By the time the alarms quieted and the last intruder was dragged away, the beach was painted with blue lights from Alaska's private army. Black SUVs rolled in like a second tide Direndra loyalists from the main headquarters.
Among them was Kenan Alaska's most trusted lieutenant since they were young. Tall, sharp eyed, and deadly calm, he strode through the ruins of the living room and let out a low whistle.
"That escalated," Kenan muttered.
Alaska stood in the corner, arms crossed over his blood stained shirt, watching medics treat the shallow bullet wound on his shoulder. His jaw twitched with impatience.
"Kavron made his move," Alaska said without emotion. "The war starts now."
Kenan glanced toward Alana sitting quietly on the couch, arms wrapped around herself. She flinched every time a body bag zipped shut or footsteps thundered too loud.
"That her?"
Alaska's gaze snapped to him sharp and warning.
"Yes," he answered, voice low. "She's the reason I'm breathing."
Kenan raised both hands slightly. "Relax, boss. I'm not questioning you."
Alaska stepped closer to Alana, crouching so they were eye level.
"You're safe now."
But she didn't look convinced. Her voice shook.
"You're all leaving again, aren't you?"
Alaska hesitated just a fraction enough for her to know the truth.
Kenan cleared his throat. "We need to return to headquarters. Kavron's forces are regrouping. And Riley escaped with them. We can't leave the city blind."
Alana's heart dropped.
"So you're going back to war," she whispered.
Alaska reached for her hands cold against her trembling fingers.
"I'll come back."
He swallowed. "I swear to you."
She gripped his shirt, desperate. "Promise me you won't disappear. Promise you won't."
Her voice cracked before she could finish. All the terror she bottled inside finally burst.
Alaska pulled her into his arms. She hid her face in his shoulder, breathing in his scent like it was the only air she trusted.
He didn't shush her. Didn't tell her she was overreacting.
He simply held her fiercely, possessively as if he needed the contact as much as she did.
Kenan coughed awkwardly. "We really need to…."
Alaska shot him a murderous glare.
Kenan immediately turned around and pretended to inspect bullet holes in the wall.
Alaska tilted Alana's chin up gently.
"Alana. Look at me."
Her eyes were glossy with fear.
"I won't die," he said firmly. "Not when you're waiting for me."
She shook her head, voice breaking into pieces.
"You can't promise that…"
"Yes," he interrupted, cupping her face. "I can. Because you gave me something to live for."
She exhaled shakily.
"I'm scared, Alaska."
His thumb brushed her cheek with almost painful tenderness.
"Good."
Alana blinked. "Good?"
His lips curved the kind of smile that hid a thousand storms.
"Because fear means I matter to you. And I need you to be afraid of losing me…"
His voice dropped into obsession-dark devotion.
"So you'll never let me go."
Her heart twisted terrified and full.
He rested his forehead against hers, breathing her in one last time before duty tore him away.
Later Direndra Headquarters
The city lights flickered as Alaska and Kenan arrived at the sprawling fortress of steel and shadows. Men in dark suits lined the hallways, saluting as Alaska passed.
But even power couldn't erase the hollow ache in his chest the distance between him and Alana.
Kenan spoke as they entered the command center.
"We'll run full perimeter patrol tonight. Kavron won't get another inch of territory."
Alaska nodded, eyes glued to a large tactical map.
"We tighten every border. Double guards on the east docks. Riley knows the old escape tunnel block them."
Kenan raised an eyebrow.
"You're thinking clearly for someone who left his heart crying at home."
Alaska's glare could've frozen fire.
"She's my strength."
"But also your weak spot," Kenan replied calmly.
Alaska stepped forward the predator in him resurfacing.
"If Kavron thinks love makes me weak…"
His knuckles cracked.
"He will learn fear tonight."
Kenan smirked satisfied.
"There's the Alaska Direndra I know."
Meanwhile Beach House
Alana sat alone in their quiet bedroom, wrapped in one of Alaska's shirts. It still smelled like him a mix of gunpowder and ocean.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Alaska.
Keep the gun close. Don't open the door for anyone. I'll be home soon. Her fingers trembled over the screen. Come back to me, Alaska. Please.
The three blinking dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
She curled up, hugging his pillow. The silence around her felt heavier than any gunshot. Every siren she heard. Every car that passed. Every wave crashing against the shore…
She imagined it was the world trying to take him from her. And she realized with cold panic. She wasn't afraid of Alaska's darkness. She was afraid of a world where Alaska didn't come back.
Alaska stood at the rooftop edge of headquarters wind howling, city stretched like prey beneath him.
Kenan approached beside him.
"Patrol team ready?"
Alaska nodded. But his eyes were on the ocean where she waited.
Kenan patted his shoulder.
"Let's go remind the city who owns the night."
Alaska clenched his fists, jaw set like iron.
"For her," he breathed.
Then the mafia king vanished into the darkness hunting the men who dared threaten his reason to live.
And Alana lay awake miles away, clutching hope like a lifeline. Praying love would bring her monster home alive.