Page 33 of The Alpha's Grave Secrets

“I will. I promise,” I lie, giving him a reassuring smile. “And if anything feels off, I’ll call you right away. But I doubt it’ll come to that. This house is locked down tighter than Fort Knox.”

He let out a low growl of frustration, but it’s not directed at me. “I still don’t like this.”

“I know,” I whisper, stepping even closer. “But you can’t always protect everyone, Kato. Sometimes, we must trust the people we love to care for themselves.”

That ‘L’ word slips out before I can stop it, and for a split second, his eyes flicker—caught between the agent and the man beneath. He swallows hard, nodding once before turning toward the door.

“All right,” he says, voice rough. “But if anything happens, if you sense even a whisper of danger…”

“I’ll call. I swear.” I squeeze his hand gently before letting go.

Kato hesitates for a moment longer, then with a final nod, he steps out of the door and into the night.

The house is too quiet. The wards hum faintly, and the security system’s green light pulses like a heartbeat, mocking me. Kato is gone. I’ve convinced him to leave, but now, standing here alone, it feels like a mistake.

Not because I’m scared—I’m not. But because I’m tired of waiting. Tired of waiting for something to happen. Waiting for someone to make a move. That’s not me. Not anymore.

My hands clench at my sides as I look toward the window. I’ve played the role of the victim long enough. I’ve been buried alive, left for dead, and now what? Sit around in this magically fortified box until Kato saves the day. No. I’m not going to do that. Not tonight.

I move quickly to the spare bedroom, rifling through the bag I packed and grabbing a sleek black slip dress that clings in all the right places.I don’t know what I was thinking when I packed this but thank Goddess I did.

It’s not the most glamorous outfit I’ve ever worn, but it’ll do. I’ve had enough of being scared. Tonight, I’m going to face that damn bar and see if it can jog any memories or if I can hear anyone familiar.

In the bathroom, I quickly swipe concealer under my eyes, hiding the deep purple, dark circles that have been present since my premature burial.

After a few minutes, I step back, taking myself in. There she is, the woman I once knew myself to be—strong, determined, ready to take matters into her own hands.

Now, to get out undetected. It shouldn’t be a problem. That first night, when Kato took me out to the forest behind his home, he inadvertently showed me the best way to sneak out undetected, and I’d made a point of remembering his security code, just in case.

And following the path Kato himself showed me, I’m off toward ‘Nothing Here’ gulping in the night air before anyone realizes I’m gone.

The bar is dim, and a flicker of neon light from the store next door casts shadows on the sidewalk as I slip inside. The low thrum of music rattles through me, my nerves at odds with the quiet, sensual energy of an early night at ‘Nothing Here’.

I hardly draw any attention as I make my way to the bar. A few appraising glances wash over me from tables of businessmen enjoying the tail end of their Happy Hour meetings.

This is reckless.

I know it. Every fiber of me knows it. And worse, if I can’t get it together soon,hewill know it.

Kato.

As soon as I stepped out of the house, I felt the pull of the bond between us, the silent awareness that always flared when I was in danger—or doing something I shouldn’t. I’d worked hard to cloak my presence, suppress my emotions just enough to mask my movements, but it’s not perfect.

He’s probably already sensing that something is amiss, especially after I convinced him to remove Bruce, Gun, or whichever member of his team was on Elara duty earlier.

The thought sends a shiver through me, but I push it aside. There’s no turning back now.

I move through the crowded bar. My heart races in my chest. I haven’t been here since before... My breath catches in my throat, anxiety tightening its grip around me.

The room feels too small, the air too thick. I force myself toward the back, toward the bathroom, where the noise is more manageable. I lock myself in a stall, my heart pounding.

I force myself to slow my breathing, but each forced breath is jagged, and my heart rate doesn’t slow.

What are you doing? I ask myself. You should be back at the house, safe.

But I can’t. I can’t just sit and wait for Kato to save me. I need to do something—anything—to regain control.

My phone buzzes, and Kato texts me, “Where the hell are you?” He’d tried calling, but all calls had been forwarded to my voicemail.

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