Chapter

Sienna’s POV

“Do you really think locking me up here forever is going to change my mind?” I said, and made a swift turn to see Kieran standing by the door. 

I had sensed him earlier. 

I was angry, and I hated being imprisoned. 

He smiled, walking right up to me. 

I was always amazed how soft his eyes could be. Yet, they would switch back to being dark. 

“You’re not a prisoner,” he said smoothly, “just… contained.”

A harsh, quaking laugh burst out of my throat. “Is that what you have been calling this? A gilded cage with silk sheets? I am not a simpleton, Kieran.”

His lips slightly curved upward. “No, you’re not. Which is why you should be smart enough to understand why you’re here.”

I had my arms folded. “I know the reason I’m here.”

“Don't you?” He asked, smiling. 

“You want me to be the cure for your mental illness. The entire werewolves clans know,” I spat. 

Kieran didn’t deny it. Instead, he moved closer to me. His gaze locked onto mine like a predator sizing up prey. “I don't see why I can't use you to get what I want,” he said. 

I fumed. He was direct and I felt hurt. 

“Right now, you need protection,” he continued.

I scoffed, stepping away from him. “Protection? From who? Probably you,” I answered.

“No,” he answered. “From the Midnight Syndicate.”

“They want you because you're the last ruby wolf, don't they?” He asked. 

How did he know? Only the queen and I knew of my origin.

“They won't stop until you're dead. If you stay with me, I can help you,” he bargained. 

“No,” I answered. “I'd rather die than be your mate.”

“You might be heading there quicker,” he answered, smiling. 

“You’ve lost your damn mind,” I whispered.

Kieran smirked. “I’ve heard that before.”

I turned away, searching silently for ways to make a run for it. 

“What do you say?” He asked calmly. 

I frowned, and lashed at him. “It will forever be no.”

“Be reasonable, Sienna,” he said, almost yelling. “I am the only thing stopping you from getting a painful death. I have no intentions to hurt you.”

“And you intend to force me to marry you for a solution,” I countered. 

“Would you rather be my slave?” He asked, looking serious. 

I stayed silent, unable to answer. I had known the feeling of being a servant. 

“Are you silent?” He asked, letting out a soft chuckle. 

“Screw you and your offers. I’d rather take my chances out there,” I retorted. 

“Then run,” he said calmly. 

I stiffened. 

“But I promise you, I won’t be the only one hunting you,” he answered and stepped out. 

*******

I paced around the room, thinking of a possible exit. The door was locked and the window seemed very high for me to jump down. 

I didn't want to be his leverage. I searched the room again, and noticed the ventilation shaft near the ceiling. 

I smiled, happy with my discovery and moving quickly, dragging a chair. I climbed, and tested the screws. They were loose. 

I heard someone coming from the hallway and my heart raced. I had to do this before anyone came in. 

The door handle twisted, and I quickly got off the chair, as the door opened. 

“Who made you?” I asked, staring at the unfamiliar face. 

“Darius, Alpha kieran's beta,” he answered. 

I didn't know how he knew, but his eyes moved from me to the chair and then up towards the ventilation shaft. 

He smiled, and closed the door. “Alpha was right. You would try to escape.”

My eyes widened as I listened to him. 

“I was figuring you’d go off the deep end at some time,”

My muscles constricted.

I forced myself to stand up straight. "If you're going to lecture me about being a lot safer inside, then spare me the lecture. Kieran tried that."

Darius chuckled, low and sharp. “I’m not here for that.”

He stepped forward, not taking his gaze off me. I felt weak compared to him. I stood still, despite my entire body yelling for me to run. 

“You think you're special, do you?” He grumbled softly. “Untouchable just because Kieran is interested in you?”

His fingers tightened hard into a bruising hold on my wrist. 

"Let me go!" I yelled.  

I winced, struggling to free my hand.  

“I know your kind. Always greedy and looking for a way to strike a bargain,” Darius hissed softly, the chill of his voice creeping down the back of my neck. “And you can bet you will not live to see the Blood Moon.”

The way that he worded it made all the alarms go off inside of my head. He was warning me.

