Beyond The Edge of Instincts

Chapter 7: The Phantom Alliance

Alex watched her carefully, as if he understood her inner conflict. He didn't rush her, giving her time to think.

Luna swallowed, glanced once more at the empty street, and finally looked at the car.

"Fine," she muttered, trying to suppress the growing unease within her. "I'll go with you. But you owe me explanations—no riddles, no games."

Alex's lips curled into a faint smile, and he nodded.

"Deal. Let's go."

He opened the passenger door for her, and despite her lingering hesitation, Luna slid into the seat, her heart pounding harder with every passing moment.

Settling into the passenger seat, Luna felt her nerves tighten like a coiled spring. Alex started the car, the soft purr of the engine filling the silence. He cast her a quick glance but said nothing as they pulled away, the city slowly dissolving into the pale light of the morning.

Luna sat in silence, but her mind was racing. Her instincts screamed that getting in the car with Alex wasn't the smartest decision, yet her deal with Nik left her with little choice.

Alex broke the silence first, his voice cutting through her turbulent thoughts as he stole a glance in her direction.

"You're tense. Relax. I don't bite."

Luna shot him a sideways look, barely containing her sarcasm.

"Really? All I've seen so far are the problems you've dragged me into."

Alex chuckled softly but didn't argue. His tone shifted to something gentler, almost disarming.

"Look, this isn't my usual style. I prefer things to be straightforward. I just wanted to talk, and the car seemed like the safest place—no prying eyes, no eavesdroppers."

Luna turned to the window, trying to calm the turmoil inside her, but the weight on her chest only grew heavier.

"Fine," she said, exhaling sharply. "But if you want me to trust you, you're going to have to stop with the cryptic nonsense. No more games or manipulation."

Alex nodded, his expression earnest.

"Fair enough."

"Let's start with something simple," Luna said, narrowing her eyes. "Why do you really need me? And don't give me that excuse about being interested in me."

Alex sighed, his focus briefly shifting to the road ahead.

"I'm not going to lie," he began. "When I first saw you at the bar, you caught my attention. It wasn't planned or calculated. But after that... things got complicated."

"'Complicated'?" Luna frowned. "What does that even mean?"

Alex slowed the car, as though the weight of his next words required extra care.

"I have my reasons for keeping you close, Luna," he admitted. "You're involved in something you don't fully understand yet. But to be honest, I'm still piecing it all together myself."

His confession left Luna feeling even more lost. She could sense that he wasn't telling her the whole truth, but there was a hint of sincerity in his tone that made her pause.

The car turned off the main street, and Alex's voice dropped slightly, becoming more introspective.

"There are forces at play here that neither of us can fully grasp. Whoever's behind this has been orchestrating things for a long time, and we're both caught in their web. Until I figure out who they are and what they want, I can't let anything happen to you."