

I met her gaze, forcing a smile on my face. “You shouldn’t have.”

Vivian’s smile faltered as I reached out, pretending to take the goblet from her—only to ‘accidentally’ knock it over. The liquid spilled onto the stone floor, hissing as it touched the ground.

That serves her right.

Vivian’s eyes darkened as she glanced at the tea spilled on the floor.

“Clumsy little thing, aren’t you? How dare you do that!” she demanded.

I took a step back, shaking my head. “My mistake. I never knew it would fall off. ”

She shoved her head, her expression cold but yet the anger was written on her face.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll have another chance to… celebrate. But don't you dare try this with me next time.”

She turned and left, the other women followed her.

I exhaled shakily. That wasn’t a warning. It was a promise. Why would she always want me to take the tea? I never told her I needed energy.

Later that night, as I retreated to my tiny quarters, my mind was still racing with questions and uncertainty.

I have survived several attempts on my life, but how many more would come my way?

And why wasn’t Killian stopping them? Or wasn't he aware?

I was exhausted from the day's work. But just as my body surrendered to sleep. I noticed someone was there.

I wasn’t alone in the small room.

My eyes snapped open, every corner of the room, I looked at to see if anyone was there and yes. A tall figure stood in the doorway, I could only see his eyes.

Killian.

For a long moment, he said nothing. He just stared at me, with an expression I didn't understand.

Then, to my utter shock, he stepped closer and sat beside my mattress.

I didn't say a word, my mind was trying to process it all.

Suddenly his fingers were blushing against my wrist—it was a fleeting touch, but was enough to send a strange heat through me. I wanted to stop him. And asked why he was here but I couldn't say a word. Not because I was afraid of him.

“What have you done to me?” he asked

I swallowed hard not knowing where the question was coming from. “I don’t understand.”

His grip on my wrist tightened, not painfully, but possessively. “I don’t want to crave you but you are making me do”

Crave me?

My breath caught hearing that, but before I could speak, he released me and stood still. His face was shadowed, but I saw the war raging in his eyes. Was he having an obsession for me?

“This can’t be happening,” he murmured, shaking his head. “You mean nothing to me.”

Liar.

The word burned at the tip of my tongue, but I kept it trapped behind my teeth.

Without another word, he turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him.

I lay there, my pulse hammering.

Killian Wolfe, the feared Lycan King, was afraid of me.

Why?

The next morning, I woke to hushed whispers outside my door.

“…dead before they reached the border.”

“…her luck won’t last forever.”

I sat up, straining to hear more, but the voices faded.

Something had happened.

By the time I reached the main hall, I had my answer.

Three bodies were laid out in the courtyard, their throats torn open, their faces frozen in horror. Assassins. Their scent was familiar—Damien’s pack.

Someone had sent them to kill me.

And someone had stopped them.

My gaze flickered to Killian, who stood on the balcony overlooking the scene, his expression unreadable.

Had he protected me?

Or was there another player in this deadly game?

One thing was certain.

I wasn’t safe. Not from Damien. Not from Killian. Not from whatever fate was pulling me deeper into this deadly world.

And for the first time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to escape it.