Chapter 5: Torn Between Freedom and Bondage

Aria's POV

The voice outside the door sent my heart racing.

“Aria, it’s me.”

It was Cole. I recognized his voice immediately—steady, familiar, and full of hope.

I pressed my ear harder against the cold door, whispering back, “Cole? What are you doing here?”

“Keep your voice down,” he warned. “I don’t have much time. Are you hurt?”

“No, but you shouldn’t be here,” I hissed. “If Killian finds you—”

“I don’t care,” Cole interrupted. “We’re getting you out of here.”

The idea of freedom surged through me like wildfire. My pack had come for me. But the weight of Killian’s words earlier still lingered, holding me in place. He claimed he hadn’t killed my family. What if there was truth to his story?

“Aria, open the door!” Cole whispered urgently, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“It’s locked,” I said, my voice shaky.

“Step back,” Cole ordered.

I moved away from the door as a soft click sounded, followed by the faint creak of the door opening. Cole slipped inside, his green eyes scanning me quickly before pulling me into a tight embrace.

“Thank the moon goddess you’re alive,” he whispered into my hair.

For a moment, I allowed myself to lean into his warmth. But reality crashed back into me like a cold wave. This wasn’t over.

“How did you get past the guards?” I asked, pulling back.

Cole gave me a wry smile. “I’ve been training for this moment. I knew you’d need me.”

His confidence should have reassured me, but something about it felt off. This wasn’t just a rescue mission—it was personal for him.

“We need to move, Aria,” he said, his tone urgent. “They’ll notice I’m gone soon.”

I hesitated. “Cole, there’s something I need to tell you—”

“Later,” he cut me off, grabbing my wrist. “Right now, we have to get you out of here.”

I wanted to trust him, but my instincts screamed at me to stop. “Cole, wait. Killian—”

Cole’s expression darkened at the mention of Killian’s name. “Don’t tell me you’re falling for his lies.”

“I’m not,” I said quickly. “But he told me he didn’t kill my family. He said it was—”

“Of course he’d say that,” Cole snapped. “He’s trying to manipulate you. Don’t let him.”

His words stung, but I couldn’t ignore the seed of doubt that had been planted in my mind. Still, I followed him.

Cole led me down a dimly lit hallway, his movements quick and deliberate. My pulse raced as we navigated the packhouse. Every creak of the floorboards, every distant voice made my stomach churn with fear.

“Almost there,” Cole whispered, guiding me toward a side door.

But just as we reached it, a deep voice stopped us in our tracks.

“Going somewhere?”

My heart sank.

Killian stood at the end of the hallway, his arms crossed and his piercing gaze locked onto me. His presence was overwhelming, his dominance filling the space like a storm cloud.

“Step away from her,” Cole growled, stepping in front of me.

Killian’s lips curled into a smirk. “And what exactly are you going to do? Fight me?”

“If I have to,” Cole said, his voice firm.

“Cole, don’t—” I started, but he cut me off.

“I’ll protect you, Aria. No matter what.”

Killian’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of cold amusement. “How noble. But you’re out of your depth, pup.”

Before I could stop him, Cole lunged at Killian.

It was over in seconds.

Killian moved with terrifying speed, dodging Cole’s attack and slamming him against the wall with brutal force. Cole groaned in pain but didn’t back down.

“Stop!” I shouted, stepping between them. “Both of you, stop!”

Killian’s eyes softened slightly as they met mine, but his grip on Cole didn’t loosen.

“Aria, get out of here,” Cole wheezed.

I shook my head. “Not without you.”

Killian’s gaze flicked between us, his expression unreadable. Finally, he released Cole, letting him collapse to the floor.

“Leave,” Killian said, his voice low and dangerous. “Take her back to your pack and stay out of my territory.”

Cole glared at him, his jaw clenched. “You think this is over?”

“It’s over if I say it’s over,” Killian said, his tone icy.

“Cole, please,” I whispered, tugging on his arm. “Let’s go.”

For a moment, he hesitated, his pride clearly warring with his desire to protect me. But eventually, he nodded.

“Fine,” he said, shooting Killian one last glare. “But this isn’t the end.”

Killian didn’t respond, his attention solely on me.

“Aria,” he said quietly, his voice softer now. “You’re making a mistake.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. “Maybe I am. But it’s my mistake to make.”

Without another word, I turned and followed Cole out of the packhouse.

---

The forest was dark and cold, the only sounds coming from the crunch of leaves beneath our feet and the distant howls of wolves.

“We’re almost there,” Cole said, his voice tight.

But I could sense his anger simmering just below the surface.

“Cole, I’m sorry,” I said, breaking the silence.

He stopped abruptly, turning to face me. “Sorry? For what? For hesitating back there? For trusting that monster over me?”

“That’s not what I was doing,” I said, my voice shaking.

“Then what were you doing, Aria?” Cole demanded. “Because it sure as hell didn’t seem like you wanted to leave.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “You don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand,” he said, his voice softer now. “Because all I see is you doubting the people who care about you.”

His words cut deep. He was right—I had doubted him. But it wasn’t just about trust. It was about the truth.

“I just need time,” I said finally.

Cole sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. Take all the time you need. Just promise me you won’t go back to him.”

I hesitated, the weight of his words settling over me. Could I make that promise?

“Let’s just focus on getting home,” I said, avoiding his gaze.

Cole didn’t push me further, and we continued walking in tense silence.

---

By the time we reached the border of our territory, exhaustion had set in. But the sight of the familiar trees and scents brought a sense of relief I hadn’t felt in days.

“We’re safe now,” Cole said, his tone softer.

But the moment we stepped across the border, a group of wolves emerged from the shadows.

“Aria,” one of them said, his voice filled with both relief and anger.

It was Logan, my father’s beta. His eyes scanned me quickly before narrowing on Cole.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Logan demanded.

“I got her back, didn’t I?” Cole shot back.

Logan shook his head. “You endangered the pack. If Killian decides to retaliate—”

“He won’t,” I said, cutting him off.

Logan turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “Aria, you shouldn’t have been there in the first place. We thought we lost you.”

His words brought a lump to my throat. “I’m here now,” I said quietly.

Logan nodded, his gaze filled with unspoken questions. “Come on. Your mother’s been worried sick.”

As we walked back toward the packhouse, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over. Killian’s words haunted me, and the bond I felt with him lingered, no matter how much I tried to deny it.

– – –

Later that night, as I lay in bed, a strange feeling washed over me—a pull, like a thread tugging at my soul.

It was him.

I could feel Killian, his presence invading my thoughts.

And for the first time, I realized I didn’t just hate him.

I was drawn to him.