Romans & histoires Running From The Shadow Of Hopeless Love

“Yes.” “You took my brother.” “I gave you your brother.” “You took Amara.” “I gave you Amara.” “You took my memories.” “I gave you truth.” Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?” The Shadow answered: “I want my children.” ⸻ Amara stood before the same darkness. The little girl beside her disappeared. The First Shadow appeared. It towered over her. “You came back.” Amara raised her chin. “I came to destroy you.” “You came because you love him.”

He struggled weakly, pain etched into his face, his eyes begging me to run but I couldn’t run because I was a mother, mate and a woman who had survived everything the world had thrown at her. “Decide, omega,” the Shadow whispered, its claws sinking deeper into Kael’s heart. “Before there is nothing left to trade.” I looked at the cracked medallion then at the man I loved and I knew what I had to do.

And deep in my bones, I know: this forbidden love, this untamed passion, may be the only thing that can save us. The threat of darkness is everywhere. But in his arms, I feel like I can defy it. Maybe we won’t win. Maybe all we have is this fragile spark of hope. But I won’t let go. I won’t let them break us. He looks at me as if I’m his only reason to keep going. And somehow… I know I am. Just as he is mine. “Come on,” Shadow breathes, his voice a vow carved in steel. “No matter what happens—we fight for us.”

At the valley behind her. I stopped running, she said. I stopped being afraid of the hunger. I fed it. Not with blood. With life. With love. With people who saw me and didn't flinch. The shadow's red eyes dimmed. I cannot feed on love. Then you've never tried, Cass said. The shadow looked at him. At his gold eyes. At his hand in Luan's. I have tried nothing, the shadow said. I have only slept and woken and hungered.

“I love you, I can do anything for you. You love this face. I know.” “Yes, I do love your face. Your face is uncanny to him but you’re not him. I loved him, but I never liked you let alone love you.” “I can be him for you.” “No, you can’t.” Shadow swept her face in frustration. “I loved him and I love Malikul. He was my first love and Malikul is my second love.” “I can offer the same love,” he said in desperation. “But I can’t. I can’t.” She cut him, swept her long hair to the back. Her bloodshot eyes glimpsed at him. “I can’t love you. Your face brings nothing but pain to me.”

“What did they give you, in return?” Ava’s voice was barely a breath. “You’re not real.” “I’m more real than you are now,” the shadow said, stepping closer. “I’m what you cut out. What you buried. The rage. The hunger. The truth.” The forest groaned around them. “You’re a threat,” Ava whispered. “A mistake.” “No.” The shadow’s smile widened. “I’m what happens when you tear your soul into four pieces and offer them to love. I’m the piece that was left behind.”

I stumble again, my feet slipping, and the shadow seems to pause for just a moment like it’s waiting for me to catch up. I run. I keep running, the dark ground shifting beneath me, trembling like it’s alive. My feet slap against the soft, unseen surface, every step feeling like I’m getting closer to something—anything. But the closer I get to the shadow, the farther it drifts, pulling me deeper into this endless void. I reach out, my fingers just grazing the air where I thought it was. I can’t tell if it’s real if it’s truly Damien, but I know I can’t give up.

Someone who had accompanied me in times of trouble. “As of this moment, you are no longer part of my syndicate. You are no longer my friend or brother. You mean nothing to me. You are dead to me. I don't want to ever see you around me again. Take your… whore with you, far away from here.” I turned my back on them, not wanting to see another second of their existence. Of his betrayal. My hands were still bloody, trembling, but a strange numbness had settled over me. I walked out of that warehouse, leaving Mariana half dead, with the man who claimed to love her, the man I had once trusted with my life. He was nothing but a shadow now.”

I glanced over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of two figures trailing me. “Shit,” I muttered under my breath, picking up my pace. The footsteps quickened, matching mine. Panic shot through me, and I broke into a run, my boots slamming against the pavement. The package thumped against my side with every step, a stark reminder of why I couldn’t stop. “Stop!” one of them shouted, their voice sharp and commanding. Like hell I would. I darted down an alley, the narrow space barely wide enough for me to squeeze through. My lungs burned, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I pushed forward. I could hear them behind me, their footsteps echoing off the brick walls.

Nora chuckled softly, leaning close to whisper in my ear, "You're such a natural-born servant." I laughed at myself but didn't respond. Seeing me ignore her, Nora grabbed a large nail clipper from the side. Before I could react, she clipped her own finger, drawing blood. "Miles!" She shrieked in agony. Miles burst into the room. The moment he saw blood trickling from her finger, his fury erupted. "Leilani Jabs, what's wrong with you?" I was stunned. He swept all the nail tools off the table with a loud crash, shouting in rage, "How many times do I have to say it? Even if Nora wanted to compete with you, could you ever become my official girlfriend?