Alpha Killian

"Clair's POV*

From the second my eyes opened my head began to split. I didn't dare open my eyes, the last thing I needed was the sun enhancing my miserable headache.

et my mind wander, rying to place last nights events. While my memory was unusualy foggy. I 6id remember being invited to dinner with Kira and Travis. Step by step, I tred to go through the events thatled me to where I was now. I could easily remembersitting at the round table with Kira and Travis astrange fruity liquid sioshing in a glass a5 I brought it to my lips. Everything ater that became incredibly fuzzy. My spiiting headache made it harder to think, shrouding my memories e 3 biury picture.

1 found mysef remembering lashes of diferent faces, and for some reason Alpha Killan's was brought into the mix. His 'expression wasn't what I remembered, his features looked soft somehow. His ilver eyes glinted in amusement as his s pulled nto 2 smal smirk

1 rolled off of the bed and stumbled into the bathroom, cringing away as I ficked on the ight, My mothers voice played in my

head, warning me about drinking akcohol, if only I had Istened. Maybe, i I had paid more attention a5 I stood from the bed, I

wouldve reaiized I wasn't alone. While I was grateful for the lack of nightmares, the k"=~"r headache was definitely a negative. I stripped off the black t-shirt I mustve thrown on last night, my senses too battered to realize how strongly it smelled of Alpha Killan. I stepped into the scalding water, letting out a sigh as it ran down my spine, soothing my muscles. While it did absolutely nothing for my headache, my body felt much better.

I wrapped a fluffy towel around my chest and walked back into the bedroom. Finally my brain registered the giant human. shaped lump under the covers of my bed. And like any completely rational person, I clutched the fluffy towel around my body and opened my mouth to et loose my best girly scream.

Whoever was sieeping in my bed shot up at the sound of my high pitched wail and looked around frantically. I felt my jaw Slack open as my brain registered the familiar dark hair and siver eyes.

"What the hTM is wrong?" Alpha Kilian barked, shooting up from the bed in a crouch as though he were searching for a threat. "W-What are you doing in here?" I sputtered, my startied gaze locked on his messy bed head. I felt my cheeks flush red as I tookin his shirtless torso. He looked so much better than the perverted images Rhea enjoyed putting in my head. 'The tattoo's that ran up his arms flowed onto his chiseled chest in what looked ike a tribal patten. His dark hair that was shaved short on the sides and long on the top sat on his head in a messy yet incredibly attractive style. For being startied out

of bed he looked good. Well better than good. He looked like a d**n g°d. s he registered my startied words, he straightened up from his defensive crouch and looked at me with a single eyebrow raised, The sunlight streaming through the c******s caught his hair and mad it look like the feathers of a raven, his skin was creamy and flawless.

"You asked me to stay." He spoke slowly, each word rolling off his tongue, I could see the slight amusement in hs siver eyes,

i

'which quickly darkened at the sight of the short towel that was wrapped around my body. The towel came just below my b**t

and luckiy covered the important bits but my legs were on ful display.

Before I could open my mouth to deny ever having told him o stay, a familar voice rang through my head.

"Mhm, it true. You did ask him. Thatl teach you not to get shitfaced." Serra taunted me. "You didt want t 52y anyihing when I woke up?" I snapped ather, my head pounding at the same rhythm as my frantic I Peart I

T wanted o see how youid react. Dt think you'd sream our " mate awalke though Siema cacked in my head, eplaying I

the scene of me screaming as though it were the funniest thing she's ever seen. §

"Gee thanks for that" I snapped at her, shaking the scene from my mind. I

"You couldve said no. I was drunk aftr il I frowned at him, ying t keep my eyes on anything other than his glorious body.

I tightened the towel around my body a5 is eyes traced over my be skin My cheeks continued to fush in embarassment, I but I et my skin warm under his dark gaze. 3

T wanted to say" He spoke so quiety, I wondered f had heard him right. My eyes shot over to s face to see hisyes locked I on my own. §

Resisting the ovenwhelming urge to approach him and run my fingers over his creamy skin, I said the first thing that came to 1 mind. I

"Why doss my head hurt? I grimaced, pinching the bridge of my nose as though my headache would magically go away. 1

"You have hangover,itie mate." His fullips pulled up in a smirk. 1

He began to walk towards me and et my body siffen, my heart rate sy rocketing in anticpation. Much fo my wofs dismay, I

e stopped few feetnfron of me and reached out with his hand oy I

Rhea was practically jumping with joy at the possibilties, while I watched his hand reluctantly. With his eyes on my shoulders, 3

e et i boete e et o of e that b

Asif he could feel my reaction to his light touch, his smirk deepened and he pulled his hand away from me. Even resisting the

mate bond, I felt disappointed at the loss of his touch.

"Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen, Il make you something that should help your hangover" He said almost gently, looking down at me.

Not trusting my voice at the moment, I simply nodded and let my eyes glue themselves to his chiseled back as he left my bedroom.

Taking a few steadying breaths, I managed to force myself from the spot I was standing in and searched for some clothes. After sipping on some comfortable leggings and a simple sweatshirt, I made my way to the kitchen. I elt my eyebrows raise as I watched Alpha Killan fipping what looked to be an omelet.

