Jayden stood on the edge of the riverbank, looking out over the crystal lake. Its surface shimmered like molten glass under the evening light, casting soft reflections of the surrounding cityscape. He could hardly believe he was here—in Valemont, a city renowned for its dazzling beauty, where each building seemed carved out of dreams. The world felt too vivid, almost surreal, and yet, he couldn't remember how he had arrived. The last memory he had was with Hadrain, laughing, carefree. And now, he was alone, drawn to the lake rumored to glow under the moon's gaze.
"Feeling lost? Don't be. You're in a safe place."
The voice startled Jayden, sending a chill through him. Turning around, he saw a man of such beauty that it almost stung. His features were refined—an oval face with midnight blue eyes that seemed to pierce right through him, set beneath a halo of dark, curly red hair. He was tall and elegant, his presence commanding yet gentle. Jayden's heart pounded as he stared; this man was the image of Lamia, yet different.
"Excuse me… are you Lamia?" Jayden asked, his voice trembling with both curiosity and confusion. The man let out a soft laugh, stepping closer so that Jayden could see the faint lines of sorrow etched into his face.
"No," the man said, smiling with a warmth that held an undertone of sadness. "I am Charles MacLeod, Lamia's father. You're one of his classmates, aren't you? Or maybe more than that."
Jayden's heart lifted with a flicker of hope. "Please… I don't know where we are. Also Lamia left Ivory High, and I think he's in danger. Won't you help him?"
But before he could continue, Jayden noticed tears welling up in Charles's eyes. The sight stunned him, and he fell silent, watching as this man's heartache surfaced in raw, silent sobs. There was an unspoken weight in his gaze, a pain that seemed carved into his soul.
"Is Lamia alright?" Jayden's voice was barely a whisper, his heart drumming in panic.
Charles wiped a tear away, looking away as if ashamed of his vulnerability. "No, Jayden. I was killed trying to protect my son. Since then, I have not known peace, not while Lamia is in danger. He is in more peril now than ever, and even his mother… she too has become a target."
The words filled Jayden with dread, the weight of impending doom pressing on his chest.
"Jayden, you must understand," Charles continued, his voice carrying a tremor of urgency. "Damian is not right for Lamia. Their love is… forbidden. It killed him once, and if they reunite, Lamia may not survive it again. But his true mate, his destined love… that person is Hadrain Blackstone."
The revelation left Jayden frozen, his chest constricting as he processed the words. He felt the sting of a truth he had no idea was possible, something he had never wanted to confront he knew Hadrain had a soft spot for Lamia but then being mate was so shocking.
"You're… not fully healed, are you?" Charles whispered, his midnight-blue eyes full of sorrow. "The spell may have slowed the effects, but you're dying, Jayden. You know it, don't you?"
Jayden's knees buckled, and he sank to the ground, his gaze distant, unfocused. "Yes," he said hoarsely. "I've known… I've been coughing blood, hiding it from Hadrain. I couldn't burden him with it. He deserves happiness, not… guilt."
Charles knelt beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Life is cruel, Jayden. It's not fair. You've found love, only to lose it. But this—your death—was foretold. It is written in the Hall of Prophecy."
Jayden's voice broke. "Is there no way to change it? I don't want to leave him… I don't want to give up on our future."
Charles looked at him, a sad smile on his face. "I understand. I wanted more time with Lamia too, but fate doesn't bend easily. You have a choice, Jayden: spend these last moments with Hadrain, or chase a future that was never promised."
Jayden felt tears stream down his face. The thought of saying goodbye tore at his soul, yet he knew that time was slipping through his fingers.
Charles watched him, his face shadowed with the weight of his own regrets. "If you see Lamia, tell him… tell him his papa loves him. That I'll always be with him, even if he can't see me."
A bright light began to envelop Jayden, lifting him gently, like a lullaby, back to the world he'd come from. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth carry him, and when he opened them, he was in Hadrain's embrace, his fingers brushing through his hair in tender strokes.
"Hadrain," Jayden whispered, tears spilling over. "I don't… I don't want to leave you. You've shown me what peace feels like, what love is. I can't… I can't bear to let go."
Hadrain's face softened, a puzzled smile tugging at his lips as he cupped Jayden's face. "Jayden, what's wrong? I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. We'll face whatever comes, together."
Jayden hesitated, his heart thudding with a question that had haunted him. "Hadrain… what are your feelings for Lamia? It was clear you cared for him once. Did you… do you miss him, even now?"
Hadrain's expression shifted, his eyes darkening as he searched Jayden's face. "Yes, I loved him once, in a way. The first time I saw him, he captivated me. My pride didn't allow me to admit it, and I almost… I almost hurt him because I was too jealous, too stubborn to see the truth."
Jayden touched his cheek gently, silencing his self-blame. "It's alright. Maybe, if we see Lamia again… maybe we could even… share our love with him maybe even have a threesome. I know he'd want that."
Hadrain chuckled softly, his eyes filling with warmth. "You're truly one of a kind, Jay. Thank you… for finding me, for letting me into your life. Now, let's eat. You need your strength."
Jayden smiled weakly, though a pang of grief tightened his chest. "Promise me something, Hadrain. If… if anything happens to me, don't close your heart. Go to Lamia, if he'll have you. I know he'll make you happy."
The words seemed to shake Hadrain, and he stared at Jayden, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. "Why… why would you say that?"
Jayden's voice was faint, each word a struggle. "Because you deserve happiness, even if I'm not here. And maybe… just once more, can you… kiss me more? Kiss me like your life depends on it."
Without hesitation, Hadrain leaned down, his lips meeting Jayden's in a kiss that was deep, intense, and filled with every ounce of love he had held back. Jayden melted into him, feeling his warmth, the soft graze of his fingers tracing his cheek, his heartbeat syncing with Hadrain's as if trying to etch this moment into forever.
When they parted, Jayden looked into Hadrain's eyes, a bittersweet smile on his face. "Thank you, for everything."
In the stillness that followed, Hadrain wrapped his arms around Jayden, and for a while, they held each other, as if refusing to let the world steal this final moment.