Chapter 109

Killian:

I wasn’t sure what shocked me more.

Whether it was Natasha’s words as she told me about Liana, the fact that the woman somehow managed to escape whatever she was going to be put through, or the fact that Elton was here, in our pack grounds, now locked inside the basement until I managed to find a way to get things done.

“Secure the pack grounds, all underground gates, and the roads. Liana wouldn’t have gone far, but the last thing that we need is for her to use the security breach that she managed to put us through.” I said, and Vladimir, ignoring the pain that he felt like me, nodded.

The two of us were raised by the woman since we were infants. I don’t even remember the last time that she wasn’t in the house to begin with; therefore, to know that she was doing this, I couldn’t help the pain that I felt in my chest.

“Alpha, the men guarding the front gates are all dead or dying.” Luca, one of my gammas said, and I growled. I knew that my growl would not only reach Liana, but would also make her regret ever thinking of doing what she did. My wife’s cries of pain as she gave birth made me and my wolf anxious, and the fact that I couldn’t be by her side when our daughter was born did not make this any better, but I knew that I had to be elsewhere.

“If you find any of them alive, take them to the pack doctor. If necessary, bring the doctors to them.” I ordered, and he nodded. Vladimir and I ran, and I followed her scent, one that I not only knew too well, but one that I grew up missing, appreciating, and loving all my life. It pained me to see the situation that I was in right now, but I had no time to dwell. 

I shook my head as both Vladimir and I caught sight of her, and I couldn’t help the frown that formed on my lips when I found her and three men in front of my sister and mother’s secret door. It was one that my father had built years ago to ensure that they would know how to get out if an ambush like this happened. And though they never used it, my father chose to seal it after she died. It seemed to me that Liana knew of the door but didn’t know that it was sealed.

“It is over, Liana.” I said, and she scoffed, shaking her head.

“It is over when all of you are dead, Killian.” She said, and I took a deep breath, sucking in my pain. The woman couldn’t possibly be sober or in her right mind to be doing or saying this. We not only took her in, but my mother always treated her as a sister. Her, Aunt Lena, and mom were always considered sisters and best friends. I don't understand what has changed now. 

I pulled my gun out, the one thing that I never thought that I would be aiming toward her, and both Vladimir and I shot the men, or in other words, the amateurs that she brought to protect her. She laughed, shaking her head before pulling a small vial from inside her dress pocket. The transparent liquid inside it smelled despite it being closed and she smiled at me. 

“My fate will not be in Ivanov's hands any longer. I believe that I should know more than others that you are fierce when it comes to your torment methods. You can’t really blame me for not wanting to be part of the torment that you have planned, can you?” She asked, and I took a deep breath. The fact that I knew that she would not hesitate to poison herself here and now was something that I was not going to deny. But I had to know who else was involved and why. What led her to doing this and how long has it been going on. 

“Liana, we can make a deal…”

“Do not take me for a fool, Killian.” She said, stopping me. “I raised you myself and I know your games, what they are, and how they can be more than a little manipulative; therefore, there is no need to try raising the white flag on me. I will not be falling for it.”

I took a deep breath and nodded, watching as she opened the cap off the bottle. I knew that I had to stop her, and though this was something that I never expected to need to go through, I pushed the trigger. 

Her eyes widened at the sound of it, and she looked at her hand for a second, watching as the vial fell and broke, spilling whatever the poison was on the concrete floor that she stood on. It was one thing to know that she was going to be escaping with an easy death and another thing to know that she was going to be dealing with more pain than she possibly could imagine.

I walked toward her, and she went to take a step back only for me to grab her by her arm, pulling her toward me. The anger that I felt toward her was something, but the one that I felt for myself was a completely different one. She was quiet, and didn’t tell Elton about Eleanor, and though I didn’t understand why, I knew that I was going to. 

“I don’t know what we ever did to deserve the hate that you are inflicting on us right now.” I whispered to her, pulling her to my chest. “But I am sure as hell that the innocent woman that you tried killing in her wedding dress, while pregnant, today, did not do you any harm. And if not for the betrayal that you caused this whole family, I am going to be sure that I make you pay for ruining this special day for her.”

“Killian…”

“I give you my fucking word that I am not going to let this slide, Liana. Not one small detail will be ignored.” I said, stopping her. “I will be sure that you pay for it…”