Chapter 5

Kieran's POV

Darius Valerius stepped forward, his guards forming a protective shield around him.

Motherfucker!

"You've made your point, Alpha," he said, voice smooth. "You’ve won. Now, tell me, what is it you want?"

I walked forward, my blade still dripping blood of those that I have killed.

"You know what I want," I said. "Your head."

Darius chuckled, shaking his head. "And here I was hoping you'd grown a sense of reason.

His smirk deepened, but there was something behind it. For him to be out here, Darius had a strategy that I don't know.

Then, to confirm my suspicions

"Kill them!" he snarled at his men in anger.

And there was a great noise as his men rushed towards us in multitudes

The battlefield exploded again.

I knew this was an attempt to buy Darius time.

I cursed, barely dodging a strike as Darius turned on his heel and bolted for the mansion.

"Coward!" I roared at the sight of him running, slashing my sword across the throat of a rogue in my path.

More of my warriors kept trooping in, locking swords with Darius’ men, but I barely paid attention. My focus was on one thing.

I was going to catch him.

I was going to end him.

I signaled to Lucas, and he went after him.

***

Sienna Valerius’ POV

I had barely slept.

Firstly, I met my mate yesterday, and it was the most amazing feeling ever.

Secondly, my father grounded me for a whole month for sneaking out.

Thirdly, this mansion was on fire!. I don't know what was happening

My hands trembled as I gripped the edges of the blanket, my heart racing heavily.

The sounds outside had woken me up: the sound of swords, the screams. The shout of agony and pain. Something was happening. Something bad. And I don't even know what to do; my father had never taught me any form of self-defense.

I jolted upright when the door burst open.

My father stood there, panting, his face tight with anger. Blood splattered on his clothes, and his breathing was so rough.

"Get up, Sienna," he ordered.

I blinked. "What’s going on—"

"There’s no time!" He grabbed my wrist, yanking me up. "We need to leave. Now."

Panic coiled in my chest.

Where were we going?

My father had never looked like this before. Darius Valerius did not run. He did not fear.

And yet—

"Father, what is happening?" I demanded.

His grip tightened. "We’re under attack. We need to get to the forest. It’s the only way out."

My heart slammed against my ribs as he dragged me out and dragged me through the darkened halls of the mansion. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Brandon, my father's Beta, following us too.

We reached the back entrance, the path leading into the thick forest where we had once hidden from enemies before.

But just as we were about to step outside, a sharp memory hit me like a knife to the chest.

My mother’s necklace.

I froze, eyes widening.

Darius turned, face darkening. "Sienna, move—"

"I can’t," I whispered, and before he could stop me, I spun on my heel and sprinted back into the mansion.

"Sienna!" Brandon roared, looking shocked.

But I was already gone.

I ran. My pulse pounded in my ears as I rushed through hallways, my breath uneven.

Finally, I reached my bedroom and tore open my drawer.

There it was.

The small, delicate chain, the one my mother had given me before she died.

I clutched it tightly.

And then I turned and ran.

I barely made it past the threshold when I stopped abruptly.

A figure stood before me.

His golden eyes were shining with anger and hatred for ME.

His sword dripped with blood, his eyes locked on mine, scarily

I gasped, stumbling back, my chest tightening. I'm trapped

And then I heard them. I looked behind him, just in time to see my father running away.

"Father!" I screamed, hot tears rolling down my cheeks, reaching out as though I could stop him.

My heart aches at the sight of my father abandoning me.

But he didn’t stop.

He didn’t look back.

He just ran.

My breath hitched, a cold, sinking weight settling in my stomach.

He left me.

I watched as some men ran after him and Brandon.

Before I could even process it, the sound of approaching steps made me whip my head back towards the man in front of me.

And then—

The scent hit me.

Dark, deep, intoxicating.

No.

I knew that scent.

A shiver ran down my spine as the presence behind the yellow-eyed guy stepped forward.

And I saw him.

Kieran Adrian.

My heart stopped.

He was covered in blood, his grey eyes burning with a fire so intense it made my chest ache. He stepped closer, and the look he gave me made my heart hurt more than ever before.

The mate bond slammed into me like a storm.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

"You…" I whispered.

His gaze locked onto mine, something violent and dangerous. I could see the disgust in his eyes.

“A murderer daughter,” he said under his breath, but I could hear it.

And then—

"I, Kieran Lucian, reject you, Sienna Valerius, as my mate."

A crack split through my chest.

The world stopped.

My body seized, and my heart was howling in agony.

And then, as if the universe were against this rejection, the skies opened up.

Thunder roared.