His Delicate Love

24

Killian's strides were long and purposeful as he made his way to where he knew Jane would be. The anger from the day before still simmered beneath the surface, but he had made sure to be extra loving and gentle with Annie that morning, reassuring her with every touch, every word, that she was the only one in his heart. But now, it was time to deal with Jane.

He found her in the spa, sitting with a few of the higher-ranking ladies, chatting and laughing as if she hadn't torn Annie down the day before. Killian's expression hardened as he crossed his arms, his gaze locked on her. "Jane," he said, his voice firm, cutting through her conversation without a hint of hesitation. "Can I talk to you?"

Jane glanced up, raising an eyebrow at the interruption. She couldn't deny the Beta, especially not when he stood towering over her with such authority. "I'll be back, ladies," she said with a sigh, excusing herself from the group. They moved to a separate, more private room, and the moment they were alone, Killian's anger exploded.

"What the fuck were you thinking, telling Annie all that bullshit?" His voice was low, filled with barely contained rage. He glared at Jane, his fists clenched at his sides.

But Jane only smirked, her confidence still intact as she looked at him. "I was just telling her the truth," she replied smoothly, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if daring him to challenge her words.

Killian stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes blazing with fury. "That's not the fucking truth, Jane. I *love* her." His voice was sharp, each word a clear warning. He stepped closer, towering over her, making sure she understood just how serious he was. "And I need you to respect her just like you respect me. Do you understand?"

For a moment, Jane's confidence faltered, the power of his presence overwhelming her. But she quickly composed herself, though the smirk on her lips faded. She looked up at him with a different expression now—one filled with longing, desperation that had always simmered beneath her words. "Killian," she said softly, her voice almost pleading, "we had something..."

Killian rolled his eyes, his patience gone. "I never cared for you, Jane," he snapped, his voice cold and indifferent. "You were just someone to have fun with."

The implication of their past relationship hung heavily in the air, and for a moment, Jane looked stunned, hurt flashing in her eyes. But Killian didn't care. His focus was on Annie and making sure Jane understood her place now.

"And I don't need Annie to know anything about that," Killian added firmly, making it clear that whatever had happened between them in the past was irrelevant. It was over, and he would do everything in his power to protect Annie from any further pain caused by Jane.

Jane looked up at him, her confidence fully shattered now. She realized that whatever hope she had held onto of rekindling something with Killian was gone. "I understand," she whispered, her voice small.

"Good," Killian growled. "Because if you ever disrespect her again, I won't be this polite next time."

With that, he turned on his heel, leaving Jane standing alone, her pride bruised and her hopes dashed. Killian's mind was already on his next move—going back to Annie, making sure she knew that nothing and no one could come between them.

Jane's fury boiled over the moment Killian left the room. With a scream of frustration, she grabbed the closest object—one of the spa's decorative vases—and hurled it against the wall. The vase shattered into pieces, much like her pride had moments before. "That lowly omega bitch ruined everything!" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom.

Her chest heaved as the anger consumed her. The rejection, the humiliation—it all stung, but what hurt the most was knowing that Killian, the Beta she once had a relationship with, had chosen someone she deemed so unworthy. The smirk that slowly formed on her lips was cruel, her mind already working through ways to get her revenge.