Desire of Shadows

My phone wakes me up before the sun does. 5:12 AM. The vibration is loud enough to pull me out of sleep. I don’t even need to look at the screen to know what it means. Police don’t call at this hour unless someone is dead. I grab the phone and answer without opening my eyes. “Alpha Apollo speaking.” My voice sounds rough. I barely slept last night. “Detective Apollo,” the officer on the line says quickly. “We have another body.” Another one. I sit up immediately. “Where?” “West Harbor District. Same pattern as the previous victims.” For a moment, I don’t say anything. The fourth murder this month. Someone in this city is killing powerful men and leaving behind the same message every time. And for some reason… My instincts keep pointing toward one man. I end the call and throw the phone on the bed. Then I walk toward the window. The sun is just starting to rise over the city. Linhai looks beautiful from above. Rich people’s towers everywhere. Billion-dollar companies. Power. Influence. But I know what hides underneath all that luxury. Blood. Secrets. Monsters. I grab my jacket and head out. On my way downstairs, I pass the family photo hanging on the wall. Two women smiling proudly. My mothers. Yes… I have two. They married years ago when the law finally allowed it. They always joke that I was their first successful project. I’m the oldest. An Alpha. My younger brother is also an Alpha. And the youngest… She’s an Omega. My little sister. She’s the one everyone protects the most. Our family is rich too. My mothers built a powerful business empire. But I didn’t want to sit in an office and wear suits all day. I chose something different. I became a detective. And not just any detective. I hunt monsters. Serial killers. When I arrive at the crime scene, police lights are already flashing. The officers move aside when they see me. “Detective Apollo.” “Show me.” The body is covered with a white sheet. I crouch down. When the sheet is lifted, my stomach tightens. Same wound. Same precision. Whoever this killer is… They know exactly what they’re doing. Then I see the message written beside the body. In blood. “Desire creates monsters.” My jaw tightens. This is the same message left at the other crime scenes. I already know who I want to question. There’s one man connected to every victim. A man so powerful that nobody dares accuse him. Except me. His name is Li Shen. CEO of the Shen Group. One of the richest men in the country. And an Enigma. Rare. Dangerous Untouchable. I don’t believe in untouchable people. If he’s the killer… I will prove it. Even if it means stepping into his world. Even if it means getting close to him. Closer than I should. And for some strange reason… The thought of meeting him again makes my chest feel tight. Not fear. Something else. Something I don’t like. Something dangerous. Li Shen — Enigma I wake up before my alarm. I always do. Power comes with responsibilities. And enemies. When I walk into my office, the city is already waking up below my tower. My assistant is waiting for me. “There was another murder last night,” he says. I pour myself a cup of coffee calmly. “I know.” He looks worried. “The police believe the same killer is responsible.” I lean against the desk. “And?” “Detective Apollo is leading the investigation now.” Ah. So it’s him. I’ve heard about him before. A talented Alpha. Smart. Stubborn. Dangerous in his own way. I smile slightly. Interesting. Very interesting. Because the last time we met… His scent stayed in the room long after he left. Strong. Warm. Impossible to ignore. For an Enigma like me… Some instincts are difficult to control. Especially when desire gets involved. And I have a feeling… Detective Apollo is about to walk straight into my life again.