Chapter Four

"How long before we get to the palace?" Alpha Killian ran his fingers through his hair as he impatiently waited for his driver's response.

"Five minutes, Alpha." The driver responded, steering them closer to the palace.

"It should better be five."

As Killian's convoy approached Matthias' palace, he felt bored and exhausted. He didn't want to attend the banquet but after years of declining Matthias' yearly invitation, he finally accepted to attend one.

According to Matthias, it was important he attended the meeting as an allegiance against vampires would be discussed. And in his absence, no substantial decision could be made.

He didn't think he would be interested in anything. He didn't think the banquet was worth his time. Not until he saw her. Not until he saw his mate.

She was running like a fierce wolf, her hair carried back by the wind. Dressed in nothing but a maid's robe, and several guards chasing her, he could immediately tell she was fleeing from the palace.

When they locked eyes, everything around him faded into silence. He felt like he was alone in the world with her and his wolf yearned to explode with joy.

For years, he waited for his mate. He'd craved the mate bond, the touch of a mate and finally, he found her. From the moment he saw her, he was consumed by the need to have her.

He was immediately surrounded by Matthias' guard when his fleet of cars pulled into the palace. Matthias approached him, a smile carved across his face. Killian remained in the car, his eyes fixed on his mate.

"Let me go!" She cried, struggling with over five guards. She was fierce and he loved it. His wolf immediately felt protective and he desired to stake his claim on her. He despised the way the guards held her and he wanted to break their fingers for that.

"Shut up that bitch and lock her up!" Matthias ordered the guards. "After the banquet, I'll deal with her." Killian knew Matthias would have punished her but his arrival stopped him from doing that. Matthias wanted to impress him but he didn't need anything from the man who dared to hurt his mate.

One of Killian's bodyguards opened the car door and he stepped out casually. He was adorned with a magnificent royal robe, with a golden crown planted on his head. Immediately, everyone around him fell to their knees including Matthias.

"Welcome Alpha Killian," Matthias bowed, his head almost touching the floor. "You're welcome to my pack. It's an honor to have you here after all these years." He greeted but Killian's attention had already been snatched away by his mate.

He saw as she was dragged away carelessly by the guards and his anger rose like a raging storm. No one dared to hurt his mate, not in his presence.

He walked past Matthias, completely ignoring him and all eyes followed his movement. "Stop!" He ordered the guards taking her away. They froze at the spot and bowed to him as well.

He turned to his mate and her deep blue eyes cut straight to his with little hesitation and a clearness that told him that she would drive him crazy with passion. Killian thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid his eyes on.

Her eyes were dazzling against her thick black hair, which tumbled past her shoulders and framed her face with a natural wildness she seemed unable to tame.

Her high cheekbones defined her lush mouth and he imagined how they tasted. Honey, soft and sweet.

He reigned himself in and finished his inspection. Her features were pleasant, delicate even, and completely refined. His wolf stirred fiercely within him, an attempt to take control and ravish her.

Killian could hear the soft pleading pant of her breath, smell the scent of fresh linen and tea roses that clung to her skin. Her every gasp lifted her full breast higher above the coat she wore.

Her breasts were as lush as her mouth, and matched the curve of her hips. His body tightened and he forced himself to focus.

He took a step closer to her and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "Mine." A low growl escaped his lips before he could stop himself. Her eyes were unblinking, completely bewildered as she silently gazed at him.

He noticed the dark bruises and scratches which were vivid against her pale complexion. He didn't know what had caused the obvious abuse that she had endured, but he found that he didn't like it. Not one bit.

"What's your name?" He asked, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ears.

She licked her lips nervously, her small hands pulled at the sleeves of the coat she was wearing. There were small nicks and cuts on her fine boned fingers, and scars covered the palms of her tanned hands.

"Aria Braith," she whispered, her voice calm and soothing. She smiled shyly as he drew her closer to himself and Killian could tell she was relieved.

His eyes were welcoming as Aria stared into them and as his fingers grazed her skin, they went ripples of excitement down her spine.

"What happened here?" She fell into his arms and rested her head on his chest. His heart was pounding with the same intensity as hers. "Who tried to hurt you?"

"Everyone," Killian could feel her pain as his wolf reached out to hers. "I want to leave here. Take me away from here."

He chuckled softly and held her hands. "I didn't want to be here anyway but I'm happy I came." For the first time, he saw real humor in her eyes. "Leave with me, Aria. I'll take you to my home where no one would ever try to hurt you."

She nodded and that was all he needed to know. He held her soft hands and led her toward his car, his wolf howling with happiness.

"Alpha Killian!" He heard Matthias' cracked voice behind him. Matthias was now standing, his eyes boring into Aria like venom. Killan's wolf growled in response but he managed to remain calm. "We have been waiting for your arrival all day. Other Alpha's need you to join us to discuss the allegiance against vampires. You can't just leave so soon."

Killian turned back to face him and Matthias quickly lowered his head. "I don't care about your allegiance meeting against the vampires." His eyes darted around the guests. "You're only using this meeting as a means to achieve your ambition."

"That's simply not true!" Matthias replied quickly. "I have apprehended several rebels who have been working with the vampires. This meeting is as important as anything."

"Then you have to conduct the meeting without me." Killian turned his back to leave.

"Alpha Killian," one of the Alpha's ran and fell to his feet. "Forgive me but your presence is really essential for this meeting to be successful. There is nothing more important right now than finding a way to end these vampires."

Killian looked down at him and kicked his hands on his feet. "I've found the most important thing in my life so to hell with your meeting."

"Alpha Killian!" Matthias called out again and he felt the surging taste of rage in his throat. "You can't come to my pack and disrespect me this way. First, you've taken my slave who I intend to sell to Alpha Carrington. Second, you've refused to join us for the meeting. Have you forgotten I am the Alpha King of this pack?"

Killian didn't care about anything else Matthias said except his intentions to sell Aria to Carrington. "Speak one more word about her again and you'll have no tongue for the rest of your life." He warned but Matthias was too enraged to listen.

Matthias glared back at him, his lips twitching with fury. "Her father was a traitor!" He fired. "He was working with the vampires to overthrow me. A man like that can only raise children who are rebels. She should be lucky that I didn't hang her head with her father!"

Before Killian could stop himself, he rushed toward Matthias and grabbed his neck. Lifting him up from the ground with his neck, he watched as he struggled to breathe.

"Look at me!" His anger was undiluted. "I should kill you for even touching a strand of her hair. But I'll spare you today because Carrington didn't have his way with her. You should know your place and learn to stay in it!" He released Matthias and he fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Matthias was choking and signaled to his guards for help. He knew Killian was very strong but he had underestimated his strength.

Aria watched the display with renewed interest. She was happy that Matthias was finally feeling some pain for what he did to her father. Although the punishment could not be compared, she was happy that Killian stood up for her.

"You've made the wrong decision," Matthias spat, holding his throat.

"We will see about that." Killian pulled Aria closer and snapped his fingers. In one swift motion and to everyone's surprise, he disappeared with Aria and his convoy.

Matthias scurried back in fear, his eyes searching the entire palace for Killian. He didn't want to believe that the legend was true; that Killian was born with mysterious powers beyond anyone's control.

"This is unbelievable!" he exclaimed. "Could the legend really be true?"