Chapter 11: Shadow Alliance

The sharp crack of gunfire tore through the night, a bullet streaking toward the car window like a falling star. Caleb sprinted with every ounce of his strength, his powerful strides cratering the ground, the wind howling around him, but the distance to the car remained agonizingly far. At the critical moment, a black SUV roared in from the side, slamming into the gun-wielding shadow. The figure was hurled several meters, the pistol flying from his grasp as he rolled across the ground, motionless.

The SUV's door swung open, and Lucian Steele stepped out from the driver's seat, his black tuxedo rippling slightly in the night breeze. His amber eyes swept coldly over the scene, taking in the fallen assassin before settling on Serena inside the car. "Looks like I arrived just in time," he said in a low voice.

Caleb skidded to a halt, catching his breath, and turned to face Lucian. His expression was a tangled mix of wariness, gratitude, and relief. He stepped closer, his voice quiet but sincere. "Thank you."

Lucian raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Don't thank me too soon. I noticed a few shady types slipping out after the party—something felt off, so I followed. Good thing I did." His gaze flicked to the crumpled figure on the ground. "Ran right into the action."

Serena pushed open the car door and stepped out, her red gown streaked with dirt, yet her presence remained as striking as ever. She rubbed her temple, the haze of alcohol clearing slightly, and asked calmly, "How many more are there?"

Caleb crouched beside one of the fallen bodies, inspecting it with a frown. "This makes nine. But I can't be sure if they've got more waiting in the wings." He glanced up at Lucian. "The one you hit—he was likely the leader."

Lucian knelt beside the body, ripping open the man's shirt to reveal a tattooed mark. "Port district gang insignia," he said grimly. "These guys are tied to Richard, no question." He paused, turning to Serena. "You're their prime target now. You can't stay in the city—it's too exposed. Find somewhere to lie low, run things remotely. I'll handle things here and keep the heat off you."

Serena narrowed her eyes, weighing his words for a moment before nodding. "That makes sense. But I need a place that's absolutely secure."

Caleb rose, his expression resolute. "Wolf clan territory. It's my domain—no one would dare touch you there."

"Werewolf territory?" Lucian's brow furrowed as he studied Caleb, a spark of caution in his eyes. He recalled Caleb's fight moments ago—the superhuman speed, the raw power, the devastating precision that far surpassed any ordinary werewolf. He muttered under his breath, "You're with Dark Claw, aren't you?"

Caleb froze briefly, then nodded candidly. "Yes. I'm part of 'Dark Claw,' the elite unit directly under the Wolf King's command."

Lucian's gaze lingered on him for a few seconds before he broke into a grin. "No wonder. I've heard whispers about that outfit—shadowy, answering only to the Wolf King himself. They say one of you is worth an entire squad. I saw that firsthand tonight." He paused, glancing at Serena. "If he's taking you there, I'm confident you'll be safe."

Serena surveyed the two men, a complex glint flickering in her gray-green eyes. She understood that neither Caleb nor Lucian was ordinary, and right now, she needed their strength. She nodded decisively. "Alright, wolf territory it is. To the outside world, I'm just 'on vacation.'"

Caleb let out a quiet breath of relief, murmuring, "I'll contact the clan now."

Lucian stepped closer to Serena, lowering his voice with a trace of intrigue. "Once you're secure, I can focus on cleaning up the port district mess—those rats won't know what hit them."

Serena glanced at him, a slight smile curving her lips. "Do what you do best, Lucian. Just don't expect me to owe you too much."

He chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I wouldn't dream of keeping score… yet."

Caleb stood off to the side, watching their exchange with a subtle frown, his jaw tightening, though he held his tongue. He turned to the car, muttering under his breath, "We need to move fast. We've got to reach the territory before dawn."

Lucian clapped a hand on Caleb's shoulder, his tone unusually warm. "Keep her safe, wolf. She's worth it."

Caleb met his gaze for a moment, then nodded firmly, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. The three shared a quiet understanding, each turning to their tasks with resolve—Serena to her refuge, Caleb to his duty, and Lucian to his battle in the shadows. The night stretched on, heavy with the weight of their fragile alliance.