The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The Distance Between Us

Kieran had barely finished rinsing the plates from their late breakfast when the second doorbell rang. He didn’t seem surprised because he had been waiting for it.

Selene, on the other hand, was surprised by the ringing bell, but it soon died when she remembered there was a parcel coming for her.

"That must be the gown," she murmured under her breath, rising.

Kieran said nothing. His hands were already dry. His posture was quiet and unassuming. But behind the black mask, his eyes darkened.

Of course, it was the gown.

He had known it was arriving today; he knew almost everything now.

She returned with the parcel in hand, excitement faintly warming her features. She didn’t smile often, but when she did—when her focus left the weight of her past and settled on something new—

"I’ll be quick," she added. "I need to get ready before sunset, and I have to visit someone. The party starts early."

"If you want to, you can go. Because soon I will leave too," Selene suggested, but Kieran said, "Then I will go after you’ve left. I am not that busy like you think. Some hours do not matter at all."

There was a strange finality in his tone, one that made Selene glance at him over her shoulder for a second longer than necessary. She didn’t ask. She never did. But lately, his silences had started to feel heavier than his words.

"Suit yourself," Selene said and disappeared behind the bedroom. For several minutes there was only the quiet swish of fabric, the shifting of hangers, and the occasional muttered curse.

Kieran sank into the sofa like he owned the place—relaxed, unbothered, like the world outside didn’t matter. His head leaned back lazily, his sharp jawline catching the light, and the muscles in his neck and arms hinted through the fabric of his shirt.

He looked calm, almost bored, like a man who’d seen it all and wasn’t impressed. But behind those steady eyes, his mind was ticking, never still—like a wolf pretending to sleep.

He’d always been good at pretending. Pretending he wasn’t watching. Pretending he didn’t care. But she didn’t know what it took to stay this still. To resist the urge to reach out and trace the delicate storm she carried with her everywhere she went.

out, the world

and knives beneath their corsets. He

he had never seen her like

movement. It wrapped around her shoulders and left them bare, the fabric dipping just low enough to tease,

hair was pinned loosely, tendrils falling over her collarbone. Her

even realize what

understood the power she wielded just by existing in

in a low exhale, barely

"Does

was something almost childlike in her question...tentative and uncertain. A rare crack in the armor she always wore.

nodded once. "You

Dangerous.

Untouchable.

made to

cleared his throat.

table, picking up a set of bracelets. It was an enchanted bracelet that would help her hide

Kieran stepped behind her. He slowly removed the bracelet and said, "Wear it when you are there,

I wear it now or that time?" she muttered, increasingly

he said, slowly breathing beside her ear, and Selene felt a shudder run through her

But proximity was a dangerous thing, and

was doing behind her, so close, she felt a

fingers brushed her

Just once.

But it was enough.

it was agony dressed in silence. Her warmth lingered against