The moment Alaska stepped outside, silence swallowed the air thick, heavy, and tense. The crashing waves faded against the pounding in his chest. He scanned the road, the cliffs, the shadows. Nothing moved. Yet he felt eyes on him hungry, waiting.
His hand tightened around the gun.
Stay inside, Alana, he thought. Stay where I can protect you.
Behind steel shutters, Alana watched him through the monitors. Her chest squeezed painfully as his figure became a lone statue facing the approaching storm. She hugged herself, whispering prayers she wasn't sure anyone would hear.
Minutes passed like hours.
Finally, Alaska stepped back in. The shutters locked behind him with a thunderous thud.
"No one?" Alana asked.
"For now," he answered, voice a strained whisper.
When Alaska turned, she saw what he was hiding the fear behind his steel-blue eyes. His control, normally absolute, was cracking.
She reached for his arm.
"Alaska…"
Suddenly he grabbed her, crushing her against his chest. His breath hitched as he buried his face in the crook of her neck.
"Don't leave me," he muttered, barely audible.
Alana froze, startled.
"I won't," she murmured.
But that wasn't enough.
Alaska pulled back, gripping her shoulders, gaze burning with a fire she couldn't understand.
"You don't get it," he rasped. "I need you. I need you like air, like blood. If anything ever takes you away from me."
His fingers trembled.
"I won't survive it, Alana."
Her heart stumbled. The intensity in his eyes was both beautiful and terrifying.
She tried to smile gently.
"Alaska, you're strong."
"No," he snapped, voice low and rough. "Not without you."
He stepped closer, every muscle tight, every breath shaking as if just imagining distance between them was agony.
"You changed everything," he whispered. "You're in my head, my veins… I wake up because of you. I breathe because you exist."
His thumb traced her jaw slow, reverent.
"If the world touched you, hurt you, stole you… I would burn it all to ashes."
Alana's pulse raced fear and desire tangled together.
"Alaska…" she breathed, trying to find the right words.
His eyes softened then like winter thawing into spring.
"I thought I was a monster," he whispered, "but losing you would make me something far worse."
He cupped her face with trembling hands, lowering his forehead to hers.
"You're not going to lose me," she insisted, voice cracking despite her courage.
He shook his head slowly.
"You don't understand." The confession fell from his lips like shards. "I think about you even when you're right next to me. I can't sleep unless I know you're safe. I can't take a breath unless I hear yours."
Her throat tightened.
"Alaska, that's… obsession."
"Yes," he admitted, eyes darkening.
"And I don't regret it."
His thumb brushed her lower lip, lingering like a silent question.
Alana's knees weakened.
"Why me?" she whispered. "You could have anyone…."
"I don't want anyone else." His voice was fierce, unwavering. "Only you."
He leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was desperate possessive and she melted against him, fingers gripping his shirt, unable to pull away even if she tried. Heat surged between them like a storm unleashed.
He kissed her until breathing became optional until her doubts drowned beneath the intensity of his touch. When they finally broke apart, both gasping, Alaska pressed his lips to her forehead.
"You're mine, Alana," he whispered.
Her heart skipped.
"And you're mine," she replied, surprising even herself.
That was all it took.
Alaska pulled her into his lap on the couch, wrapping his arms around her like a shield. His heartbeat hammered against her back fast, relentless. He held her as if letting go would kill him.
Alana leaned into him, letting silence speak for the truth settling inside her. She loved him. Even his darkness. Maybe especially his darkness.
But love, she knew, could be dangerous.
After a long while, she whispered,
"What happens when Kavron comes?"
Alaska's grip tightened around her waist.
"He won't touch you," he growled. "Over my dead body."
"Alaska…"
He shifted, turning her to face him fully.
"Listen to me." His words cut the air with certainty. "I will stop him. Not just because he's my enemy. But because he dared look at you like you were something he could take."
Alana's brows furrowed.
"You saw him?"
Alaska nodded once.
"The drone wasn't the first time he watched us."
A chill ran through her veins.
"How long?"
"Long enough that I should have killed him by now."
She could see it the rage simmering beneath Alaska's skin. The thought of anyone laying claim to her ignited something dangerous inside him.
Alana brushed his cheek softly.
"Don't lose yourself because of me."
His voice broke a raw whisper.
"I already did."
Her heart clenched.
"Then let me lose myself with you," she breathed.
He closed his eyes exhaling a shuddering breath as though those words were the one thing he'd been dying to hear.
He kissed her again, slower this time, deeper.
Not desperate.
Devoted.
When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers again.
"I'll protect us," he promised. "And when this is over… I'm never letting you go again."
Outside, the sea raged against the shore echoing the storm inside them both.
Alana didn't know what tomorrow would bring blood, fire, danger but as Alaska held her like she was the only light in his darknes.
She knew she wouldn't run.
Whatever he was monster, protector, obsession. He was hers. And she was already too deep to escape.