Black Sea Port, Offshore Operation – 3:07 AM
The ship rocked under stormy clouds, anchored miles from the European coast. Crates of rare neurotoxins disguised as pharmaceuticals were being loaded onto a disguised freighter. It was a high-stakes deal between the Vincent cartel, Miller biotech, and a Slavic arms mafia.
Lucien barked orders from the dock, dressed in a bulletproof coat, jaw tight, gun at his side. Max stood beside him, overseeing the cargo manifest. Calm. Calculating. Until the first explosion ripped through the lower deck.
> "AMBUSH!" someone screamed over the radio.
Chaos erupted.
Gunfire crackled. Blood splashed the cold waves. Lucien tackled Max behind a metal crate just as a sniper bullet pierced the air. They crashed hard—Max under Lucien, chests pressed, breath shared.
"Stay down," Lucien growled, his voice hoarse.
"I'm not weak," Max snapped, but didn't move.
Lucien stared down at him.
Their eyes locked.
And something shifted.
A pull. A gravity. Not just mafia loyalty. Not just shared dominance. But… heat.
Max's scent flared under stress, triggering Lucien's instincts. Dangerous. Forbidden.
> "You're reacting," Lucien whispered, gaze flicking to Max's throat. "You feel it, don't you?"
Max's jaw tightened. "Shut up."
Lucien leaned in closer, lips near Max's ear.
> "It's not just Noah for you… is it?"
Max didn't answer.
---
Meanwhile – Manor, Inner Courtyard
Silas stood alone under the archways, watching Sam train in silence.
Sam moved with precise, deadly grace. He was beautiful like a weapon—sharp, polished, cold.
And Silas couldn't look away.
He'd been feeling it for months. Something wrong. Something right.
Not brotherly love.
Something darker.
Sam finished, sweat on his skin. He turned—and froze when he saw Silas watching.
"You need something?" Sam asked quietly.
Silas stepped closer. "You've changed."
"So have you."
A long pause.
Then Silas whispered:
> "Do you ever feel like… we're more than just brothers?"
Sam's eyes widened, heart slamming against his ribs. "Don't."
But Silas didn't step back. "Don't lie, Sam. I know what I feel."
> "You can't know," Sam hissed. "You don't know what I am."
And Silas finally said what they'd all avoided:
> "Then tell me what you're hiding. Tell me why you flinch when Noah touches you. Why you smell different. Why you don't let anyone near your scent glands."
Sam backed away, breathing hard.
> "If you love me," he whispered, "don't dig. Please, Silas."
But Silas only stared harder.
> "Too late."
---
Anderson Palace, Private Royal Wing
James stood in front of the fireplace, dressed in full black velvet, gold insignia shimmering on his chest. The aura of a prince, born into legacy. Yet all of it meant nothing compared to the boy sitting calmly on his throne-shaped chair:
Oliver.
Slender. Beautiful. Deadly in silence.
He wore cream silk and a platinum crown gifted by Anderson royalty. His bare foot draped over James's lap as James massaged it gently, like a knight worshipping his queen.
> "The East Asian sector betrayed us," James said softly.
Oliver smiled coldly. "Then remove them from the world."
James looked up. "You're cruel."
Oliver tilted his head. "No. I'm necessary."
> "You're the queen of my empire," James whispered. "I'd kill the world for