Chapter : For Now

The weight of Soren's words settled in the air like a blade pressed against a throat. The palace had been breached.

Nathaniel's smirk didn't waver, but Rain could feel the shift in his body—pure, lethal intent.

"Tell me," Nathaniel drawled, as if discussing an inconvenience rather than a direct threat. "Are they still breathing?"

Soren's lips curled slightly. "For now."

Nathaniel turned to Rain. His fingers skimmed Rain's wrist, light but unyielding. "Stay close."

Rain tensed. "I can fight—"

Nathaniel's golden eyes darkened with something deeper than mere possessiveness. "You can, but you won't." He lifted Rain's chin with two fingers, his voice dangerously soft. "Not tonight. You're staying with me."

Rain opened his mouth to protest, but Nathaniel's grip tightened—not painfully, just enough to make his point clear.

"Don't argue with me, cuore mio." His breath ghosted over Rain's lips, his voice a slow, delicious warning. "I'm already in the mood to tear someone apart."

The way he said it sent heat licking down Rain's spine.

Soren cleared his throat. "If you two are done," he said dryly, though his sharp eyes never left Nathaniel, "we should move. Now."

Nathaniel exhaled, dragging his gaze away from Rain with visible reluctance.

"Lead the way," he commanded.

Soren nodded and turned, moving swiftly down the corridor. Nathaniel followed, his grip on Rain never faltering, his body radiating pure dominance with every step.

The palace felt different. Not just breached, but watched. Rain could feel it crawling over his skin—an unseen presence lurking just beyond sight.

Then, suddenly—

A shadow lunged.

Nathaniel moved before Rain could react. A blur of speed, a sharp crack—bones shattering as Nathaniel grabbed the attacker by the throat and slammed him against the wall.

The intruder gasped, feet dangling off the ground.

"Pathetic," Nathaniel murmured, tilting his head. His claws extended, pressing lightly into the intruder's skin. "Who sent you?"

The man choked but didn't answer.

Nathaniel's smile sharpened. "Wrong move."

With a single, brutal motion, he crushed the man's throat, letting the body drop like a broken doll.

Rain inhaled sharply, his pulse racing—not from fear, but from something far more dangerous.

Nathaniel turned to him, golden eyes glowing. "I told you to stay close," he murmured, voice edged with something possessive.

Rain swallowed.

He wasn't sure if he was being warned.

Or claimed.

And the worst part?

He didn't mind either.

To Be Continued...