Annabelle sat frozen, staring at the text on her phone.

Namjoon is not human. Don't trust him.

Her heart pounded, but not from fear. She already knew what Namjoon was, or at least, she had a strong suspicion. But this message wasn't just a warning—it was a threat.

She lifted her gaze to Namjoon, who was watching her carefully. His expression was unreadable, but his body was tense.

"I don't care what you are," she whispered. "You're not alone anymore."

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, something in Namjoon's posture softened, and his hands, which had been clenched at his sides, reached out to cup her face.

"You don't know what you're saying, Anny," he murmured.

She shivered. He was the only one who called her that.

"I know exactly what I'm saying," she countered.

His thumb brushed against her cheek, his gaze searching hers as if he was looking for any trace of hesitation.

"I should take you home," he finally said, but his voice lacked conviction.

Annabelle knew he didn't want her to go. And if she was honest, she didn't want to leave either.

"Can I stay?" she asked quietly.

His breath hitched. "You don't know what you're asking for."

She tilted her head. "Then tell me. Explain it to me."

Namjoon hesitated, then sighed. "I'm an Alpha."

She frowned. "Like... a werewolf?"

His lips twitched. "Not just that. I was the first. The original Alpha. I'm not just one thing, Anny. I am everything—vampire, werewolf, witch. And that makes me... dangerous."

Annabelle should have been afraid. But she wasn't.

Instead, she whispered, "It must have been lonely."

Namjoon's entire body tensed. No one had ever said that to him before.

Slowly, he exhaled. "It was."

Without thinking, Annabelle reached for his hand. "You're not alone anymore."

He stared at their entwined fingers before pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. The moment stretched between them, charged with something neither of them fully understood.

Then, his voice dropped to a whisper.

"If you stay, there's no turning back."

She met his gaze, unwavering. "I don't want to turn back."