Letting out a maddening grin, Alexander scoffed. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"You missed..." he said, stepping forward as he brushed a cobweb off Daniel’s hair. Nearing over his shoulder, he gripped the back of his neck firmly.

"Distracted, Daniel? I wonder what’s stealing your attention this time. Is it Xylander’s escapades or Draven’s situation? Whatever it is, if I were your enemy, you’d have lost your head by now," Alex thundered, snatching the gun from Daniel’s trembling hands.

Daniel shuddered slightly at the touch of Alex’s embrace. He watched as Alex lifted the gun, aimed at the target, and pulled the trigger. The bullet slammed dead center into the bullseye.

"Show off," Daniel muttered, irritation rising in his voice. Maybe he wasn’t that interested in shooting after all. He turned on his heels to leave, but before he could take another step, Alex’s iron grip caught his arm.

"And where do you think you’re running off to this noon?" Alex asked, one brow arched.

Daniel stayed silent, tugging against his hold.

"Being weak again, Daniel?" Alex taunted, his voice turning cold. "Or are they right—that male omegas are just soft, rotten pussies that should be burned alive?"

The words struck deep. Daniel’s eyes darkened as anger surged through him. He yanked the gun from Alex’s hands, face twitching with emotion.

"Why, Alex... you’re just being mean," Daniel said, his voice strained and cracking.

Alex only shrugged, calm as ever. Daniel’s jaw tightened. He loaded a bullet, raised the gun, and fired—his rage boiling over.

Bang!

The bullet tore through the bullseye, then through the wall behind it, leaving a smoking hole in the spot.

Alex’s lips curved into a smirk. "You see? Perfect. That’s it. Show them you’re no pussy—you’re my Daniel Lancaster." He patted Daniel’s hair lightly. "I knew you’d hesitate, so I had to push you. Don’t take it to heart."

Daniel stood frozen, staring at the wall in disbelief. His body trembled as the reality hit him. He could have killed Alex—just like that—in a moment of blind rage.

"I could have killed you, Alex! That was careless of you, putting yourself in that position," Daniel scolded, his voice sharp.

Alex only stepped closer, cupping Daniel’s chin gently.

"That won’t happen, dear," he said softly. "I know how cruel the world is. I’m preparing you for the worst—because one day, none of us might be there for you. Your survival may depend only on yourself. I pray that day never comes, but still... you must be ready."

His fingers brushed through Daniel’s curls, tucking one behind his ear.

"Now," Alex said with a small smile, "happy birthday in advance, Daniel Lancaster."

Daniel blinked, surprised. Their gazes locked for several long seconds, an unspoken warmth passing between them.

"You knew? How? You’re so well-versed about me, and yet I barely know your background. That’s not fair, Alex—why?" Daniel asked, half teasing, half curious.

Alex drew him into a gentle embrace, pressing Daniel’s body against his chest.

"The day you’ll know will come, but not now. I’ll surprise you soon," he whispered. "And I know you love Xylander so much—it’s written all over you. Don’t worry. My men are already watching Draven, trying to find out what’s behind his strange behavior. Everything’s covered. Nothing will happen to us while I’m here. Never."

By the time Alex finished talking, their faces were dangerously close—breaths mingling, noses almost brushing. The tension thickened, charged with heat and hesitation.

Alex leaned in teasingly, lips almost grazing Daniel’s, but Daniel froze.

"This isn’t right," he murmured, stepping back. "Not when others aren’t here... and when my husband is suffering. I can’t."

Daniel turned away, shoving his hands into his pockets as he tried to leave the suffocating, dust-filled room. But before he could, Alex’s hand shot out and pulled him back with a swift tug. Daniel spun around, falling into Alex’s strong arms. Alex’s hands slid around his waist, holding him tight.

For a moment, everything stopped. Daniel stared into Alexander’s electric-blue eyes, feeling the pull again.

"Alex... we have to pack our bags, remember? This isn’t the right time," Daniel whispered, his voice low, breathless.

He didn’t even recognize himself anymore. When did I become this? he wondered. A man once cold to love, now tangled in emotions with three different men.

