Why's he here?

ALEXANDER

I got dressed for the operation. Father made it clear he wanted the warehouse to be razed down tonight, and I was more than ready to do that. I slipped into my black shirt and slacks, the fabric blending seamlessly with the darkness. My eyes locked onto Max, my trusted second-in-command, as we prepared for the mission. I chose him because he was the only one I counted on enough in the house. 

“Check your gear. Make sure the mistake you made last week doesn't repeat itself.” 

“All good, sir.” Max nodded, his hands moving swiftly over his equipment. “Is there anything else you want me to confirm?”

“I've got it. Everything is complete.”

We loaded our vehicles with necessary supplies: guns, explosives, and communication devices. I went through everything, to be certain we weren't leaving anything behind. The mission, according to my father, has to be successful. 

It was a gift to Aithan's father. 

The night air swallowed us whole as we drove away from our base. The only sound was the hum of the engine and that of my heart thumping loudly in my chest. I couldn't wait to get everything done. I felt a thrill, just thinking of setting the entire place ablaze, ammunition, drugs, and even the fucking guards. Adrenaline coursed through my veins at the thought. 

Max parked our car a mile from the warehouse, so we wouldn't be tracked. We got down and surveyed the location, to be certain we picked the right place. 

The darkness enveloped us like a shroud, the only light coming from distant street lights, and the dull one from the warehouse.

“Stay sharp,” I warned Max, my eyes scanning the perimeter. “I don't want any mistakes. We need to be precise about this. Just a few shots and you will throw the explosives. Understood?”

“Always, sir!”

“Good.”

We crept forward, our footsteps silent on the asphalt. The warehouse loomed before us, its towering structure in the darkness. Max followed closely behind me, his eyes scanning the place so we wouldn't be sneaked up on. 

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm, his grip tight. “There's someone out here,” he whispered.

We ducked behind a nearby car, our hearts racing. I pulled out my pistol, the metal cool against my palm. As I aimed, a figure emerged from the shadows, I discovered there was more than one person. Though they were far from where we were, any sound could alert them. 

“Cuss it,” I muttered, ducking for cover.

Max followed suit, his eyes locked on mine. “What do we do? Should I shoot him?”

“And risk alerting the others to our presence?”

I peeked over the car, my gun trained on the mysterious figure. The dim light made it impossible to discern features.

The figure didn't seem to have noticed us, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that we'd just been thrown a curveball.

“Wait for my signal,” I whispered to him. “We'll take him down if necessary. I need to be certain he's the only one out there.”

Max nodded his hand on his gun. He held the bag holding the explosive in a tight grip, waiting for my signal. 

The night air hung heavy with tension as we waited, our eyes fixed on the unknown figure, our hearts pounding in anticipation.

Suddenly, the figure moved, its steps deliberate and calculated.

“Get ready,” I whispered, my finger tightening on the trigger.

But as the figure stepped into the faint light, my heart skipped a beat. It wasn't just any person, it was Aithan.

What was he doing here?

“Fuck!” I cursed under my breath, ducking for cover the moment I saw him. “What the fuck is he doing here?” 

“What's wrong, boss?” Max asked, going for cover with me.

“Nothing.” I sat on the ground, panting. “Change of plan. You will continue with the mission without me. I need to do something.”

“Where are you going?” He frowned, gripping his gun and the bag tight. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. Here.” I placed my pistol in his hand, handing over the bag I was carrying. “I'm handing this mission over to you. You know what we have practised, right? Make sure there's no one in there before you throw in the explosives, understand?” 

He opened his mouth to say something, but a glare from me caused him to nod. “Understood, sir!” He saluted before he pocketed my gun and took the bags, holding the gun with his right. 

While he crept towards the warehouse, I hurried after Aithan, who seemed to be taking a walk far from the warehouse. I didn't stop to think, to know why I was abandoning the mission my father sent me, just to stalk him.

Aithan suddenly stopped. He looked around before his eyes landed on me. His jaw ticked in anger. “What the fuck are you doing here?” He demanded. “This isn't your turf, you realize, right?”

“Why ask an obvious question? Of course, I came to see you.” I walked over to him, stepping away from the dark, towards the light, to meet him. “Why do you sound like you don't want me here? Do you hate it?”

“What the hell are you doing here?” He pocketed his phone, the glare still on his face. 

“You are sexy when you are angry, you know that, right?” I ran my gaze down his body, taking in the tight tank top and slacks he was putting on. My eyes fastened on the bulge in his slacks, and I swallowed. I had to tear my gaze away from him because I knew I might pounce on him if I didn't. 

“You are mad.”

“For you.” I closed the distance between us, smiling at him. “I don't know what it is about you that drives me crazy. I think it's your arse. What do you say? I fuck you, to get you out of my sys —”

Aithan's face twisted in rage, his fist flying towards me. I dodged, but not quickly enough, and his knuckles grazed my jaw.

“You think you can just fuck me and get me out of your system?” he snarled, his eyes blazing. “Why don't I screw you and show you how's fucking done?!”

“Aithan, stop!” I stumbled back, my hands up in defence.

But he didn't stop like I demanded. His fists pounded me, each blow landing with precision. I refused to strike back, taking the punches instead.

“Why don't you fucking fight back?! Just punched me!” 

“I can't.”

It wasn't because I can't fight. I couldn't bring myself to lift a hand on him. My wolf would protest if I did that. 

“Bastard!” His fist connected to my jaw once more. “I will fucking kill —”

Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the ground beneath our feet. The warehouse erupted in flames, illuminating the night.

“What the—” Aithan's eyes widened, his anger momentarily forgotten. 

“We need to get out of here. It's not —”

“You did this! You're behind this!” He growled, his face twisted in fury.

He lunged at me, but I sidestepped, avoiding his blows. 

“Aithan, stop! We need to get out of here before it's too late!”

But he wouldn't listen. His fists kept coming, fuelled by rage and adrenaline. I blocked each blow, my eyes locked on his. “Aithan, please!”

The flames engulfed the warehouse, casting a golden glow on the otherwise night. Aithan's punches slowed, his chest heaving. For a moment, our eyes met, and I saw something there, something that made my heart skip a beat.

“Fucking bastard!” He growled before he turned and ran.

“Aithan!” Screaming, I chased after him, but he vanished into the night, leaving me alone amidst the chaos.

I felt empty as I watched him leave. Despite the completed mission, I didn't feel content.