Beneath His Shadows

A throbbing pain pounded in Elena's head as she stirred awake. Her wrists ached, her body felt heavy, and the air smelled different—cold, metallic, and foreign.

Where was she?

Memories slammed into her like a freight train. The office. Xavier. Damian's words. The arms grabbing her.

Her eyes snapped open.

She was in a dimly lit room. The walls were made of steel, the only light flickering from a single bulb overhead. Her wrists were bound to the chair she sat in, her ankles tied to its legs.

Panic surged through her.

She struggled against the restraints, but they wouldn't budge. The sound of heels clicking against the hard floor made her freeze.

Then, a smooth, chilling voice cut through the silence.

"You're awake."

Elena's head whipped up.

Celeste.

The woman stood in front of her, arms crossed, dressed in an elegant black suit. Her icy blue eyes glowed under the dim light, a smirk curving her red lips.

"You're surprisingly resilient," Celeste mused, tilting her head. "Most people in your position would be screaming by now."

Elena's jaw clenched. "What do you want?"

Celeste chuckled, pacing around her. "You, my dear, are a very interesting woman. Do you know why?"

Elena didn't answer.

Celeste leaned in, her voice a whisper.

"Because Xavier Kane actually cares about you."

Elena's breath hitched. "That's not true."

Celeste laughed softly, standing back up. "Oh, sweet girl. You really have no idea, do you?" She ran a finger along the armrest of Elena's chair. "Xavier is a cold-hearted man. Ruthless. He doesn't let anyone close. But you… you changed something in him. I can see it."

Elena remained silent, her heart hammering.

Celeste smirked. "That makes you very dangerous to me."

---

The Rescue Begins

Meanwhile, back at Xavier's office, the moment Elena vanished, the temperature in the room dropped.

Xavier stood frozen for a second before his entire aura shifted into something lethal. His best friend, Damian, immediately stepped forward.

"We need to move," Damian said. "Now."

Xavier didn't need to be told twice.

He grabbed his coat, his entire body tense with fury. "Where did she take her?"

Damian's expression was grim. "One of her underground sites. It won't be easy getting in."

Xavier's eyes darkened. "Then we'll burn it down."

---

Elena's Defiance

Back at the hideout, Celeste tapped her nails against the chair, watching Elena closely.

"You should be grateful, you know," Celeste said. "I could have had you killed the moment you stepped into Xavier's world. But I didn't. Do you know why?"

Elena swallowed but said nothing.

Celeste smirked. "Because I wanted to see how far you'd make it. I wanted to see how long before Xavier would finally slip because of you."

Elena's pulse pounded. "I don't mean anything to him."

Celeste's eyes gleamed. "You keep telling yourself that."

She took a step closer. "But tell me, Elena—when he comes for you, will you still believe that?"

Elena's breath hitched.

She didn't know.

But something deep inside her whispered… yes.

And that terrified her.

---

The Storm is Coming

Outside the hideout, black SUVs rolled in like shadows.

Xavier stepped out first. His eyes burned with raw fury.

"Get ready," he ordered, voice cold as ice.

Tonight, he wasn't just Xavier Kane, CEO.

Tonight, he was the monster the world feared.

And he was here to take back what was his.

---