TWENTY FIVE_THE BEAST AWAKENS
The room was silent after Alexander’s words.
Aiden sat on the bed, his heart beating faster than usual.
He thinks I’m Alexander’s weakness.
The thought made him uneasy.
Across the room, Alexander stood by the window, staring into the darkness outside the mansion. His expression was cold and unreadable.
Aiden slowly stood up.
“Alexander…”
Alexander didn’t turn around.
“Yes, kitten?”
“Maybe Marco is right.”
That made Alexander finally look back.
“What do you mean?”
Aiden hesitated before speaking.
“If he’s targeting me, then I’m putting you in danger.”
Alexander stared at him for a moment… then suddenly laughed.
It wasn’t a happy laugh.
It was the laugh of someone who had heard something completely ridiculous.
“You really think you’re the problem here?”
Aiden frowned slightly.
“Well—”
Alexander walked toward him slowly.
“No.”
His voice was calm but firm.
“You’re the reason I’m holding back.”
Aiden blinked.
“Holding back?”
Alexander stopped in front of him.
“If Marco wanted a war, he should’ve come for me directly.”
His eyes darkened.
“But instead he tried to use you.”
Aiden swallowed.
“That makes things… personal.”
A chill ran down Aiden’s spine.
Alexander reached out and gently lifted Aiden’s chin.
“Are you scared?”
Aiden looked into his eyes.
Surprisingly…
He wasn’t.
“…No.”
Alexander studied his face carefully.
Then a faint smile appeared.
“Good.”
Before Aiden could react, Alexander suddenly pulled him closer.
Aiden stumbled slightly into his chest.
“Because I don’t plan on losing.”
Aiden could feel Alexander’s heartbeat under his cheek.
Strong.
Steady.
Protective.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Aiden quietly asked,
“What are you going to do?”
Alexander gently rested his hand on the back of Aiden’s head.
His voice dropped into a low whisper.
“I’m going to remind Marco why people call me the Beast.”
Aiden looked up at him.
“…You sound scary when you say that.”
Alexander smirked slightly.
“I usually am.”
Aiden tried to look serious but failed.
“You don’t scare me.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
Aiden crossed his arms.
“Not really.”
Alexander leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer to Aiden’s.
“Careful, kitten.”
His voice became softer.
“You might be the only person in the world brave enough to say that.”
Aiden’s face warmed again.
Before the moment could continue—
A loud knock suddenly echoed on the door.
Alexander sighed in annoyance.
“Yes?”
One of the guards spoke from outside.
“Boss, we caught someone near the outer gate.”
Alexander’s expression immediately turned cold again.
“Who?”
“One of Marco’s men.”
Aiden’s stomach tightened.
Alexander opened the door.
The guard continued,
“He was trying to sneak into the property.”
Alexander’s eyes darkened.
“Bring him to the interrogation room.”
The guard nodded.
“Yes, boss.”
Alexander turned back toward Aiden.
“Stay here.”
Aiden shook his head immediately.
“No.”
Alexander frowned slightly.
“Aiden—”
“I’m not a child,” Aiden said firmly. “If someone is coming after me, I want to know what’s happening.”
Alexander studied him carefully.
Then he sighed.
“You’re stubborn.”
Aiden crossed his arms.
“I learned from you.”
That made Alexander chuckle.
After a moment, he nodded.
“Fine.”
He walked toward the door.
“But stay behind me.”
Aiden followed him out of the room.
As they walked down the long hallway of the mansion, Aiden could feel the tension in the air.
Guards were everywhere.
Something big was coming.
And for the first time…
Aiden was about to see the dangerous side of Alexander DeLuca that the entire mafia world feared.
The Beast was finally waking up. ??