I slipped into a short skirt
and a top.
“Miss, it might be chilly.”
“Well, whatever.
If it gets cold, you can lend me your jacket.”
Michael hesitated.
I rolled my eyes.
Oh Lord… is Caleb going to scold him even for that?!
Fine.
I threw on a short jacket over my shoulders.
“Help me buckle my heels.”
Michael started fastening them.
“Thanks.”
I added a bit of lip gloss.
“Alright, go.
I’ll come down a bit later.”
Caleb walked into the bedroom.
“Darling, are you going somewhere?”
Oh my God.
“Yes.”
“Where exactly?”
“Caleb!”
He raised his hands in surrender.
I laughed.
“I just want to know,” Caleb said.
I made a face.
“I’m going out.”
Caleb clenched his fists.
“Caleb!”
“Sorry, sorry.”
I kissed him on the cheek.
“Bye.”
“Wait! I’ll drive you myself.”
I tried not to think about Caleb behind the wheel —
such an important man in his suit…
and so damn handsome.
And he will absolutely use that to manipulate you and you’ll give in, Mushu crossed his arms.
“What?! No. I can resist him.”
They raised their eyebrows at me skeptically.
“Really?”
I hesitated and glanced at Caleb.
He went to grab the keys.
Oh Lord… if he starts kissing me…
“Darling…” Caleb stepped closer.
I swallowed.
My God, you haven’t even made it to the car yet! Aide said.
“Ahem.”
I gently slipped out of his grasp.
“Yes?”
“Darling…”
He stepped closer again.
My knees started to weaken.
Oh God.
“Darling, are you nervous?”
He gently brushed his lips along my neck.
“No, it’s… it’s just… these sandals are uncomfortable.”
“Mmm.”
Wake up, he’s seducing you so you won’t go anywhere, Mushu said.
Damn, right!
I snapped back to my senses and slapped Caleb across the face.
“You bastard!”
I walked down the stairs, my heels clicking.
Caleb rushed after me.
“But darling, where are you going so late?”
The shop
Oh my God, why is this so hard?
Who knew this would be so hard?
“Oh come on, just take any of them,” Hades said, filing his nails.
“I can’t. It’s important to me that he actually likes the gift.”
“Maybe roses?” Hades suggested.
“Ugh. I hate roses.
Well… except spray roses. Ohhh, spray roses are my love, I adore them.
And dahlias.
And peonies.
And alstroemerias.
Daisies.
Oh, flowers are so beautiful.
I love flowers.”
“Miss, can I help you?”
I jumped.
“Um… I’m not even sure. I need flowers, but I have no idea which ones to pick.”
“Who are they for?”
I hesitated. I really didn’t want to tell her.
“Well… for an old friend. I mean… an acquaintance. I mean…”
I sighed.
“Okay, fine. For a man.”
“Wow, you really are an idiot,” Hades and Mushu laughed openly.
Hades imitated me dramatically:
“Excuse me, could I get a piece of crap on a stick… but with flowers? It’s a gift, after all.”
“You jerk!” I kicked him.
“Miss?”
I looked at the bouquets.
Good Lord, these are awful.
“Oh… wow. Um… could I see something else maybe? What about those over there?”
“Dahlias?” the shop assistant asked.
Is she blind? We literally pointed at them, Hades muttered.
“And maybe add a little greenery… and honestly… I don’t even know.”
I was already exhausted.
“Just… make me something.”
The girl wrapped the bouquet.
I took a deep breath.

Restaurant
“Is everything ready?”
“Hello. Don’t worry.”
Fabio kissed me on the cheek.
“I’m so nervous.”
“Don’t worry, miss. Everything will be perfect.”
“Okay… okay.
Okay.”
“Well, guys, see you later.”
“Don’t worry, miss.”
“Mm-hmm.”
The car
I hope he likes it.
Oh my God… I haven’t been this nervous in a long time.
“Tits out. Let’s go,” Hades said.
“Yeah…”
I sent the Alpha away.
“Sebastian.”
“Miss.”
“Call Caleb.”
He gave a slight bow.
“Of course, miss.”
I checked my lip gloss one last time,
fluffed my curls.
Come on, Nazokat.
You can do this.
Six minutes passed.
I nearly lost my mind from the nerves.
How the hell can six minutes feel this long?
Finally Caleb came out.
I grabbed the bouquet and walked out to him.
“What a face you’re making,” Hades said.
“Careful your teeth don’t turn red from grinning like that,” Mushu added.
He wasn’t wrong — I stood there like a robot,
with that stiff smile and posture like I was at a military parade.
“Hello,” Caleb said, raising an eyebrow.
I flinched.
Damn.
I was so nervous I almost started crying.
“I—I—I… well… I… I’m inviting you on a date.”
Caleb smiled.
“Darling…”
I started shifting from foot to foot and cleared my throat.
“So?
Will you go on a date with me?”
Caleb broke into a wide smile and wiped away a tear.
“Of course.”
I jumped up and down.
“Hooray! Hooray!”
And threw my arms around his neck.
“Ahem,” I corrected myself.
“This is for you.”
I handed him the bouquet
and immediately covered my eyes with my hands.
Please let him like it.
Please let him like it.
Caleb started to cry.
“Why is he always crying?” Hades muttered.
“Oh, shut up!”
“Can I?”
Caleb nodded and I hugged him.
I still couldn’t tell if he liked the bouquet,
but the important thing was that he was touched
and not screaming like a lunatic.
After a moment Caleb calmed down.
He thanked me and asked for the Alpha’s keys.
“Hey, I’m the one courting you.”
Caleb straightened up.
“I’ll drive.”
“Caleb! Don’t ruin the evening.
Be quiet and do what I say.”
Caleb burst into booming laughter.
I bit my lip so I wouldn’t give in to that scoundrel.
God, he’s so damn tempting.
The car
I walked up to the passenger side and opened the door for him.
“Please.”
Caleb looked a little embarrassed, but he got in, still holding the bouquet.
I went around the car, and while Caleb was already inside, I bounced a little and squealed to myself.
I even managed to dance a little in place.
Proud of myself for handling this so well, I went around to the driver’s seat.
“You’re awesome,” Hades said.
“Yeah.”
We bumped fists.
The Alpha growled to life and we drove to the restaurant.

