CHAPTER 05: SHADOWS IN SUN CITY

The bass thrummed through the club like a living heartbeat, neon lights washing the bar counter in purple and gold. Adrian wiped down the polished surface, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, forearms flexing with each movement. He moved with an elegance that drew attention without trying.

Three women, already tipsy from their laughter, leaned forward as he set out glasses.

“Something sweet,” one of them requested, twirling her hair around her finger.

Adrian arched a brow, reaching for the bottles without hesitation. His hands moved swiftly, vodka, cranberry, peach schnapps. He mixed with practiced ease, ice clinking as the shaker danced in his grip. When he poured, the liquid glowed pink under the lights, sliding smooth into their glasses.

The first woman’s mouth parted slightly. “God, look at his arms.”

The second leaned closer, eyes tracing his chest beneath the snug black shirt. “Forget his arms, look at that jawline. Are you even real?”

Adrian smirked faintly, sliding the drinks across the counter. “Careful, he murmured. I charge extra for staring.”

They erupted into giggles, clinking glasses together.

“You’re too handsome to be stuck behind this counter, the blonde said boldly. Ever thought about modeling?”

He gave a small shrug. “I prefer quiet work.”

“Quiet?. One of them laughed. With a face and body like that? Honey, there’s nothing quiet about you.” She even reached out as if to touch him, then pulled back with a shy laugh before finally walking away.

Adrian forced a chuckle, though inside his chest burned. Compliments rolled off him like water. No matter how many women or men looked at him like he was carved for desire, only one gaze mattered. Kaelen’s. Damn him, he hated himself.

When the women finally sauntered off toward the dance floor, his coworker slid in beside him, leaning casually against the counter.

Rico. Bronze-skinned, long hair, leaned, with a mischievous grin that always bordered on indecent.

“Those girls weren’t wrong, Rico teased, trailing a finger deliberately down Adrian’s chest. Seriously, how do you expect the rest of us to compete when you’re built like a sin walking?”

Adrian stiffened, though he didn’t flinch away. “I’m here to work, Rico.”

“Mhm. Rico’s voice was a purr, eyes glinting. But you’re making it very hard for me to focus when you look like that. Don’t tell me you’ve never been tempted to mix business with pleasure.”

Adrian gave him a flat look. “Not interested. They'll get bored eventually”

Rico chuckled, but there was something sharper in his smile as he leaned and trailed his fingers on Adrian's exposed chest, and his breath fanned Adrian’s jaw. “Not yet.”

Adrian stiffened. His wolf stirred uneasily beneath his skin, but not from desire. From absence. From longing. Because no matter how attractive Rico was, no matter how bold, his touch sparked nothing. Not the fire he hated, not the burn he craved.

Only Kaelen did that. Only the Alpha he despised.

“Don’t” Adrian said flatly, stepping back.

Rico smirked, unbothered. “Relax, pretty boy. I was only teasing. Unless…” His voice dipped, suggestive.

Adrian shot him a hard look. “Not interested. He cleared his throat and straightened. I need some air.”

Rico tilted his head, unbothered. “Fine, but tomorrow morning, you, me, a run. There’s a trail by the river. After that, breakfast. My treat.”

“I’ll think about it,” Adrian muttered, already walking away.

“Think fast, Rico called after him, laughter threading his voice. I run shirtless.”

>>>>>>> Back at Moon- City

Silverfang Enterprises, Kaelen’s Office

The office hummed with quiet tension. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the glittering skyline, but Kaelen’s gaze was fixed on the trio seated before him: Jane, Ezra, and Melanin, his oldest and most trusted employees.

“You leave for Sun City tomorrow, Kaelen said curtly, tapping a folder against the desk. The new branch is in your hands. I expect weekly reports. No excuses.”

“Yes, Sir,” Jane said quickly, adjusting her glasses.

Melanin’s lips curved in a faint smile as she kept jotting notes on her tablet. “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure everything runs smooth.”

Kaelen’s nod was sharp, efficient. “See that you do.”

