Chapter 18

Tick.

Tick.

The sound of the clock reverberated in the suffocating silence, each second a hammer against my chest. My eyes flitted to Killian. He sat, motionless yet terrifying, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might crack. The pen in his hand groaned in protest, his fingers a vice around it.

His patience was unraveling.

“Get down,” he said, his voice low, guttural—almost a growl. It wasn’t a request. It was an order.

I hesitated, my gaze darting to Bane. The massive beast stood there, muscles taut, his black eyes gleaming like liquid night.

“But he—”

“I said get your ass down, little mouse. Now.”

The words cut through me, sharp and final. My stomach twisted, and I swallowed hard.

Okay. I can do this.

One step at a time.

I slid off the desk hesitantly, my bare feet brushing against the cold floor. Bane’s growl deepened, a rumble that vibrated through the room. His eyes never left me, the predator locked on its prey.

I flinched as my dress shifted, torn on one side, exposing my thigh. A rush of cold air licked at my skin, making me shiver. The sensation was unbearable—vulnerability clawing at me, hot embarrassment searing through my veins.

And then, before I could retreat, Killian’s arm looped around my waist, pulling me backward. I yelped as I collided with his chest, dropping into his lap, his warmth enveloping me like a prison.

“Let me go!” I cried, struggling against his unyielding grip. My nails clawed at his arms, desperate, frantic. “He’s going to bite me!”

“Shh, little mouse,” he murmured against my ear, his breath hot, almost soothing if it weren’t for the sheer power vibrating in his tone. “I’ve got you.”

Fool. I was a fool to believe him.

I stopped thrashing, my chest heaving as his words momentarily tethered me to safety. That was until I felt it.

Something wet brushed against my thigh.

My breath hitched, my muscles locking up as Bane’s cold nose pressed against my skin.

“He’s sniffing you,” Killian said, his voice dark and amused, as if my terror was entertainment. “Relax.”

Relax? Was he insane?

My entire body shook, trembling like a leaf caught in a storm. My nails dug into Killian’s arms, but his hold didn’t falter. He kept me there, caged, helpless.

Bane’s nose traveled higher. I whimpered, my head shaking in denial. My thighs clenched together, but the damn beast was persistent.

And then it hit me like a slap.

Oh God.

His muzzle nudged between my thighs.He was sniffing… there. My period. He could smell it.

My panic spiked, and I squirmed against Killian’s hold, trying to get away, but his grip only tightened.

“Not there, Bane,” Killian’s voice snapped, cold and commanding. His hand shot out, wrapping around the beast’s muzzle with inhuman strength. His veins bulged, his knuckles white as he forced Bane back. “That belongs to me.”

The world stopped.

Those words.

The air in my lungs froze, my heart pounding so loud it drowned out everything else. Did he… Did he just…

Killian released Bane with a sharp jerk of his hand. The beast retreated, its tail low, obedient to its master. But I remained frozen, his words ringing in my ears, ricocheting like a cruel echo.

“That belongs to me.”

A shudder ripped through me, when I feel his sinful breath on my earlobe.

“ We can sit here while say, little mouse. But first we have some legalities to take care of.”

He wasn’t touching me anymore. His hands were gripping the handrest on my either side.

And I bolted upright like I’d touched fire. My hands rubbed nervously at my thighs, my gaze fixed anywhere but on him.

“I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to—I just—”

Killian didn’t respond. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, calm and composed as if he hadn’t just claimed something that made my soul tremble.

His silver eyes flicked to me, predatory, calculating, and then he reached into a drawer.

When his hand emerged, he held a black folder.

“Here.” He placed it on the desk in front of me, his lips curling into a smirk. “Sign this, little mouse. I had it specially customized for you.”

I stared at it, hesitant, the air thick with unspoken tension.

With trembling hands, I opened the folder. My eyes scanned the first line, and my heart plummeted to the floor.

Marriage Contract.

Of course. I should have seen this coming.