The night stretched on, the city pulsing with its usual rhythm. But for Selene, everything felt different now. She hurried home, her mind still lingering on Zane Shadow, the way he had appeared and disappeared like a phantom, the way his golden eyes had held hers with a knowing intensity.
And that name.
"Little fox."
The words had settled deep in her chest, an echo of something she didn't understand.
As she reached her apartment, she exhaled sharply, pushing open the door and stepping inside. The familiar warmth of her small but cozy home wrapped around her, yet she couldn't shake the sensation that she wasn't alone.
Not in a physical sense.
But something unseen, something just beyond her understanding, was watching.
Far above, beyond the veil of human perception, Orion watched her.
From the rooftops, his silver eyes glowed faintly against the darkness, his presence veiled in celestial energy that no ordinary human could detect. Dressed in a flowing coat that shimmered subtly under the moonlight, Orion stood unmoving, his gaze fixed on Selene's small apartment.
His presence was not meant to be known. Not yet.
He had watched over her for years, always at a distance, always ensuring she remained safe. But now… now something was different.
She was changing.
Or perhaps, she was awakening.
The moment Zane had spoken to her, Orion had felt the shift in energy. The way the shadows had responded to the dark-haired man's presence. The way Selene had instinctively reacted, drawn yet cautious. It unsettled him.
Zane Shadow.
A name Orion had not heard in centuries.
The celestial being's fingers curled slightly, the air around him shimmering in response to his emotions. Zane's presence here was no coincidence. It was a sign.
But was it a warning?
--
Selene ran a hand through her hair, dropping her coat onto the chair by the door. Her heart was still racing. She moved toward the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water, trying to shake the tension.
"Who was he?"
The question burned in her mind.
She had met plenty of mysterious men before, but Zane was different. He had spoken to her like he knew her. Like he was waiting for something.
Selene sighed, rubbing her temples. This is ridiculous. I don't have time for cryptic strangers in the night.
But no matter how much she tried to push the thought aside, she couldn't ignore the way her body had responded. The way her heartbeat had quickened—not in fear, but in something far more complex.
She glanced out the window. The city lights flickered beyond the glass, casting faint reflections on the pane.
And for a fleeting second, she could have sworn she saw someone standing on the rooftop across from her.
A figure bathed in silver light.
Her breath hitched, and she took a step closer, squinting into the darkness. But just as quickly as she had noticed it, the figure was gone.
Gone… or simply hidden?
Orion remained still, his presence merging with the night. He had let her see a glimpse of him, just for a second. A mistake, perhaps.
Or a sign that his restraint was slipping.
Stay away from her.
The warning whispered in his mind, a reminder of the celestial laws that bound him. He was not meant to interfere.
But Selene wasn't just anyone.
She was something else.
Orion had felt it the first time he had laid eyes on her.... long before she had even been born into this life. She was not meant to live an ordinary human existence.
And now, the shadows had found her.
Zane's presence only confirmed what Orion had feared:
Selene was awakening to a truth that had been hidden from her since birth.
A truth even she didn't know yet.
Orion exhaled slowly, his silver eyes narrowing as he made his decision.
For years, he had kept his distance.
But if the shadows had already begun moving, then staying away was no longer an option.
It was time to step out of the silence.
But carefully.
Because if Selene knew the truth too soon…
She might not survive it.
Morning sunlight streamed through Selene's window, but she had barely slept. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of golden eyes, flickering shadows, and that strange silver glow she had glimpsed the night before.
Shaking herself awake, she got ready for the day. She had no time to dwell on strange men or ominous feelings.
Or so she thought.
As she stepped into the small café down the street for her morning coffee, the bell above the door chimed softly. The scent of espresso and fresh pastries filled the air, and the low murmur of conversations provided a comforting backdrop.
She placed her order and waited near the counter, scrolling through her phone.
And then...
A presence.
She felt it before she saw him.
Her eyes lifted instinctively, drawn to the figure near the window.
A man sat alone, a book in hand, his posture effortlessly elegant. His features were striking—sharp yet ethereal, his silver hair catching the morning light in a way that seemed almost unreal. His long fingers turned the page of his book with quiet precision, but his gaze…
His gaze was already on her.
Cool, observant, unreadable.
Selene swallowed hard, looking away quickly.
Something about him sent a shiver down her spine.
Not the same way Zane had. Zane's presence was bold, electric, almost dangerous.
This man was… something else entirely.
Refined. Unreachable.
Yet impossibly familiar.
When her coffee was ready, she grabbed it quickly, forcing herself to focus. She had to stop letting strangers get under her skin.
But as she turned to leave, she hesitated.
A feeling washed over her, an instinct she couldn't name.
Slowly, she glanced back.
The man was still watching her, his silver eyes calm, steady.
Then, ever so slightly—
He nodded.
A simple gesture. Barely noticeable.
But for reasons she couldn't explain… it sent her heart racing.
And deep inside her, something stirred.
Something ancient.
Something waiting.
Orion watched as Selene walked away, her steps quick, almost hesitant. He could sense her confusion, the way her mind was trying to make sense of something she had no knowledge of yet.
She was beginning to feel the pull.
He closed his book, exhaling softly. This was dangerous ground.
If he got too close, if she realized what he was too soon…
The balance would break.
But neither could he stay away.
Not anymore.
Adjusting his coat, Orion stood, his movements fluid, almost weightless.
And as he stepped outside into the morning sun, he made himself a silent promise.
No matter what it took…
He would protect her.
Even if it meant staying in the shadows forever.
Even if it meant watching from a distance while another tried to claim her fate.
Because Selene wasn't just any mortal.
She was something far more precious.
And he wasn't the only one who knew it.