God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Chapter 11

Alicia

The night had fallen, draping the world in twilight, leaving only the soft glow of streetlights outside the mansion. I bit my lip as I walked around the common area, glancing around to ensure that everyone was distracted with their games or engrossed in conversations. My heart raced with the thrill of the unknown.

I waited in my bedroom, watching the seconds tick by, each moment feeling heavier than the last. Would Vaughn really come? A part of me worried that the girls would notice my absence.

Just as I started to feel the weight of my nerves, my phone buzzed in my pocket. The name "Vaughn" lit up the screen, igniting a fire in my chest. I quickly answered without hesitation.

"Hello, Kukolka," he said, a low laugh threaded through his deep voice. "I'm outside."

An electric thrill shot through me – he was right there, just a few feet away. I glanced out the window, making sure the coast was clear before whispering back, "Okay, I'll be there soon."

I stealthily opened the bedroom door and darted into the hallway, my heart pounding with both excitement and fear. Each step felt like it could shatter the silence of the house, but the the excited feeling in my stomach to see Vaughn pulled me forward. I crept down the hallway and into the kitchen, where I could slip through a side door without being seen.

I quickly use the elevator down, rushing outside. As I cracked the door open, the cool night air greeted me like an old friend. I quickly stepped out, scanning the area for Vaughn's car. There it was, parked just down the street in the shadows, with its headlights dimmed, waiting for me.

I hurried down the steps, weaving through the garden that separated the mansion from the street, our secret rendezvous sending butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Once I reached his car, Vaughn stepped out, leaning against the driver's side door with a soft smile that took my breath away. He looked incredible, even under the dim glow of the streetlights—his dark hair tousled just right, and his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hey," I breathed, my heart fluttering as I approached him.

"Angelic..." he muttered, his voice rich and warm as he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Ready for some quiet time?"

I nodded, but just as I was about to step inside, a shadow moved in the corner of my eye. My breath hitched as I turned to see Bran striding down the sidewalk, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion.

"Alicia...?" he said warily, catching us in the act. "What are you..?"

My heart dropped.  No. No. No. "Bran! I—"

He stepped closer, his eyes darting between me and Vaughn, disbelief washing over his features.

"What's going on? Are you... sneaking out with him?"

I felt the panic rising in my chest. "I... that's- I..."

"Allie, this..." Bran he says, crossing his arms. "Eli and Creigh are gonna freak."

Vaughn stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "King, this is between us. You don't need to get involved."

But Bran eyes him warily. "I like to give people the benefit of the doubt but... Allie, I don't think this is a good idea."

"Bran, stop!" I cried, desperation creeping into my voice. "Please, just let us go. It's not what you think."

Bran shook his head, pulling me aside and whispering. "He's not good for you, Alicia. You're going to get hurt. Don't you see that?"

Vaughn's expression hardened, a flash of anger creeping into his features. "You don't get to decide who she sees."

"I know that, and I'm not... her brothers and father-" Bran starts.

"I can deal with them." Vaughn says firmly, pulling me to his side protectively, his grip firm.

I felt torn. My heart ached for Vaughn, the thrill and intensity I felt whenever I was with him, but Bran was right. This was dangerous territory. I could feel the weight of expectation and the overwhelming sense of secrecy pressing against my chest, forcing me to make a choice.

"Bran," I started, my voice trembling, "I'll be okay. I promise. But I need to figure this out for myself."

Bran's face softened for a moment, but the unsure glint in his eye remained. "I trust you and... I won't tell Eli and Creigh if you don't want me to."

I breathe out a sigh of relief pulling Bran into a hug and muttering a thanks. He rubs my back then pulls away giving me a soft smile. For a moment, he looks up at Vaughn, distrusting.

"Be safe, yeah?" He says, I nod in response and he gives me one last hug before he walks away.

Vaughn watched Bran go, his jaw tense. "Are you okay, Kukolka?"

"I don't..." I hesitated, torn between conflicting emotions. "I don't know. No, I'm not."

Vaughn's eyes bore into mine, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of vulnerability behind his usual coldness. "Kukolka, I know this is hard for you. But, you can't hide it forever and frankly, I have a lot of patience when it comes to you but I don't know how much more I have left. And I'm not willing to let you go. So, your brothers can hear it from you or me."

"Just... give me a moment. Please..." I mutter.

Vaughn took a step closer, pulling me into a possessive hug. I bury my face in his neck and he mutters sweet nothings into my ear. "Fine... I'll wait."

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A/N:
Uh ohhh, drama!! Well, better it be Bran than anyone else. At least he can keep a secret. Thank you for all the support <3
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