The Hunt Begins

The estate was on high alert. Guards patrolled the perimeter, security cameras were being reviewed, and the tension in the air was palpable. Veer had ordered a full investigation into the intruder from the previous night, and Arya couldn't shake the unease settling in her chest.

She sat in the study, her fingers wrapped around a cup of tea, barely taking a sip. The night replayed in her mind—the masked figure standing near the window, the way Veer had fought them off, and the chilling realization that someone had infiltrated the estate.

Veer entered the room, his expression unreadable. He was dressed in his usual sharp black shirt, sleeves rolled up as if he had been working nonstop.

"We found something," he said.

Arya set her tea down. "What?"

Rohan walked in behind him, holding a tablet. "We checked the security footage. The intruder got in through the north wall. They knew the weak spots, the blind spots. This wasn't random."

Arya gulped down. "You think someone in the estate had a hand in this?"

Veer's jaw tightened. "It's possible."

She felt an unease build within her. She had begun to feel at ease with the Veer estate, thinking it was the safest place she could be. But now…

Rohan went on, "We have cross-checked all the workers who had access to your wing last night. Two names stood out—a security guard and a kitchen staff member. Both vanished immediately after the attack.

Arya's heart thumped. "They are missing?"

Veer nodded. "And that means they know something."

Rohan shot a look at Veer. "Our team is tracking them down now."

Veer's face set in a concrete mask. "Good. Because I want answers."

Later that night, Veer took Arya to the underground training room of the estate. The room itself was tremendous, fully equipped with weights, sparring mats, and combat dummies.

Arya looked around, confused. "Why are we here?"

He picked up a training knife and tossed it to her. She just barely caught it.

"Because you need to learn how to defend yourself."

Arya frowned. "What?"

Veer crossed his arms. "You were defenseless last night. If I hadn't woken up, you would have been in real danger."

Arya hesitated. She knew he was right, but she wasn't sure she was ready for this.

She sighed. "And you think training me is the answer?

Veer's expression softened a little. "I think you should be able to protect yourself, no matter what."

Arya looked at the training knife in her hand. "Alright. Show me."

Veer smirked. "Good."

The training was tougher than Arya expected.

Veer drilled her on the basics—how to hold a knife properly, how to block, how to evade an attack. Over and over again, until her muscles burned and her breath came in short gasps.

She wiped sweat from her forehead. "You enjoy this, don't you?"

Veer chuckled. "A little."

She rolled her eyes and lunged forward again, trying to surprise him. But he sidestepped smoothly, caught her wrist, and twisted it just enough to disarm her.

Arya gasped as she stumbled against him, her back pressing into his chest.

His voice was low. "You're still too predictable."

Her heart thudded. She jerked away, her eyes flashing at him. "I'll get better."

Veer grinned. "I know you will."

When they finished, Arya was spent. She sat on the training mat, panting.

Veer gave her a water bottle and sat beside her.

She hesitated before asking, "Why are you really doing this?"

Veer was silent for a moment. Then he exhaled. "Because I won't let anyone hurt you."

Arya's breath caught.

Before she could utter a word, Rohan walked in. His smirk was gone; he looked urgent instead.

"We found them."

Veer stood right away. "Where?"

Rohan's expression was grim. "In an abandoned warehouse outside the city."

Veer and Arya reached the warehouse an hour later. The missing security guard sat on a chair, fidgeting nervously.

Veer moved forward. "Tell me what you know."

The man gulped hard. "I-I didn't mean to—

Veer's voice was calm but firm. "Who are you working for?"

The guard hesitated before mumbling, "I don't know their name. They paid me to leave my post. That's all."

Arya's stomach twisted. Someone had planned this.

Veer narrowed his eyes. "And the woman from the kitchen?"

He shook his head. "She ran. I don't know where she is.

Veer stared at him for a long moment, then shifted to Rohan. "Keep him here. I want more answers."

Rohan nodded.

Arya let out a shuddering breath. "Veer… what if this isn't over?"

Veer's gaze met hers. "It's not."

His voice was steady, but Arya could hear the promise beneath it.

Whoever was after her had just made a mistake.

And Veer was going to make sure they never got close again.