Jayden

I spent the rest of the night parked on the couch in Zane’s office, with nothing to do except watch him reject and accept new hires that Lucien brought in. Each decision came with a casual: “weak”, “soft”, "pale", “okay”, “not bad”.

He barely looked up, just scrolled through his tablet, answering calls in that emotionless tone of his and every now and then, I’d catch him glancing at me.

Bored out of my mind, I pulled out my phone and started playing COD. It had been so long since I had absolutely nothing to do and was not worried about my chasers. I lost track of time until my phone buzzed with a low battery warning.

“Excuse me,” I said, glancing up at him. “Can I use your charger? My phone is low.”

Without a word, he passed the charger and went right back to his screen. What was he even looking at on that thing?

Once my phone was charging, I was now completely out of distractions. And so, I turned to my new boss who is yet to assign any job to me other than telling me to “stay put”. I decided to speak up.

“Uhm… is there anything I can do?”

“Is it that hard to stay put for just one night?” he asked, without lifting his head.

I blinked, unsure if I should be annoyed or offended.

This is the same man who kissed me a few hours ago, and now he’s acting like I’m a nuisance–even breathing too laid would piss him off.

“I’m not used to staying idle for a long time,” I replied, trying to sound professional but also just a little passive-aggressive. “I came here to work, and you haven’t exactly assigned me anything yet.”

“Sleep.”

“What?”

“You can’t sleep either? That’s strange,” he said, finally glancing my way.

I stared at him, not amused.

“I mean… I’m supposed to be learning about the nightclub if I’m going to assist you. How can I help if I don’t know anything about LUNARI?” I tried reasoning with him.

“You’ll learn tomorrow, but for today, I want you to rest.” He responded back.

Yeah. Clearly, I wasn’t getting anything out of him tonight so I turned, laid down on the couch and did what he asked me to. Sleep.

Morning came, and I heard Lucien’s voice as he entered again, “…Everyone’s been accounted for and they’ve all gone home, no death recorded today, just minor injuries recorded, a few hundred. The account’s balanced, and the club is officially closed for the day. We’re free to go, boss.”

Zane grunted and I heard him get up.

“Jayden,” he called.

I didn’t move. He told me to sleep, so I was committing to the bit.

“Jayden,” he called again.

Silence.

“That’s his name, right? Jayden?” he asked Lucien.

Lucien chucked, “Yep. Jayden.

“This is getting interesting,” Lucien snorted.

“Jayden,” Zane tried again.

Nothing.

Then I heard, “You brought this on yourself. Just so you know.”

What does he mean by that?

Suddenly, I felt strong arms scoop me up like I was a feather pillow—in a full-on bridal carry.

WTH!!!

“Put me down!” I yelped, completely caught off-guard.

How did he even come up with this?

“Oh, you’re awake,” he said, sounding amused, his deep voice vibrating through his chest.

Lucien laughed loudly.

“Yes, I am awake. Put me down.” I snapped, struggling to get out of his grip, but he was too strong and surprisingly moving easily with me in his arms.

I mean, sure, I wasn’t bulky or muscular as most guys my age, but I wasn’t that lean either. I believe I was manly too but this man made it look like I weighed nothing.

“Let me get that for you.” I heard Lucien say and I turned and saw that he was about to leave the office. With me in his arms. No freaking way.

I fought harder.

“Can you stay still?” Zane warned. “I gave you a chance to walk on your own but you didn’t move, I had to make you move somehow, we’re going to my house. I need sleep.”

“You can’t just carry me out like this!” I cried out.

“And why not?”

“Well for one, people will stare,” I replied.

“Nobody is in the club,” Lucien said, still entertained.

“You heard him,” Zane added and kept walking.

“Wait… wait,” I scrambled for an excuse, “Please put me down. I feel… nauseous!”

Obviously, he could tell it was a lie but he obliged anyway. Soon I was on my two feet.

“Thank you,” I muttered, heat creeping up my neck.

“Let’s go.” He said and walked out.

I followed him, Lucien, beside me.

The once-packed club was a ghost town now, not a single soul around.

“Told you.” Lucien said with a grin.

I glanced at him and then looked ahead at Zane. Even the way he walked was so damn hot.

“Ahem.” Lucien caught me staring.

I quickly looked away and he laughed again.

We reached the garage and I saw Zane head towards a silver Rolls-Royce Phantom and Lucien veered off towards a sleek black Maybach.

I stopped in my tracks, who was I supposed to ride with?

“You’re coming with me,” Zane said without turning around.

Lucien gave a low whistle as he entered his car, “See you at home, Alpha. You too, Luna.” He added, giving me a wink.

Zane hissed.

Alpha? Luna? What were those?

“You need help moving again?” Zane asked, irritation creeping into his tone.

I swallowed. “No. I’m good.”

Damn, this was going to be a long ride back to wherever we were headed.

***

The car was silent. Not the awkward kind, but the kind that wrapped itself around you—thick, padded, and way too heavy for someone like me, who grew up in chaos and constant noise.

Zane sat beside me, his hand on the steering wheel, his profile sharp under the morning light. He hadn’t said a word since we left LUNARIS. Not even a grunt.

My legs bounced a little, nervous energy crackling through me. This car was worth more than everything I’d ever owned. Not like I even had enough to start with. I shifted in my seat, my fingers tightening around the sleeves of my hoodie as I peeked at him.

He didn’t even flinch.

Damn.

The roads started to blur as we got farther away from the city. I stared out the window trying to focus on anything but how weird this all was.

Just two days ago, I was jumping motels and barely made it to the city. Now I was in a phantom with a man who looked like a Greek god, on our way to his residence. Yeah. Definitely not wired at all.

I pulled my hoodie over my head as I thought of my parents, I couldn't even remember what they looked like or what my life was like before I started getting chased every day. Did they ever love me? Or was I just dumped in the world like a forgotten sock? I hated that no one had ever come looking for me. I hated that I still hoped.

I was all alone and apparently not so human, if Lucien’s weird comment and Zane’s reactions were anything to go by.

The silence stretched again.

I stared at the man beside me. Again. Probably the hundredth time.

“Why? You have anything to say?” he said, breathing the silence.

“Do you always drive in silence?” I asked.

“Silence helps me think.” He answered.

Another silence.

“How long are we going to take before reaching your house?” I asked.

He didn’t answer, he just drove. Our eyes met for a second, and I felt something tug in my stomach, I quickly looked away and I heard him suck his breath and I noticed his hand tightening on the steering wheel.

We drove for what felt like forever, winding through private roads lined with tall pines. The city was long gone, replaced with woods and mist curling over hills.

Then suddenly, he turned in a corner and I saw the sign, SILVERSPIRE, spread across it.

My stomach flipped.

Then he drove further down and then I saw the gate.

Tall. Ornate with white metal woven into the shape of two wolves circling a crescent moon, glowing faintly under the early sun. Marble pillars stood on each side carved with symbols I didn’t recognize but felt somehow drawn to.

I sat up straight, forgetting to breathe for a second.

“Holy shit” I whispered.

Zane didn’t react. He just drove forward as the gate slowly began to open, parting like an entrance to a secret world.

And I had a feeling that my life would never be the same anymore.