Rhinya’s eyes followed Zaylee as she slipped upstairs first, then her brother Alaric a few minutes later. A sly smile touched her lips.
So, brother… you finally found someone. And it’s a Whitmore. Dangerous choice. But if it’s her… maybe it’s worth it.
She didn’t move to stop him. Instead, she intercepted Alana, linking her arm casually with hers.
Rhinya (light tone):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMVJsrM4jk
“Alana, Father wants you to greet the foreign delegates. Don’t keep them waiting—your image is important tonight.”
Alana (hissing):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAQuYs7TLr
“Why don’t you do it?”
Rhinya (smirking):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7Pjtewzho
“Because they want the heir. Not me. Go.”
Alana stormed off reluctantly. Rhinya exhaled in relief. If she saw Zaylee with Alaric, there would be blood tonight.
Meanwhile, Zayden moved through the ballroom, shaking hands, trading calculated smiles.
He pushed it aside, continuing his rounds. But when he realized Zaylee had been gone too long, his instincts tightened. He pulled out his phone and called her.
Zayden:57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MtQcYFX0U
“Where are you, little one?”
Zaylee (soft voice over the line):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjhHhqV8r9
“Room near the steps, brother. Just resting.”
Zayden frowned. Too calm. Too rehearsed.
Upstairs, Zaylee turned to Alaric.
Zaylee (urgent, whispering):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYsUQnGf03
“Ally… please leave. My brother’s coming.”
Alaric (teasing, but searching her eyes):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZebsr0dqe
“Are you afraid of him?”
Zaylee (smiling gently):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndbdxrUNsh
“No. He’s the best brother. But if he sees you here… I don’t know what he’ll say.”
Alaric’s jaw flexed, but he nodded.
Alaric:57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjJUHUnWdZ
“As you wish, Ayle.”
He slipped out quietly. Moments later, Zayden entered.
Zayden (grinning, pulling her into his arms):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP4KfyX1lT
“You little! Hiding from me?”
He ruffled her hair, but as he hugged her, he caught something—a faint cologne. His sharp eyes dropped to her flushed cheeks, the tips of her ears pink.
Someone was here before me.
Inside, his chest tightened. Whoever it is, I’ll find him before Father does. No one touches my sister. No one.
Still, he kept his smile, playing with her until the party ended.
As the guests departed, the Hawkes stood in a line, bidding farewells. Alaric’s eyes never strayed from Zaylee. Hers never strayed from him. A silent exchange that only the two of them understood.
Zayden noticed too—and his mind churned.
Later that night, Alaric sat in his car, running his hand through his hair, facepalming repeatedly.
Alaric (groaning to himself):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwuhnYZXRd
“Goddamn it! I forgot to ask her number. For fuck’s sake…”
Rhinya appeared by his door, laughing softly.
Rhinya:57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd9ZOdmvVx
“Bro, with Ms. Whitmore…?”
Alaric (snapping his head toward her):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoTifGq52S
“You noticed?”
Rhinya (grinning):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWCRm0jIO8
“How can I not? You’re glowing like a fool. It’s written all over you.”
Before he could reply, Alana approached.
Alana (suspicious):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRGixftBLF
“What are you two whispering about?”
Rhinya (quickly, covering):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cl0tSNI4J
“Just asking brother why he’s still single.”
Alaric (rolling his eyes):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7sKKy8R5O
“Will you shut up, Rhynia?”
His phone buzzed. The patriarch. He answered.
Patriarch Hawke (firm, commanding):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWogV0zWklv
“How’s the new drug development going?”
Alaric (hesitating, fists clenching):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEFrPJxnRn
“…The side effects are severe. People can’t sleep. It’s not ready for market.”
Patriarch:57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlUs4eRk7v
“Don’t forget who you are, Alaric. You’re my heir. You don’t get to fail me. Fix it. I will choose everything. Understood?”
Alaric’s chest burned.
Alaric (low, controlled):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrNmLIk2Un
“Yes, sir.”
He hung up, slammed his hand against the steering wheel, then leaned forward, forehead resting against it.
Alaric (muttering):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jzn5zfEAI
“I hate this. I hate myself.”
Frustration boiling, he drove to Revere Beach, the night waves crashing against the shore.
There, a familiar figure caught his eye. A girl twirling by the water, hair flowing in the breeze.
Alaric (murmuring, stunned):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ456OHR06Dy
“Ayle…?”
He stepped closer—and froze. Another silhouette stood nearby.
Alaric (gritting his teeth):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoydZbXs9O
“No way… Zayden?”
The Whitmore heir stood with his hands in his pockets, watching his sister enjoy the ocean like a bird finally freed.
One man looked at her as his beloved sister, the other as the love he could never escape.
Zayden’s eyes narrowed when he caught Alaric staring. The pieces clicked.
Zayden (quiet, dangerous):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53CP3MK6iN
“So… what’s going on with my baby sis and you?”
Alaric’s heart skipped but he smirked, trying to deflect.
Alaric:57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaiyaE5Ayz
“What do you mean, Denny?”
Zayden (voice cold, protective):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kWeOOhTRy
“Don’t you dare give her hopes you can’t keep. I won’t interfere too much, but she’s my sister. If you can’t protect her, if you can’t make her happy—throw away whatever’s in your heart and move on.”
He turned, calling out.
Zayden:57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dSibvjSPM
“Little one, we’re leaving.”
Zaylee ran up, barefoot and smiling, cheeks glowing from the ocean air. She glanced once at Alaric, who smiled back at her—soft, vulnerable.
As Zayden led her away, Alaric leaned close, whispering into his ear.
Alaric (low, defiant):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUddLEoWPAH
“Brother-in-law… I’ve already fallen. I can’t get up. I will protect her. So stand by my Ayle’s side, not against me.”
Zayden froze, then exhaled deeply. He glanced at his sister, so full of joy, then back at Alaric. A smile ghosted his lips, though his eyes were sharp.
Zayden:57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7e5rewgnX
“We’ll have a long talk about this, little one.”
Zaylee (hugging him, teasing):57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJx18CPhBn
“Okay, brother.”
and then Add to home screen.