Chapter 39

The estate didn’t feel the same anymore.

Charlotte noticed it first in the quiet.

Not the peaceful kind.

The listening kind.

MORNING__

Eli came back late from training.

Again.

Charlotte was already awake when he entered the room.

Sitting on the edge of the bed.

Waiting.

He paused when he saw her.

“…You’re still up?”

Charlotte nodded.

“…I couldn’t sleep.”

Eli closed the door behind him and exhaled softly.

“…You should rest.”

Charlotte studied him.

Not his face this time.

His energy.

Something was different.

“…Did something happen?”

Eli frowned slightly.

“…No.”

Too fast.

Too clean.

Too rehearsed.

Charlotte stood slowly.

“…Eli.”

He looked at her.

“…Yeah?”

She walked closer.

Not aggressive.

Not emotional.

Just careful.

“…Why do I feel like you’re not here fully?”

Silence.

That hit him.

Because it was true.

But he didn’t know how to say it.

So he defaulted to what he always did.

“…I’m fine.”

Charlotte shook her head slightly.

“…No, you’re not.”

Eli sighed.

“…It’s just training. That’s all.”

But Charlotte didn’t answer immediately.

She stepped closer again.

And this time—

Her voice dropped.

“…It’s him, isn’t it?”

Eli froze.

Just for a second.

But she saw it.

And that was enough.

Eli rubbed the back of his neck.

“…Charlotte, it’s not like that.”

She didn’t react emotionally.

No anger.

No tears.

Just quiet disappointment.

“…Then why does it feel like I’m losing you when he’s near?”

Eli shook his head quickly.

“…You’re not losing me.”

Charlotte’s eyes didn’t leave him.

“…But you hesitate now.”

That made him stop.

Because she was right.

And he hated that she was right.

“…I don’t.”

Charlotte stepped closer again.

Now right in front of him.

“…You do.”

Silence.

Longer this time.

He looked away.

That was the answer.

And Charlotte felt it land in her chest.

Heavy.

Her voice softened.

“…Eli… I’m not stupid.”

He looked back at her.

“…I didn’t say you were.”

“…But something is happening to you.”

Eli exhaled.

Frustrated now.

“…Nothing is happening.”

Charlotte’s voice trembled slightly for the first time.

“…Then why do I feel like I have to compete with someone who isn’t even trying to take you?”

That question hit differently.

Eli didn’t answer.

Because the truth was—

Kieran wasn’t competing.

He wasn’t even asking.

He was simply existing.

And that alone was enough.

ELSEWHERE — KIERAN__

Kieran stood at the edge of the training grounds.

Silent.

Still.

But alert.

Something was wrong.

He could feel it.

Not physically.

Not clearly.

But instinctively.

He turned slightly.

One of his subordinates approached.

“…Any movement from the outer perimeter?”

The man shook his head.

“…No Alpha.”

Kieran narrowed his eyes.

“…Increase surveillance anyway.”

The man hesitated.

“…Is there a threat?”

Kieran paused.

Just for a moment.

Then:

“…There always is.”

CHARLOTTE & ELI__

Back in the room, Charlotte sat down again slowly.

Eli didn’t move.

Not immediately.

Then he spoke quietly.

“…You’re overthinking it.”

That phrase—

Charlotte had heard it too many times now.

She shook her head.

“…No. I’m noticing it.”

Eli frowned.

“…Noticing what?”

Charlotte looked up at him.

Really looked.

“…You.”

Silence.

“…And how you change when he’s around.”

That made something tighten in Eli’s chest.

“…I don’t change.”

Charlotte stood again.

This time, her voice cracked slightly.

“…You do, Eli.”

He stepped forward.

“…Charlotte—”

She cut him off.

“…I’m not blaming you.”

That stopped him.

Her voice softened again.

“…But I feel it.”

A pause.

Then quieter:

“…And I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that feeling.”

Silence.

Eli exhaled slowly.

Then pulled her into him.

Not forceful.

Not urgent.

Just grounding.

“…You’re not losing me.”

Charlotte closed her eyes briefly.

But she didn’t fully relax.

Because now—

She wasn’t sure if that was something he could control anymore.

THE WATCHERS__

Far beyond the estate, shadows moved.

Not random.

Organized.

Focused.

A voice spoke low:

“…She’s still the link.”

Another replied:

“…And he’s still predictable when it comes to her.”

A pause.

Then:

“…We move soon.”

No hesitation.

No fear.

Just intent.

KIERAN & ELI__

Later that day, Eli found Kieran again.

He didn’t want to.

But something about everything felt off.

Kieran was alone.

As usual.

Eli stepped in.

“…Why are there more guards around Charlotte?”

Kieran didn’t look at him immediately.

“…Security.”

Eli frowned.

“…For what?”

Kieran finally turned.

Eyes sharp.

“…Do you want me to wait until something happens?”

Eli crossed his arms.

“…That’s not an answer.”

Kieran stepped closer.

Not aggressive.

But controlled.

“…It’s the only answer you need.”

Silence.

Eli didn’t like that.

“…You’re hiding something.”

Kieran didn’t deny it.

That alone was enough.

Eli shook his head slightly.

“…You always do this.”

Kieran’s gaze darkened slightly.

“…And you always question protection when it’s inconvenient.”

That landed.

Eli clenched his jaw.

“…It’s not about inconvenience.”

Kieran’s voice lowered.

“…Then what is it about?”

Silence.

Eli didn’t answer.

Because he didn’t fully know.

And that frustration—

Was growing.

That night, Charlotte stayed awake again.

This time not waiting.

Just thinking.

Eli lay beside her.

Quiet.

But not fully present.

Across the estate, Kieran stood alone again.

Watching the dark.

And somewhere far beyond the walls—

The Watchers finally moved closer.

Step by step.

Into position.