I yanked back again, but his grip tightened. "Let go."

He smirked. "Or what?"

A low powerful snarl appeared before I could answer. 

Darius shook hearing it, and he moved in time to see Kieran pounce on him, knocking him into the wall. 

The wall cracked, and I froze. 

Kieran had become something else. His eyes turned red and he growled. "If I ever see you touch her again, I'll rip your throat out."

Darius nodded, looking scared as his hands wrapped around Kieran's hand, trying to pull it off his neck. 

Kieran didn’t ease his grip. "She is with me."

Darius’s gaze turned to me then and a cough slipped out of him. “Of course, Alpha.”

Kieran shoved him back, his expression hard. “Get out.”

He coughed, and dropped to the floor as soon as Kieran's hand left his neck. 

I knew I had made an enemy. Darius slowly rose and left the room, flashing one last glare. 

I held my breath, only letting it out when he left. 

Kieran turned to me. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, avoiding his eyes. 

His gaze dropped to the bruise that Darius’s hand had left on my wrist. His jaw clenched.

“I am fine,” I grumbled.

Kieran walked closer, and raised my face with his finger, so I could meet his gaze. “I didn't ask you to lie.” His voice was slightly softer, but no less firm. 

His eyes moved down to the clothes I was wearing. "I'll have the maids send you some clothes."

I shook my head, stepping back. "When will you let me leave? Locking me in here won't make me trust you."

Kieran smirked. "I wasn't expecting your trust, little wolf."

"But I do expect you to hear," he replied. 

My fingers tightened into a fist by my side. "I'd rather take a chance out there."

His smirk increased. "Run then."

"What?" I asked.

"Run. But, I'll bet you darling that you won't last a day because I won't be the only one looking for you."

Ronan’s POV

I moved stealthily, slowing my breathing. The guards doubled before I could get to where Sienna was. 

I watched their routines and focused on their weaknesses. I knew when to push forward, when to pull back. The timing had to be right. 

A guard stepped inches from where I stood by the stone column, his boots crunching gravel. My fist tightening around the dagger on my belt eased. One mistake, one sound, and I'd have to kill him.

Not yet.

He passed by, oblivious.

I crept forward, my form slipping between the spaces in their line, unseen with slow steps. 

My muscles tensed in purpose as I inched to the edge of the building, hugging the icy stone. I was familiar with the formation; three in front, two at the stairs. They would have no clue what was coming their way.

The first man never saw me. A sharp flick of my wrist, and my knife cut across his throat, catching him before he could have hit the ground. I dropped him, silent.

The second came too fast. I whacked him on the head with the hilt of my dagger to his temple before he ever had an opportunity to perceive the danger.

The third never had a chance to reach for his gun when my arm wrapped around his neck, strangling him. His body jerked. Then his body went limp.

I laid him down on the ground.

Three were eliminated. And two more were still inside.

I walked in, crouching low on the marble. The hallway was silent as I moved.

One of the guards was squatting at the half-dozen feet, yawning and reclining his weight idly. He was a slothy one.

His mistake.

I followed him back, knife flashing in the darkness. One strike and he was silent, stealthy. He was dead before he even had time to realize he had been hit. 

I dragged him around the corner statue.

The last one was tougher, standing at Sienna's door. I needed a diversion.

I looked around, finally spotting a loose rock by the base of the wall. I kicked at it with my toe, and it rolled away.

The guard turned, and I hit him.

My knife slid into his side, deep before he was able to scream. His breathing stopped, and then betrayed him as he leaned against me.

I shoved him up against me and walked him to the ground quietly.

The path was open.

I breathed slowly, trying to calm myself. Nearly one step further.

Then I sensed it.

A shift in the air.

My heart was racing. It was kieran.

His scent met me before his footsteps.  

I hid in the dark, pulling the dead guard with me and the door opened.

He must have noticed the missing bodyguards. 

I stilled my breath.

He inhaled, frowning.

His head turned slightly. A heartbeat away from looking in my direction.

He stayed for a moment, with a stern look on his face and turned his gaze at Sienna's door. 

