It was your best friend’s birthday, the girl who had been your anchor since childhood, your maid of honor, your chosen sister. Of course you had to be there. But when you mentioned the party to Elijah, his mood darkened instantly. His jaw tightened, his eyes turned cold.

“You’re not going,” he said flatly.

You tried to reason with him. Just a few hours, I’ll be back before midnight, I promise. But he wasn’t hearing any of it. So, you waited until he was out, heart racing as you slipped into your heels and out the door, telling yourself you’d be home before he even noticed. But the night swept you up. Music, laughter, old friends, one drink turning into three. Time blurred. You didn’t even hear your phone ring the first few times.

When Elijah walked into an empty house, silence greeted him like a slap. He stood still, eyes scanning the room, then checked his phone. Missed call. Message read. No reply. The storm started then.

He sank onto the couch, fury simmering low and dangerous. Jaw clenched, fingers drumming against his thigh, he dialed again.

Once. Twice. Third time—finally, you answered.

“Where are you?” he growled.

“Babe…” Your voice was thick with emotion, slurred around the edges. “Can you… come get me? There’s some… issue here.” He bolted upright, keys in hand. “What do you mean, issue?” His voice sharpened. “Are you hurt?” You sniffled. “Just… come. Please.”

Something in your tone punched the air from his lungs. The fury didn’t disappear, it never did, but it shifted. Concern crept in, wrapping tight around his spine. Without another word, he was out the door, driving like a man possessed. He pulled up to the venue in record time, tires crunching to a stop on the gravel. His heart dropped at the sight of you.

You were curled on the curb between your friends, arms wrapped around yourself. Mascara ran in streaks down your cheeks. Your dress, one of his favorites, was wrinkled and dust-smudged. Your eyes found his, glassy and wide, and something in you broke.He was at your side instantly, crouching in front of you. “Hey,” he said gently, voice a low rumble. “What happened?”

Your lips parted, but no words came. Instead, you just gripped his hands, trembling. That was all he needed. Whatever had happened, it had cracked something inside you, and that was enough.

His eyes flicked up to your friends, calm burning away into steel. “Who did this?”.His voice was quiet. Too quiet.