“I am sorry that you’re the one who has to do this, considering you are a doctor, but it is for Kiara’s sake as well,” I said quietly as we walked down the steps to the cold dark cells.
There she was, lying on a slab of silver with chains wrapped around her. Her arms and ankles were cuffed. It was almost as if she was simply sleeping. Her heart beat steadily despite the fact that it was weaker than normal.
I unlocked the cell door, and we stepped inside. The sound of the keys chinking echoed in the quietness.
I hated seeing her like this, and I wondered how Alejandro must have felt having to leave his mate beneath the grounds of his pack and go to battle. I had seen the pain in his eyes, but he remained strong, like always.
The stains of dried blood around her wrists made me frown. She must have woken up at some point as the restraints had been pulled at, causing her to bleed.
Callum opened his pack of supplies and began walking forward when I suddenly grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
“Wait.”
“Alpha-”
He looked at me, and I shook my head, motioning with my eyes at the restraints. He frowned before following my gaze. His frown vanished as he realised what I was pointing out. Kiara should have been in a state where she couldn’t even wake up, let alone fight against her bindings.
‘Go,’ I mouthed to Callum, taking the syringe from him and stepping closer to the table. I paused, my eyes flashing as I motioned for him to leave. If something happened, I needed to make sure we were locked in. She couldn’t get out.
The moment I was within reach, her eyes snapped open, deep orange burning brightly as she shot up and grabbed my neck.
“Lock it!” I growled at Callum, aiming to slam the syringe into Kiara, but she knocked my hand aside, jumping up from the bindings she had already broken. Fuck.
“Not so fast,” she hissed, lunging at me, and I felt a sliver of fear rush through me. I couldn’t hurt her.
“Kiara.”
She smiled coldly, running to the cell door, but I grabbed her by the arm, pulling her back. She lashed out,and we both hit the table she had been lying on. Her claws came out as she bared her teeth at me. My eyes flashed as I pushed her back before grabbing her arm and slamming her against the wall, just as Callum managed to lock the door, leaving me here with Kiara.
“Open it,” she commanded, her aura swirling around her. Her claws were digging into my arm.
“Callum, go! Now!” I growled venomously. He frowned, forcing himself away from the keys. I knew his wolf wanted to obey his queen.
“I’ll call for help!”
“No. No one from this pack is to come down here,” I growled, my eyes fixed on Kiara, who shoved me off and stood up.
Raven, Kiara’s awake. I need you to get Raihana to make sure the pack members stay away from the cells. If Kiara commands them to help her, they will not be able to deny her request for the most part.
Shit. Okay, got it. I’ll tell Raihana now. Do you need my help?
I don’t think she can mind-link. Just make sure no one gets close. I’ll deal with Kiara.
Got it!
I cut the link, knowing Raven and Raihana would handle the rest, and I would handle my daughter. She smiled, a smile that was so much like Kiara’s that for a moment I wondered if she had any control.
“What’s wrong? Scared that now I’m the Queen you won’t be able to handle me?”
“I’m still your father,” I said quietly, my eyes blazing cobalt blue. Although I knew I’d never be able to hurt her, I knew the faster I took her down, the better.
“Game on, Papa,” she said mockingly.
At once, we both sprang at the other. Her purple aura mixed with orange, wrapping around her, but it wasn’t anywhere near as powerful as usual, and, at that moment, I realised he could never completely control her. Kiara’s power came from the light, from the moon itself. Something evil and dark could never control it…
With this theory, I suddenly stilled, something she hadn’t expected, but I knew, deep down, my girl was in there. Her eyes flickered as her hand connected with my chest, the impact far less than it should have been. Kiara was still in there.
I smirked and stabbed the syringe into her neck, using her hesitation to help me. Her eyes widened in shock before the orange gave way to the familiar, blue-rimmed green eyes. Eyes that were filled with pain, guilt, and sadness.
