Chapter 5 Threats Won't Work

Kieran snorted coldly and stepped forward.

"Have you really thought this through, Lena?" He looked her up and down. "You actually want to leave Mistfir Vale? You're just a helpless Omega. The moment you step outside this territory and run into any kind of danger—like a rogue wolf—no one will lift a finger to save you."

"That's none of your business, Kieran." Serena met his eyes directly. Her expression calm. Steady.

She could go back to her own pack. She would never have to live under Kieran's control again.

Kieran didn't believe a word of it. Looking at Serena's cold, detached face, he was convinced she was just putting on a brave front.

"Don't overdo the act, Lena." Kieran tugged at his collar with irritation. His tone carried a condescending generosity. "Leanna just told me she's willing to tolerate your presence."

He gave another cold laugh. "I can't have my Leanna exhausting herself every night. If you stay at the estate quietly and help take some of the work off her hands, I'll let bygones be bygones—including you slapping her yesterday."

He spread his hands with an air of entitlement. "Leanna has already been gracious enough to back down. What more could you possibly want?"

A wave of nausea rose in Serena's throat. It was nauseating beyond words.

Werewolves formed a soul bond with one destined mate and one alone. If Kieran had truly completed the mark with Leanna and then touched another woman, that kind of betrayal at the soul level would bring him unbearable suffering.

Yet here he was. Letting Leanna enjoy every privilege of a pack Luna without any bond to hold her accountable. Forcing Serena to be passed between them like a plaything.

"You disgust me." Serena refused without hesitation. "Take your revolting charity and shove it. I want nothing to do with it."

Kieran's expression darkened instantly. The mask of civility shattered. Something vicious rose in his eyes.

"Since you don't know what's good for you and can't follow the rules, then get back to the estate. Clear out every last piece of your junk." Kieran snarled through gritted teeth. "Don't let your garbage sit on my property and offend my eyes. If you don't clean it out yourself, I have no problem dragging your little friend Hallie over to do it for you."

At the mention of Hallie's name, Serena's gaze went ice cold.

She could not let her friend get pulled into this. Even though Kieran forcing her back to collect her things felt strangely off, she had no other choice.

"Lead the way." Serena's voice was flat.

Twenty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of Sawyer Estate.

Serena pushed open the door. Walked straight toward the house she had lived in for five years.

Kieran followed close behind. Leanna drifted lazily into the living room and stayed there.

The moment Serena stepped into the second-floor bedroom, the door slammed shut behind her. Clicked locked.

Before she could react, Kieran grabbed her by the hair from behind. Dragged her to the edge of the bed. Shoved her down onto it.

"Have you lost your mind!" Serena struggled to get up.

Kieran's large frame crashed down on top of her. Pinned her wrists with brutal force. His eyes burned with savage hunger as he roughly tore at her clothing with one hand.

"Did you really think you could escape me?" He pressed close to her ear. Voice low and vile. "You've always been nothing but a toy for me to use. Your only place in this life is flat on your back beneath me. Don't even dream about running."

The fabric ripped apart.

In that moment of crisis, the wolf instinct buried deep inside Serena surged fully awake.

Her pupils shifted color in an instant. Her fingernails hardened and elongated into sharp wolf claws.

She swung her hand. Raked them straight across Kieran's chest.

"Aagh!"

Kieran screamed in pain. Lurched backward. Released her.

His shirt was shredded. Three deep gashes, cut to the bone, rose across his chest. Blood poured out immediately.

At that moment, the bedroom door was thrown open from outside.

Leanna rushed in. Took one look at Kieran's bleeding chest. Let out a sharp shriek. She spun toward Serena on the bed and pointed an accusing finger.

"Oh my god, Lena, you're vicious! You actually attacked an Alpha." Leanna choked out through tears. "Kieran was kind enough to let you come back for your things, and you tried to hurt him."

Kieran pressed a hand over his bleeding wound. Turned a menacing glare on Serena.

"You're finished, Lena. Openly attacking a pack Alpha—I can take you to a human court for assault. Have you locked away for life."

Serena sat on the bed. Straightened what was left of her torn jacket. Watched the two of them perform their little act. Let out a cold laugh.

She pulled her phone from her pocket. Screen still on. Hit play.

Through the speaker came Kieran's voice. Sharp and unmistakable. Every word of his abuse and threats from moments ago playing back in full clarity.

"You're nothing but my personal toy. The only thing you'll ever do in this life is lie under me with your legs open..."

The recording was crystal clear.

Serena held up the phone. Swept a cool gaze over both of them.

"I've been recording since the moment I walked into this house." She looked at Kieran. "Yes, I hurt you—but I can walk into any court right now with this recording and charge you with attempted rape."

"If you don't want to rot in a human prison over something this sordid, get out of my way. Now."

Kieran and Leanna froze. Neither of them had ever imagined that Serena—who had spent years beneath them—would have thought to do this.

Both of their faces fell into panic at the same time.

"You scheming little bitch!" Leanna screamed, jabbing a finger at Serena.

"Right back at you." Serena didn't flinch. "Leanna, you were just so confident about how much Kieran loves you. And yet the first thing he did after tricking me into coming back here was pin me to a bed. Funny how that works."

"It seems Kieran isn't quite as devoted to you as you thought."

"You—" Leanna's face flushed crimson. She was shaking with fury. She turned to Kieran. "Kieran, are you going to just stand there?"

Before Leanna could spiral further, Kieran cut her off.

Ignoring the pain in his chest, he drew on every ounce of his Alpha presence. Fixed his eyes on the phone in Serena's hand.

"Delete it. Now." His voice came out through clenched teeth. "Lena, you'd better think very carefully about what happens next. If you don't delete it, I will issue a banishment order to every territory in the name of the Sawyer Pack. Make you my enemy for good."

"I'd like to see which pack in the entire werewolf world would dare take in an Omega who's crossed me."

Serena stayed where she was. The hand holding the phone didn't tremble. She looked at Kieran without moving.

"So you're not deleting it?"

Kieran let out a furious roar. Lunged at the bed. His blood-stained hand shot out to snatch the phone from Serena's grip.