Chapter 2: The Chains That Bind

Aria's POV

The cold air bit at my skin as I sat in the dark, my wrists raw from the iron chains that bound me. My wolf whimpered in my mind, her once unbreakable spirit now quiet and broken. I felt like I had been here for days, though the relentless ache in my muscles told me it had only been hours.

Killian’s voice haunted me.

You’re my mate… and my enemy.

The mate bond still throbbed between us, an invisible string pulling at my chest even though I wanted to rip it apart. How could the Moon Goddess be so cruel? Pairing me with the monster who had burned my home to ash?

I shook the thought from my head. I couldn’t sit here and wallow. I had to fight.

The door to the cold, stone room creaked open, and the dim light from the corridor spilled inside. A man stepped in—tall, broad, and exuding an air of menace. It wasn’t Killian, but his scent carried the same darkness, the same power.

“You’re awake,” he said, his tone mocking as he crouched in front of me. “Beta Aria of Crescent Moon, reduced to a prisoner. How does it feel?”

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let him see my fear. “Let me out of these chains, and I’ll show you how it feels.”

He laughed, the sound cruel and sharp. “Fiery, aren’t you? No wonder the Alpha didn’t kill you.”

My heart skipped. “Killian,” I muttered, unable to keep the venom out of my voice.

The man tilted his head, his grin widening. “It’s Alpha Killian to you, girl. He spared your life for a reason, but don’t think that means you’re safe.”

“I don’t care why he spared me,” I spat. “I’ll escape, and when I do, I’ll kill him for what he’s done.”

The man’s smile faltered, a flicker of unease crossing his face. “Bold words for someone chained and powerless. But keep dreaming.” He rose to his feet, his boots echoing against the stone as he turned to leave.

The door slammed shut behind him, and I was alone again. Alone with my rage, my grief, and the burning mate bond I couldn’t sever.

---

Hours—or perhaps days—passed before the door opened again. This time, it was Killian.

The sight of him sent a wave of conflicting emotions through me. Hatred. Pain. And something else I didn’t want to name. He stepped inside, his dark eyes locking on mine, and for a moment, the room felt colder.

“I see they haven’t broken you yet,” he said, his voice as sharp as a blade.

I glared at him, my anger boiling over. “You think chaining me in this dungeon will break me? You don’t know who I am.”

He smirked, leaning against the wall with infuriating calm. “I know exactly who you are, Aria. You’re the Beta’s daughter, the last surviving member of Crescent Moon’s leadership. And…” He paused, his gaze darkening. “You’re my mate.”

I flinched at the word, my heart betraying me with its erratic beat. “Don’t call me that,” I hissed. “You destroyed my pack. You murdered my people. I’ll never be your mate.”

Killian’s expression hardened, his smirk vanishing. “I didn’t ask for this bond any more than you did. But the Moon Goddess made her choice.”

“Her choice was a mistake,” I snapped, pulling at the chains until they bit into my wrists.

Killian stepped closer, his towering figure casting a shadow over me. “Believe me, I agree. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re here now. And you’ll stay here until I decide what to do with you.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to show weakness. “Why didn’t you kill me?” I demanded. “You had no problem killing everyone else.”

Something flickered in his eyes—guilt? No, it couldn’t be. Killian Thorn didn’t have a heart.

“I spared you because of the bond,” he said finally. “But don’t think for a second that it means I trust you.”

I laughed bitterly. “Trust? That’s rich coming from you.”

He crouched down, his face level with mine, and the intensity in his gaze made my breath hitch. “Hate me all you want, Aria. It won’t change anything. You’re mine now, whether you like it or not.”

His words felt like a slap, but I refused to let him see how they affected me. “You’ll regret keeping me alive,” I said through gritted teeth.

Killian straightened, his smirk returning. “We’ll see.”

He turned to leave, and as the door slammed shut behind him, I felt a fresh wave of determination surge through me.

I would escape. I would destroy Killian Thorn, even if it was the last thing I ever did.