Chapter 32

Chapter 32
VIVIAN'S POV

I was in a literal jail cell, with bars and everything. They weren't kidding when they said they were going to place us under arrest. I didn't expect to be taken to a fancy room or anything but a jail cell. With a toilet? At least it was clean, I guess.
They had separated us all, so I just sat on the cot in the corner, wondering if Chris had been right and if this had been a colossal mistake. What if this didn't give me any answers to how to help Chris?
Blackmoon had magic, though. Which is something I'd never experienced and only thought was a fairy tale. I didn't know it truly existed. As a shifter, I'd be more open-minded, but we've never strayed outside our pack, and the outside world is unknown. And Greywood does not possess anyone who knows magic.
How does Blackmoon? Can I find out the source? What can I learn while I'm here? Would asking questions put me in danger?
My train of thought was interrupted by a harsh voice. "Girl, stand."
I scrambled to my feet, recognizing the voice as the shifter who had brought us into Blackmoon. The one who was in charge of the unit patrolling. He stood at the bars, eyeing me. He didn't trust me but was curious enough to bring me inside.
They'd put bags over our heads when we'd been brought in, so we wondered if the trust would ever be there for outsiders. They were an intense bunch of shifters.
A powerful aura hit me. Alpha. Ivy whined. This Alpha was the strongest aura I've ever felt, much more potent than Zade. Ivy snipped at my disloyal thought towards my own Alpha.
"I present to you, Alpha Killian," my welcome committee shifter said, bowing slightly and stepping back to make way for Alpha Killian to step up to the bars.
Alpha Killian's piercing blue eyes locked on me. His dark black hair fell past his shoulders, giving his menacing appearance an even more wild look. He was a good foot taller than me, with broad shoulders that made the shifter beside him look like a child. He was young. Closer to my age than I expected.
The surprise on my face must have been apparent. A sharp smile played across his face. "Surprised?"
"I...you're so young."
"My father, Alpha Keenan, bore his responsibilities to me when I proved myself worthy."
"How did you do that?"
His grin widened. "I can't share all my secrets."
"Oh. So he's no longer Alpha...but...shouldn't I be speaking to him since I'm here to find out about my father from when he was?"
Alpha Killian narrowed his eyes. "No one speaks to my father without my permission, as Alpha. And I have the information you need. If we strike a deal, then you may speak to him."
"A deal?"
"Information doesn't come free, little wolf."
I rubbed my arms, feeling a sudden chill. "What kind of deal?"
"First, is one of those males your mate?"
"No. They're my friends."
I wouldn't say I liked where this was going, but I felt like saying something could put them in danger. "Good. For them."
Good decision. "What do you mean?"
"For the information you seek, you must agree to be my Luna."
I stumbled backward. "What?"
"You belong to Blackmoon. You can't believe I'd let you leave once you've returned."
"But why would you want me as your Luna?"
"Make the deal. I owe you no explanation."
I stepped backward. "No."
Smirking at me, he leaned forward. "I'll give you some time to think about it. Maybe I'll let you talk to your ‘friend,’ and he can talk some sense into you."
He motioned at the shifter who had been standing in silence beside him. "Marcus."
Marcus turned and went down the hall. Killian kept his eyes on me while we waited. When Marcus came back, he had a struggling Chris with him. Chris's arms were behind his back, and he looked like he'd been hurt, with blood drying on his face.
I ran to the bars, crying out, "Chris! What did they do to you?"
"It's okay, Vivid. Keep yourself safe. Don't worry about me."
Killian laughed. "Smart. See. Do what he says. Vivid, is it?"
I glared at him. "Vivian."
"Interesting."
He walked over to Chris, grabbed Chris's head, and stared at him. Then he punched him in the stomach. "No more pet names for my future Luna. Got it?"
I squeezed my eyes shut as Chris crumpled to the floor. "Stop it. Please stop."
Killian turned back towards me. "I'm starting to think you lied to me, Vivid. We're not getting off on the right foot here."
"I didn't. I swear I didn't."
He walked back to the bars. "Then tell me again. Is this pathetic wolf your mate?"
"No."
His eyes darted between mine. "Fine. Does your decision stand?"
He flicked his finger at Marcus, who landed a kick into Chris's ribs. Chris cried out, "Don't do it, Vivid."
I stared at Chris on the floor. "What happens to them if I agree to be your Luna?"
"Them?"
"Zeke and Chris."
"Now you want to protect both of them. You're asking for a lot now, little wolf. Information, protection for two wolves now. What would I get in return?"
I glared at him. "Signing my life over isn't enough?"
He smirked. "I don't think it is. I need something else."
"What?"
"A kiss."
I sneered. "What?"
"Right now. In front of your so-called not-mate.”
I felt my stomach drop. I watched Chris scramble to his feet, trying to crawl towards me. "Vivid, please."
Marcus wrapped an arm around his neck, holding him in place. "Keep watching, pretty boy."
"There are bars."
Killian held up a key. "Good thing I have the key."
I nodded. For Zeke. For Chris. "Okay."
“So, a kiss with my future Luna?"
I nodded again. "Yes."
Killian grinned and unlocked the door, sliding the door open. "Come here."
He pulled me into his arms. "Make sure he watches, Marcus."
I squeezed my eyes shut as Killian's mouth descended on mine, kissing me. His tongue played along the seam of my lips, never pressing further. He growled in frustration, remaining cold when I didn't grant him access. But I opened up when he pulled me closer, telling me to kiss him back. For Zeke. For Chris. He deepened the kiss, his tongue entering my mouth.
I was surprised when he pulled away suddenly. I thought he would have expected a more prolonged kiss to torture Chris more. His eyes were full of desire. "I want to save some for our wedding night."
My stomach dropped again. For Zeke. For Chris. I turned towards Chris, whose jaw was set, glaring at Killian. "I'm going to kill you."
Killian laughed. "I've made a deal with my Luna, and I will not hurt you for now. If you ever return here, I will take that as a threat. And you will be killed. By my own hand."
Chris's expression didn't change, and Killian didn't back down. I placed a hand on Killian's arm. "Please, just let them go now. I said I'd be your Luna. The deal is made."
He turned back to me. "Oh, little wolf. I can return the Alpha. That can be done. I wouldn't want to start a war. But as for this one...I can't. He's my leverage to make sure you follow through. I'm very sorry."
He cupped my jaw. "That's not fair. I give you my word."
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you must earn that trust, my Luna."
"Then let's get married tomorrow."
"An Alpha can only be married during a full moon. You know this."
I gasped. "But that's weeks from now!"
"Plenty of time for us to get to know each other."
"And time for Chris to rot away in prison."
Killian shrugged. "He'll be comfortable enough."
I gritted my teeth. "You'll allow me to visit him."
He sighed. "I hate this bartering we're doing. Fine. Supervised. When I allow it. But most of your time will be with me."
"Thank you."
"And when can I meet my father?"
"After we're married. Or at the ceremony. I haven't decided yet. Just patience, little wolf."
He held out his arm. "Come along. Marcus, see about letting little Alpha Zeke return to his pack and get not-mate Chris to his cell."
"Can I say goodbye to Zeke?"
"No. I've conceded enough today."
I nodded. Zeke would be okay. I hoped. I linked arms with Killian. Fucking fuck, I had royally fucked up.