I stood still, waiting until he turned and walked away. His footsteps were fading with every second. 

I breathed. That was close. 

I moved silently to the door, pushing it open by an inch before I slipped in. 

I noticed her. She turned to the other side of the bed, backing me and slid under the blanket. 

She looked. peaceful.

I suppressed the thought.

I drew out my silver dagger, its cold heft a comforting familiar weight in my hand.

This time I would be quick. 

I slipped in, breathing calmly. 

Her scent enveloped me, flooding my mind. I ignored it and drew out the blade.

All I needed to do was make one fast cut. 

And then her eyes snapped open.

“Ronan,” she gasped. 

My body tightened.

How did she know who I was? Did she know all along? 

I hesitated for a moment then brought the dager down with force. 

The door burst open, and Kieran stepped in. 

Shit!

A snarl ripped across the air as he strode towards me, too quick to get out of the way.

I felt pain as his fist crashed into my ribs and sent me crashing off my feet, and into the wall. 

I blinked quickly, my eyes glaring with anger as I hit the floor with the shock running through me.

I barely had time to wriggle out of his path before he was on top of me again.

His claws descended, shaving my neck by a hair as I rolled clear just in time.

I rolled over, striking with my knife, but he grasped my wrist on impulse, twisting hard that my bones cracked. 

I fell to my knees, groaning and doubled up. 

He didn't stop, throwing punches after the other and I fell to the ground with blood in my mouth.

I was boiling with rage. He kept ruining my plans. I aimed, slicing his shoulder with my knife. 

He barely flinched, and caught my neck around his arm and tossed me to the ground. 

His eyes turned a darker shade of red and his fangs grew longer. “I should rip you to pieces for trying to hurt her,” his voice thundered.

I held his hand tightly, struggling to get free. My body was weakening and I had no other choice. 

I groaned, letting my wolf take control to give me a better chance. 

This time, I broke away from his grip, attacking with my claws and teeth as he easily dodged. 

He attacked, a little faster than I had expected and held me down. His other hand raised to deliver a deadly blow. 

“Kieran, stop!” Sienna yelled. 

His hand froze, and he slowly turned his gaze to her. 

I was panting, my wolf weak from all the fight. 

She moved forward, holding his bicep. “Please,” she begged. “Don't kill him.”

I was going to kill her, and she pleaded for me. 

Kieran slowly released his grip and I hit the floor, panting, gasping as the pain washed through my entire body. 

I ran my fingers over my ribs and bit down on a moan.

Sienna's gaze shifted to mine, and she crouched down to my side. 

Kieran breathed out, and glared at me with coldblooded eyes. “You are lucky she stopped me.”

Chapter 6: Can't Stay, Need To Escape

Sienna’s POV

“Get him away from me!” Kieran ordered. 

The bodyguards dragged Ronan across the floor. He coughed out blood, and looked at me. 

I was scared anything would happen to him. 

“He'll live,” Kieran said, as if reading my mind. 

Kieran's men dragged him to the door, and his boots scraped the ground. Just as they were about to leave the door, something bright slipped out of his hand. 

Kieran hadn't noticed, he had his back turned, and I ran to pick the dagger. 

Kieran turned just as quickly and I hid the dagger in my palm behind me. 

The door closed, and it was just Kieran and I left in the room. 

“Are you that stupid?” He asked. 

“Huh?” I asked, startled. 

“He got in, and you didn't notice,” Kieran blurted. 

I was aware, but I didn't have time to argue with him. I wanted him out of my room as quickly as possible so I could loosen the ventilation shaft above and get the hell out of his house. 

He stepped forward, and I retreated with every step he took. 

He smirked, having me cornered to the wall and leaned closer. 

“Are you okay?” He asked. “You seem nervous, Sienna.”

His voice showed he was amused. 

What in the world was he thinking?

“And why would I be?” I asked, finally finding my voice. 

His face was awfully close, and I gulped. “You tell me, Sienna,” he said. His hot breath touched my skin.

I need a diversion. 

Quick, Sienna. Think of something fast. 

I battled with my mind, unable to think of something important. His fearful look turned into something softer. His gaze lowered to my lips. 

