Chapter 33

Morning came too softly for a place like this.

No alarms.

No city noise.

Just light—spilling quietly through tall windows as if nothing dangerous existed beyond them.

Eli woke first.

For a moment, he didn’t move.

Charlotte was still in his arms, her head resting against his chest, her breathing slow and even. One of her hands was curled loosely into his shirt like she had fallen asleep holding onto him.

He watched her.

Longer than he meant to.

Because something about this—

this quiet, this closeness—

felt… fragile.

Like it could break if he moved too fast.

His hand shifted gently, brushing her hair back from her face.

“…You’re still here,” he murmured.

Charlotte stirred slightly, her lashes fluttering before she slowly opened her eyes.

For a second, she looked confused.

Then she saw him.

And smiled.

“…Good morning.”

Eli exhaled, something in his chest easing.

“Yeah. Morning.”

She stretched slightly, then frowned playfully.

“…Are you just going to stare at me?”

Eli smirked faintly.

“…Maybe.”

Charlotte laughed softly and nudged him.

“Shameless.”

But she didn’t move away.

If anything—

She leaned closer.

The moment they stepped out of the room—

Reality came back.

People moved through the halls.

Guards. Subordinates.

Every single one of them—

Paused.

Then bowed.

Eli noticed it again.

Still not used to it.

“…They do that every time,” he muttered.

Charlotte blinked.

“…Why are they bowing?”

Eli scratched the back of his neck.

“…Kieran.”

That was explanation enough.

Charlotte’s expression shifted slightly.

Curious.

Uneasy.

Before she could ask more—

A voice cut in.

Smooth.

Sharp.

Amused.

“…So this is the girl.”

They both turned.

And there she was.

Seraphina.

Standing like she owned the space.

Elegant. Confident. Dangerous in a way that didn’t need to be loud.

Her gaze moved over Charlotte slowly—

Assessing.

Measuring.

Then she smiled.

Not warmly.

“…You’re prettier than I expected.”

Charlotte didn’t shrink.

Didn’t step back.

“…And you are?”

Seraphina tilted her head slightly.

“…Someone who’s been here long before you.”

That wasn’t an answer.

And they both knew it.

Eli stepped slightly in front of Charlotte.

Subtle.

But clear.

“…What do you want?”

Seraphina’s eyes flicked to him.

Interest sparking immediately.

“…Ah. So protective.”

She stepped closer.

Slow.

Intentional.

“…Relax. I’m not here to hurt her.”

A pause.

Then softer—

Almost teasing:

“…Not yet, anyway.”

Eli’s jaw tightened.

“…Try it.”

Seraphina smiled wider.

“…There it is.”

She leaned in slightly.

“…You don’t even react like this to Kieran.”

Eli frowned.

“…Why would I?”

That answer—

That simple, honest answer—

Caught her off guard for half a second.

Then she laughed.

Soft.

Genuine this time.

“…You’re interesting.”

Her gaze shifted back to Charlotte.

“…Be careful,” she said lightly.

“…You’re holding something very dangerous without even realizing it.”

Charlotte didn’t look away.

“…I know exactly what I’m holding.”

That made Seraphina pause.

Then—

Slowly—

She smiled again.

“…We’ll see.”

And just like that—

She walked past them.

Like a storm that chose not to land.

KIERAN__

Kieran saw everything.

From across the hall.

From the moment they stepped out together.

From the way Eli stood slightly in front of Charlotte.

From the way Charlotte stayed close to him.

From the way they looked at each other.

He didn’t move.

Didn’t interrupt.

But the air around him—

Was colder.

One of his men approached carefully.

“…Alpha, should we—”

“No.”

The answer came instantly.

Cold.

Final.

The man bowed quickly and stepped back.

Kieran’s gaze remained fixed.

On Eli.

Not Charlotte.

Never Charlotte.

Just him.

“…You chose her again.”

It wasn’t anger this time.

Not loud.

Not explosive.

Just—

Quiet.

Heavy.

LATER — SMALL MOMENTS

Eli stayed close to Charlotte.

Closer than before.

He made sure she ate.

Made sure she rested.

Made sure she wasn’t left alone.

Even small things—

“…Did you finish that?”

“…Eat properly.”

“…You look tired.”

Charlotte noticed it.

Of course she did.

“…You’re hovering,” she teased lightly.

Eli shrugged.

“…Maybe.”

She smiled.

“…I don’t mind.”

But deep down—

She understood.

He was scared.

Still scared.

SERAPHINA__

Later that day—

Seraphina found Kieran.

Of course she did.

She leaned casually against the wall near him.

“…You’re letting this happen?”

Kieran didn’t look at her.

“…Leave.”

She ignored that.

“…She’s human. Weak. Temporary.”

Silence.

Then—

Kieran spoke.

Low.

Dangerous.

“…Careful.”

That was enough warning for most people.

But not Seraphina.

“…You’ve never hesitated like this before,” she continued.

“…You used to take what you wanted.”

That made his gaze shift.

Slowly.

“…I still do.”

Seraphina smiled slightly.

“…Then why is he still choosing her?”

That—

That hit.

For a split second—

Something dangerous flickered in Kieran’s eyes.

Seraphina noticed.

Of course she did.

“…Ah,” she murmured.

“…So that’s where it hurts.”

She pushed off the wall.

“…Don’t worry,” she added lightly.

“…I’ll help you test something.”

Kieran’s voice dropped instantly.

“…Do not touch them.”

Seraphina only smiled.

And walked away.

THAT NIGHT__

Eli stood on the balcony.

Charlotte beside him.

The air was calm.

Too calm.

“…Do you regret coming here?” he asked quietly.

Charlotte shook her head.

“…No.”

A pause.

Then she added:

“…As long as I’m with you.”

Eli looked at her.

Something soft returning to his expression.

“…You’re not going anywhere.”

Charlotte smiled.

“…Neither are you.”

They stood there together.

Close.

Unaware—

Of the storm slowly building around them.