The door opened without warning, heels clicking against marble. Celera swept inside, her short crimson gown clinging to every curve, dark curls cascading over her shoulders. Heads turned instinctively, though Kaelen didn’t so much as glance up from his paperwork.

“Kaelen,” she purred.

He didn’t spare her a glance. His eyes stayed on the map projected on the wall. “As I was saying... security in Sun City is priority. Any breach...”

“Kaelen,” she cut in, her voice louder now.

Finally, he turned, slowly. “What is it?”

“Kaelen, her voice was honey, threaded with hesitation. What’s this meeting?”

He didn’t look at her. “Business. You wouldn’t understand.”

Her jaw tightened. “Try me.”

Finally, his gaze flicked up, cold and assessing. “I’m sending my people to manage the new branch in Sun City.”

Her eyes lit faintly. “Then send me.”

The room stilled.

“You?” Kaelen asked, voice low with disbelief.

“Yes. She stepped forward, ignoring the startled looks of the others. If I go, I can keep myself busy. Away from Lucian. Away from… distractions. Let me prove I can be more than a burden.”

“No.”

Her lips parted. “No? A flush of embarrassment stained her cheeks. She glanced at Jane and Ezra, who carefully kept their eyes on the floor, then back at him.

Kaelen’s glare was cutting. “You will not touch my business. Not now, not ever.”

Color flooded her cheeks. “Is this about Adrian? she snapped suddenly. Is that why you can’t even look at me anymore? Because the one you wanted was him all along?”

Gasps whispered through the room.

Kaelen’s voice was like ice. “Don’t embarrass yourself. Or me. Get out.”

Her breath hitched, tears pooling in her eyes. With a sharp turn, she stormed from the room, heels clicking like gunfire.

The silence left behind was suffocating.

“Dismissed,” Kaelen said coldly.

His employees rose, bowing slightly before slipping out one by one.

Alone again, Kaelen clenched his fists against the desk, knuckles whitening. Adrian’s name pulsed through his veins like poison. Sun City. He was there. He could feel it.

And he must do anything to find his little puppy....

......... The Sun-city bar

The clock struck three in the morning, when Adrian finally stripped off his apron, exhausted from the night. The club’s noise faded as Adrian pulled hung the apron, exhaustion pressing on his shoulders. Stepping out into the cool night, he tugged his jacket tighter.

“Hey!”

Rico caught up, slipping an arm around Adrian’s shoulders with infuriating ease. “Need a ride? My car’s out back.”

“No thanks, Adrian muttered, shrugging him off. My apartment’s close.”

Rico pouted dramatically. “What, you don’t trust me? I promise I don’t bite. Hard.”

“I said no.” Adrian’s tone was flat.

Rico’s grin widened anyway. “Suit yourself. But don’t blame me when you get mugged in these dark streets. As he turned away, his hand shot out, giving Adrian’s ass a playful squeeze. Rain check, gorgeous.”

Adrian froze, eyes flashing dangerously, but Rico was already walking off, laughing.

Teeth gritted, Adrian shoved his hands into his pockets and started down the empty street.

The city was quieter here, shadows stretching long under the flickering streetlights. His wolf stirred uneasily, senses sharpening. His heart hammered, the mate-mark scar on his arm burning faintly, as if warning him.

Footsteps echoed behind him.

He quickened his pace.

The footsteps matched.

His pulse spiked. Not one. Two. Maybe three. The scents pricked at his nose familiar, but faint, masked by the wind.

Adrian’s jog became a run, breath ragged, heart hammering.

The pursuit grew louder, closer.

Suddenly, his foot caught on uneven pavement. He stumbled, hit the ground hard, palms scraping against rough concrete.

“Who’s there?!” His voice cracked, feral edge slipping through.

Silence.

Then a scent drifted to him. Recognition slammed into his chest, sharp and brutal.

“No,” he whispered.

From the shadows, a voice slithered forward, cold and amused.

“Well, well, well… Look what I've caught”

Before Adrian could move, strong fingers clamped around his throat, yanking him up like he weighed nothing.

The world spun, his lungs burning for air. 

And the night swallowed his scream.