Chapter 16 Sixteen
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LIANA'S POV
Everywhere I went—it was always the same.
"Hi. I’m here for the job. I saw the vacancy sign."
"Oh yes‚ we need someone urgently. What’s your name‚ dear?"
"Liana. Liana Rivers."
They’d smile. Hand me a form. Sometimes even compliment me.
Then they’d see it.
Their eyes would drop to my neck. Their faces would change.
"Oh... I’m so sorry. We’ve just filled the position."
Or—
"Please‚ forgive me. We didn’t realize. Luna."
Or—
"We’re not worthy to hire someone like you. So sorry‚ Luna."
Five different places. All the same. And each time I walked out‚ it was as if a part of me was being chipped away. As if the world had already decided who I was—something I didn’t understand.
By the time I stepped out of the fifth place‚ I could barely breathe. My legs were weak‚ and my heart was tight in my chest. I just needed a job. Something. Anything. I needed a house too. Ryan and I couldn’t keep on living like this.
I headed straight to the agent’s office. The one I’d always gone to. The man who helped me get my last apartment.
He looked up and gave me a small smile. "Liana. It’s been a while. What can I do for you?"
I didn’t smile back. "Why did you rent out my apartment to someone else?"
His face dropped a little. He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "The real owner of the building asked us to."
My brows furrowed. "I thought YOU were the owner."
"I only manage it. I never said I owned it."
"Then I want to speak to the actual owner."
He hesitated. Then sighed heavily and opened one of the drawers. He handed me a paper with the owner's number written clearly on it. There was no name.
I took out my phone and dialed the number. The owner picked on the first ring as if expecting my call.
"Are you done searching yet?" A very familiar voice spoke calmly through the receiver.
I didn't need anyone telling me who it was it.
It was Killian!
I didn’t even respond. I ended the call immediately.
I turned back to the agent. "Okay‚ fine. I don’t want that place anymore. Just find me something else. Anything. I’ll take anything."
He looked even more uncomfortable. "I’m sorry‚ Liana. Everything’s rented out already."
"That’s not possible. You always have something. Please‚ just check again."
He bowed his head. Actually bowed. "Forgive me‚ Luna."
That word again.
I left his office angrily. I went to another agent’s office. Then another. And another. Every single one of them said the same thing. No apartment available for rent. Some even greeted me with small bows or hushed tones‚ treating me like some rare artifact.
Respect. But rejection. Politeness. But refusal.
By the time I stumbled out of the last office‚ my eyes were burning. I was seconds away from crying. My hands were trembling.
My eyes sighted Killian's car parked just across the street.
Angrily‚ I crossed the road and marched straight to his car. He didn’t even look surprised. He rolled the window down slowly.
"WHAT the HELL is WRONG with YOU?!" I yelled.
He looked at me‚ calm as ever. "You’re just bothering yourself‚ Liana. Everything you need has already been given to you on a platter of gold."
"What does that even mean?!"
"You want a house? You already have one. You want a job? It’s ready. Waiting for you. You just have to stop running."
"Why are you doing this to me?!" I screamed‚ as tears filled my eyes. "Why are you ruining everything?!"
He stepped out of the car and faced me. "Because I can’t bear to be away from you again."
"You’re insane. You really are."
He didn’t blink. "No matter where you go‚ you won’t find what you’re looking for."
"Why not?! Why the hell not?!"
He pointed at my neck.
"Because of that."
Confused‚ I turned to look into his side mirror.
That’s when I saw it.
Right where he had bitten me that morning—there was something on my skin. Faint‚ but visible. A mark.
I leaned closer.
K. Wolfe.
And next to it... a wolf’s head.
My entire body went cold.
"What is this?!" I gasped. "What did you do to me?!"
"It’s a mark‚" he said simply.
"How? It looks like a tattoo but I never got one. You just bit me! That’s all you did!"
He nodded. "Exactly."
"No. No! This—this is crazy."
I reached up and scrubbed at it. Rubbed it until my skin turned red. Still there. I pulled out my compact mirror and wipes from my purse. Scrubbed. Still there.
"What does it mean?!" I demanded.
Killian stepped closer. "It means you’re mine."
"This can’t stay here! I’ll go to a clinic! A tattoo place! A laser center! I’ll get it removed!"
He just shook his head.
"You can try‚" he said‚ his voice softer now. "Use soap. Wipes. Chemicals. Even laser. It won’t matter."
"Why not?!"
"Because it’s not ink. It’s not a tattoo. It’s not even just a bite. It’s a mark. Bound to your soul."
I stared at him‚ heart pounding. "You’re lying."
"No. I’m not. You’re marked‚ Liana. It’s done."
"I didn’t ask for this!"
He looked at me‚ his eyes unreadable. "It doesn’t matter."
I touched the mark again‚ this time with my fingertips trembling. I could feel it there‚ almost as if it was pulsing faintly.
And for the first time—I felt something deep inside me shift.
Whatever this was… it wasn’t just physical.
It was already part of me.
And that terrified me more than anything else ever had.