Reyes grabbed their suitcases without saying a word, and they followed him to a sleek black SUV.

The ride was smooth but filled with tension. Leo kept stealing glances at Liam in the rearview mirror while Liam stared out the window, taking in every street and building as if trying to memorize them.

To fill the silence, Ayla started chatting nervously. "So, how’s Aylin? Is she doing okay? Does she look any different? Is she eating enough? She always forgets to eat when she’s stressed—"

Leo chuckled. "She’s good. Stubborn as always, but fine. You’ll see her soon."

A couple of hours later, the city changed into sprawling estates, iron gates, and fancy lawns that screamed old money.

And then, Zayden’s mansion.

It stood in front of them like something out of a movie: towering columns, marble steps, and windows that sparkled like diamonds. Ayla’s jaw dropped.

"This is where she’s been living?"

Leo smirked. "Welcome to the king’s castle."

They parked, and Reyes led them inside. The foyer was huge, decked out with chandeliers and artwork, and the floors were so shiny that Ayla could see herself in them.

And then—

"Ayla?"

Aylin’s voice cracked like glass.

Ayla spun around, and there was her sister. Older, sure. Thinner, maybe. But alive. Whole.

"Aylin—"

They collided in the middle of the foyer, wrapping their arms around each other so tightly that it felt like they couldn’t breathe. Tears flowed down both their faces, hot, messy, unstoppable.

"I thought I lost you," Ayla cried into her sister’s shoulder.

"Never," Aylin whispered fiercely. "Never again."

They pulled back just a bit to look at each other, still holding on like it was life or death.

"You’re really here," Aylin said, her voice trembling. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I’m really here."

Behind them, Liam stood awkwardly, while a tall guy in dark clothes, Zayden, Ayla figured, watched with a look that mixed protective and possessive vibes.

Aylin finally pulled away, wiping her eyes. "Ayla, this is Zayden. My... um..."

"Boyfriend," Zayden said smoothly, stepping forward. His sharp steel-blue eyes were sizing her up. "Nice to finally meet you, Ayla."

Ayla blinked. "Boyfriend? You actually have a boyfriend?"

Aylin turned a bit red. "It’s... complicated."

"Complicated?" Zayden grinned. "I’d say ’inevitable.’"

Liam cleared his throat. "And I’m Liam. Ayla’s—"

"Boyfriend," Ayla jumped in, grabbing his hand.

Leo stepped forward, reaching out his hand to Liam again. This time, though, he had a really firm grip, and his eyes were locked on Liam’s with an icy, intense look.

Liam didn’t back down. He squeezed back just as hard, keeping a straight face.

An unspoken challenge passed between them, a heads-up.

Leo let go first, but his gaze hung on a moment longer.

"Welcome," he said in a monotone.

Liam shot him a smile. "Thanks."

Ayla sensed a subtle change in Liam; his jaw tensed, and he stood a bit straighter. A shiver of unease crawled up her spine.

*****

Across the city, in a sprawling penthouse that reeked of cigar smoke and old blood, Maksim Karza lay in bed, his shoulder bandaged and his face pale.

Selina stood by the window, arms crossed, her red lipstick a sharp contrast against her porcelain skin. Alpha Dark leaned against the doorframe, his surgically altered face unreadable.

"How the hell did he know?" Maksim growled, his accent thick with rage. "How did HK know William was alive? That I was going there?"

Selina tilted her head, her voice smooth as silk. "Someone tipped him off. Someone close."

"Who?" Maksim snarled. "I trust no one except—" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "You two."

Alpha chuckled darkly. "Don’t look at me. I’ve got just as much to lose if HK gets his hands on William."

Selina’s smile was knife-sharp. "And I’ve been feeding you intel this whole time. Why would I betray you now?"

Maksim’s fists clenched. "Then who?"

"Maybe he was following you," Alpha suggested. "Or maybe that woman Lunel hacked your comms."

"She was there," Maksim spat. "HK said she sent her regards. Like it was a joke."

Selina’s eyes glittered. "So she’s with him. Fully. That’s... interesting."

Alpha straightened, his voice cold. "Interesting? It’s a problem. If Lunel and HK are working together, they’ll tear us apart piece by piece."

Maksim’s gaze turned murderous. "Then we hit them first. Hard. Fast. No mercy."

Selina’s smile widened. "Now you’re thinking like a king."

Alpha straightened up from the doorframe, his altered face giving away nothing as he nodded at Maksim. "I’ll see what’s out there and find out who’s been running their mouth."

"Do that," Maksim replied, his voice rough from hurt and anger. "And Alpha?"

Alpha stopped at the door and looked back.

"If I find out you’ve been messing with me..." Maksim’s eyes turned icy and lifeless. "I’ll make sure you suffer for days."

Alpha’s smile was tight and lacking in humor. "Same goes for you, Karza."

He left without saying anything else, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving a heavy silence.

The penthouse was quiet, thick with tension. Cigar smoke hung in the air, and far off, a clock ticked away like a countdown.

Maksim shifted against the pillows, wincing as a fresh wave of pain shot through his wounded shoulder. He looked pale, sweat beading on his forehead, but his cold, calculating gaze followed Selina like a predator eyeing its prey.

She stood near the window, outlined against the city lights, her red dress hugging curves that had brought empires down before. Her fingers tapped idly on the glass.

"Selina."

His voice was rough and demanding.

She turned, one perfectly shaped eyebrow raised. "Yeah?"

He didn’t say anything; he just lifted a finger—a small gesture, but clear. Come here.

A slow and dangerous smile appeared on her lips. She pushed off from the window and walked toward him with slow, deliberate steps. Her heels clicked against the marble floor like a ticking clock, bringing them closer to something inevitable.

When she reached the bed, Maksim’s uninjured hand shot out. His fingers curled around her wrist, firm and possessive, pulling her closer to him with surprising strength for someone who was injured.