CHAPTER 1: THE HEIST

Rain slicked the streets of Blackthorn City as I crouched in a narrow alley, the hood of my black coat pulled low to shield my face from the downpour. The vibrant neon signs blurred into smeared streaks of red and gold, transforming the night into a canvas painted with electric hues and shadows. The air tasted of iron and secrets, wrapping me in a cocoon of tension that thrummed like a taut wire in my bones. “You ready?” Kade’s voice broke through my focus, low and steady, though I could see his hands trembling with excitement.

I nodded, a single motion that spoke volumes. “Always.” My heartbeat was unnervingly calm, almost too calm. But nights like this, that rush of danger, anticipation hanging in the air, were what I lived for. The world knew me as the mysterious young leader of a small mafia crew, but they had no idea about my secret; I could sense people before they arrived, read lies in their voices, and hear footsteps echoing from blocks away. I didn’t question it anymore; I just accepted that it was part of who I was. I was told I was different from a very young age, and I've lived with the difference.

Across the street loomed our target: Moonflower Antiques & Jewels. The elegant store’s golden lettering gleamed even in the rain, taunting us with its promise of riches. “Cameras?” I whispered, keeping my voice low. “Looped for two minutes,” he replied, and I could feel his adrenaline mingling with mine. This place had what we needed, rare stones and artifacts that could fund our crew for months. A score like this was too good to pass up. We darted across the slick street and slipped through the side door. The scent of polished wood and velvet wrapped around me, mixed with something primal I couldn’t quite place. A shiver crept down my spine; it felt like someone was watching us. I looked around but couldn't see anyone, and my heart thumped against my chest in fear.

“Damn!” Kade whispered, his eyes wide as he took in the sparkling display cases. “This is a gold mine.” “Stick to the plan,” I murmured, forcing my voice to remain steady as the nerves danced in my stomach. Every creak of the floor, every faint sound from the city outside, heightened my senses. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we weren’t alone, and this usually means that I am right. Then I froze. A growl rumbled across the room, deep and menacing. “What the hell was that?” Kade’s voice was tense, and I felt the electricity in the air shift. Before I could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing. Jet-black hair framed sharp cheekbones, and his dark eyes pierced through the dim lighting with an intensity that stole my breath. He wore a simple black shirt, but there was a magnetic force about him, strong and wild, like the calm before a storm.

The moment our gazes locked, something inside me snapped, or woke up; I don't know what it is, but his presence did something to me. My heartbeat faltered, then pounded like a war drum in my chest, a heat spreading through my veins that both thrilled and frightened me. Beneath my skin, I felt the stir of something I couldn’t identify. Mate. The word whispered through my blood, awakening that primal part of me I didn’t know existed. Confusion flooded my mind, and my heart ached as I staggered back, eyes wide in shock. “Drop the bag,” he commanded, his voice low and dangerous, full of authority. Kade’s grip tightened on my arm, urgency spilling from his lips. “Go!” That single word shattered whatever spell had held me captive. Instinct screamed at me to flee, and we bolted for the door as panic surged through my veins. I barely registered a snarl behind us, almost inhuman, but adrenaline propelled us forward until the lights of the city wrapped around us like a familiar embrace.

After finally reaching our safe-house, which was located above the old garage, we slowed to a halt, with both of us panting and laughing as if we had just barely escaped a close call with death. “That,” Kade gasped, dropping the duffel bag on the table, “was insane!” I ripped off my gloves, shaking with residual adrenaline as disbelief bubbled from my throat. “Did you see him? He just… came out of nowhere.” “And you froze!” Kade was half-amused, half-panicked. “What was that about?”

“I don’t know." The words slipped from me, honest and raw. 'Why would you ask that, though? He just walked in on us robbing his store, well, I think it's his." I said to Kade, feeling confused and scared, that he might come after us, and it would not do us any good. My chest still ached where his gaze had met mine, heat pulsing beneath my skin. I shook it off and unzipped the bag, letting the stolen treasure spill onto the table. “But this… this was worth it.” The room flickered in lamplight, catching the gleam of our prize, polished jewels and coins that glittered triumphantly. For a moment, with the chaos outside forgotten, we drank in our victory. Kade raised a cheap glass of whiskey, and we toasted to another successful job. To him, it was just another heist, a thrilling escapade. But for me? It was more than that. It was proof that I was untouchable, invincible, in control of my city. Yet as I leaned against the window, looking out at the rain-slicked streets, unease pricked at me.

The sharp lines of his face and the intensity of his gaze haunted my thoughts. I’d faced danger before, guns, knives, but nothing had ever made my heart race like that look from him had. Deep down, something began to stir, a strange hunger I couldn’t quite name. I swallowed hard, downing the whiskey, and tried to force the thoughts away. "Did you notice that their alarm never rang? Nor did we get chased by any police?" I asked Kade, feeling unsettled, like we had crossed someone's territory, one that we shouldn't have crossed.

"Why are you letting this get in the way of our celebration? Don't let it bother you." He said, brushing me off, and a part of me got angry that he wasn't taking this seriously. "What if this time we're really in trouble? What if we've robbed the wrong store?"

"What ifs don't help, okay? There's nothing we can do. What's done is done, okay? Let it be," he said sternly, closing the conversation. I nodded, feeling like there's nothing else I can say to convince him that we might be in trouble. I guess I just have to wait and see.

I've been stealing half my life, and things have never gone wrong as they did today. I've been caught in action or on camera before, but none of them have ever seen my face. I don't know what made us not wear our masks today; it's the worst mistake we've made so far in our heist. I just hope it doesn't come down to killing each other and spilling blood.