"You can c**k?" I found myself speaking the words before I even thought them through. Clamping my mouth shut hastily,

tried to remind myself what happened the last time I pissed him off.

"Surprised?" He turned his head siightly and smirked at my stunned face.

"Actually, yeah I murmured, watching him cut an avocado.

"Can't you c**k?TM His silver eyes twinkled s his smirk deepened. My mind went back to the numerous cooking lessons my mother had tried (and failed) to give me. "Um, not really.." I trailed of, feeling the blush creep to my cheeks.

"Why s that?" Alphs Killan asked, turning his back to add some ingredient to the sizziing pan.

"115TMn stuff, Sometimes stuff catches on fie." I shrugged, trying to tame my reddening cheeks. All of my Ife I fought against

'my mother's idea of what 'perfect mate' shoud be. And now I find myself disappointed that I hadn't ived up to that expectation. What would Alph Kilan think of his Itte talent-less mate?

I grimaced to myself at that absurd thought.I could care less what he thought of me, I lied to myselt. I forced my brain to. remember the horible things he had done since bringing me here. The scene of Alpha Killan threatening me as he first showed me to my room, played in my head. Only it wasn't him who was threatening me, it was an al to familiar face that I had desperately ried to forget.

The wine had wiped the memory from my mind for the time being, but I was sober now and the memory resurfaced with a vengeance.

Asif punishing me for dare attempting to forget, I felt myself being sucked into the past.

1 could practicaly feel the sand in between my toes a5 the smell of fresh water flooded my senses. This was always how the memory retumed, ahways bits and pieces. I was thankful it wasn't reiving the memory i full

The smell of beer and sunscreen filled the air. The scent could ve been pleasant, if it wasn't for what happened later on. That

disgusting combination of beer and sunscreen aways triggered something inside of me since that day, the smell would

instantly make me sick. The memory shifted, and I could feel the scratchy sand against my back as I was held stil. The warm summer air turned s cold

s the blade that was pressed against my exposed skin. Cruel laughter filled my ears as soft, beer flavored lips were forced on

'my own, hard enough to bruise.

"Claire?" A voice called out to me, one that didn't quite fitin my memory.

'Something rough genty grasped my wrist, ripping me from the memory as my head snapped towards Alpha Killan, My eyes. 'met his own and I couldn't fathom why I could see concem swimming in his gaze.

"What?" I choked out, cringing at how raspy my voice had become. I watched his gaze fit down to my clenched hands, only now realizing I had been digging my nail into my skin hard enough to draw blood.

"Where did you go?" Alphs Killan spoke softy, softer than I had ever thought possible. My insides clenched at the knowledge in his tone, and my mind desperately clawed at the fuzzy memory of last ight. What did I say to him? What did he know? "No where. I cleared my throat, wiping the blood on the sides of my black leggings absentmindedy. It ahways took me a few 'moments to come back when I was sucked into a memory. But Alpha Killan's touch had ripped me from the memory instantaneously.

"Do you know what post traumatic sress disorder is?" Alpha Killian asked me, his eyes locked on my own. I could feel myself squitm under his knowing gaze. The strange tone he had used made me feel uneasy. I was used to him sounding cold, cruel 'and even emotionless. This tone held some hidden emotion that wanted to make iself known, one of promise. That frightened

me.

"Yes 1 forced the word from my lips, wondering f it would ve been smarter to lie. Knowing how eratic my heart rate can be, I decided to keep quiet "Have you talked to anyone about tis?" He frowned, the concer in his eyes jolted me. I elt my walls slam up angriy, hating myselfforletting something siip while I was drunk.

"I don't know what you're tlking about." I clenched my lips together and forced my gaze away from his. My foot began to tap,

and I desperately wanted to retreat back to my bedroom. I blocked Rhea from my mind, knowing she would only encourage me to spil everything to my mate.

"Claire-" Alpha Kiian began to speak, but the anger and embarrassment burning inside of me overruled my emotions. "No." I snapped at him, fighting the tears that glazed over my eyes, I don't know what the h** I told you last night, but it's none of your business. I'm handling myselfjust fne. I don't need help." I practicaly spat.

I wanted him angry, hateful even. Anything to replace that concerned look on his face. I didn't want him caring for me, I didn't desenve it

Ilooked away from his face and feit my lip tremble as the tears threatened to overwhelm me. The dam inside of me quaked. 'and groaned, and I knew if I didn't leave this d*'n place, the dam would explode. I slowly took a deep breath, then another, and another. I had no clue how long I sat there for,simply calming my breathing as Alph Kilian remained slent.

Ifelt myself cringe a5 a rough hand was gently placed under my chin, the familiar sparks flowing through my face. I fought against the comfort that his touch seemed to bring. I didn't deserve comfort.

"I will drop the subject, for now." Alpha Killian spoke a5 he forced me to look into his eyes. His ful lips were tightly pressed into

2 frown, but his eyes shined knowingly. The "for now" hung in the air around us, weighing me down with 3 sense of urgency.

1 made my decision as I found myself lost in s silver eyes. I would escape this place. Run as far as I could. And if that didn't work, then there was always plan B.