Chapter 17: Unraveling Defenses

Luna stared at her reflection in the mirror of the small guest room she had been given at the charity's headquarters. She looked composed, poised, yet beneath that exterior, a storm brewed within her. The confrontation with Killian lingered in her mind, his cold command still echoing in her ears.

He had expected her just to follow him. As if she were still the woman who once obeyed his every word without question. But she wasn't. Not anymore.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. Straightening her posture, she turned and found Amara, one of the charity's long-time volunteers, peeking inside with a warm smile.

"Luna, we could use an extra set of hands in the storeroom. Supplies just came in," Amara, of the event staff said.

Luna nodded. "I'll be right there."

The moment she stepped out of the room, the fresh scent of rain greeted her. It had been drizzling since morning, casting a gray haze over the city. But for some reason, Luna found comfort in the muted tones of the sky. It was far less confusing than the emotions swirling inside her.

As she moved toward the storeroom, her phone vibrated in her pocket. A message.

Unknown Number: Do you think he'll let you go that easily?

Luna's steps faltered. Her heartbeat stuttered.

Who was this? Was it Adrian? Someone else?

Shaking off the unease, she slipped the phone back into her pocket and continued walking. She had no time for cryptic messages. Not when she had work to do.

Meanwhile, Killian sat at the head of the long conference table in his office, his fingers tapping against the polished surface. His mind, however, wasn't on the figures being discussed by his executives.

It was on Luna.

Her defiance. Her refusal to leave. Her insistence on staying at the charity despite the danger.

He clenched his jaw. Why did she always have to fight him? Couldn't she see that all he wanted was to protect her?

"Killian, what do you think?" one of the executives asked hesitantly.

His gaze snapped up. He had no idea what had just been said.

Before he could answer, the door swung open.

"Apologies for interrupting, but I need a word with your boss," came Elijah's all-too-familiar voice.

Killian exhaled slowly. "We're done here," he said curtly, signaling for the meeting to end.

The executives hurried out, leaving Elijah to saunter in and drop into a chair.

"You look like you're about to explode," Elijah remarked, studying him. "Still pissed about Luna?"

Killian didn't answer.

Elijah sighed, his tone softening, his gaze becoming more serious. "Look, man, I get it. She's stubborn, fiercely independent, and she has a mind of her own. But have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, she has a reason for being this way, for resisting your authority, for refusing to bend to your will? That she doesn't want to be seen as some woman you can control, some trophy wife you can parade around, but as her own person, with her own desires and aspirations?"

Killian's fingers tightened around the edge of the table. "It's not about control."

"Isn't it?" Elijah countered, raising an eyebrow. "You married her under a contract, Killian. A deal. That's not love. That's business. And Luna isn't some asset you can own."

Killian glared at him. "I never said she was."

"But you act like it," Elijah said, leaning forward. "Look, I know you. I know what you're afraid of. You think if you don't keep her close, you'll lose her again. But here's the thing—if you keep pushing her like this, you'll lose her anyway."

Killian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Then what do you suggest I do? Just let her stay there while Adrian lurks in the shadows?"

Elijah shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe you should start treating her like a partner instead of a possession."

Silence stretched between them.

For the first time in a long time, Killian didn't have a response.

Back at the charity, Luna sat in the small, cluttered break room, nursing a steaming cup of tea. The warmth of the liquid soothed her frayed nerves, a temporary comfort against the emotional storm raging within her, but it did little to untangle the complex mess of conflicting emotions that had taken root inside her.

She had thought leaving Killian behind, making that defiant stand, would bring her a sense of peace, a feeling of liberation. Yet, all it had done was create a different kind of turmoil, a new set of challenges, a fresh wave of uncertainties.

"You're thinking too hard again," Amara teased as she sat beside her.

Luna smiled faintly. "Is it that obvious?"

"You have that look," Amara said knowingly. "The one that says your mind is anywhere but here."

Luna sighed. "It's just...complicated."

Amara hummed. "Matters of the heart usually are."

Luna stiffened. "It's not like that."

Amara chuckled. "Sure. And I suppose that expensive ring on your finger is just an accessory?"

Luna looked down at the wedding band on her hand. A symbol of an arrangement, nothing more. And yet, she hadn't taken it off.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me," Amara said gently. "But I will say this—if you're fighting so hard to be here, make sure it's for the right reasons. Not just to prove a point."

Luna stared at her tea, unsure of what to say.

Before she could respond, her phone vibrated again.

Another message.

Unknown Number: You should really be more careful, Luna.

Her blood ran cold.

Adrian. It had to be him.

Her hands tightened around the phone as she looked around. Suddenly, the walls of the charity didn't feel so safe anymore.

And for the first time, a small, reluctant thought crept into her mind.

Maybe Killian had been right.

Across the city, Killian stared at his own phone, his jaw clenching as he read the very same message Luna had just received.

Unknown Number: She won't be safe for long.

His eyes darkened. He didn't care what it took.

He was going to find whoever was behind this.

And he was going to make them regret ever threatening her.