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.

stepped out, the

women in gowns with bloodied smiles and knives

had never seen

It wrapped around her

loosely, tendrils falling over her collarbone. Her throat gleamed—it

realize what

about her. The way she never understood the power she wielded just by existing in the same room as

him in a low exhale,

"Does it

in her question...tentative and uncertain. A rare crack in the armor she always wore. And for a fleeting second, Kieran hated everyone who had ever made her question her

once.

Dangerous.

Untouchable.

you were made

cleared his throat.

picking up a set of bracelets. It was an enchanted bracelet that would

He slowly removed the bracelet and said, "Wear it when

was confused. "Why? What does it matter... whether I wear it now or that time?" she muttered, increasingly finding it hard to understand this man,

I say," he said, slowly breathing beside her ear, and Selene felt a shudder

dangerous thing, and right now, he was standing in the fire, daring it to

could ask him what he was doing behind her, so close, she felt a chain slipping through

fingers brushed

Just once.

But it was enough.

was fleeting, almost clinical. But for him, it was agony dressed