Chapter 31

Charlotte didn’t notice them at first.

That was the problem.

They were better this time.

No hesitation. No obvious approach.

Just movement.

Quiet.

Calculated.

She was walking back from a small store, her phone in hand, texting Eli.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry too much.”

A lie.

But a necessary one.

Because even as she typed it—

She felt it again.

That same unease.

That same feeling of being watched.

Her steps slowed.

“…Not again…”

A shadow moved behind her.

Then—

Hands.

Fast.

Precise.

One grabbed her arm.

Another reached for her mouth—

But before they could complete it—

A force slammed into them.

Violent.

Sudden.

Kieran’s men.

They moved like trained predators.

Silent. Efficient.

Within seconds—

The attackers were forced back.

Not defeated.

But interrupted.

“…Retreat,” one of them muttered.

And just like that—

They vanished again.

Charlotte stood frozen.

Breathing hard.

Her heart racing violently in her chest.

“…Eli…”

Her hands shook slightly.

But instead of calling him—

She steadied herself.

And chose silence.

LATER —

Eli picked up immediately.

“…Charlotte?”

Her voice came out soft.

Too soft.

“I’m okay.”

Eli frowned.

“…You sound tired.”

She forced a small laugh.

“Just a long day.”

Eli relaxed slightly.

“…You sure?”

A pause.

Then:

“Yeah.”

A lie.

But one he accepted.

Because he wanted to.

NIGHT — THE TRUTH REVEALED

Eli wasn’t supposed to hear it.

That was the truth.

He had gone looking for water.

But instead—

He heard voices.

Kieran’s men.

“…They tried again today.”

Eli froze.

“…But we stopped them before extraction.”

His heart dropped instantly.

Extraction?

“…The girl was shaken but unharmed.”

Silence.

Then Kieran’s voice.

Low.

Controlled.

“…You allowed them to get that close.”

The air shifted.

Even Eli could feel it.

“…It won’t happen again, Alpha.”

A pause.

Then Kieran said quietly:

“…It should never have happened at all.”

Eli’s hands clenched.

Charlotte.

They came after Charlotte.

Again.

And she didn’t tell him.

THE CONFRONTATION__

The door slammed open.

Everyone inside turned.

Eli stood there.

Eyes burning.

“…You knew.”

Silence.

Kieran looked at him.

Calm.

“…Yes.”

Eli stepped forward.

“…And you didn’t tell me?”

Kieran didn’t move.

“…You would have reacted emotionally.”

Eli let out a bitter laugh.

“…You think I’m not reacting now?”

His voice cracked slightly.

“…They went after her.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Eli’s chest tightened.

“…Bring her here.”

Kieran’s eyes sharpened slightly.

“…No.”

Eli froze.

“…What?”

Kieran stepped forward.

“…This place is not safe for her.”

Eli shook his head.

“…Nowhere is safe for her because of me!”

That hit.

Even Kieran didn’t interrupt.

Eli’s voice dropped.

Broken now.

“…She’s in danger because of me…”

A pause.

Then, more firmly:

“…So bring her here.”

Kieran held his gaze.

Long.

Silent.

Then finally—

“…If she comes here, she becomes part of this war.”

Eli didn’t hesitate.

“…She already is.”

Silence.

That was the truth.

And they both knew it.

Kieran exhaled slowly.

Then turned.

“…Prepare transport.”

REUNION__

Charlotte didn’t expect to see him.

Not so soon.

Not like this.

The moment she stepped into the estate—

Eli was already there.

Waiting.

The second their eyes met—

Everything else disappeared.

“Eli—”

She didn’t finish.

Because he pulled her into him.

Tightly.

Too tightly.

His arms wrapped around her like he was afraid she would disappear.

“…Don’t do that again,” he whispered.

His voice broke.

“…Don’t lie to me like that…”

Charlotte froze.

Then slowly hugged him back.

“I didn’t want you to worry…”

Eli shook his head.

“…You almost got taken.”

Her breath caught.

“…You know…”

He pulled back slightly.

Eyes wet.

“…I heard everything.”

Silence.

Then Charlotte reached up—

And touched his face gently.

“I’m here.”

That was all she needed to say.

Eli closed his eyes for a second.

Then leaned in—

And kissed her.

Soft.

Real.

Grounding.

KIERAN__

Kieran stood in the distance.

Still.

Silent.

But his hand—

Clenched.

Tight.

His jaw hardened slightly.

As he watched them.

Holding each other.

Kissing.

Choosing each other.

“…So this is what stands between us…”

His voice was barely audible.

Then—

A thought crossed his mind.

Sharp.

Cold.

At least… that wasn’t his first kiss.

FLASHBACK__

A younger Eli stood close to him.

Breathing softly.

Eyes half-lidded.

“…Kieran…”

The name was softer back then.

Warmer.

Kieran stepped closer.

Then gently—

He kissed him.

Slow.

Careful.

Like something precious.

Eli didn’t pull away.

Not back then.

ANOTHER MEMORY__

Night.

A quiet room.

Eli asleep.

Kieran sitting beside him.

Watching.

Always watching.

His hand moved gently through Eli’s hair.

“…You’ve grown well…”

A soft kiss to his forehead.

“…You’re mine.”

Another to his lips.

“…Only mine.”

Eli stirred slightly.

But never woke.

BACK TO PRESENT

Kieran’s eyes darkened.

“…And you forgot everything.”

LATER —

Charlotte stayed close to Eli.

Closer than before.

Like she needed to hold onto him.

And Eli—

Didn’t let go.

Not even for a moment.

From across the hall—

A woman watched.

Elegant.

Sharp.

Beautiful.

Seraphina.

“…So this is the one,” she murmured.

Her eyes moved from Charlotte—

To Eli.

Then—

To Kieran.

And for the first time—

She smiled.

Because things just got interesting.