CHAPTER 005
1293 Words
CHAPTER 005
Kory’s hands trembled as she stared at the burning wreckage of her home. Her mind struggled to process everything—the sudden fire, the loss of everything she owned, and, most shocking of all, Theo standing just a few feet away.
Why was he here? How did he even know where she lived?
Her wide, disbelieving eyes stayed locked on him for a long moment. Watching her reaction, Theo let out a low chuckle, clearly amused.
“It’s not proper for a lady to sit on the cold ground,” he said, extending a hand toward her.
Still in shock, she took it. His palm's warmth grounded her briefly, but the overwhelming chaos of the night quickly returned.
Once she was on her feet, she shook her head, trying to focus. “What are you doing here? Why are you even here?” she demanded.
Theo smirked, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “You don’t sound happy to see me.”
Kory scowled. “Forgive me if I’m not exactly thrilled right now.”
He let out a small laugh. “Fair enough.”
She opened her mouth to press him for more answers, but a sharp realization struck her. He had been standing here this whole time, watching her house burn. Not calling the fire department, not rushing to help, and just standing.
Her stomach twisted.
“My house caught fire… and you just happened to be passing by?” Her voice was careful, searching.
Theo held her gaze, his expression unreadable. “That’s right. I saw the flames and stopped. I even called the fire department for you.”
As if on cue, the blaring sirens of emergency vehicles filled the air. Bright red lights flashed against the night sky as the Larnaca Fire Unit arrived.
Kory exhaled, still shaken, but something about his explanation felt off.
She didn’t have time to analyze it. The firefighters got to work, trying to control the blaze, but it was useless. Everything was gone.
She stood silently as the firefighters moved around her, clearing debris and checking for anything salvageable. The realization that she had nothing left settled like a rock in her chest.
Theo’s voice broke through the noise. “So, what are you going to do now?”
Kory shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.
That was the question. She had no home. No savings. There is no backup plan.
She lifted her teary eyes to Theo, hating that she was about to say this. “I need to go to the bank.”
Theo didn’t hesitate. “Let’s go.”
They walked toward his Aegean Phantom.
***
“What do you mean I can’t withdraw my money?” Kory’s voice echoed in the small office.
She sat in front of the Larnaca First Bank manager’s desk, her temper rising. Theo, on the other hand, lounged back in his chair like they were discussing the weather.
The manager cleared his throat. “Ms. Antonio, your account has been frozen.”
Kory’s fists clenched. “Frozen? Why?”
“Your account was flagged due to a huge deposit. We have no identification records for you. You opened the account online without providing official documents, so—”
“I don’t care about any of that!” Kory snapped. “I need my money!”
Theo’s hand suddenly covered hers. The warmth of his touch sent a strange, calming wave through her.
“Getting angry won’t fix this,” he said smoothly. “Let’s hear the man out.”
Kory huffed but stayed quiet.
The manager exhaled, visibly relieved. “As I said, we can’t unfreeze the account without proper identification. At the moment, the only accessible funds are fifty dollars.”
Kory felt her stomach drop.
Fifty dollars.
She was completely broke.
Her chest tightened painfully. She had nothing—no home, pack, or even her savings.
Without another word, she turned and walked out of the office.
Theo followed at a relaxed pace, meeting her at the car. She leaned against the door, staring at the sky.
“Why?” she whispered. “Why is this happening?”
She didn’t expect an answer.
Theo leaned against the car beside her. “You’re out of options.”
Kory let out a bitter laugh. “Thanks for pointing that out.”
He tilted his head. “I can help you.”
She looked at him suspiciously. “How?”
“Stay with me.”
Kory blinked. “What?”
He shrugged. “I have more than enough space. You’re my mate. It only makes sense.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Was he serious?
Theo read her expression and smirked. “It’s not a bad deal.”
Kory hesitated. Wouldn’t that make her seem desperate?
She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea…”
“Think about it, Kyra,” he said smoothly. “You have nowhere else to go.”
She stared at him, searching for any hidden intentions. He looked calm, utterly sure of himself.
Finally, she sighed. “Fine.”
Theo’s smirk widened. “Smart choice.”
Before she could react, his hand cupped her cheek. The touch sent a shiver down her spine.
Then, he leaned in.
Kory’s breath hitched as his lips brushed hers. It was soft, teasing—almost like he was testing her reaction.
Her fingers curled into fists. Her body screamed to pull him closer.
But just as she leaned in, he pulled away.
Theo smirked at her flustered face. “Let’s go.”
***
The underground holding cell was dark and damp, the air thick with the scent of blood.
A man, bound by heavy chains, groaned as he struggled to stay on his feet. His legs had gone numb hours ago.
“Where am I?” he growled, his voice hoarse. “Do you know who I am? You’ll regret this. Let me go, and I might consider sparing you.”
The heavy metal door creaked open.
Lorraine—no, Delta Evangeline—stepped inside. Two guards flanked her, each holding a thick leather whip.
The man’s eyes narrowed. “You have no idea who you’re messing with.”
Evangeline smirked. “Oh, I know exactly who you are. That’s why you’re here.”
Without warning, one of the guards lashed the whip across his ribs.
He let out a sharp cry. The chains rattled as he tried to twist away.
Evangeline watched, unimpressed. “Men like you make me sick.”
She took the whip herself and swung it down. The sharp c***k of leather against flesh echoed in the cell.
More screams. More blood.
By the time she was done, the man was slumped forward, his body a mess of torn skin and sweat.
Evangeline dropped the whip. “Take him to the underground holding. Alpha Theo will handle the rest.”
“Yes, Delta.”
She turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the cold stone floor.
The maids she passed in the estate shrank away from her presence.
She was still fuming.
Kyra Antonio.
That girl was coming to live here.
Evangeline’s grip on her water bottle tightened until it crumpled in her hands.
She marched into the main hall just as Kyra carried her travel case.
Kyra barely had time to register her surroundings before Evangeline’s voice cut through the air.
“What are you doing here?”
Kyra turned, her expression shifting to disbelief.
“You?!”
Theo strolled into the room, utterly unfazed by the tension.
Evangeline swallowed hard. “Alpha Theo…”
Kyra froze.
Alpha?
She turned slowly, her eyes locking on Theo.
“You’re an Alpha?”
Theo only smirked.
- Writer
