Twilight of Shadows

Chapter 6: No Escape

Morning arrived in a wash of gray light, the storm still lingering outside with a steady drizzle. Jeonghan woke slowly, his senses groggy but aware of the warmth at his back. He stiffened as he realized how close he was to Mingyu. At some point during the night, he must have turned over, his body gravitating toward the Alpha's warmth.

Mingyu was still asleep, his face relaxed, the hard lines of his jaw softened in slumber. Jeonghan’s gaze flicked to the hand resting on his waist, strong but gentle, holding him as if to keep him from floating away.

He carefully shifted, trying to extricate himself without waking Mingyu, but the Alpha’s eyes opened instantly.

“You’re not exactly subtle,” Mingyu muttered, his voice deep and rough from sleep.

Jeonghan scowled, quickly pulling away and sitting up. “Don’t get used to this. It’s not happening again.”

Mingyu smirked faintly, propping himself up on one elbow. “You’re the one who came to me, remember? But fine, pretend it meant nothing.”

Jeonghan glared at him, though the heat rising to his cheeks betrayed his embarrassment. He was about to snap back when a knock at the door interrupted them.

“Mr. Kim,” Hyejin’s voice called softly from the other side, “there’s a problem downstairs.”

Mingyu sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Of course there is.” He threw the covers off and rose from the bed, his movements fluid and purposeful.

Jeonghan averted his gaze, but not before catching a glimpse of Mingyu’s broad back and the defined muscles beneath his shirt. Annoyed at himself for noticing, he stood as well, smoothing out the wrinkles in his dress.

“Stay here,” Mingyu instructed as he opened the door.

Jeonghan crossed his arms. “I don’t take orders from you.”

Mingyu shot him a pointed look. “You’re under my protection, Jeonghan. That means staying where I can keep you safe. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

With that, he stepped out, leaving Jeonghan alone with his simmering frustration.

---

Later...

By midday, the rain had picked up again, and Jeonghan was growing restless. He hated being confined, and Mingyu’s absence only made the walls feel smaller.

When Mingyu finally returned, his expression was tight, his mood darker than usual. He didn’t say anything as he stepped into the room, but Jeonghan could feel the tension radiating off him.

“What happened?” Jeonghan asked, his curiosity outweighing his reluctance to engage.

“There’s a breach in security,” Mingyu replied curtly.

Jeonghan stiffened. “A breach?”

Mingyu nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Someone’s been snooping around the perimeter. Until I figure out who it is, we’re on lockdown.”

Jeonghan frowned. “Lockdown? You mean I’m stuck here?”

Mingyu’s eyes met his, a hint of exasperation in them. “You were already stuck here. But now you’re stuck with me.”

---

Forced Proximity Begins

The lockdown meant tighter security, which included Mingyu keeping Jeonghan within arm’s reach at all times. Much to Jeonghan’s annoyance, this meant sharing not just the house, but the same space—meals, rooms, and even the occasional awkward silence.

By the second day, the tension between them was palpable. Mingyu’s overprotective nature grated on Jeonghan’s nerves, while Jeonghan’s stubborn independence tested Mingyu’s patience.

During one particularly rainy afternoon, the two found themselves trapped in the library. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Mingyu sat on the couch, flipping through a book, while Jeonghan paced restlessly.

“You’re driving me insane,” Mingyu muttered without looking up.

“Good,” Jeonghan snapped. “Now you know how I feel.”

Mingyu sighed, closing the book and setting it aside. “You can sit, you know. Pacing isn’t going to change anything.”

“I’d rather not sit anywhere near you,” Jeonghan retorted, though he eventually dropped into an armchair, keeping as much distance between them as possible.

For a while, the only sound was the rain tapping against the windows. But then Jeonghan’s curiosity got the better of him. “Who do you think is after me?”

Mingyu leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Could be anyone. The syndicate you were sold to has enemies. And now that you’re under my protection, I’ve made enemies, too.”

Jeonghan frowned. “Why go through all this trouble for me? You didn’t have to bring me here.”

Mingyu’s gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. “You think I could just leave you there? That place would’ve destroyed you.”

Jeonghan looked away, his chest tightening. He hated admitting it, but Mingyu was right. He wouldn’t have survived in that world.

“Just so we’re clear,” Jeonghan said, his voice quieter now, “this doesn’t mean I trust you.”

Mingyu’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”

The rain continued to fall outside, but for the first time since their forced proximity began, the silence between them didn’t feel so heavy.