{Celeste & Lucien}
The plates lay neatly set, food untouched, as though time itself had paused around the table. Celeste lifted her phone, pressed it to her ear, and waited, only for the ringing to go unanswered. She glanced at Lucien, seated across from her.
"Adrian still isn't picking up," she murmured. "Can you try calling him?"
Lucien scrolled through his contacts, tapped Adrian's number, and let it ring. The silence stretched. No reply.
Celeste lowered her voice. "He texted me that he was on his way. Why hasn't he arrived yet, and why isn't he answering?"
...
{Adrian}
Inside the dim hut, shadows danced across the mud walls, the fire crackling low. Adrian lay on a mat, his body heavy with weakness, breath shallow.
The prophetess sat before him, her pale eyes glimmering in the light.
"The seal binds your life to this world," she said, voice calm yet unyielding. "Without it, you would have perished already. But know this; until your body heals completely, the torment will strike you at midnight, every night. There will be no escape from it."
She leaned closer, her tone grave.
"At least five years must pass before you may take a mate, seek to dominate, or even step into battle. Any attempt before then, and your body will not endure it."
...
Adrian lay weakly on the bed, sweat dampening his temples as fractured pheromones bled faintly into the air. His body trembled despite the bitter aftertaste of the Alpha Stabilizer pills he had already swallowed.
Tonight I must stay here in my condo, he thought, staring at the ceiling. I can't let Father notice my fractured pheromones...
His chest tightened, the faint ache refusing to fade. I must not let anyone know; not Celeste, not Lucien. How could I explain that a beta kid caused this?
He exhaled shakily, bitterness flooding him. If I take the admission in France...at least it will buy me five years; time to hide, to recover, to figure out what to do.
Slowly, he reached for his phone. The screen glowed against the darkness as he pressed it to his ear.
"I've changed my mind, Father," Adrian murmured, voice low but steady. "I'll take the admission to France."
...
{Celeste& Lucien}
Three days later...
"Lucien! Lucien!"
Celeste's voice broke through the quiet morning. She came running breathlessly across the yard, her steps uneven, her eyes wide.
Lucien, crouched down as he watered the flowers, stopped mid-motion. He slowly straightened, the watering can still in his hands.
"What is it?" he asked, brows knitting.
Celeste clutched her chest, trying to catch her breath. "I got news...Adrian; he's heading at the airport. Leaving...to France."
Lucien's expression stiffened, confusion flashing across his face. "France?"
Tears streamed down Celeste's cheeks as she nodded, her voice breaking. "Yes...he's leaving us, Lucien."
Lucien's grip on the watering can faltered. The moment Celeste's words sank in, the metal slipped from his hand, crashing to the ground with a hollow clang, water spilling across the earth.
Without a second thought, he sprinted forward. Celeste wiped her tears and hurried after him, her heart pounding as she tried to keep up.
They reached the car; Lucien slid into the driver's seat, breath uneven, chest heaving. Celeste jumped in beside him, slamming the door shut.
Lucien's hands tightened around the wheel, his jaw set. His breath came heavy as he started the engine.
"We must stop him," he muttered, eyes hard with determination.
...
{Adrian}
At Yana Lake's private airstrip, the black cars lined up with bodyguards on watch. The door of the middle car opened, and Adrian stepped out, briefcase in hand. His father was right beside him.
"Everything is arranged," his father said firmly. "When you land, Chris will pick you. Call me when you arrive."
"Understood, Father," Adrian replied.
They embraced in a quick, firm hug.
He turned to Bravin. "Take care of my father in my absence."
"Yes, Alpha," Bravin said, bowing slightly in respect.
Adrian gave his father one last look, then walked toward the jet, sorrow heavy in his chest.
I'm sorry, Lucien. I'm sorry Celeste.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Bunny, I hope you're doing okay.
The jet door closed behind him.
...
{Ash}
Thirteen-year-old Ash Veiyln froze mid-bite, his throat tightening unexpectedly.
A small cough escaped him.
His grandmother patted his hand gently. "Bunny, take it easy. Try to finish this warm chocolate cake so you can be strong again."
Ash frowned, glanced around the quiet, sterile room, the faint smell of antiseptic lingering.
"It...it feels like someone mentioned my name or something. Uncle Aster said if someone says your name while you're eating, this happens."
His grandmother smiled softly. "Don't believe such beliefs, Ash. Just eat slowly, and you'll be fine."
Ash looked down at his plate, the rich chocolate tempting him, determined to finish, but the strange tightness in his throat lingered for a moment.
...
{Celeste & Lucien}
Lucien slammed the brakes at the entrance of Yana Lake's private airstrip. He jumped out of the car, Celeste right behind him.
Bodyguards moved to block them, but both of them released a subtle, aggressive pulse of pheromones. The men staggered, eyes watering, coughing as their strength faltered.
Ignoring them, Lucien and Celeste ran across the entrance, shouting in unison, "Adrian! Adrian!"
They froze as their eyes tracked the jet ascending into the sky, its engines a distant roar.
"Too late...kids," a familiar voice said softly behind them. Adrian's father stood a few steps away, calm but firm. "Adrian is gone."
He paused, taking a slow breath. "He will come back...after five years."
Lucien and Celeste remained frozen, the words sinking in as the jet disappeared into the horizon.
...
*Flashback ends.