Chapter 4: Bound by Secrets

Aria's POV

Killian’s words echoed in my mind, sinking deep into my chest like the sharp edge of a blade.

Mate.

The word was foreign, absurd even. It sounded like a cruel joke—a mockery of everything I had lost because of him. I refused to believe it. He was lying. He had to be.

“I’m not your mate,” I hissed, my voice trembling with defiance.

Killian didn’t flinch. His weight pressed down on me as if to reinforce his power, his claim. “You can deny it all you want, Aria. The bond doesn’t lie.”

His words ignited something primal in me. My wolf stirred beneath the surface, its anger mirroring my own. “You think this is some twisted way to own me?” I snarled, thrashing beneath him. “You killed my family, Killian. You burned my pack to the ground. And now you want to pretend we’re fated?!”

“I don’t want to pretend anything,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “But I won’t let you run, and I won’t let you destroy yourself out of hatred.”

Hatred was all I had left.

“You don’t get to tell me what to feel,” I spat.

His grip on my wrists tightened, his eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker there—regret, sorrow, maybe even guilt. But I didn’t trust it. Whatever emotions Killian Thorn had, they were buried under layers of ruthlessness.

“I’m not your enemy, Aria,” he said softly, almost too softly.

I barked out a bitter laugh. “You could’ve fooled me.”

Without another word, Killian stood and pulled me to my feet as though I weighed nothing. I fought against him, but his grip was like iron.

“Let me go!” I screamed, my voice raw.

“Not until you calm down,” he said, his tone frustratingly controlled.

“I’ll calm down when I’m free!”

Killian didn’t respond. He hauled me back into the packhouse, his face an unreadable mask. My chest burned with frustration. I hated how strong he was, how easily he could overpower me. But more than that, I hated the strange pull I felt toward him.

As much as I wanted to deny it, there was something undeniable about the way my body reacted to his presence. My wolf stirred, not out of fear or anger, but something else entirely—something I didn’t want to name.

He dragged me into what appeared to be a study. The room was lavish, with walls lined with books and a massive oak desk in the center. He shut the door behind us, and the sound of the lock clicking sent a shiver down my spine.

“Is this how you treat all your prisoners?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Killian ignored me. He walked to the desk, pulled out a chair, and gestured for me to sit.

“I’m not sitting,” I snapped.

“You can make this easy, or you can make it hard,” he said, his tone sharp. “But I promise you, Aria, I always win.”

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

“No,” he said simply. “It’s the truth.”

Reluctantly, I sat, but only because I wanted to conserve my strength. I had no intention of giving up—this was just another battle in a war I intended to win.

Killian sat across from me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched between us, heavy with tension.

Finally, he broke it. “I didn’t kill your family.”

I laughed bitterly. “You really expect me to believe that?”

“You think I haven’t killed before?” he said, his tone cold. “I have. But your family wasn’t my doing.”

“Convenient excuse,” I shot back.

Killian leaned forward, his eyes boring into mine. “Do you think I’m lying? That I’m afraid to admit what I’ve done? If I had killed them, I’d tell you. But I didn’t.”

His words shook me, though I tried not to show it. Could he be telling the truth? My father had always warned me about rival packs, but he had never mentioned anything specific about Killian’s.

“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice quieter now.

Killian’s gaze softened, and for the first time, he looked almost human. “I want peace.”

“Peace?” I echoed, my voice filled with disbelief. “You destroyed my home, kidnapped me, and you want peace?”

“I didn’t destroy your home,” he said firmly. “Your Alpha did that when he betrayed mine.”

“Stop blaming my father for your actions!” I snapped.

Killian’s jaw tightened. “Believe what you want, Aria. But the truth doesn’t change just because you don’t like it.”

The air between us crackled with tension. I didn’t want to believe him, but his words planted a seed of doubt in my mind.

“I’ll never forgive you,” I said, my voice trembling.

Killian nodded slowly. “I don’t expect you to.”

Before I could respond, the door burst open, and the cruel man from before stormed in. His face was flushed with anger, and his eyes flicked between Killian and me.

“Alpha, we have a problem,” he said.

Killian stood, his expression hardening. “What is it?”

“The girl’s pack,” the man said. “They’ve crossed the border.”

My heart leapt. My pack was coming for me.

Killian’s gaze snapped to mine, his expression unreadable. “Take her to the holding room,” he ordered.

The cruel man smirked, clearly pleased by the command. He grabbed my arm, but I wrenched it away.

“Don’t touch me,” I growled.

“Aria,” Killian said, his voice low and warning. “Go with him. Now.”

I glared at him, my body trembling with rage. “This isn’t over,” I said, my voice filled with venom.

“No,” Killian said quietly. “It’s just beginning.”

---

The holding room was colder than the dungeon, its walls bare and unwelcoming. The cruel man—his name was Marcus, I learned—shoved me inside and slammed the door shut.

I paced the room, my mind racing. My pack was coming. They would save me. But what then?

Would they kill Killian and his people? Would this war ever end?

And why did Killian’s words linger in my mind?

I hated him. I had to. But something about him felt… complicated. He wasn’t the monster I had imagined, but he wasn’t innocent either.

The door opened again, and Marcus stepped inside, his smirk sending chills down my spine.

“Thought you might like some company,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

“I’d rather be alone,” I snapped.

He chuckled, leaning against the wall. “You’ve got fire, I’ll give you that. But it won’t save you.”

“What do you want?”

Marcus shrugged. “Just wanted to see how the Alpha’s new toy was doing.”

“I’m not his toy,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Sure you’re not,” Marcus said, his smirk widening. “But you should know something, little wolf. Killian might act like he cares, but he’s as ruthless as they come. You’ll see soon enough.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to show it.

“I’ll take my chances,” I said coldly.

Marcus laughed, shaking his head. “Suit yourself. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He left, slamming the door behind him.

I sank to the floor, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. I hated Killian. I hated this pack. But more than that, I hated the tiny sliver of doubt that had wormed its way into my heart.

Could I trust anything he said? Or was this all part of his plan to break me?

The faint sound of footsteps outside the room made me freeze. They weren’t heavy like Marcus’s or deliberate like Killian’s.

Someone else was here.

I pressed my ear to the door, my heart pounding.

“Aria,” a voice whispered.

I gasped, recognizing it instantly

It was someone from my pack.