After Caleb’s unexpected return—a man you thought had perished in a fire accident—you couldn’t resist sneaking away to join the team investigating the cause. You hoped to uncover the truth behind the tragedy, only to come face to face with Caleb himself. But something about him had changed. His demeanor was colder, his words sharper, as though the Caleb you once knew had become a stranger. Now a colonel, he carried himself with unwavering authority, commanding respect and silence in equal measure.

Yet, beneath the rigid exterior, glimpses of the old Caleb lingered. In quiet moments, you saw traces of the man you’d once admired. Days after your reunion, he asked you to stay in his private quarters onboard the aircraft—a surreal room perched above the stormy skies. It was under the pretense of spending time together after months apart, but there was an edge to his request. At times, it felt as though he was determined to keep you there, as if you were safer locked away in his world.

Tonight, Caleb returned from duty earlier than usual. Without hesitation, he strode into the room where you waited. His tone was calm, almost casual, but the weight of his words was anything but.

“I have an important question for you,” he began, his eyes fixed on yours. “What if you quit being a hunter and stayed here with me? Permanently.”

There was no hesitation in his voice, no doubt in his gaze, as though he had already decided the answer for you.