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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

REECE

Reece’s hands tightened around the handlebars of his motorcycle, his knuckles white from the strain.

His heart was still racing, the adrenaline pumping through his veins after what he’d just witnessed.

Ron and Chad were gone. Dead.

That dragon shifter had obliterated them like they were nothing, leaving nothing behind but their remains in that alleyway.

Damn it.

He could still feel the mixture of fear and rage twisting inside him, gnawing at his insides like a sickness he couldn’t shake.

His friends were dead, and he hadn’t even had the chance to help them, to fight beside them.

He’d been stuck outside, waiting like a coward, because Nathan would’ve recognized him instantly.

He was supposed to be the one pulling the strings, controlling the situation from the shadows. And now? Now it was all falling apart.

Reece clenched his jaw, his mind replaying the scene again and again.

He could still see their faces—Ron, cocky as ever, and Chad, hesitant but willing to follow.

He had told them it would be a simple job. Snatch the omega, use Nathan to lure the dragon shifter out. Then kill them both.

But those two idiots had blown their cover.

He didn’t know exactly what happened in that alley, but Ron and Chad must’ve gotten too overconfident.

Maybe they underestimated the two omegas, maybe they didn’t realize the dragon shifter would come so fast—but it didn’t matter now.

They were dead, and there was no one left to blame but himself. A wiser man would’ve cut his losses and fled town.

A smarter man would’ve taken this as a sign to leave, to run as far as he could and start over somewhere else.

But Reece wasn’t raised a coward, damn it. His old man had always drilled one thing into him: never back down, no matter the odds.

If he ran now, with his tail between his legs, he’d never forgive himself.

And what about his friends? He’d never be able to avenge them.

Nathan. It was all his fault. That pretty little omega and his monstrous dragon mate.

They were responsible for this mess, for the blood on Reece’s hands.

He was done waiting in the shadows.

The potion Fabian had given him was still working, keeping him concealed, hiding his scent and aura.

Nathan and his friends wouldn’t have been able to sense him even if he was looking right at him.

He’d followed them on his motorcycle, keeping a safe distance as they made their way through town.

His heartbeat had pounded in time with the engine, a mix of fear and anger fueling his every move.

He’d watched as they entered an apartment building. They were oblivious. They thought they were safe.

Reece cut the engine and parked his bike in the shadows of the alley, stepping off quietly as he surveyed the building.

It was one of those older complexes, with worn bricks and dim lighting. Nothing fancy, but cozy enough for someone like Nathan.

From the street, he could see the seventh-floor unit light up—a corner apartment.

Reece grinned, his lips curling into a savage smirk. Now that he knew where Nathan lived, things would be easier.

He’d thought about barging in earlier, about taking Nathan right from the cafe, but this? This was better.

More personal.

He leaned against the wall, still cloaked by Fabian’s potion, waiting for the night to deepen.

The town was quiet, most people already settling in for the night.

He imagined Nathan inside, probably curled up against that dragon, safe and sound. For now.

But not for long.

Reece’s pulse quickened at the thought of what he’d do next. This wasn’t over. It couldn’t be.

He wouldn’t let them get away with it, not after everything they’d taken from him.

His friends, his pride, his sense of control—it was all slipping through his fingers, and he wasn’t about to let it go without a fight.

Reece glanced up at the apartment again, studying the windows, the layout. The seventh floor was high, but not unreachable.

He could wait until they left again, follow them when they were vulnerable.

Maybe Nathan would step out for a moment, head to the store or run an errand. That would be the moment to strike.

Or maybe he’d catch them all off guard, storm the place and take Nathan right from under Ivan’s nose.

But he had to be careful. That dragon was a monster, no doubt about it.

The way Ivan had torn through Ron and Chad had been brutal, effortless. Reece didn’t stand a chance against him in a fair fight.

Good thing I don’t fight fair.

He patted the small pouch at his side, feeling the cool vials inside. Fabian had supplied him with a few cloaking potions.

Reece took one last glance at the lit window, then turned and started making his way back to his bike.

He had time. He had patience. And he had revenge on his mind.

But most of all, he had the advantage.

Nathan wouldn’t see him coming.

Not this time.