THIRD PERSON’S POV
The river moved slowly under the night sky, carrying dozens of glowing lanterns with it. The soft lights drifted across the dark surface, reflecting gently. The whole thing created a peaceful dreamlike scene.
Sophia stood by the edge, watching her lantern as it floated farther away, slowly blending into the others.
Zade stood beside her. His eyes weren’t on the lanterns, but on her.
He watched the way her shoulders had finally relaxed. The tension that had followed her earlier seemed lighter now, though not completely gone. He didn’t say anything for a while. He simply stayed there, close enough to feel her presence.
For a moment, everything felt still. Then suddenly, Zade’s expression shifted.
He pressed a hand against his chest as he breathing heavily. His posture changed slightly. His body leaned forward just a bit.
Sophia noticed immediately.
“Zade?” she said, turning to him quickly. “What’s wrong?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he exhaled slowly, as if trying to manage the discomfort.
“It’s nothing,” he said, though his voice sounded lower, like he was in pain.
“That doesn’t look like nothing,” Sophia replied. Her expression was filled with concern. She stepped closer. Her attention was fully on him now. “Are you okay?”
Zade shook his head. His hand was still pressed against his chest. “Just... a sudden pain,” he said quietly. “It’ll pass.”
Sophia frowned. Her concern got worse.
“Since when do you get chest pain?” she asked.
He didn’t respond directly. Instead, he looked at her.
“Can you check?” he said.
Sophia blinked, caught off guard. “Check... what?”
“My heartbeat,”
Her face flushed slightly at his words.
“You’re serious right now?” she asked.
He didn’t answer. He just looked at her.
After a brief pause, Sophia let out a small breath and reached out. She gently placed her hand against his chest.
Zade felt it immediately.
Her touch was soft and it sent a jolt through him that had nothing to do with pain. His chest rose slightly under her hand, not because of discomfort, but because of something else entirely. Her touch set him on fire.
Zade wasn’t really in pain. He was faking it. He just wanted Sophia’s attention and to be closer to her.
“Your heartbeat is... normal,” Sophia said after a moment “It doesn’t feel irregular.”
Zade didn’t move. He didn’t even pretend anymore.
“Maybe it’s because you’re close,” he said quietly.
Sophia froze.
For a second, she didn’t move her hand. Then realization hit her, and she pulled back quickly. Her face heat up.
“You’re not serious,” she said.
Zade smirked “I am,”
She narrowed her eyes at him “You were pretending,”
“I didn’t say that,”
“You didn’t have to,” she shot back, crossing her arms. “That was obvious.”
Zade didn’t argue. Instead, he simply looked at her.
But before either of them could say anything else, footsteps approached from behind.
Sophia turned a bit. Her expression changed as she recognized the figures walking toward the riverside.
Damien and Tiffany.
The moment felt like it shattered.
Damien stopped when he saw them. His eyes landed on Sophia first, then shifted to Zade standing beside her. His expression changed immediately. Something complicated flashed across his face.


VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever