Chapter six: Whispers of Doubt.

Evans POV

Kieran's words filled the already tensed air, weighty like a load of venom that stinged my skin. “What do you mean by that?” I continued. “So that is all you have to say.”

“Can you just shut that gutter you call a mouth and stop disturbing my peace.” Kieran’s words, sharp and primal. 

I froze at his words, my fingers growing sweaty as I clenched at the bedsheet that belonged to the bed I was sitting on. The tension seemed like it was on the verge of its break. My heartbeat racing in speed against my ribcage as someone who I thought would be my savior was now acting like a brute.

“Don’t tell me to shut up, Kieran.” I said, with the last ounce of confidence that suffused my mind.

“How dare you talk to me in that manner.” His stern tone echoed as I felt the collision of his palms on my cheeks, heavy which sent me sprawling on the floor. 

I swung my hands to my cheek, trying to hold the tears from having its way on my face to prove my vulnerability.

“You are a brute, Kieran.” I said, my hands on my face as I rested my eyes on him, waiting to face his lunge.

“You still have the guts to talk back at me.” Kieran tone resonating primaly, his fingers pointing at me with a grim look rippled on his face. “Don't tempt me.” 

For a flick second, something primal flashed on his face—something raw and dangerous—but it disappeared as quickly. His jaw clenched as he let out a warm forced smirk. “Just playing a prank on you anyways. Get up dear.” He said, standing in front of me as he stretched out his hand to support me from the ground. “Come on.”

“Let me be. You have done enough already.” I said, tears already filling my eyelids, ready to flood my face.

“Come on babe, I am sorry! Just let me handle this.” He said, his voice barely above a whisper with a warm smirk on his face.

I stretched out my arm to rest on Kieran's hand for support. Although what seemed like a moment of madness between us was turning glamorous for my wolf, Liesendra. “Come on, take those hands.” It insisted. 

He raised me up, his arms open calling for a hug. “Come on, naughty baddie. You know I love you.” His voice reflected what seemed like lust. 

Before I took an hesitant step forward, he closed the distance between us, hugging me to his towering stature. 

“Now listen to me very attentively. I won't have you be a thorn to my flesh. I never orchestrated this.” He whispered in a primal tone, lips close to my neck as I could feel his breath cascading on my skin already making my nipples erect. “Do you understand me?” He questioned as though expecting an answer.

I let out a slow breath, the reality of me holding it for a while. I should have walked away, removing his hands from my body and this entire mess behind. But my feet failed me, rather I found myself glaring at him, my eyes locked into his which reflected something authoritative and powerful. He belonged to this place, in this fary world of power and glory. Meanwhile, I had spent all my life in disdain and humiliation.

His eyes left mine in disgust, grabbing his cloak from the bed. “Will be leaving for training. Take care of yourself.” His tone was cold.

I could see him through the rain of tears that flooded my eyes as he moved towards the door, his towering, broad stature earning him the authoritativeness he deserved as the second in command to the Alpha.

“Good morning my leader.” The Delta guards at the door bowed as the door slammed open.

********

A cold wind cut through the training yard as I made my way deeper to meet where the pack warriors trained. The crisp morning air bit my fragile skin, but it was absurd compared to the weight that loaded in my chest. I needed space and clarity—something to ground myself before I let myself sink any deeper to Kieran's words.

A familiar voice resonated through the air. Commanding and cold.

It was Kieran.

“Where are you going?” he asked with a stern tone, determined for a reply.

“Just came to see you train.” I scoffed, trying to stealth the pain that ravaged deep inside of me.

“But I can't remember inviting you.” he said, his grim eyes scanning through my skinny body in disgust. “Just leave. Now.” He yelled.

“.....But.” I barely spoke before he interrupted.

“....But what. Shut up and leave immediately. Don't let the Alpha see you here.” 

My knees trembled below me as I tried to find a wage, but all I could find was the wage in my instinct.

I couldn't bear it anymore as the thought of someone who had always been my healer right from childhood and also the healer of the clan, Briony came flickering in my head. Possibly she could be of great help to me in finding my way through this nightmare I call a life.

I shaked my head, the tears already streaming down my cheeks as I took on my heels in fast motions, making my way to Briony’s quarters.

The familiar scent of herbs and concoscions filled the air as I made my way inside the hut. Healer Briony sat at her usual spot at a corner, grinding a mixture of dried roots and leaves with practiced ease. The woman’s sharp gaze lifted, using her feelings to assess me due to her lost vision as a blind woman.

"What brings you here, Evans. You look troubled my child," Briony remarked, her voice gentle but knowing.

I hesitated at first because of my confidentiality towards stealthing my issues, but Briony was a different case. The older woman had been a fountain of wisdom for as long I could recall.

“It's Kieran,” I said, my voice quivering from my shattered heart, making me sink to a nearby stool. “I don't understand his behavior. One moment, he acts feral and dangerous. The next, he’s saying things that—” I exhaled, rubbing my temples. “I am confused right now.”

Briony continued the rhythmic pound of the pestle to mortar she was doing, sounding oddly soothing. “You should know this, Evans. Your destiny wasn't meant to turn out this way. The heart of a leader is not swayed easily, but it is not as unyielding as they want the world to believe.”

My face turned grim. “Not that I want to sway him. I just want to know what's going on.”

Briony placed her mortar aside and met Evans’ gaze with a look of contemplation and certainty. “ Then perhaps you should deeply check yourself for what you really want from him. Understanding? Or something deeper?”

The question sent a signal. I opened my mouth to let out the words that hid at the back of my clenched teeth. What did I really want from Kieran? Did I only want an explanation, or did I want something I couldn't yet fathom?

Before I could hear the barrage of thoughts that furred my mind, a sudden explosion from outside the hut scattered the silence that filled the air. The cacophonous sound of hurried footsteps and raised voices took the air. My feet were already trembling with fear, and my stomach churned with unease.

Through the hole in the door, I pried my eyes to see what was happening outside. All I could see were warriors gathered in the training yard, their postures primal and alert. Kieran stood in front of them, his expression unreadable as he listened to one of the scouts speak in a sense of urgency. The others watched him patiently.

Then, as though sensing my presence, his eyes darted towards me, locking his eyes on mine.

Something bloody filled his vision, sending a jolt of fear through my spine.

I couldn't yet fathom what was happening, but in this flick moment, I was sure of one thing—whatever it was, it was just the genesis.