The more Jess's anger builds, the more he feels something stir deep inside him, like ancient strength, it's unfamiliar to him.
It pulses just beneath his skin like wildfire. It coils through his veins, demanding release, surging every time he clenches his fists or glares at Charlotte's smug face.
But the energy strains against his body, his stomach twists with pain so sharp it steals his breath.
Every pulse of that strange force only worsens the cramping, limiting his strength and pinning him in place like a chain.
Still, he refuses to give in.
But unexpectedly, Kyle moves toward Charlotte.
In one swift, brutal motion, he lunges at Charlotte, catching her completely off guard.
Her shocked gasp is short-lived as Kyle's fist crashes into her shoulder, knocking her back into the wall. She shrieks, and one of the suited men instantly breaks away to help her.
Seeing that, Jess uses all he got. He throws himself at the remaining man. His nails claw, fists pound, and knees slam with the remaining strength he has.
He lands a solid blow to the man's throat, stunning him, then drives his knee hard into the man's gut.
The man stumbles.
Kyle grabs Jess's arm and yanking him toward the door.
They burst into the hallway, hearts pounding, breath wild. Down the corridor, into the elevator, out the lobby. They run.
Outside, the cold night air hits Jess like a slap. They wave down a cab. Kyle practically throws them inside.
"Drive!" Kyle shouts. "Just go. Anywhere, just drive!"
"Drive where?" The man asks confused and stunned, but yells at him to drive. A voice that is impossible to ignore.
The taxi peels off into the street.
Jess leans back in the seat, trembling. Confused. Sweat slicks his skin despite the cold. His heart is pounding so fast it hurts.
After trying and failing to calm himself, he turns to Kyle in a fury. He wants to scream, to demand answers. Whose side is Kyle even on? Jess doesn't know, he's not even sure how many sides there are or what's really going on.
Is Kyle helping him, or just pulling him deeper into the chaos? But something in Jess holds back. He's convinced Kyle would lie even if he asked him.
So he says nothing.
He stares out the window, fists clenched in his lap, trying not to lose control.
After several tense minutes, Kyle suddenly orders, "Stop the car."
The driver pulls over.
Kyle gets out first and grabs Jess's wrist, tugging him along.
"Hey! You didn't pay!" the driver yells, halfway out of his door.
Kyle turns back slowly, eyes glowing faintly with a golden shimmer. He mutters something under his breath, his voice almost inhuman for a second, like two tones woven together.
The driver freezes, mouth half open. Then he scrambles back into his seat and speeds off without another word.
Jess stares, stunned. Before Kyle turns back, he bolts.
He twists away from Kyle, ducking into the crowd and narrow alley between two buildings, weaving through the maze of busy sidewalks and neon-lit storefronts.
He moves fast only to crash into a solid chest.
He stumbles back, startled, and when he looks up, he sees… Kyle.
His mouth drops open.
"Fvck!" he curses. "What are you?! An alpha or something? Did you lie about your rank too?"
Jess knows only Alphas can move that fast. Only Alphas could track someone so precisely, cloak themselves in the crowd, erase memories like he had with the taxi driver.
"I never lied to you about anything," Kyle says, calm, unbothered. "Come on. I'm trying to protect you."
Jess glares at him. "From what?!" he spits. "You clearly know more than you ever said. Actually... I don't know you at all, do I? So let's drop the act. We've both saved each other now, so we're even. I don't owe you anything, nor do you. I can handle this myself. Thanks..."
He spins around to walk away, but Kyle grabs his wrist, firm.
"You serious?" he growls. "Last I checked, we were together... dating. I don't remember breaking up with you. I desapeared just for a little while, and you betrayed me, slept with the man who ruined our lives, and he got yourself pregnant. You haven't even apologized for that."
Jess's chest tightens.
"Stop. Just stop!" he yells. "You honestly think I'm too naive to notice there's something deeper going on? Something wrong with all of this?"
Kyle glances around as Jess's voice rises. "You're drawing attention. Don't make me carry you away. Come on. Let's talk somewhere else."
Jess wants to punch him.
But something tells him he's not getting away that easily.
So he decides to play dumb.
He follows him.
Kyle leads him to another hotel. Jess's thoughts spiral... How are they even going to pay? They have no money.
But Kyle says nothing as he books the room. Jess stays quiet, watching every move.
Once inside, Kyle locks the door, he doesn't put down the key.
"Let me take a shower, just a few minutes" he mutters, already pulling off his shirt.
As he tosses it aside, Jess's eyes catch a glint. A small bottle. The same kind of bottle those men had tried to force down his throat.
It's tucked in Kyle's discarded shirt.
The abortion drug... They said.
Jess's blood runs cold.
His breath catches. His fingers twitch. Did Kyle take the bottle?! Is he going to force him drink it?!
He paces, "What the fVck is going on?!" He curses.
He doesn't know who to trust anymore. Not Kyle. Maybe not even himself. It's like there's danger everywhere he is.
Everything Charlotte said replays in his mind. Her words had layers, calculated and cruel. She wasn't marrying Tanner out of love. She had a plan. And she doesn't seem to be alone in whatever the plan is.
And Tanner might be a victim too.
Even after all he did to him, Jess can't stand the idea of him being a victim of whatever is happening.
If Charlotte succeeds to marry him tomorrow, it could mean something far worse than a wedding.
"I have to go back and warn him," he murmurs, his pacing turning into sharp, restless strides. "I need to get to Crystal Bay City before it's too late. Less than two hours before dawn."