The bakery warm glow spilled into the quiet street casting long shadow across the cobbled path, Eli wiped his hands on his apron, sighing as he glanced at the door----half----expect half---hoping to see a tall, dark---haired stranger step inside. But the bell remained still. The bakery felt emptier than usual, quieter.
He sighed, turning back to the counter, trying to focus on frosting a tray of cupcakes. ''Where did he go? Why hasn't he come back? The thought kept tugging at him, even though he told himself it didn't matter. But it did. The handsome man with the sharp eyes-the one who always came by for a coffee and a small, shy smile----had simply disappeared.
Outside, in the shadows of the alley, unseen by anyone, Caleb watched. His wolf instincts were sharp; muscles tense beneath his skin as he followed Eli every move through the window.
But he wasn't the only one watching.
From across the street, a pair of eyes glinted in the other wolf--the devil wolf--was there, hidden in plain sight. In human form, he leaned casually against a lamppost, his gaze cold, calculating. His lips curled into a smirk as he watched Eli wipe the sweat off his forehead, humming softly as he worked.
''So, this is the human the Alpha it so protective over......''he thought. His presence was like a silent threat in the air.
Caleb's chest tightened, a low, barely audible growling rumbling in his throat. His protective instinct flared------sharp, urgent, dangerous. The thought of anyone, especially him, getting close to Eli sparked something fierce and primal inside him.
The next morning, the sun broke through the clouds in streak of soft of gold. Eli opened his bakery like every other day, though a dull ache lingered in his chest.
The bell over the door jingled.
Eli glanced up ------and his breath caught in his throat.
There he was.
Tall, broad -----shouldered, dressed in simple casual clothes, Caleb stood in the doorway, his dark eye sweeping over the bakery before landing on Eli. For a second, they just stared at each other, the air between them charged and heavy.
Eli heart raced ''You....'' he whispered, a smile breaking across his face. ''Where have you been? I thought you weren't coming back.''
Caleb's lips twitched into the barest hint of a smile, though his eyes remained unreadable. I was away. dealing with....... things. His voice was low, rough around the edges, sending a shiver down Eli's spine. well, I guess you're back just in time. You usual? Eli asked, trying to sound casual, but his hands trembled slightly as he poured the coffee.
Caleb nodded, watching Eli every movement----how his golden hair caught the light, how his hands moved gracefully over the counter. He felt the pull again---the bond, the instinct to protect, to claim, to keep.
As Eli handed him the cup, their fingers brushed. A flicker of something neither could explain,
They shared a small. awkward laugh, a moment of quiet that spoke more than words. But outside, across the street, the devil (Riven) was watching-------still watching -----his expression darkening as he turned away, vanishing int the shadows.