The dungeon was damp, the air thick with the smell of mold and iron. Chains rattled as Selene shifted, her wrists still bound in chilly metal
Her head spun. Why would Killian have responded in such a manner? The way he looked at her—it wasn't merely suspicion. It was more.
A mixture of anger and fear.
Footsteps echoed down the stone hallway. Heavy, deliberate
Selene exhaled shakily, her brow against her knees.
She had come to this place seeking answers. Now she was the one being questioned.
And she wasn't sure she'd survive long enough to learn the truth.
The groan of footsteps coming closer made her stomach clench.
The heavy iron door groaned open again, and Killian stepped through this time.
He commanded the room with his presence, broad shoulders tense, gold eyes burning with something unreadable.
Selene's breath caught. Even here, in this cold, empty room, her wolf wanted him.
But he was gazing at her as if she were nothing.
"Who sent you?" His voice was low, controlled. But an edge threaded through it, sharp enough to cut.
Selene forced herself to meet his gaze. "I—no one sent me."
His jaw clenched. "Lies."
"I swear—"
"Then how do you know my name?"
The accusation hit its mark. Because I feel it. Because I know you. Because you're mine.
But she couldn't say that. Not when he was looking at her like a predator eyeing its prey.
"I don't know," she whispered. "I just—know."
Killian's eyes darkened. He stepped forward, closing the space between them.
Selene's pulse accelerated. His scent wrapped around her—dark spice and something untamed. It should have been comforting. But in that instant, it made her feel trapped.
Killian lifted a hand, snagging her chin between his fingers. The touch was not gentle.
Nor was it cruel. It was intentional.
"You want me to believe that?" His breath grazed her lips. "That you pop out of nowhere, whispering my name, and you have no idea why?"
Selene swallowed. Yes. That's what I'm saying.
But she saw it in his eyes. He didn't believe her.
And she wasn't sure she believed herself.
Selene didn't flinch under Killian's grip, but her wolf whined inside her. The bond between them pulsed, thick and choking.
"I don't believe in coincidences," Killian said, his voice edged with something dangerous.
Selene clenched her fists. "I don't either. But I'm telling you the truth."
His fingers tightened for a moment before he released her, stepping back. The loss of contact caused a strange pang in her, but she ignored it.
Killian regarded her, his golden gaze focused. "Then prove it."
She frowned. "Prove what?"
A glimmer of something undefinable passed across his face before he turned away. He strode to a small table in the corner, picking up a dagger.
Her muscles tensed.
He returned to her in slow, calculated steps, twirling the knife around his fingers.
Selene's heart quickened as he crouched down in front of her, grasping her wrist in his hand. His touch was rough, his skin warm.
She sucked in a breath as he placed the dagger against her palm.
"If you really have no memory," Killian growled, "then this will not affect you."
Too late. Before she could even reply, he slashed the knife across her skin.
Pain burned, and a scream tore from her mouth. But it was not just the cut—it was something inside. A flash of visions—a burning forest, a bloodied hand reaching for hers, a whispered promise.
Her breath hitched. What was that?
The gash on her palm wasn't deep, but her head throbbed as though something inside her had torn apart.
Killian's eyes locked onto hers, unreadable. "Interesting."
Selene yanked her hand back, holding it to her chest. "What—what was that?"
"You tell me."
She shook her head. "I don't—I don't know."
But the way Killian was looking at her now—it wasn't suspicion anymore. It was something worse. Recognition.
Selene's stomach turned. Did he know something she didn't?
Selene's breathing turned uneven as she stared at Killian. The flicker of recognition in his eyes sent a chill through her. He knew something.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she clenched her wounded palm. "Tell me what you're thinking."
Killian didn't answer right away. He flipped the dagger around his fingers, his gold eyes locked on hers. Then, smiling slowly, he said, "You felt it, didn't you?"
Selene swallowed. "Felt what?"
"The bond."
The word sent an unwanted shiver down her spine. She knew what he was talking about. The strange pull, the electric tension between them.
But she wouldn't acknowledge it.
Killian leaned in, near enough that she could feel the heat rising from his body. "You claim not to know me, yet your body indicates differently."
Selene forced herself to maintain his gaze. "That means nothing."
His smirk widened, but it lacked humor. "Then let us see."
With a movement too swift to prevent, he reached out for her injured hand, taking her wrist.
A wave of heat ran through her veins. It wasn't just his touch—it was something else. Something ancient.
Her wolf stirred, and a strangled gasp wrenched from her lips as another vision crashed into her.
A silver crown. A bloodstained floor. A whispered name—Killian.
Selene jerked her hand back, gasping for breath.
Killian's smirk fell. "You remember something."
She shook her head frantically. "No."
Liar.
The word echoed in her mind, but she couldn't let him know the truth.
Killian studied her for a long moment before rising to his feet. "You're hiding something."
Selene forced herself to glare at him. "So are you."
His expression darkened, but before he could respond, a knock echoed through the dungeon.
"Your Majesty," a guard called. "The Council demands your presence."
Killian exhaled sharply, irritation flashing across his face. Then, without another word, he turned and strode toward the door.
Selene's gut tightened as he left. She had no idea what had just happened between them, but one thing was certain—Killian wasn't going to let her go.
And worse? A part of her wasn't sure she wanted him to.
Selene paced the small area of the cell, her heart still pounding from Killian's touch. Her skin burned wherever his fingers had touched.
This bond—this thing between them—it wasn't natural. It was a noose tightening around her throat, invisible but inexorable.
She needed to get out of here.
Her eyes flicked to the iron bars. The guards were still outside, their positions stiff, their weapons in sight. Escape wouldn't be easy.
Selene pressed her back against the cold stone wall and closed her eyes. She needed to think. Remember.
But the harder she tried, the more her mind recoiled.
A searing pain pierced her skull, and she exhaled on a hiss.
Why can't I remember?
Her hand traced the scars on her wrist, faint but undeniable. Someone had bound her before. Tied her up.
Why?
She could not go further before voices echoed in the corridor. Boots boomed on the stone.
"King Killian gave strict command. No one hurts her before his return."
"Doesn't mean we can't have a little fun messing with her."
Selene's eyes snapped open.
A new pair of guards entered, their grins predatory.
One of them kicked the bars. "What's the matter, little wolf? Not so fierce without your claws?"
The other guard chuckled. "I heard she doesn't even shift. Maybe she's not a real wolf at all."
Selene's fists tightened, her nails digging into her palms.
She might not have had all the answers, but she was far from helpless.
The first guard pushed open the cell door and stepped inside. "Let's see how helpless the king's little prisoner really is—"
He never finished.
Selene moved.
Faster than he expected. Faster than she expected.
She ducked under his arm, twisting his wrist until the cell echoed with the crack of breaking bone. He shrieked in pain, but she didn't pause—she turned, ramming her knee into his ribs.
The other guard launched himself at her, but she was ready. She snatched up the dropped dagger of the first guard and slashed through the air, stopping just below his throat.
The cell was as quiet as death.
Selene's heart was pounding. She hadn't planned—what she'd done.
The instincts were there. Buried deep. Waiting.
But she had no time to consider them.
For behind her, a slow clap resounded.
She whirled around, her breath catching.
Killian stood at the entrance of the dungeon, arms crossed, golden eyes glinting with something dark.
Approval. Amusement.
And something more.
Something dangerous.
Selene tightened her hold on the blade, giving no quarter.
But Killian merely smirked.
"Looks like I was right about you