Shadows of the Past  

The soft hum of chatter and clinking cups filled the cozy space of Rhea’s café. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint sweetness of pastries, creating a sense of comfort that Rhea desperately clung to. It was her haven, her safe space. But today, the air felt heavier, charged with something she couldn’t quite place.

Rhea stood behind the counter, wiping down the espresso machine, her mind distracted. Kaelan’s cold departure last night lingered in her thoughts. There was something in his eyes—a mix of pain and fear—that unsettled her. She hated how much she cared, how deeply her thoughts revolved around him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She was supposed to keep her walls high, her emotions guarded. But Kaelan… he was breaking through, and that terrified her.

The bell above the door jingled, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked up, expecting another regular customer, but her heart dropped. Standing there, dressed sharply in a tailored black coat, was Zane. His presence was a shadow from her past, one she wished she could forget.

Zane’s dark eyes scanned the café, locking onto her. His lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes—a predator’s smile. Rhea felt a chill run down her spine.

“Rhea,” Zane greeted, his voice smooth yet laced with something sinister. “It’s been a while.”

Her grip on the rag tightened. “Zane,” she said evenly, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. “What are you doing here?”

He walked toward the counter with the confidence of someone who knew he was unwelcome but didn’t care. “Can’t an old friend stop by for a cup of coffee?” He tilted his head, feigning innocence.

“We stopped being friends a long time ago,” Rhea replied, her tone sharp. She didn’t have the patience for his games, not today. “If you want coffee, there are other places in town.”

Zane chuckled, the sound low and mocking. “Still as fiery as ever. I always liked that about you.”

Rhea’s jaw clenched. She hated the way he spoke, like he still had power over her. She hated that a part of her still felt small in his presence. But she wasn’t the same girl she used to be. She wouldn’t let him intimidate her.

“I’m busy,” she said curtly, turning her back to him as she pretended to clean the counter. “You know your way out.”

But Zane didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned against the counter, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m not here just for coffee, Rhea. I want to talk.”

She froze for a moment before turning back to face him, her eyes narrowing. “We have nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, I think we do.” Zane’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Kaelan, haven’t you?”

Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. “What does that have to do with you?”

Zane leaned closer, his voice low and threatening. “You see, Kaelan and I have… unfinished business. And you, sweetheart, are right in the middle of it.”

Rhea’s stomach churned. She hated the way he called her sweetheart, the way his words slithered like poison. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, her voice firm.

Zane’s eyes darkened, his smile fading. “Don’t play dumb, Rhea. I know Kaelan’s little secret. He’s cursed, isn’t he? The Alpha werewolf who can’t control his own beast.”

Her breath hitched, and she took an involuntary step back. How did Zane know? Her mind raced, but she forced herself to stay calm. “You’re insane.”

“Am I?” Zane’s tone was taunting. “Tell me, has he told you everything? Or is he still keeping you in the dark, just like he does with everyone else? Typical Kaelan, always so guarded.”

Rhea clenched her fists, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. “If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not going to work.”

“Scare you?” Zane laughed, the sound cold and humorless. “No, Rhea. I’m trying to protect you. Kaelan is dangerous. He’ll drag you down with him, just like he did with everyone else who trusted him.”

Before she could respond, the bell above the door jingled again. Rhea’s eyes darted to the entrance, and her heart skipped a beat. Kaelan stood there, his tall frame tense, his piercing eyes locked on Zane. The air in the room shifted, heavy with unspoken tension.

“Kaelan,” Zane greeted, his voice dripping with mockery. “What a surprise.”

Kaelan’s jaw tightened, and he stepped forward, his movements deliberate and controlled. “Zane,” he said, his tone low and dangerous. “What are you doing here?”

“Just catching up with an old friend,” Zane replied, his smile returning. “We were just talking about you.”

Kaelan’s eyes flicked to Rhea, searching her face for any sign of distress. She gave him a small, almost imperceptible shake of her head, silently telling him she was fine. But the way his hands clenched into fists told her he didn’t believe her.

“You need to leave,” Kaelan said, his voice cold and commanding.

“Or what?” Zane challenged, stepping closer to Kaelan. The two men stood face to face now, the tension crackling like a live wire. “You’ll fight me here? In front of all these people?”

Kaelan’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t move. Rhea could see the struggle in him, the way he was holding himself back. He couldn’t risk exposing himself, not here, not now.

“Leave,” Kaelan repeated, his voice deadly quiet. “Now.”

Zane smirked, clearly enjoying the power play. “Fine,” he said, stepping back. But before he turned to leave, he looked at Rhea one last time. “Be careful, Rhea. You never know what kind of monsters are hiding in plain sight.”

And with that, he walked out, leaving the door swinging shut behind him.

The café was quiet now, the hum of conversation subdued as everyone tried to pretend they hadn’t just witnessed the confrontation. Rhea let out a shaky breath, her hands gripping the edge of the counter. Kaelan was still standing there, his eyes fixed on the door as though he could will Zane to disappear.

“Rhea,” he said finally, his voice softer now. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, but her hands were trembling. “What was that about, Kaelan? Why does he know about you?”

Kaelan hesitated, his gaze shifting away from her. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” she repeated, her voice rising. “That’s not good enough, Kaelan. He knew things about you, things you haven’t told me. What’s going on?”

Kaelan ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “I can’t explain it right now. You just have to trust me.”

“Trust you?” Rhea laughed bitterly. “How can I trust you when you keep hiding things from me?”

Kaelan took a step closer to her, his eyes pleading. “I’m trying to protect you, Rhea. You don’t understand how dangerous he is.”

“And what about you?” she shot back. “How dangerous are you, Kaelan?”

The question hung in the air like a storm cloud. Kaelan’s face hardened, and he took a step back, his walls slamming back into place. “You don’t need to be afraid of me,” he said quietly. “But you should stay away from Zane.”

Before she could respond, he turned and walked out, leaving her standing there once again with more questions than answers.

Rhea sank into the nearest chair, her mind spinning. Zane’s words echoed in her head: “Kaelan is dangerous. He’s cursed.” She didn’t want to believe him, but the doubt was already creeping in.

What was Kaelan hiding? And how much longer could she ignore the truth?