The Rising Storm
Elena's heart was a storm. A violent, churning tempest of power, doubt, and desire that swirled inside her, threatening to tear her apart. She could feel the pull of the stranger's words, the seductive promise of control, of freedom. But there was something else—something tethering her to reality.
Alexander.
He was standing just a few feet away, his face a mask of concern and determination. His silver eyes, usually cold and calculating, were now soft, almost pleading. "You don't have to do this," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "You're not alone."
Elena's gaze shifted from Lucien to Alexander, her mind reeling. She had been so focused on Lucien's betrayal, on his lies, that she hadn't realized just how much Alexander had been there for her. Quiet, unwavering, always in the background. His presence had been a constant, a grounding force.
But was that enough?
