Chapter 17
Killian dragged me out of Tyler’s grand ball room. At first I thought it was just in the spur of the moment. But his grip got tighter and tighter and he looked like he doesn’t care if he hurt me.
“You’re hurting me, Killian. Where are we going?”
My voice was calm, but the rage simmering beneath it was anything but.
Killian scooped my waist and pulled me close to him, his broad chest heaving, and he’s smirking like he had already won. “You’re coming with me. You’re mine now, Aurora. You accepted our bond in front of every Alpha and Luna in that room. There’s no undoing it.”
I stepped closer, my emerald-green gown brushing against the cold stone floor. “I accepted because it was my choice,” I said, my voice sharp as a blade. “But don’t mistake that for submission.”
His dark eyes glinted with amusement. “Oh, I wouldn’t dare,” he murmured, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
I slapped his hand away.
His smirk only widened. “Fiery. I like that.”
Bastard.
I turned away, refusing to acknowledge the way his presence filled the entire room like a storm waiting to break.
When we arrived at his pack, I realized the Shadow Fang Pack’s castle was nothing like Silver Moon’s. It was older, darker. The stone walls seemed to hum with secrets, and the air was thick with the scent of burning wood and something more primal—power.
Killian had claimed me as his Luna the second we arrived. The second those massive iron gates locked behind me. I was no fool. I knew he didn’t care about love or fate. This was about power. About having me as leverage. But I had my own reasons for playing along. My mother.
She was dying, and the only way to save her was to become a Luna. And if I had to use Killian to make that happen?
So be it. I would wear the crown. I would play the part. And then? I would burn Tyler Xander to the ground.
The next morning, I stood at the massive balcony overlooking the training grounds. Warriors moved in perfect formation below, their strength undeniable.
Killian joined me, standing close enough that I could feel the heat of him at my back. “They’ll follow you now,” he said. “You’re their Luna.”
I glanced at him. “For now.”
His smirk didn’t fade. “Do you still think he’ll come for you?”
My fingers tightened against the stone railing.
“I know he will.”
Killian studied me for a moment, then let out a low chuckle. “I almost feel bad for him.”
I scoffed. “Don’t.”
Because Tyler deserved everything that was coming for him.
The attack came sooner than expected. I heard the first scream before I saw the blood. One of Killian’s guards collapsed at my feet, his throat slashed clean through. His body twitched once, then stilled.
And standing over him…
Tyler.
His golden eyes were wild, his breathing ragged. His black shirt was splattered with blood—some his, but most of it belonged to the men he had cut down on his way here.
The air crackled with the weight of his fury. Killian’s warriors rushed forward, but Tyler didn’t flinch. He welcomed the fight.
A dagger flashed in his hand. A heartbeat later, another body hit the ground. Then another. And another. He was a storm, tearing through everyone in his path.
And he was coming straight for me.
“Aurora!”
His voice thundered through the battlefield, raw and desperate.
I didn’t move. I didn’t blink. I watched as he ripped through warriors like they were nothing, his eyes never leaving mine. And deep inside me—where my hatred hadn’t yet rotted everything to dust—something burned.
The mate bond. Damn it.
Killian appeared at my side, his expression unreadable. “He’s out of control.”
I swallowed. “I know.”
Tyler’s wolf was clawing to the surface. His body trembled with the force of it, muscles tightening, rage radiating from every inch of him.
But Killian? He wasn’t fazed. He simply rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck, and stepped forward.
“Enough.”
His voice rang through the courtyard, loud, commanding.Tyler stopped, his chest heaving, hands clenched at his sides. Killian smirked. “You’re making a mess of my pack, Alpha Tyler.”
Tyler growled, low and deadly. “You took what belongs to me.”
Something inside me snapped.
“I am not an object,” I seethed, stepping between them. “I made my choice.”
Tyler’s jaw tightened. “You didn’t mean it.” My nails dug into my palms. “You don’t know me anymore, Tyler.”
“I know enough. ” He took a step closer. “I know you still feel it. And don’t you want to see your brother’s child?”
“What?!” I couldn’t fathom what he’s saying. What is my brother has anything to do with this?
“Debbie’s pregnant with his child. Alex is the father, not me. I am free, Aurora. Come home with me.”
Damn him. Damn him for standing there, looking at me like I was still his. Like he could still have me.
Killian exhaled, clearly growing impatient. “I should kill you for trespassing,” he mused, his fingers twitching toward the dagger at his belt.
Tyler let out a cold laugh. “You can try.” Everything in the courtyard shifted. The warriors held their breath. I could see it—the battle about to erupt. Blood would spill. And for what? For me?
No. I wouldn’t allow it. I moved before I could stop myself, placing a hand against Killian’s chest, stopping him from lunging forward.
Then, slowly, I turned to Tyler.
“Touch him,” I whispered, voice steady, “and I will never forgive you.”
Silence. Tyler stilled. His golden eyes searched mine, wild, desperate. And in that moment, I knew—he wasn’t afraid of dying. He was afraid of losing me. But he already had. Hadn’t he?
