Eric moved low along the corridor after splitting paths with Noah. The slow thud of the emergency door closing behind him told him the two Ferom-9 couriers had gone back inside. He slipped behind a large barrel, the tiny button on his glove glowing green—recording mode on.
A soft voice drifted from the end of the hallway.
"Eric…?"
He turned quickly, hand already gripping the small taser at his hip.
But he froze when he saw Clara standing under the dim yellow light, arms wrapped around herself against the cold night wind.
Clara stepped closer, her eyes immediately locking on the small streak of blood at his brow.
"Are you okay? Why are you bleeding?" Her voice was soft, but full of worry.
Eric touched the cut lightly. "It's nothing. Knocked into some metal behind the bar. Just a small cut."
Clara moved closer—without asking. "Come here."
She took his arm gently and guided him to the wall beneath the light.
Eric wanted to say I'm fine, but Clara was already pulling out tissues and a small antiseptic wipe from her sling bag.
She dabbed the wound carefully. "Does it hurt?"
"A bit," he said, though he couldn't look away from her face.
Something about Clara that night—the focus in her eyes, the way she bit her lip while tending to him—made his chest tighten.
"What were you doing to get hurt like this? You're so stubborn…"
Eric gave a small smile. "Don't worry. It's nothing."
Clara studied him for a moment, almost as if she was searching for a hidden meaning.
Her tone softened. "If it's like this… let me take care of you."
Eric went quiet. It felt strange hearing that. Too gentle.
Clara finished cleaning the cut with slow, precise movements. Her fingertips brushed his skin now and then, just enough to make his heartbeat spike.
"All done," she whispered.
But she didn't pull her hand away. She kept touching his face, as if reluctant to let go.
Eric cleared his throat. "Thanks."
Clara gave a small smile—one he barely ever saw. "I… really worry when you're hurt. I don't even know why."
Eric lowered his gaze, trying to hide his reaction. "Clara…"
She took out the hoodie he had once lent her during a storm. She held it tightly, like it meant something precious.
"I keep this every day," she said softly. "Because… I like the smell. It reminds me of you."
Eric fell silent.
His breath caught.
Clara stepped closer—one step, two—until there was barely any space left between them.
"Eric…" she whispered. "I like it when you look at me that way."
"What way?" His voice was low.
"Like I'm the only person you see."
Eric couldn't respond. He just looked into her eyes.
And she looked back, deep and full of meaning.
Her fingertips slid up his jacket collar, brushing lightly.
When Eric didn't move away…
Clara slipped her arms around his waist.
He stiffened for a second, then returned the embrace, his hand rising to cradle the back of her head.
Clara breathed in against his chest. "I… feel safe when I'm close to you."
Eric's control slipped.
His guarded heart… cracked open.
Clara lifted her face.
Her gaze dropped to his lips.
Eric leaned in without realizing.
She smiled softly. A smile that could convince anyone she was truly falling for him.
At the same time…
Clara's hand slid down to his pocket, brushing the small device attached to his suit.
Eric didn't notice.
All he saw was Clara.
And the way she made him feel chosen.
---
Noah & Caryn — Coffee Shop Morning
Noah walked through the quiet coffee shop corridor that morning, eyes sharp as he scanned the surroundings. The cold air still lingered from the night before, and he pulled his jacket tighter around himself. His steps slowed when he saw a woman arranging menu books at the counter, her hair tied neatly, Alpha aura impossible to ignore even with her soft smile.
Caryn.
Noah inhaled slowly, timing his steps so it looked like a natural encounter. His heartbeat picked up—not only from her Alpha presence, but from how unfinished their first meeting had felt.
"Hey… can I sit here?" Noah asked, pointing to the empty chair.
Caryn glanced at him, studying him briefly before nodding. "Sure. What's your name?"
"Noah. Noah Whitmore. And you?"
"Caryn," she replied calmly, eyes assessing him. Noah noticed her posture—straight, confident, naturally dominant.
"You don't have a pheromone scent? Beta?" she asked.
Noah nodded.
"I see."
They started talking—about the shop, the morning weather, small local happenings. Caryn listened intently, occasionally adding a comment or offering a small smile. Her voice was firm yet warm, and Noah found himself pausing just to admire her confidence.
Every small movement of hers caught his attention—tucking her hair back, lifting her cup, the rare smile she gave. His heart thumped a little harder each time.
"You… come here often?" he asked, trying to keep the moment light.
"Sometimes. It's a good place to think," she said. "You?"
"Same. Sometimes people need a spot like this… to plan or just breathe."
Their conversation shifted naturally—daily routines, favorite places, even small stories from past missions. Caryn listened with genuine interest, asking sharp questions that showed her intelligence.
At one point, she laughed quietly at Noah's awkward attempt to compliment her. The atmosphere warmed instantly.
Noah felt closer to her—not just physically attracted, but genuinely drawn to her presence.
"If you want… maybe we could meet again?" Noah asked, voice steady but hopeful.
Caryn held his gaze a few seconds before her smile grew—soft but confident. "Maybe. We'll see. But Noah, don't think I'm easy to impress, alright?"
Noah smiled, relieved. "I like a challenge."
They talked a little longer before standing up to leave. Noah passed her his number casually, and Caryn looked at it before nodding, giving silent permission.
Something soft and electric lingered between them—a start, subtle but powerful.
Noah walked away with his heart racing.
Caryn watched him go, smiling slightly, more than she intended.
Neither of them knew this was the beginning of something real.
---
Liam & Jay — Balcony Night
That night, Liam stood on the balcony, the wind carrying the scent of recent rain. Jay sat at the edge of the suite, eyes fixed on the glowing city lights. The quiet filled the room, broken only by the wind and the soft ticking of a clock.
"Liam… I need to tell you something," Jay said, voice low but steady. "About… Levant."
Liam turned, heartbeat tightening. "I'm listening. What is it?"
Jay sighed, gaze dropping. "I don't feel anything for him anymore. Levant is… just the past. I appreciated what we had, but now I want to focus on myself. And on the person who's actually here for me."
Liam froze.
He knew exactly who Jay meant—him.
"Jay, I…"
He stepped closer, using the moment to finally speak the truth.
Jay looked up with a small, soft smile. "What is it, Liam?"
Liam drew a breath. "I love you, Jay. I have for a long time. And hearing you say all that about Levant… I felt relieved. I want you to know I'm serious. About you. Only you. I promise I won't leave you like he did."
Warmth spread through Jay's chest, his smile growing. "Liam… I feel the same. I'm just scared sometimes… scared we'll run out of time, or something will pull us apart."
Liam shook his head, reaching up to touch Jay's cheek gently. "Nothing can pull us apart if we choose each other. I promise."
Jay lowered his gaze, heart thudding with a feeling he hadn't known since Levant. "Liam… I feel happy when I'm near you."
Liam smiled, leaning closer, his forehead almost touching Jay's. "Jay…"
They stood there, breath mingling, the moment suspended. Liam took Jay's hand, their fingers intertwining—a simple touch with a promise behind it.
Jay exhaled softly. "I've never felt like this. With Levant everything felt sweet, but… it never felt real. With you… everything is real."
Liam nodded, eyes warm. "Real. And I'll take care of you. For as long as we have."
Jay laughed softly, relief and happiness mixing. "I believe you, Liam. I… want to try. I want to be with you."
On the quiet balcony, with the city glowing beneath them, they held each other.
All fears and past shadows faded.
What remained was something honest—something that felt dangerously close to falling in love.
Jay knew it in his heart:
Levant was a memory.
Liam was the future.