Chapter 10 - DUST AND SHADOWS
"ALEXANDER! ELENA!" Julian’s voice echoed through the external perimeter speakers, amplified by a bullhorn. "BRING MY SON OUT, OR I WILL BURN THIS MOUNTAIN TO THE GROUND!"
Inside the control room, Elena felt a cold dread pooling in her stomach, but Alexander remained utterly unbothered. He turned to his head of security.
"Disable his vehicle's engine block via the electromagnetic pulse grid," Alexander commanded coldly. "Do not kill him yet. I want him alive."
"Alexander, wait," Elena took his arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve. He paused, looking down at her hand on his arm, then into her eyes.
"Don't go out there alone," she breathed, genuine panic for his safety lacing her voice. "He’s lost his mind. He has nothing to live for."
A faint, breathtakingly soft smile touched Alexander’s lips. He reached up, gently cupping her cheek with his warm hand. His thumb traced her cheekbone with unbelievable tenderness.
"Five years ago, I had nothing to live for either, Elena," he whispered softly, his thumb lingering against her skin. "Now, I have a home to protect. Stay inside with Liam. I’ll be back before his next feeding."
Before she could protest, Alexander stepped through the reinforced blast doors, disappearing into the snow-covered courtyard accompanied by four tactical operatives.
Elena watched the monitors, her heart pounding in her throat. She realized with terrifying clarity that her fear wasn't just about Julian hurting her or her child—she was terrified of losing Alexander. In less than forty-eight hours, the stranger in the wheelchair had become her sanctuary.
Outside, Julian raised his weapon as Alexander emerged from the mist, standing tall, unyielding, and completely imposing in the snow.
May you like
Julian’s eyes widened in sheer, hysterical disbelief. "Your... your legs... You liar! You fraud!"
"The only fraud in this valley is you, Julian," Alexander said, taking a calm step forward, entirely unbothered by the rifle pointed at his chest. "You stole a name, you abused a wife who was infinitely too good for you, and you tried to murder an infant. You are not a Sterling. You are just a pathetic coward wearing a dead man's suit."
