ONLY MINE

Alexa didn't move. Her back grazing the cold wall, chest heaving like it was caught in a cage. His breath —warm, steady, patient—tickled her skin.

She swallowed " you are insane."

Levi smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

" You're trembling. But not from fear, not really."

His finger traced the corner of her jaw, slow like he was memorizing the shape of her.

" Stop it" she whispered.

" Then stop staring at me like that" he murmured,voice hoarse, deep, rich with something dark. " Like you're scared...but you'd still let me taste."

Alexa's heart banged against her ribs. Her words caught against her lips.

He leaned in closer. Lips brushing the shell if her ear " one taste. That's all I'm asking."

His mouth moved lower, trailing a ghost of a kiss along her neck—then a pause. His tongue flicked out, slow. Deliberate.

She gasped. A shiver shot down her spine.

Then his teeth grazed her teeth—not biting not yet. Just a warning. Just a game.

" Still think I'm human?" He murmured

Alexa clenched her fists. " What are you?"

He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. His gaze was wildfire —gold and red, glowing with hunger and something dangerously close to obsession.

" I'm the monster your family should have warned you about."

She opened her mouth to respond, but he stepped back suddenly, the heat if him disappearing like a storm receding. He walked to the window, arms folded behind his back, watching the morning sun like he didn't just turn her inside to molten.

Without turning he said" tonight we will attend a dinner party, you will sit beside me. Speak when spoken to. Dance when told to."

" And if I don't "

His grin widened.

" Then I'll take another taste. But not from your neck."

The silence that followed was brutal.

Alexa's skin flushed, but her voice was steady. You are a devil."

He turned fully, the light catching the outline of his bare chest revealed from the sweater.

" No." He said, stepping closer.

" I'm your devil."

*****

Outside the house, Alexa stepped carefully into the evening, the red glitter of her gown catching the faint moonlight. She looked elegant and dangerous. Levi was already making his way towards the black rose-royce , dressed in a silky black suit and shinning shoes that looked like they belonged in a funeral—or a war.

She raised an eyebrow " are you mourning someone?"

He opened the car door and glanced over his shoulders, his lips tilting " are you indirectly admiring it?"

She rolled her eyes " whatever "

She slipped into the car. Levi sat beside her with ease, his movement smooth, calculated—like always.

They drove in silence for a moment. Levi finger circled the wheel with calm precision, his profile lit by the faint glow of street lamps.

Alexa kept glancing at him.

Maybe she was admiring. A little.

His jaw. His lashes. The way his collar barely brushed his skin.

Without looking at her, he said flatly "Done memorizing my face?"

She snapped her gaze to the window " I wasn't "

He smirked "you were" his voice dark and dangerous.

" Remember don't stay at the corners or get eaten by the wolves." He said as they halted in a big building.

As Levi walked into the hall with Alexa holding into his arm, the noise in the room dipped,

" Mr cross." An older man with grey hair stepped forward, hands outstretched.

Levi didn't take it" Mr Brooks" he said voice cold, eyes unreadable.

The man's smile wavered. He turned to Alexa instead. " And you must be mrs cross...?"

" Hayes. Alexa Hayes," she said, straight to the point.

Mr Brooks chuckled, taking her hand. His touch lingered on the back of it—intentional. When she tried to pull away, he held it a second longer and winked.

Before she could react another voice cut in.

" Welcome."

A man in purple suit stepped in confidently. Smooth. His gaze locked onto Alexa's like he knew her—or wanted to.

Levi's tone shifted, almost amused " Oscar"

Oscar gave him a slight nod, then placed a form hand on Levi shoulder, steering him away for a quick word.

" This prey's different, Levi," he said " she looks calm but a bit dangerous"

Levi gave him a slow smile, tapped his shoulder lightly.

He leaned in " are you interested in her?"

Oscar looked his face surprised as he creased a brow and look at Levi.

" What? No. No way. I'm not."

And with that, Levi walked away—leaving oscar watching his back expression unreadable.

When Levi returned, he spotted Alexa laughing softly, chatting with the same old man.

Without a glance at the man, Levi stepped in.