The restaurant
I walked around the car and opened the door for Caleb.
He stepped out.
I turned—and slightly stumbled.
“Ah!”
Caleb caught me immediately.
Damn.
I looked at him.
God, that smell of his.
Oh Lord…
Just hold it together until the end of the evening.
“What a slut,” Hades muttered.
“Tell me about it.”
Fabio greeted us with a bright smile.
Caleb raised his hand and stopped Fabio from leaning in for kisses.
I almost died laughing.
But I tried to hold it in so I wouldn’t be rude.
Sorry, I mouthed silently.
Fabio waved it off, like it was no big deal.
I sat there, glowing.
“So, what will you have?”
“Ratatouille?”
“What’s that?”
I narrowed my eyes.
Caleb’s such a gourmet, he definitely knows what that is.
But alright—maybe he just wants to flatter me.
“It’s vegetables… I think they roast them.”
Caleb froze.
I took his hand.
“Sweetheart, there isn’t anything else. But I think this is the closest thing.”
Caleb looked moved.
I thought to myself, sweetheart, you haven’t seen anything yet.
I love you so much.
I want you to be happy. I want you to smile.
The wine arrived.
“I don’t drink that,” Caleb said.
Sorry, I mouthed again.
Even Hades and Mushu snorted.
I sighed.
“Caleb, you’re being very rude. Please stop.”
He stood up and walked over to the staff.
“My apologies.”
I smiled.
Caleb gave a slight bow.
“Satisfied now, miss?”
I blushed.
“Yes.”
I thought about how smart Caleb was.
He picks things up really fast.
“Yeah, the guy’s damn smart,” Hades said.
We started talking about all kinds of crazy stuff.
Caleb is such an idiot — what is he even saying?
It was so funny.
I don’t believe a single one of his stories.
He made all of it up. None of that ever happened.
What an idiot.
I kept laughing and laughing.
How can someone even come up with things like that?
What a fool.
Finally the main course arrived.
“Sweetheart.”
Caleb looked up.
I took his hand.
Jess came out of the kitchen.
She was carrying vegetables — Caleb’s favorite dish when he was little.
Jess had prepared it exactly the way she used to make it for him when he was little.
Caleb immediately covered his face with his hands.
The staff politely looked away.
Jess set the dish down
and hugged her son.
Caleb was choking back tears.
I was crying.
Jess was crying.
It was such a touching moment.
But I got scared — what if I had opened some old wounds in Caleb?
“It’s fine. He just didn’t expect it,” Hades and Mushu said, putting their arms around my shoulders.
I felt relieved.
The spirits appeared behind Caleb.
They bowed to me.
I bowed back.
They showed me Caleb as a child.
He was six.
So beautiful.
But he was such a chubby little boy.
Who would’ve thought he used to be so chubby?
The boy hugged me.
I burst into tears.
The boy stepped back slowly
and turned into Caleb at eighteen.
Hot-tempered, angry, always jerking off.
Fights.
Constant fights.
Fights over anything.
Then suddenly he was in a room.
I couldn’t understand where he was.
A dorm room maybe?
Or something else?
I couldn’t tell.
Just some room.
He was alone.
And he was crying.
Everything around him was destroyed.
The image began to glitch.
Damn — no, no.
No.
The image vanished.
Damn it.
I slammed my fist on the table.
Everyone looked at me.
I blushed.
“I’m sorry.”
The spirits bowed.
But one of them gave a strange smile.
I stepped out to the restroom.
“Come out.”
Then the Supreme One appeared.
“Hello, baby.”
He grabbed me by the throat and licked my cheek.
I spat in his face.
“Get away from him, you bastard.”
“Oh, is that how you talk to your beloved?”
I grimaced.
“You’re an asshole. You’re not my beloved.”
“Don’t forget who’s keeping Nate alive.”
I frowned.
“Caleb’s energy doesn’t belong to you.”
“You can’t hold him on your own. Caleb is the one carrying him.”
“That’s a lie!”
“Really?”
He showed me Nate.
I cursed.
“Damn it, you bastard.”
“Stay out of their energy field.”
“Nate is already here. Caleb doesn’t have long left.”
In a rage I started hitting the Supreme.
“You bastard! Leave them alone!”
He only smirked.
“You know the price.”
“No.”
“Give me your son.”
“No. No, no, no.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“No.”
“Fine. If not Roman, then Logan.”
“No! No!”
He began reciting an ancient text.
I covered my ears.
“No, no, no, no.”
But it was already too late.
We were in the lower realms.
I cursed.
“You bastard.”
“When will you finally leave us alone?”
“When you become mine, darling.”
“That will never happen.”
“Really?”
“Then maybe like this.”
He showed me Caleb.
Caleb’s blood began to slow.
His cells began shifting,
as if responding to a command.
Damn.
He’s trying to cause cardiac arrest.
“You bastard, don’t touch him!”
And then Caleb himself appeared.
My breath caught.
Caleb pushed me aside.
My jaw dropped.
He can do that?!
Caleb pinned the Supreme down and tore him apart.
He whistled, and my wolves appeared.
I froze.
“You were his this whole time?”
Caleb looked like a man made of magma — lava inside, covered by a hardened, cracked crust.
Oh my God.
“Darling…”
I fainted.

