The helicopter sliced through the predawn sky, and Alaska's pulse matched the rotors fast, restless, starving for home.
He'd imagined it clearly:
Alana running into his arms.
Her scent. Her warmth.
Her whisper assuring him he wasn't a monster.
He needed that.
He needed her.
Kenan glanced his way.
"Excited to see your girl again?"
Alaska didn't answer. His jaw clenched too hard to speak.
Not excitement.
Obsession.
A hunger that burned too violently to name.
He wasn't just returning.
He was claiming what was his.
Back at the Mansion
Alana stood in the training room, hands still shaking from her last drill. Sweat slid down her neck. The fear that had once paralyzed her… was transforming into fuel.
She whispered into the silence:
"Come back alive… just like you promised."
Her heart twisted painfully.
Every second without him felt like a countdown to disaster.
She pressed her hand over the ring he put on her finger.
His mark. His vow.
A thunderous alarm suddenly blared through the mansion.
Red lights flashed.
Guards shouted orders.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Alana froze.
"No… not now…"
Reza stormed into the room.
"Kavron's men found us. Move!"
Her heart roared to life Alaska. He's not here. I'm alone.
But then she steadied her breath.
No. She wasn't helpless anymore.
She grabbed her weapon.
You'll come back to me, Alaska.
I'll survive until you do.
In the Air Too Late
Kenan answered his buzzing phone. His expression drained of color.
"Boss Kavron just hit the mansion."
Alaska went still.
Then something inside him shattered.
The cabin filled with killing intent so sharp Kenan instinctively stepped back.
"I told her I'd come home alive," Alaska whispered slowly.
"And I will."
He slammed his fist into the cockpit door.
"Pilot. Ignore all air traffic control. Push max speed."
"Sir, we're still."
"NOW."
He didn't care if the helicopter tore itself apart.
If they touched her…
If they scared her…
He would end the world.
The Mansion Falls Into War
Explosions shook the walls.
Reza fired at the intruders as he dragged Alana into the upper corridor.
"This way!"
A bullet ripped into his shoulder.
He collapsed.
Alana screamed his name but he still pushed her toward a thick vault-like door.
"Hide! Lock it! Alaska will kill me if anything happens to you!"
Tears blurred her sight.
"No! I'm not leaving you alone!"
His voice broke.
"Alana go!"
She could either run… or fight.
Her hands tightened around the gun.
She chose fight.
Three men turned the corner.
She fired.
One collapsed instantly, a perfect shot to the chest. The second took a bullet to the thigh.
The third charged rage in his roar.
Alana grabbed Reza's knife and drove it into the attacker's throat before he could overpower her.
Blood sprayed across her arms.
She trembled violently but didn't stop breathing.
Reza stared at her in disbelief.
"You're becoming him," he whispered.
Alana didn't know if that terrified her… or thrilled her.
The Traitor
Footsteps heavier than the others echoed down the hall.
A man wearing a black tactical suit stepped into view a crow tattoo wrapping his forearm like dark wings.
Kavron's second-in-command.
He smirked.
"Finally found the young Direndra's little weakness."
Alana's blood iced over.
He aimed his gun at Reza.
Reza couldn't move he was bleeding out.
"No!" Alana shouted, raising her weapon again.
But a sudden sting hit her neck sharp and burning.
A tranquilizer dart.
The world blurred.
Her gun slipped from her fingers.
"Sleep, princess," the man sneered.
"Your monster won't reach you in time."
Alana collapsed, vision smearing into darkness.
The last thing she heard was Reza screaming her name.
Approaching Hell
Alaska saw smoke rising from his estate as the helicopter descended.
His home. His fortress.
His heart.
He didn't wait for landing gear he jumped from a dangerous height, rolling through gravel and sprinting toward the mansion with murderous speed.
Soldiers still firing at loyal Direndra guards didn't even see him coming.
Bones broke.
Throats tore.
Blood painted the marble steps like sacrifice.
Kenan yelled orders to secure survivors but Alaska didn't slow down.
He kicked open the front doors.
"ALANA!"
Only silence answered.
He became still… too still.
Like a bomb waiting for the spark.
Kenan rushed inside behind him.
"Boss look."
On the floor, smeared in blood and dust…
Alana's ring.
The black metal symbol of his vow.
It had been torn off.
Alaska picked it up with trembling fingers.
Then everything inside him died and awakened again as something far darker.
Kenan swallowed.
"Kavron took her. This was planned."
Alaska lifted his gaze.
No warmth.
No humanity.
Just killing intent so vast the air itself seemed to recoil.
His voice was calm. Deadly calm.
"I'm going to find him."
A beat.
"And when I do…"
He slid the ring into his pocket.
"…I'll make him beg for death."
War Has a New Meaning
Alana was no longer just a reason to live.
She was now the reason to destroy.
And anyone who stood between them…
would burn.
This wasn't love anymore.
It was obsession with a heartbeat.