Free Web NovelChapter 54: Chapter 54
Kieran’s POV
Yara’s eyes darted between me and Kieran, her lips curling into a mischievous smirk. That knowing glint in her gaze—judging, teasing—made my stomach twist. She knew. The embarrassment burned through me like wildfire, my cheeks hotter than a branding iron. Before I could combust, I grabbed Kieran’s wrist and dragged him into my office, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the frame.
The second the lock clicked, his scent—sharp mint and Alpha dominance—flooded the space, thick enough to make my knees wobble. My staff would never let me live this down.
A low chuckle rumbled from Kieran, vibrating through the cramped room.
"What?" I arched a brow, shooting him a glare.
His grin widened, revealing a sliver of elongated canines. "Little wolf," he purred, his voice dropping to that rough, dangerous timbre that turned my insides molten. "Why lock the door? They’ll think we—"
I slapped a hand over his mouth, my palm tingling where it met his lips. "Don’t you dare finish that sentence," I hissed.
Before I could demand why he’d come, he moved—one step, then another—pinning me between his towering frame and the door. Heat radiated off him like a furnace, his proximity sending my wolf into a frenzy. The intoxicating blend of cedar and musk wrapped around us, pulling a traitorous whine from my throat.
I gulped, scrambling for escape, but his arms caged me in, palms flat against the door as he leaned down, closer, closer.
"W-what are you doing?" My breath hitched as I shoved against his chest—useless, when even through his shirt, I felt the thunder of his heartbeat syncing with mine.
Kieran dipped his head until his breath fanned my cheek—mint, warmth, sin. "Because..." He tilted his head, his voice a velvet growl. "I missed you."
My eyes screwed shut, throat bobbing. Damn him. His scent, his heat, the memory of that night—it all crashed over me, leaving me weak, pliant. A shudder ripped through me as I fought the wave of want.
"Open those pretty eyes, baby," he coaxed, gravel in his tone. "Let me see those green gems when I tell you how much I ached for you."
When I finally looked up, the raw hunger in his ice-blue gaze stole my breath.
I shook my head sharply. "Kieran, you can’t just—just act like this because something happened between us."
"Pretending now?" He smirked, his thumb brushing my hip. "Something happened, all right. And I plan to remember every damn second of it."
My pulse skyrocketed, cheeks flaming. I sucked in a steadying breath. "It was a one-time thing. Nothing special. If you think I’ll replace Emily, think again. I’m not some warm body for your bed."
Instead of anger, he laughed—a dark, delighted sound that made me scowl.
Curiosity gleamed in his eyes as he studied me, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. "Jealous, little wolf?"
My jaw dropped. "What? Are you insane?"
"Then why do you sound so pissed?" He crossed his arms, challenging.
"I’m not!" The lie scalded my tongue as I looked away. "I just... won’t be a stand-in."
I ducked under his arm, retreating to the couch. Legs crossed, arms tighter than a vice, I glared. He just watched me, that damn eyebrow quirking.
"I’m not angry, Kieran. I just refuse to be another she-wolf in your harem. If I’m with someone, I want loyalty. I won’t share. I want to be everything—or nothing."
"So..." He prowled forward, his scent—cedar, musk, Alpha—swamping me. In one move, he caged me against the couch, hands braced on either side. My breath vanished as he leaned in, eyes locked on mine. "You’re claiming me."
"I never said that—"
"You said you won’t share." His nose skimmed my throat as he inhaled. "In wolf terms? That’s a mating proposal."
"He’s right," Sylvia chimed in, smug. "We scent-marked him. The pack will know."
I shoved at his chest—or tried to. My fingers betrayed me, curling into his shirt. "That’s not what I meant!" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"Relax, sweetheart." His lips brushed mine, featherlight, teasing. A jolt shot straight to my core. "You won’t need to share. This Alpha answers to one Luna."
When he kissed me—really kissed me—I jerked back, but his grin was pure wickedness.
My entire body trembled, not just from the kiss, but from the command in his touch, the way his dominance called to my wolf. "Bastard."
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. He’d kissed me. One chaste press, and I was ruined. Pathetic.
How could I want my own stepbrother?
Gathering courage, I met his gaze and shook my head. "This isn’t right, Kieran. I’m your stepsister—"
"Kyra," he growled, his fingers tilting my chin up. "How many times do I have to say nothing about us is wrong? Let me show you. Let me prove I can be more than your stepbrother. Just... give me a chance."
I floundered, drowning in the intensity of his stare—like he could see into my soul. Every word dragged me deeper into uncharted territory, equal parts thrilling and terrifying. I knew this would end in heartbreak.
Then his gaze dropped to my lips.
A knock shattered the moment—Yara’s voice calling through the door. Saved. But the fire in Kieran’s eyes promised this wasn’t over.
"I—I need to go," I stammered.
His jaw clenched, Alpha power rolling off him in waves. "Kyra," he rasped, his voice frayed with restraint. "I need your answer. I promised to wait, but every day without you is agony. Just tell me you’ll try."
"Later—"
"Your words, Kyra. I need your words," he whispered.
Between his scent, his plea, and Sylvia’s frantic nudging, my resistance crumbled. Slowly, I nodded.
His triumphant smile was the last thing I saw before he kissed me—hard and possessive.
"Finish your work," he murmured against my swollen lips. "Our first real date starts tonight."