The table was fully set — tea, pastries, and sweets.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“What?! You knew Caleb was stronger than me?!”
“What the hell!”
I got so angry I started throwing dishes at the wall.
My spirits told me to sit down.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I feel stupid! Why the hell would he need my advice if he’s so smart?!”
“It had to be this way.”
“What?! What the hell does that mean? Speak, damn it!”
“Stop the drama. Center yourself. He’ll be here soon.”
And Caleb walked in.
I completely lost it.
“What the hell! What the hell is going on here?!”
Caleb took me by the arm and gently kissed my cheek.
“Darling… I’m watching over you.”
“What?!”
“Here on Earth, I’m watching over you.”
I pulled away.
“What are you talking about?”
“Darling, it’s time.”
Damn.

And I was back in the restaurant.
Knock.
Another knock.
“Darling, I’m going to break the door down.”
I shook my head.
“Easy, easy… I’m coming.”
God, how much time has passed?
Did I black out?
I walked out and looked at Caleb.
He was composed. Calm.
“Darling.”
I saw his eyes glint slightly.
Damn… he knows.
A chill ran down my spine.
So he can shift into those states as well.
I swallowed.
Oh my God.
Caleb pressed me gently against the wall.
“Darling, don’t worry.”
My jaw almost dropped.
Don’t worry?!
“Caleb, don’t worry?!”
“Yes.”
He gently bit my earlobe.
“He won’t bother you anymore.”
I gave a nervous laugh.
The Supreme is the strongest being I’ve ever seen in those altered states…
If Caleb is stronger than him—
I swallowed.
Oh God.
Morning
In the morning Caleb gave me a pair of earrings.
“Oh wow, they’re beautiful.” I leaned in to kiss him.
Caleb stopped me.
“Don’t take them off.”
He looked focused. Very serious.
I swallowed.
“Alright.”
I put the earrings on.
“Come on.”
He pulled me downstairs.
Nate was in the living room.
“Nate?”
But I couldn’t move.
Caleb turned around.
That’s when I realized — he was controlling everything around us.
Oh my God.
“It’s time for Nate to go.”
I swallowed.
“Caleb…”
Caleb moved his finger slightly, and I could move again.
I immediately lost it.
“What the hell is going on here?!”
Nate calmly walked out.
I looked at Caleb.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
“Is Nate himself right now? Does he even understand what’s happening?”
“No.”
“Caleb! Damn it, you’re taking away his will!”
Caleb turned back, and his eyes flickered again.
Oh hell.
The darkness was feeding him.
“Caleb! Damn it, you can’t do this!”
“Quiet.”
And I couldn’t move again.
Oh God.
Tears started running down my face.

Dining room
“Caleb!”
“There was no other way, darling.”
“What?! You used darkness just to cover up your jealousy!”
“That’s not it.”
I swallowed, and it suddenly started making sense.
So this wasn’t the first time. Caleb knew how to use it.
He’d done it before.
I slowly stepped back.
“Darling…”
“No. I’m afraid of you.”
“Darling…” Caleb sighed.
“I had no other choice. Nate is crossing the line. I have to protect you.”
“Don’t lie, Caleb!”
“It’s the truth.”
“Caleb!”
“It’s the truth, darling.”
“But you’re working with darkness. Why? How do you even keep that balance?”
Caleb lowered his eyes.
“It’s only a deal.”
Damn… how… how could you, Caleb?
He wouldn’t remember.
Oh God.
“Darling…” he gently touched my face with his hand.
“I love you very much.”
I started crying.
“You’re insane.”
He smirked.
Caleb blinked.
Then again.
He shook his head.
Damn.
“Michael!”
Security burst into the room.
“Catch him!”
Caleb slept for seventy-two hours straight.