Evening fell over the city, painting the sky in shades of deep purple and gold.
In the Sterling Mansion, the transformation was complete.
Elian stood before the full-length mirror in his room. The White Suit was no longer just fabric; it was a masterpiece. The silk shimmered like pearl dust. The silver embroidery on the cuffs looked like vines climbing up his wrists.
His soft black hair was styled back, revealing his forehead and his stunning Violet Eyes.
"Perfect," Adrian whispered, standing behind him. For once, the famous actor wasn't looking at himself. He was looking at his little brother with pure pride. "You look like royalty, Elian."
Downstairs, the family was waiting.
When Elian descended the grand staircase, silence fell over the foyer.
Declan stopped checking his watch.
Noah stopped adjusting his tie.
Grandfather Arthur, usually cold and stern, thumped his cane on the floor once. A rare sign of approval.
"Come, boy," Arthur said, holding out his arm. "Tonight, you walk with me."
The Sterling Gala Venue
The venue was a castle-like estate, illuminated by thousands of fairy lights. Luxury cars lined the driveway. Paparazzi flashed their cameras like lightning.
Flash. Flash. Flash.
"That's the Sterling Family!"
"Look at Adrian!"
"Wait... who is the one in white?"
Elian stepped out of the limousine. The flashes blinded him for a second. He felt a wave of panic rising in his chest.
Breathe, he told himself.
Suddenly, a warm, heavy hand patted his shoulder. Noah.
"Walk," Noah grunted softly. "I'm right behind you. If anyone gets too close, I'll growl."
Elian giggled nervously. The fear subsided.
He took his Grandfather's arm and walked the red carpet.
He didn't look down. He looked straight ahead, his violet eyes capturing every camera lens.
Inside the ballroom, the air was thick with perfume and expensive champagne.
As Elian walked in, the crowd parted. Whispers followed him like a trail of smoke.
He saw Gabriel Cross in the corner, spilling his drink in shock.
He saw Serena Vance (the heroine), clutching her dress, looking pale next to Elian's radiance.
But Elian didn't care about them. He felt suffocated.
Too many people. Too many eyes. Too much noise.
"Grandfather," Elian whispered. "May I... get some fresh air?"
Arthur looked at the boy. He saw the slight trembling in Elian's hands. "Go. But do not wander far."
The Royal Garden
Elian slipped out through the French doors and into the garden.
Silence. Finally.
The garden was beautiful, bathed in silver moonlight. White roses and jasmine bloomed everywhere, filling the cool night air with a sweet, intoxicating scent.
Elian took a deep breath, the tightness in his chest loosening. "Much better."
He walked along the stone path, humming a soft melody. Ideally, he would find a quiet bench and—
He stopped.
On a marble bench, hidden beneath the shadow of a weeping willow tree, someone was lying down.
It was a man.
He was wearing a sharp black suit, the jacket discarded on the grass. His tie was loosened. One arm was thrown over his eyes to block out the moonlight.
Elian froze. Should I leave?
But something pulled him closer. The man looked... in pain. Even in sleep, his jaw was clenched, his body tense.
Elian stepped closer, his footsteps silent on the grass.
The man had sharp, defined features. Jet-black hair that fell over his forehead. He looked dangerous, yet heartbreakingly exhausted.
It was Kaelen Blackwood.
Elian didn't know it was him. He just saw a tired guest.
"Sir?" Elian whispered. "You'll catch a cold sleeping out here."
Kaelen didn't move.
Elian sighed. He took off his own white suit jacket. Gently, careful not to wake him, Elian draped the warm jacket over the sleeping man's chest.
He turned to leave.
Grab.
A hand shot out and seized Elian's wrist.
Elian gasped. "!"
Kaelen didn't open his eyes. His grip was iron-strong, burning against Elian's cool skin. He pulled Elian closer, inhaling sharply—as if Elian was oxygen and he had been drowning.
"Don't go," Kaelen murmured, his voice rough with sleep and desperation.
"Sir, please let go," Elian stammered, heart pounding.
"Quiet," Kaelen groaned, pressing Elian's hand against his own cheek.
The aggressive tension in Kaelen's body instantly melted away.
"Finally... quiet. No noise... just... you."
Elian stood frozen under the moonlight.
A stranger holding his hand.
A terrifying calmness spreading between them.
He didn't know that for Kaelen Blackwood, this was the first time in ten years that the screaming in his head had stopped.
The beast had found his cure.