7

Helena reached the gym and entered the VIP salon. The small VIP sign was made specifically because of the humans. It was forbidden for them. Her pack members and security officers greeted her and some even congratulated her for her mate.

When she reached Keiran and Shawn, she saw them fighting one against the other. Shawn, as a Beta was one of her best officers. He was quick, quiet, and stealthy.

But he couldn't compare to Keiran's abilities. Keiran looked fierce while fighting him. His every move was calculated and precise. Shawn couldn't even get to punch him once. Helena's mate always predicted the opponent's next step and acted before him. Not only that, but his fighting skills were amazing. Where had he learned all that?

Their duel had gathered a crowd of cheering werewolves.

When Keiran noticed his mate's scent, his eyes immediately glided to her and without looking at her Beta, held his hand and stopped Shawn's fist from hitting his face. Shawn froze, surprised and aware it was time for a small break.

The mass of people started parting and Helena took the time to shamelessly ogle at her mate. His sculpted muscles and chest were available for everyone to see as Keiran was naked from the waist up. His hair was slightly damp and in his eyes, but he wasn't even noticing it.

She swallowed. Seeing him like this was making her feel too excited. It was teasing her belly and making her want to squirm. The way just seeing him made her feel was amazing.

“Hi...” he greeted with a small smile, his eyes also roaming over her.

Her skin prickled.

“Hi,” she said and put a lock of her hair behind her ear.

“Hi,” Keiran repeated with a bigger, mischievous smile.

She giggled.

“So, you've been training since the morning?

“Yep, I really needed to catch up on my workouts. Missing almost two weeks is inexcusable for me. I can't let this happen.

Helena hummed and looked at him, noticing his eyes were gleaming again.

It hit her like a brick. This only happened when Keiran was looking at her and it reminded her of the way werewolves' eyes gleamed. It usually meant they were excited or angry. And in this case, it definitely meant Keiran was excited.

A small blush crept up on her cheeks.

“Are you... maybe hungry?” she sheepishly asked, distracting herself from her thoughts. “Have you had breakfast yet? The food at home was left untouched, just like it was yesterday night.

“I'm not that hungry yet. I think I'm going to wait for lunch and then I'll eat.

“Oh...” Helena breathed out, squeezing the bag of food she had brought.

“But if you brought me something to eat, I'd eagerly finish it in less than a minute.” Keiran chucked and grabbed the bag out of her hands.

She smiled.

“I brought you your favorite—meat. But there's a fridge here, so if you feel full right now, we can put it there. You don't have to force yourself to eat.

“Oh, it's from my favorite restaurant!” he exclaimed, examining the packaging. Helena's favorite place had quickly become his usual spot too.

“Thanks!” he said and embraced her, squeezing lightly.

A few whistles filled the room and Shawn shouted, “Oh, come on, don't tease them! You also have mates, you know!” But he himself was chuckling, obviously glad his best friend was happy.

“Thank you for your approval, people, but please return to your own business and don't mind us!” Helena half-joked, holding back a laugh.

...

A few hours later, when Helena was finally done with her work for the day, she decided to check if Keiran was still in the training hall.

Entering the big room, she saw it was empty. No wonder, it was past seven pm. It was time for dinner, social gatherings, or just... life.

But there was a lonely figure, fiercely hitting the punching bag. Keiran. Staring at him for a few seconds, she decided to join him. She needed some exercise too.

After she put her leggings and wide top on in the changing room, she headed in Keiran's direction. He was again fixated on his target, his eyes narrowed and deep in thought. This made her halt. Had he even noticed her presence? He was usually very loving and gentle, and when it came to her, he dropped anything he was doing. But now Keiran really looked like he had something that was bothering him. And Helena realized that might be true. He never shared anything about his past. He always answered her questions, but it felt like he was avoiding telling her the truth.

Suddenly, he stopped punching the bag and looked at his mate, smiling.

“You're back. And you're suitably dressed. Do you want to train with me?” he asked with a cocky smile.

Helena stretched, closing her eyes, and when she opened them, she noticed he was staring at her. There was this hungry gleam in his eyes again. It made her skin prickle.

“Are you ready?” She approached him, deciding to tease him some more. “You might be a lycan, but I'm a good fighter, I promise you.

“I'm sure you are.” He smirked, his gaze following her figure. “Just let's see how far you're willing to go to beat me.

She chuckled, but even before she could stop her laughter, an attack was already sent her way. Keiran's fist was flying towards her, as fast as she had ever seen. She jerked back, her heart thundering in her chest and even before she could take another breath, his other fist was trying to his her ribs.

Helena gasped and grabbed his hand with her palms, barely stopping it from clashing with her. Keiran's force pushed her back a few inches, and her shoes rubbed on the floor. She looked at him and their eyes clashed together for a moment. It felt like an eternity, although it was most probably just a few seconds. Their attraction was undeniable.

Keiran swung his other fist, and this time, Helena crouched down, realizing he wasn't going to stop attacking. She grabbed his leg and pushed him back. He lost balance of his feet and crashed on the floor, his back hitting it with a thud.

He looked at her in obvious confusion. She was crouching in front of him.

Helena got up on her feet and her lips pulled up in a sly smile.

“You were kind of not leaving me any space for options,” she said and watched carefully as he stood up.

“It was an interesting approach, I admit that.” He also smirked, but slowly shook his head.

“I am an interesting person.” Helena winked and leaped at him.

When Keiran realized she had used his distraction to her benefit, he quickly managed to block her palm, just a few inches away from his face. The smile that appeared in his expression was involuntary and honest.

Helena froze and he slowly pulled her to him, kissing her palm. Her lips parted and the world stopped for a moment. When he snaked his arm around her waist, she fiercely blushed and mentally cursed at herself for her obvious reaction to him. She was the one making him wait. She was supposed to be the strong and mature one in the relationship.

Willing herself to calm down, Helena slowly put her arms around his neck. It was just a hug, no big deal. It was something they both enjoyed.

“Keiran...” she murmured after a few seconds.

“Hm...” he lazily returned, putting his head on her shoulder.

“A-are your parents alive?” she asked, knowing it would ruin their moment. But she needed to know. Keiran never spoke about his life. It was a total mystery and it hurt. Helena wanted to know everything about him. His past, his dreams, his deepest secrets.

He stood like this for a few more seconds, his hold over her tightening, and she could feel him tensing up.

“Please, tell me,” she pleaded and brushed her fingers through his soft hair.

“N-no,” he uttered in her shoulder. “They are not.

Helena gasped and immediately regretted her reaction. This was going to push him away.

Keiran pulled back, and his green eyes bore into her. They were so different from a few minutes ago, the gleam and excitement were gone. They looked like they belonged to a person who had seen too much. Filled with destruction and devastation.

It made her desire to know even stronger. She gulped, afraid to ask her next question.

“H-how...

Keiran's lips pulled in a thin line, and his fists clenched around her waist. He looked down.

“I... I don't want to...

“Keiran, please!” she begged, her eyes watering because of his pain. It was as if she could feel it in her bones, her heart was breaking over and over again for him. It was ground-shattering. What was he feeling right now?

He curtly shook his head and stepped back.

“No! Don't leave!” Helena rasped, shock and fear quaking through her, and tried to reach for him. This only made him retreat more.

Keiran didn't even glance at her as he turned his back to her, his wide shoulders stiff, and headed to the exit. He left her alone and speechless, with her guts screaming in anxiety.

Did his darkness have something to do with his parents? Did his eyes become sad because of their death? Who were they? How did it happen?

A new fire burst through her, strong and incinerating. Her desire to know was apocalyptic in her soul. And the only thing that could satiate it was the truth.

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