FORBIDDEN

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

Zhan stretched, a lazy yawn escaping his lips as he tied the laces of his boots. The soft hum of the city night seeped through the cracked window of their modest apartment — the distant buzz of cars, an occasional dog barking, and the faint rustle of leaves in the cool breeze.

Yibo was sprawled on the couch, his eyes half-closed but still alert, the phone resting lightly on his chest. He was tracing shapes absently with his finger, lost somewhere in his own quiet world.

Zhan's voice cut through the calm. "Hey, I'm heading out for a while."

Yibo lifted his head, blinking sleepily. "Out? At this hour?"

"Yeah." Zhan shrugged, pulling on his jacket. "Got some things to do. You know, grown-up stuff."

Yibo squinted suspiciously but didn't push. "Does grown-up stuff usually involve sneaking out past your bedtime?"

Zhan smirked, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, I'm an adult. I can do whatever I want."

"Right. So where exactly are you going? The library? Again?"

Zhan rolled his eyes dramatically. "Nope. The library's closed."

Yibo snorted. "Well, you do love your 'research' sessions. I bet you'll come back with some weird fact about fermented tofu or something equally gross."

"Exactly," Zhan said with a grin. "Gotta keep you entertained."

Yibo shook his head, chuckling softly. "Just don't get into trouble."

Zhan winked. "Trouble finds me, I don't look for it." He leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to Yibo's temple before slipping on his shoes. "See you soon, phone addict."

As soon as the door clicked shut, Zhan's expression shifted, his casual façade melting away. The city's lights blurred as he hurried through the damp streets toward a darker, quieter part of town — the territory of the Dark Pack.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The city's night air was brisk, still holding the freshness left behind by the earlier rain. Zhan pulled his collar up and moved swiftly through the dimly lit streets, past shuttered shops and quiet cafes, until the familiar scent of damp earth and burning wood signaled, he was entering the old quarter — the territory of the Dark Pack.

The buildings here were heavier, more angular, built from cold stone and dark timber. Shadows clung thickly between the narrow alleys, and the torches lining the main thoroughfare flickered erratically, casting jittery light over the faces of watchers.

Zhan's pulse quickened. This place was home — but also a cage.

Ahead, the meeting hall loomed, an ancient structure carved from black stone, its entrance framed by intricately twisted gargoyle statues that seemed to watch every step. He stepped inside, and the warmth of burning logs greeted him like a dark embrace.

Inside, the hall was cavernous, echoing with the low murmur of voices and the scrape of armor. Figures draped in midnight cloaks clustered near the towering obsidian throne where the Dark Alpha sat — an imposing figure, broad-shouldered and tall, his eyes sharp and unforgiving beneath a crown of black hair.

Next to the Alpha were two familiar faces: the professor who had first introduced Zhan to the Yibo's Class and Zhuo Cheng — Zhan's elder brother. Zhuo Cheng's gaze was a mixture of pride, wariness, and something else Zhan couldn't quite read.

"Zhan," the Dark Alpha's voice rang out, slicing through the whispers like a knife. "Report."

Zhan squared his shoulders and stepped forward. "I have completed my reconnaissance."

The professor moved to stand beside him, his thin lips curling into a faint, approving smile. "And what have you discovered about the subject?"

Zhan glanced briefly at Zhuo Cheng, then focused on the Alpha. "Yibo is not what we anticipated. He is not the monster the legends predicted."

The chamber fell silent, every pair of eyes locking onto him.

"I was prepared to find a threat," Zhan continued, voice steady. "But instead, I found... something else. Yibo is a good man — or at least, he tries to be. His actions don't match the fear surrounding him."

Zhuo Cheng shifted, folding his arms. "Explain."

Zhan inhaled slowly. "When I am near him, I can feel his pheromones — the scent of his essence. It is not overwhelming, but soothing. Healing. I've experienced it myself. I believe that his presence can cure what ails me."

The professor's eyes gleamed with interest. "This aligns with what we suspected — the so-called 'forbidden cure.'"

Zhan nodded. "Yes. But I do not think this cure requires us to destroy him. If anything, it means he is a potential ally."

A murmur rippled through the hall. The Dark Alpha's gaze was icy, scrutinizing.

"Potential ally?" His voice was low but filled with authority. "You suggest sparing the very being we were commanded to eliminate?"

Zhan met the Alpha's eyes without hesitation. "I believe Yibo's power is tied to his choices — his will, not just his nature. If he wished us harm, he could have acted by now. Instead, he has chosen kindness."

The Alpha's jaw clenched tightly. "Hope is a dangerous thing in our world. It blinds us to threats."

Zhan took a step forward. "Yes, but killing him could destroy something we don't yet understand — something that could benefit us all. I recommend patience and continued observation."

Zhuo Cheng finally spoke, his tone measured and grave. "You tread a thin line, little brother. Loyalty is tested by necessity, not desire."

Zhan swallowed the lump in his throat. "I understand. But for now, I will continue my mission — not as an assassin, but as a guardian."

The Alpha stood slowly, the dark robes billowing around him like smoke. "Very well. Proceed with caution. But remember, mercy can be a fatal weakness."

The professor stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Zhan's shoulder. "Watch your back. Darkness is never silent."

'Who exactly is darkness we're all talking about' Zhan thought to himself.

Zhuo Cheng's eyes met Zhan's, a silent warning and a challenge.

Outside, the cold night air bit into Zhan's skin as he left the hall. He paused for a moment beneath a flickering lantern, the weight of the council's judgment pressing down on him.

His thoughts drifted back to Yibo — his gentle smile, the soft glow of his eyes, the quiet strength beneath his calm exterior.

Zhan tugged his jacket tighter and started walking back through the damp streets, his boots splashing lightly through puddles. The city was asleep, but his mind raced with conflicting loyalties and uncertain futures.

He was caught between two worlds — the darkness he was born into and the light he was beginning to cherish.

Back in their apartment, Yibo was still on the couch, now fully awake and waiting.

"Back so soon?" he teased, eyes twinkling.

Zhan grinned, shrugging off his jacket. "Library's closed, remember? I had to improvise."

Yibo laughed. "Sounds like a boring mission."

Zhan smirked. "Maybe. But sometimes, the most important battles are fought in silence."

Yibo nudged him playfully. "You're so mysterious. One day, you'll have to tell me what's really going on."

Zhan caught Yibo's hand, squeezing it gently. "Maybe one day. For now, let's just enjoy the quiet."

And in that moment, with the city lights flickering softly through the window and the weight of secrets tucked away for tomorrow, they found peace — fragile but real.

END OF CHAPTER 10