Chapter 5 5

Alpha Kilian hadn't expected to cross paths with Shadow in this dangerous place. With rogues and criminals lurking in the shadows, it was unsafe for everyone, especially women. Running away was no longer an option, so they needed to find a hiding spot.

The area was packed with dwelling places and the terrain was confusing, causing him to quickly lose his sense of direction. It seemed impossible to figure out their location.

In an attempt to escape, Alpha Kilian planned to take one of his attackers hostage. However, he accidentally encountered Shadow instead.

To his surprise, when he saw Shadow's innocent face, an odd sense of trust washed over him. He holstered his gun and fixed her with his intense gaze. His voice was low and frosty. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here," Shadow replied, feeling the remnants of the cold metal against her forehead. Fear forced her to tell the truth.

Alpha Kilian's eyes briefly showed surprise. How could a member of the prestigious Eden family live in such a terrible place? However, he quickly regained his composure and ordered, "Take me to your house."

Shadow knew that allowing this man into her home meant signing her own death warrant. "Impossible!" she protested.

"Fine," Alpha Kilian expected this response. He sneered, his voice ghostly. "Then would you like me to tell my dear cousin that you seduced me?"

Seduced him? Did he just threaten her? Shadow's anger flared, but she felt powerless. Alpha Kilian would unquestionably believe Alpha Dominic, given that they were cousins. She had no choice but to lead this shameless man to her place.

"Fine," Shadow turned and led the way back through the alley. "Follow me."

Their conversation lasted no longer than a minute.

After walking for a few moments, a loud bang reverberated through the streets. Two black-clad men appeared where they had just been. Shadow froze, her face growing even paler.

Reacting swiftly, Alpha Kilian pulled Shadow into another alley and dragged her into a vacant room. They remained still as he peeked through the door's peephole.

They waited until the two men left before he finally pulled Shadow away. What had just happened?

Shadow felt nervous and worried. She wasn't sure who Alpha Dominic had provoked, but now wasn't the time to interrogate him. So she forced herself to remain quiet.

A short while later, they arrived at Shadow's small apartment. She stood at the door, surveying her surroundings as though breaking into her own home. Satisfied that everything was in order, her adrenaline subsided and she entered the room.

Closing the door, she turned to question Alpha Kilian, but before she could speak, she saw him collapse to the ground, clutching his chest in pain. Sweat covered his forehead.

"Hey! What's wrong?" Shadow's expression shifted instantly as she rushed to assist him.

"I'm fine," Alpha Kilian managed to reply before instructing her to follow him back the way they came.

But Alpha Kilian was much too tall and muscular for Shadow to lift. Instead, she found herself covered in his blood, unable to do anything to help.

It was then that she noticed Alpha Kilian's pale complexion, concealed beneath his black suit. His entire body was covered in blood.

"What happened to you?" Shadow's eyes widened, her voice trembling.

Ignoring her, Alpha Kilian reached out and grabbed her hand. His words, though indifferent, held a hint of comfort or threat. "Why are you so afraid? Relax! If I die, they'll bury you with me."

His cold tone made it hard to determine his intentions, and Shadow had no interest in finding out. She thought about the gunshot she had heard earlier and firmly stated, "Let go. I'll get my phone and call an ambulance for you."

His face darkened, his grip tightening. His voice turned icy. "No ambulance."

It was impossible to argue with him when he spoke like that. Trembling, Shadow timidly suggested, "Then let me at least bandage your wound?"

Alpha Kilian completely ignored her and commanded in a deep voice, "Get me a blade, a lighter, a candle, a bandage, and a towel."

He intended to remove the bullet himself?

Fear consumed Shadow as she shook her head. "No! You can't do it yourself. It'll kill you!"

"Who said I was doing it myself?" Alpha Kilian looked at her, his eyes as dark as the night, like an alluring black vortex. Just one glance threatened to draw her in.

As Shadow nearly succumbed to his gaze, she heard him say, "You're going to do this."