The mall was buzzing.
Weekend shoppers. Kids screaming. Teenagers crowding the food court. Lev kept his head down, one hand tightly holding Matev's. The little boy was trying to walk on the shiny tiles like it was a balance beam. ''Stay close, bub,'' Lev said softly.
''I am close!'' Matev whispered dramatically. They walked into the bookstore----Lev's old comfort zone---to check out some kid's books. Lev was distracted, flipping through a sale bin.
And then----------------
He felt it before he saw it.
That scent. That...familiar pull in the air.
Like a thread being yanked inside his chest.
His heart skipped.
He fingers tightened around the book cover.
He turned slowly.
And there he was.
Demitri.
Looking older. Sharper. Even more dangerously handsome than he remembered. Black button -down. Hair slicked black. A cold, unreadable look in his eyes.
He was standing just a few feet away at the entrance of the store. Looking like he owned the damn place---or maybe just the whole city.
And in a way, he probably did.
Lev froze. For a second, the world disappeared ---- the noise, the lights, the people. All he could hear the sound of his own heartbeat.
Dimitri's eyes moved over the shop. Just browsing. And then.... they landed on Lev.
Their gaze locked.
Second passed.
Lev panicked and shaking.
He grabbed Matev's hand. ''Come on, we're leaving,'' he whispered.
''But we just got here!''
''Later, bub,''
They turned to go---- but Dimitri's voice stopped him.
''Lev...?''
Lev's spine went rigid. He turned around slowly. Forced a neutral smile on his face. ''Hey.''
Dimitri took a step forward, eyebrows pulled together. We met after such a long time! ''What are doing here?''
Lev shrugged casually, heart racing. ''Shopping.''
''You....you live here now?''
''Something like that.''
''I run a business in this city,''
Lev stood awkwardly silence. Lev could feel Matev hiding behind his leg.
Dimitri's gaze shifted briefly to the boy.
Lev stepped subtly between them.
Protective.
Dimitri raised an eyebrow, curious. But didn't say anything.
Lev gave him a tight smile, ''It was good to see you, Dimitri.''
Lev turned around again. ''Come on sweetheart.'' Matev says, ''Papa, is he your friend?'' Lev replies, ''No, we're not friends.''
As they walk away, Dimitri watched them go--- eyes narrowing slightly.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Today was the birthday of one of Lev's colleagues, so they took him to a club to celebrate. He tugged at the collar of his shirt, feeling a little out of place. ''This it too much.''
''Oh, stop acting like a grandpa,'' Ana laughed, pulling him further into the crowd.'' ''You're young, married, and in serious need of a drink.''
Lev sighed and followed her, He hadn't been to a club since....since that night. His heart gave a weak thump at the memory. He shook it off. This was a new place. New people. There was no way------
''Didn't expect to see you here.''
That voice. Lev's spine went stiff. Slowly, he turned. And there he was.
Dimitri. Tall sharp. Dominate as eve. Black shirts open just enough to be dangerous. Same smirk, same eyes that once looked down at him the dark.
''Well...Well....What are you doing in my club?''
Lev throat dried instantly. ''I didn't know this way your club,'' he said carefully.
Dimitri shrugged. ''Most people don't. Until it's too late.'' He leaned closer to the bartender. ''Two drinks. What he had last time.''
Lev froze.
''You still like vodka with lime?'' Dimitri asked, amused. ''Or did your Alpha change your taste?''
Lev looked at him. ''it's my personal matter.''
Demitri raised eyebrow smirked again. ''Tell me something, Lev. Does your partner know?''
''Know what?''
''That you spent an entire night begging for someone else.''
Lev's jaw clenched. ''There is no partner.''
''Oh?'' Dimitri's eyes sparkled. ''Than that little boy I saw you with...?''
Lev's chest tightened. ''A Friends's kid.''
''Cute friend,'' Dimitri said causally. ''He looked like you.'' Lair. Dimitri leaned a little closer. ''You didn't answer the real question though.''
''What question?''
''Have you ever told anyone..that you were mine, for one night?''
Lev blinked. His heart slammed in his chest.
Dimitri's voice dropped, smooth and sharp. ''Did you tell your friends? That you let me mark you, touch you, ruin you----just for a few hours?''
Lev stepped back. ''You really haven't changed,'' he said quietly.
Dimitri's smile widened. ''Neither have you.''
Lev glanced around, looking for Ana, a way out, anything. But Dimitri stepped between him and the exit. ''You're still soft,'' Dimitri murmured. ''Still quiet. Still trying to pretend nothing happened.''
Lev's voice broke. ''Why are you doing this?''
''Because I don't like lies,'' Dimitri said, eyes locked on his. ''And you've got something to hide. I can smell it.''
Lev walking fast exit door.
As he walked away, Dimitri called out after him---loud enough to make him freeze. ''Next time, bring your little friend. I love kids.'' And your partner.
Lev didn't look back. But his hands were trembling.