"Alexa shall we have this dance?" He said, smirking like he owned the room.

Mr Brooks awkwardly cleared his throat , clearly dismissed . " Ah —alright . I'll leave you two, then." He chuckled, more to cover his bruised pride tahn anything else, and walked off.

Levi took Alexa's hands and slid his other to her waist, pulling her to the dance floor, he didn't care who was watching.

" I told you to stay by my side." He said low as he guided her into the sway of the music.

" You left," she replied, matching his steps.

" To talk. Maybe?

His smirk deepened " is my little fairy trying to make friends with the wolves?"

He aoun her just hard enough to make her arms land around his shoulders when she came back.

" Geez .Levi? He is way too old" she muttered trying to keep up with the sudden shift in pace.

Levi leaned in, voice bear her ear.

" Age is just a number, sweetheart."

The song slowed. He stopped moving but didn't let go.

" I don't like sharing what's mine," he said, gaze dark and steady. " Not even for a minute ".

The tray slipped.

Crash.

Ice and liquor drenched Levi's chest, soaking through his black suit.

The waiter froze, face pale, " s-sir—"

Levi didn't even blink. His voice was low, almost bored.

" Name?"

His eyes didn't even meet the boy's—just stayed fixed on his chin.

The waiter stammered. " S-sir?"

Levi raised a brow slightly. " Give me a name".

" Andres", he whispered.

Levi let out a short, dangerous chuckle.

" Andres"

He stepped forward. Plucked the ID card off the boy's shirt.

"Andres liam," he repeated, voice like a quiet threat.

The man shivered.

Levi titled his head, eyes scanning the room lazily, " tell me Andres....have you taken your last view of this hall before?"

Andres lips trembled. ". Y-yes. No. I—I mean please, sir I didn't—"

Levi laughed once—low and cruel. He brought two fingers to his forehead and leaned forward, shaking his head slowly, as if exhausted by the stupidity.

" No Andres," he murmured. " I'm not a good guy"

That single sentence sucked the air out of the room.

Alexa stepped forward, eyes tight, " Levi, he was it was a mistake."

" And you don't tell me what to decide... xandria."

He turned his back before she could speak again, suit soaked, presence dry as fire.

And he walked out.

The bathroom door swung shot behind the waiter.

Andres stood in front of the sink, hands trembling trying to wipe his shirt, but the tears were falling. He was barely older than her maybe twenty-three. Alexa hesitated and followed him in.

" Andres", she said gently.

He didn't turn

" He's always like that. But he won't fire you. I promise "

Andres laughed bitterly through his sniffles.

" You don't know him"

" I do," she said softly " Too well"

He shook his head" he looked at me like I was nothing. I already know I'm going home after tonight".

Alexa opened her mouth to say more, but there was nothing to promise. Not truthfully. She gave him the last look, then turned to leave.

As she stepped out, brushing past two large men guarding the hallway, she foot slipped on the edge of a polished shoe. She lost her balance.

"Ah—" she winced, catching herself

A deep voice chuckled " careful, baby girl"

She looked up

One of the men, broad and smug with a whiskey bottle in hand, stepped towards her. His eyes didn't blink. His grin made her skin crawl

" Uh...hi", Alexa said warily, backing away a little.

Another man flanked him, the two circling like wolves.

" You're with Lev right?" One asked, leaning in. " His girl?"

Before she could answer the taller one grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

" Let go off me" she said, voice firm despite the tremble.

He laughed " you walked into the men's bathroom, Mary now you want to act innocent?"

" I said let go" she snapped, trying to pull away

His grip tightened " or what? Huh? You think Lev's gonna save you? Hate to break it to you princess— he's busy. He wouldn't even hear you scream"

The other man reached for her

But then the air changed

A strange stillness settled. Cold. Heavy.

Purple smoke, faint but real, curled at their waist like serpents. The men froze mid motion, eyes wide

" What the hell...." One whispered, "why can't I move?"

Alexa stepped back in confusion. Two small steps

And hit something

A person

Solid. Tall. Un moving.

She gasped. Turned

" Levi?" She breathed her voice faint in shock

He didn't say a word

But his presence ? It spoke volumes.