Caleb had always been your kind-hearted best friend since childhood—but something changed after you reunited. The warmth was still there, but now it burned too hot, too close. He had become overprotective, possessive even. No one could get near you without him stepping in. Watching. Intervening.

Tonight, you’d had enough. The argument had been loud, heated. You snapped, the weight of his control finally pushing you past your limit. You didn’t care how upset he looked—you needed to breathe, to get out of this place before it suffocated you.

For hours after, he knocked on your door. Apologies, pleas. You ignored them all.

Then—silence.

You heard the front door creak open, footsteps fading. You crept to your door, peeked out. Empty.

Now. This was your chance.

Heart racing, you bolted out—barefoot but desperate, only in your socks. No time for shoes. You dashed down the corridor, but just as your fingers brushed the front door—

A sudden force slammed into you. Not physically—but gravitationally. You floated mid-air, frozen. Impossible.

Gravitational Evol...? No… it couldn't be—

And then—arms. Strong and familiar, curling around your waist.

“There you are…” Caleb’s voice was a soft growl against your ear, laced with a sweetness that chilled your spine. “You scared me, pipsqueak.”

“You were really going to leave me… barefoot and alone?” You struggled, kicking weakly, but he only tightened his hold, brushing his nose along your cheek in an unnerving show of affection.

“You could’ve hurt yourself... You're not even wearing shoes.” His voice lowered into a scolding murmur. “Tch. Reckless little thing.”

Then he shifted, one boot sliding between your feet. “Step on my boots.”

Reluctantly, you did. His breath hitched, pleased.

“Good girl.” His arms coiled tighter, lips brushing your shoulder in a trail of soft, dangerous kisses.