Alex’s POV:

It’s been a week since I was attacked. Not the first time, not the last. When you’re the king, everyone wants to see you fall. But I’m not some weakling who cowers at the thought of an ambush. I’m Dyavol for a fucking reason. I hunt for fun. I make grown men beg for mercy, only to deny them their last breath.

But this time… something was different.

I wasn’t worried about myself. I was worried about her.

Emily. My little one.

She’s changed. It’s subtle, but I see it. She’s quieter, lost in thought, retreating into that pretty little mind of hers where I can’t reach her. And I don’t like it.

It feels like something is slipping through my fingers—like a part of me is being ripped away.

I won’t allow it.

Tonight, I decide to confront her. No more avoiding me, no more hiding in her own head. She belongs to me, and I’ll fucking remind her of that if I have to.

I find her standing on the balcony, staring into the endless night. The cold wind tousles her hair, making her look smaller, more vulnerable. And that pisses me off.

No one—not a single fucking soul—is allowed to scare her. No one except me.

I move closer, slipping my arms around her waist from behind. She tenses, just for a second, before relaxing into my hold. Good girl.

I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her scent—vanilla and something uniquely hers. My personal addiction. She’s a drug, one I tried to purge from my system once, and failed. Now she’s in my veins, my bones, my fucking soul.

She feels like home.

Not that I know what a healthy home is. I was raised in a cage of blood and brutality. But her? She makes me feel something foreign, something dangerous. And I fucking hate it.

I tighten my grip around her waist. “How was your day, kotenok?” I murmur against her skin, letting my lips graze her pulse point. She shivers, and my smirk deepens. She’s so easy to corrupt.

"It was good," she says softly. "I played with Storm and the others. I even made brownies. Do you... do you want to try some?"

She pauses, then shakes her head quickly, as if regretting it. "Not that they’re good. You don’t have to try if you don’t want. I shouldn’t have said that, I’m sorr—"

I silence her with a finger on her lips, rubbing the pad of my thumb against them. Soft. Fucking perfect.

"I would love anything made by you," I say, watching as her cheeks turn pink.

She nods quickly and rushes to the kitchen, as if escaping. My jaw clenches. Something’s wrong.

She’s hiding something from me.

Minutes later, she returns, placing the plate of brownies on the table. But she doesn’t meet my eyes. Her hands tremble slightly. Her breathing is uneven.

I grip her chin, tilting her face up to mine.

"Is something bothering you, kotenok? And don’t you dare lie to me."

She shakes her head too quickly, eyes wide like a child caught stealing.

I narrow my eyes. Enough games.

"You’ll tell me what’s wrong," I murmur darkly, "or I’ll bend you over my knee and spank your pretty little ass until it’s red and blue."

Her breath hitches. She looks at me, eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"I—I can't tell you that," she whispers, voice barely above a breath. "But can you... can you please forgive me?"

Before I can question her, before I can even react—

She stabs me.

I feel the cold blade sink into my abdomen, a sharp, burning pain radiating through me.

The world tilts.

I stagger, clutching the wound, trying to stay upright. Blood pours from my side, seeping into my shirt, dripping onto the floor.

Emily stares at me in horror, her hands covered in my blood.

"Oh my God," she chokes out, shaking violently. "I'm sorry. I—I'm so sorry. I had to. Please, please..."

Her hands press against my wound, as if she can undo what she just did. But then she panics, stepping back, screaming for Xavier.

I grit my teeth, fighting against the darkness creeping at the edges of my vision. It’s not the first time I’ve been stabbed. But fuck, this one burns.

The door bursts open. Xavier storms in, taking in the scene with sharp eyes. His face darkens, but he doesn’t waste a second. With the help of the guards, he lifts me up, dragging me toward the medical room in the villa.

Emily doesn’t move.

She just stands there, staring at the blood on her hands, shaking her head over and over.

What the fuck made her do this?

What could have possibly driven my sweet little kotenok to betray me?

One thing is certain.

She’s mine.

And no matter what made her do it—

She will pay.

Author’s Note ❤️

Hey, my lovely readers! ✨ I hope you enjoyed this intense and dark chapter. Things just took a wild turn—Emily stabbing Alex? Who saw that coming?! (Well, I did, but still! 🤭)

Alex is ruthless, possessive, and absolutely terrifying, but Emily? She’s hiding something big. What could have pushed her to do this? And more importantly—how will Dyavol react once he recovers? 😈

The next chapter is going to be even darker, more intense, and filled with emotions that will keep you on edge! So, grab your popcorn, because the real storm is about to begin. 🌩️🔥

Comment your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments! I love reading them. ❤️

Until next time, stay dark & dangerous. 🖤💋