The fog over the docks had grown thicker.
It rolled across the water like a living thing, swallowing the distant lights and muffling every sound. The air smelled of salt, metal, and old blood.
Vivian stood near the truck, her eyes scanning the darkness.
Lucas was here.
The thought kept repeating in her mind.
Not dead.
Not gone.
Alive.
And somewhere close.
Jamo stepped beside her, his posture relaxed but alert. His wolves were finishing their work behind them, tying up the captured rogues and loading them into vehicles.
But Jamo's focus was on the water.
"You're thinking too loudly," he said quietly.
Vivian crossed her arms.
"I just found out my dead brother might be the most wanted wolf in the city."
"Fair."
She looked at him.
"You're not even surprised, are you?"
Jamo shook his head.
"Surprised? Yes."
"Concerned?"
"Yes."
"Afraid?"
Jamo smirked slightly.
"No."
Vivian rolled her eyes.
"Of course not."
But before Jamo could respond, one of his wolves ran toward them.
"Alpha!"
Jamo turned instantly.
"What is it?"
"There's movement near Pier Seven."
Vivian's head snapped toward the water.
Pier Seven was barely visible through the fog.
"What kind of movement?" Jamo asked.
"Two figures. Maybe three. We couldn't get a clear look."
Vivian felt her pulse spike.
Lucas.
It had to be.
Jamo didn't hesitate.
"Stay here," he told her.
Vivian immediately shook her head.
"Not happening."
"This could be dangerous."
"Everything tonight has been dangerous."
Jamo looked at her for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Fine. Stay behind me."
Vivian smirked slightly.
"Not a chance."
They moved quickly through the fog, their footsteps quiet on the damp wooden boards.
The rest of Jamo's wolves spread out around the pier, surrounding the area silently.
The fog thickened as they approached Pier Seven.
Shapes appeared and disappeared in the mist.
Broken crates.
Rusted chains.
Old fishing nets hanging from metal hooks.
Then Vivian heard it.
Footsteps.
Not theirs.
She stopped.
"You hear that?"
Jamo nodded.
"Yes."
The sound was faint.
But it was definitely someone moving through the fog.
Jamo raised his hand slightly, signaling his wolves to stay hidden.
Vivian held her breath.
Another step.
Then another.
A tall figure slowly emerged from the fog ahead.
The man wore a long dark coat.
His hood was pulled low over his face.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Vivian's heart pounded so hard she could hear it in her ears.
"Lucas?" she said softly.
The figure stopped.
But he didn't answer.
Jamo stepped forward.
"You're trespassing in my territory."
The man tilted his head slightly.
His voice came out low and calm.
"Territory is such a temporary thing, Alpha."
Vivian froze.
She knew that voice.
"Lucas," she whispered.
The man slowly reached up.
Then he pushed the hood back.
Vivian's breath caught in her throat.
It was him.
Same sharp jawline.
Same dark eyes.
Same faint scar across his eyebrow from when they were kids.
But something about him had changed.
Lucas looked colder.
Harder.
More dangerous.
"Hello, Viv," he said quietly.
Vivian took a step forward.
"You're alive."
Lucas gave a small smile.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to figure that out."
Anger flashed across her face.
"You let me think you were dead."
"It was safer that way."
"For who?"
"For you."
Vivian laughed bitterly.
"That's a funny way to protect someone."
Jamo stepped forward slightly, placing himself between them.
"You're Lucas Black."
Lucas looked at him.
"And you must be the famous Alpha Jamo."
His eyes studied Jamo carefully.
"I've heard a lot about you."
"Not enough to stay out of my territory."
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Relax. I'm not here to start a war."
Vivian stepped around Jamo.
"You built Black Unit."
Lucas looked back at her.
"And who told you that?"
"A rogue named Reyes."
Lucas chuckled.
"Reyes talks too much."
"So it's true."
Lucas's expression didn't change.
"Not exactly."
Vivian clenched her fists.
"Stop playing games."
Lucas stepped closer.
"You always hated my games."
"That's because people get hurt when you play them."
Lucas's smile faded slightly.
"That's the difference between us, Viv."
"What difference?"
"You still think this world runs on fairness."
Vivian glared at him.
"And you don't?"
Lucas leaned slightly toward her.
"No."
The fog swirled around them.
Jamo watched Lucas carefully.
"You're running a trafficking operation," Jamo said.
Lucas turned his head slowly.
"Am I?"
"We found cages. Trucks. Wolves disappearing across multiple territories."
Lucas shrugged lightly.
"And you assumed it was me."
"Your mark was carved in one of the trucks."
Lucas was quiet for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Ah."
Vivian frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Lucas looked back at her.
"It means I'm running out of time."
Her stomach dropped.
"Time for what?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked past them into the fog.
Like he was listening to something far away.
Then his expression darkened.
"They're closer than I expected."
Jamo's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
Lucas looked at him.
"The real enemy."
Before either of them could react—
A loud gunshot echoed through the fog.
One of Jamo's wolves collapsed behind them.
Chaos exploded instantly.
Jamo shifted partially, his claws extending.
"AMBUSH!"
Multiple shadows moved through the fog.
More gunshots.
More figures appearing.
Vivian's heart slammed against her ribs.
Lucas grabbed her arm suddenly.
"Move!"
"Let go of me!"
"Unless you want to die tonight, listen to me!"
Jamo lunged toward the attackers, his wolves charging into the fight.
But Lucas pulled Vivian toward the edge of the pier.
"Lucas, what are you doing?!"
He looked at her, deadly serious.
"Saving your life."
Another gunshot rang out.
The bullet slammed into the wooden post inches from Vivian's head.
Lucas shoved her toward a small boat tied beneath the pier.
"Get in!"
Vivian hesitated.
"What about Jamo?!"
Lucas's voice turned cold.
"The Alpha can handle himself."
The fog thickened around them.
More gunfire echoed through the docks.
Vivian looked between Lucas… and the battlefield behind them.
Everything was falling apart.
And suddenly she had a terrible feeling.
Lucas hadn't come here to reunite with her.
He had come here to pull her deeper into the game.
And now…
There was no way out.