And despite not knowing him…
despite everything terrifying happening tonight…
Liana walked toward him.
Kael stepped aside gently, letting her pass through the doorway first.
The cold night air brushed against her skin, sharp and fresh, almost grounding her after the chaos inside.
"Stay close," Kael murmured behind her.
She did.
He locked the door with a flick of his fingers—no key, no touch.
Just a soft pulse of blue light, and the lock snapped shut on its own.
Liana swallowed.
"Is… is that normal for you?" she asked, voice unsteady.
Kael lifted her bag into the trunk of a sleek, dark car parked at the curb.
"That was basic," he said quietly.
"Trust me, you haven't seen anything yet."
He opened the passenger door for her.
Liana hesitated.
Sitting in a stranger's car—no, not a stranger.
A warlock.
An Alpha warlock.
A man who moved like the air made space for him.
Kael leaned forward slightly, sensing her fear.
"You can sit," he said softly.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
She took a breath and got in.
The interior smelled faintly of cedar and rain.
Calm. Safe.
Kael circled the car and slid into the driver's seat.
The engine came alive with a smooth hum—no key, just his hand brushing the steering wheel.
Liana watched him for a moment.
His jaw was tense.
Like he was protecting her… but thinking about something dangerous.
"Kael?" she finally asked.
"What did you mean earlier? About this being the beginning?"
He didn't answer immediately.
He drove for a few seconds, the streetlights passing over his face in soft golden strips.
Then he said:
"You were supposed to stay hidden from our world. Your life was meant to be normal. Quiet."
He paused.
"But your ex-boyfriend ruined that."
Liana frowned.
"Evan? He didn't even believe in magic."
"That's the problem," Kael replied.
"His awakening power is unstable. A half-warlock awakening without guidance is dangerous—to himself, and everyone around him."
Liana looked out the window, guilt twisting inside her.
"I didn't want any of this," she whispered.
Kael turned his head slightly, his expression softer.
"I know," he said.
"But you're caught in the center of something bigger than you realize."
She hugged her arms.
"Why me?"
Kael's fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
"Because you're the reason he awakened so violently. Your pain triggered him."
He glanced at her.
"And because… you're not as ordinary as you think."
Liana snapped her eyes to him.
"What do you mean by that?"
But Kael didn't answer yet.
Instead, he lowered the window slightly, letting cold air wash in.
He was listening.
To something she couldn't hear.
Then he muttered,
"Damn it… he followed us."
Liana stiffened.
"Who?! Evan? B–but how? We left before he even—"
Kael shook his head.
"Not with a car. Not on foot."
His voice dropped.
"He's tracking you through a magical bond. One that shouldn't exist."
Liana's heart skipped painfully.
"No. No, Kael, stop. There's no bond between us. I'm not tied to him in any way."
Kael's jaw clenched.
"That's the point. You shouldn't be."
He looked sharply at her.
"But something—or someone—created one."
Liana's breath hitched.
The witch.
The spell that was meant for her.
Suddenly, lights behind them flickered—streetlamps buzzing violently as the car passed.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"He's close."
Liana grabbed the edge of her seat.
"Kael, I'm scared."
Before she could blink, Kael reached across the seat and gently took her hand.
Warm. Firm.
Grounding.
"You don't have to be scared," he whispered.
"I told you—I'll protect you. From Evan. From the witches. From anything trying to claim you."
His eyes glowed faint gold.
"But Liana… there's something you need to understand."
Her heart pounded.
"What?"
He looked straight ahead as the road darkened, the air growing heavy with magic.
"You were never meant to be claimed by anyone."
A small silence.
Then—
"Except me."
---