The alley was still humming in my ears long after Lucian's car disappeared around the corner, its taillights slicing through the dark like two burning warnings. I stood frozen, breath shaking, palms trembling, my heart still pressed against the edge of his last touch.
I didn't realize how long I'd been standing there until the cold wind slapped my cheeks awake.
I swallowed hard.
I needed to move.
I needed to breathe.
I needed to pretend I hadn't just felt something that could ruin my entire life.
I wrapped my arms around myself and walked out of the alley. The streetlights flickered above me like faulty memories. Every shadow felt heavier now... because now I knew what danger embraced felt like.
Lucian Hale wasn't just dangerous
He was a walking catastrophe of desire and power that wanted me but tried not to.
But that moment
the way he stepped into me,
the way his breath touched my lips,
the way his voice dropped so low my entire body reacted before my mind
It wasn't imagined.
He felt it too.
And that was the problem.
I didn't make it far before headlights flashed violently across my face. A motorcycle skidded to a stop in front of me, the engine roaring like a beast. My heart lurched.
The rider ripped his helmet off with a frustrated growl.
Kade.
His hair was a wild mess, eyes blazing, lips pressed tight like he'd been swallowing fury for hours.
Alina. His voice wasn't gentle. It was sharp. Accusing. Too raw. "Get on.
I blinked, stepping back.
Kade… what are you doing here?
Looking for you. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing. You weren't answering anyone. Do you even know what time it is? You scared the hell out of me.
I'm fine, i whispered.
No, he snapped. You're not. Something happened. I can see it all over you.
My breath faltered.
Kade always knew me too well.
He always saw through my walls.
And right now, I could tell he was moments away from tearing the entire night apart.
He stepped closer, eyes roving over my face like he was memorizing every bruise of emotion.
Who were you with?
I bit my lip.
He froze.
Don't tell me His jaw tightened. It was him again.
Lucian.
The name didn't need to be spoken.
I didn't confirm it. I didn't deny it.
I didn't have to.
Kade laughed once dark, unbelieving. Of course. Of course it was. Because why wouldn't the universe throw you in front of the one man I can't stand?
Kade, stop—
No. Tell me what he did. Kade's voice cracked. "Did he touch you? Did he scare you? Did he
He saved me.
The words were out before I could stop them.
Kade went still.
Silent.
Too silent.
His jaw clenched so tightly the muscles jumped.
He saved you, he repeated slowly. Interesting. That's his thing now?"
It's not like that, I whispered.
Oh?" His nostrils flared. Then what is it like, Alina? Because every time I turn around, he's there. Every time I get close to you, he's already been closer. Every time you want to breathe, he steals the air first.
You're being dramatic
I'm being replaced.
His vulnerability hit me harder than his anger.
Kade never let his heart show. But right now, it hung between us, raw and bleeding.
You're not being replaced, I said softly. You're just… you and Lucian are
Opposites? he snapped. Enemies?
He looked at me, eyes burning.
Or is he everything you want but know you shouldn't?
The question sliced straight through me.
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
Because the truth was too dangerous to speak out loud.
Kade let out a shaky breath and held his hand out.
Come on. Let me take you home.
For once, I didn't argue.
I climbed onto the motorcycle, wrapping my arms around him.
He stiffened hurt flashing in his body language, not his words.
The ride home was silent.
But not the calm kind.
The storm kind.
When we arrived, he didn't let me go immediately. His hand held mine on his waist, keeping me pressed against him like he wasn't ready to lose me to the night.
Alina…
His voice was softer now, dangerously soft.
Just tell me he didn't hurt you. Tell me he didn't do anything to make you shake like you're shaking right now.
I closed my eyes.
He didn't hurt me.
Kade slowly turned his head, his profile sharp under the moonlight.
But he could, he whispered. And that scares me. It scares me more than anything else.
I didn't have words.
Kade finally let me go.
But before I stepped away, he caught my wrist gently.
One more thing.
What?
If you go back to him…
He swallowed hard.
I'll still be here. Angry? Yes. Bitter? Definitely. But I won't leave you. I won't ever leave you.
My heart cracked open in too many directions.
Kade…
Goodnight, Lina. His voice was hoarse. Please… don't disappear again.
I watched him ride away until the night swallowed him whole.
Inside my room, the silence felt too loud.
I leaned against the door and slid to the floor, hands over my face.
Two men.
One forbidden.
One familiar.
Both dangerous in different ways.
I thought my night was finally over.
But then
my phone vibrated on the floor beside me.
My stomach flipped when I saw the name.
Unknown Number.
But the message?
You should've gone straight home. Staying in that alley was a mistake.
I froze.
Another message popped up instantly:
Next time, don't let him touch you.
My blood turned to ice.
A third message:
Lucian Hale isn't your only problem.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
A fourth:
Stop walking alone. You were being followed.
I covered my mouth, tremors racing through me.
A fifth message arrived like a dagger:
I'm trying to protect you. But if you keep choosing the wrong places… I won't reach you in time.
I stared at the screen
terrified,
confused,
shaking,
and suddenly aware that someone out there knew exactly where I had been.
I typed with trembling fingers:
Who is this?
Three dots appeared.
And then
Someone who knows him.
I dropped the phone.
The room felt smaller.
The air felt colder.
And the shadows suddenly looked like they were holding secrets I wasn't ready to face.
Because now I knew the truth:
Lucian wasn't watching me.
Kade wasn't watching me.
Someone else was.
And they knew exactly how forbidden my heart had already become.