"We have till tomorrow," Alex said, his tone low and seductive. "And as you once said—fuck the world. Let me have you... just for a minute."

His voice was demanding, tempting—and Daniel gave in. He leaned in and pressed his lips to Alex’s.

Their mouths moved roughly against each other, hungry, desperate. Alex’s hands roamed Daniel’s body, sliding down to his hips and then lower—until Daniel suddenly snapped out of it.

"Enough!" he yelled, pushing Alex away.

Alex froze.

Seconds passed before Daniel’s face softened into a small, teasing smile.

"Thanks for everything, Alex. But I’m leaving now. And next time you drag me into a cobweb-filled room just to kiss me, I swear you’ll regret it," Daniel warned, walking out with a playful strut.

*****

Meanwhile, Xylander was still deep in grief, sitting alone in his room. Two portraits rested in his hands—one of his parents, Maxine, and his late sister; the other of himself and a young boy with blonde hair.

"Tell me this isn’t you, Daniel. You weren’t in that singing competition... please, it shouldn’t be you," Xylander whispered, fear creeping into his voice.

The thought terrified him. He had confessed to Daniel—but still, dark secrets lingered in his closet. The number one being that boy in the portrait.

What if it was Daniel?

And what if the night of that terrible accident—the person involved—was Daniel too? If that was true, then his mother had done something terrible.

The door creaked open. Alexander stepped inside and caught the worried look on Xylander’s face.

"Haven’t you said enough? Are you still afraid?" Alex asked, puzzled by his expression.

"It’s not that," Xylander said shakily. "I feel like Eric—my childhood friend—is Daniel now. I can feel it, Alex. It’s in my bones. That’s what scares me the most. What if it’s him?"

Alexander’s jaw tightened. He snapped his fingers in frustration.

"Enough with these pity thoughts. Daniel is not Eric. Eric had a terrible accident—he died that night. Daniel is your groom now, not your ghost from the past. Don’t say that again."

Xylander nodded slowly, though his heart refused to calm.

Alexander reached for the portrait in his hands—the one with the little boy.

"You won’t be seeing this again, Xylander," Alex said firmly. "It’ll only cause trouble. I can’t let this ruin what you and Daniel have. I’m discarding it."

"Don’t!" Xylander said sharply. "That’s my treasure. Leave it—I’ll take care of it myself."

But Alex’s expression didn’t waver.

"One day, this portrait will bring you trouble. If anyone sees it, it’s over for you. And we don’t want that—right now," Alex warned, leaning against the table.

Xylander hesitated, running his hand through his hair in frustration. Finally, he exhaled deeply.

"Fine. Take it. Do whatever you want," he said.

Alex nodded, took the picture, and walked out silently.

As soon as he was gone, Xylander clenched his fists, anger seething beneath his calm face.

"Adrian and Matteo Valez..." he muttered under his breath. "I will butcher you both. Just wait."

*******

Also, Daniel came up with a plan. Why not call Norman and Thomas over? They could have a drink, share some laughter before he left the next day. The thought sounded comforting, even blissful, so he jumped on it.

But as he headed down the stairs, a sharp pain tore through his lower stomach.

"What the..." he gasped.

He tried to take another step, but the pain struck again—harder this time—making him stumble and scream.

"Haaaaa! My stomach!"

Daniel fell to the floor. His head struck the wall, leaving a bleeding gash on his forehead.

Hearing the scream, Xylander rushed out, his face draining of color when he saw Daniel collapsed and bleeding.

"Alex! Alex, where are you?!" he yelled, lifting Daniel into his arms. He carried him bridal-style, rushing down the hall, until he collided with Alex.

"Daniel needs help—now!" Xylander cried out.

Hearing that, Alex’s expression hardened. He sprinted to the car, jumped in, and turned the key with a furious twist.

"Get in—fast!"

They both climbed in, and within seconds, Alex drove out at full speed.

"Hurry, Alex—he’s burning up!" Xylander said, voice trembling.

But as the car sped down the road, a heavy truck appeared behind them—its headlights blinding, its engine roaring.

Unaware of the danger closing in, Alexander kept his foot on the gas. The truck drew closer and closer.....