I turned my head slightly before his lips could touch mine and I smiled. 

If he was interested in me, then maybe I could use it to my advantage. 

I turned my gaze back to him, and licked my lips. 

He seemed shocked, but smiled as I brought my hand to his chest moving slowly, warming his muscles. 

“You want this, right?” I asked, playing my fingers on his chest. 

“I don…” he started, but I interrupted. 

“Let me help you relax,” I whispered. 

His jaw tightened, and he raised an eyebrow 

I shrugged, allowing my hand to go upwards to his throat. “I'm just curious.”

He didn't stop me. I kept moving, distracting him with my hand and when I realised his guard was then, I acted, releasing the dagger. 

I attacked, bringing the dagger close to his face. He moved quickly avoiding my hit and held my wrist again when I tried once more. 

He had me pinned to the mattress and the dagger dropped to the ground. He was strong, pulling me under him. I was trapped, I couldn't move.

“Get off,” I said, wrestling to get myself out of the situation I had caused. 

His face hovered a mere inch away from mine. 

For the first time ever, actual panic ran through my veins.

I struggled, but he wouldn’t budge. His grip tightened instead.

Then, without warning, he leaned down

And he kissed me. 

It wasn't gentle. It was hungry, demanding. His warm lips moved against mine, holding me in place.  

I gasped, moaning into his mouth before I could stop myself. It was so intense, I couldn't think straight. 

I wanted more, I needed more, but his lips moved away from mine. 

“I'll advise you not to play games with me,Sienna,” he muttered softly. “You'll lose “

That was a threat and he meant business. I blinked, remembering the kiss again. 

Something inside me snapped

Before I could think straight, I shot out a knee and kicked his groin. 

“Ugh,” Kieran groaned and jerked as the pain hit him. 

I didn’t lose a moment and lunged at him, grabbing the nearest big thing close to me as he rolled off me. 

The heavy crystal case crashed on his head shattering into different little pieces and Kieran cursed falling to the floor. 

Then, I ran. Speeding through the door and down the corridor. 

The bodyguards were talking downstairs and I acted differently, suddenly keeping a regular pace to avoid suspicion from them. 

I easily moved through the open passage and was so close to the door, my heart jumping in victory when one of the guards' voices rang out. 

“Where are you going?” He asked coldly. 

I turned round slowly, forcing a big smile. “Um…I was just going to get some fresh air.”

The bodyguards adjusted his suit, pulling his jacket close and buttoning it. “I'll follow you.”

I shook my head, freaking out on the inside. “No, no need. I'm good. I just need some air.”

Another guard entered and he made things more difficult. “Master Kieran said not let you out of our sight for a second.”

Damn that stupid man. 

“I'll be back, I promise,” I bargained. 

“Of course you will. Let's go,” the guard answered. 

I knew they would find me suspicious if I refused. My heart raced as I thought of my plan getting ruined and I swallowed. 

They couldn't be blocking my path. Not today. 

I couldn't let them follow me and I bolted, pulling the door open. They followed me, shouting behind. 

I raced through the mansion, twisting down unfamiliar hallways, dodging furniture, shoving past anything in my way.

I got lucky, and the.back door opened a few feet ahead of me. 

I didn't hesitate and burst out of the door. 

“Wait, stop!” They yelled as I ran into the woods. 

I didn't look back, ignoring the thick branches lashing at my arms. 

The chase became hotter, and then before I could avoid it. I was on the cliff, unable to stop myself from falling when I tried to avert the lane. 

I fell into the river, screaming and splashing hard. I tried to rise to the surface, only to be pulled back by the water's current. 

I couldn't swim. 

“Help me,” I yelled, but the water waves blocked the sound of my voice pulling me down in the waters. 

The bodyguards ran past me and I tried to swim up, and yell for their help. 

“Hel…” I yelled and got dragged into the water again. 

I was sinking. I kicked, and struggled, but the current was too strong. 

I was foolish. I shouldn't have ran. The water pulled me up once more, and I saw a figure walking to the riverbank. 

“Help me,” I breathed, before the water dragged me under again and I closed my eyes.