Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Schemes in the Shadows

Dean’s

I stood in my dark room, the red glow of a single lamp casting long shadows onto the walls around me. The cigarette in my hand burned low, smoke curling softly around my head as I stared out the window and into the quiet night. My mind was loud and active, replaying that specific moment in Enzo’s house over and over. Noah, that scrawny human kid, trembling visibly under Enzo’s intense gaze.

The way Enzo had instantly pulled him away from me, his eyes cold and dangerous but clearly protective. It wasn’t just about simple control or ownership. There was something much deeper happening, something Enzo wasn’t openly admitting. I smirked, taking a long drag from the cigarette, the smoke burning comfortably in my throat.

A warm, soft hand brushed my bare chest, and I felt lips press gently against my cheek. I didn’t turn around immediately, just kept staring out the window, but I knew it was Stan. His touch was familiar and steady, like he could easily ground me when my head got too wild with schemes. “Why are you so moody tonight, Dean?” he asked, his voice low and playfully teasing. “What happened to you out there?”

I chuckled softly, finally turning my body to face him. His eyes were sharp and curious, catching the harsh red light from the lamp. I set my cigarette carefully in the ashtray and cupped his face with my hands, pulling him close until our noses nearly touched. “You’re far too nosy for your own good,” I said, my voice rough but intentionally playful.

I kissed him, slow and deliberate, tasting the whiskey he had clearly been drinking earlier. Then I pulled back, smirking again, and walked over to the bed, sitting down casually on the edge with my back resting against the headboard.

Stan followed me, his steps quiet and light, and leaned against me, his back pressing lightly into my chest. “Come on now,” he said, tilting his head up to look at my face. “Spill everything. You’ve definitely got that look, like you’re intensely scheming something big. What exactly happened with Enzo today?”

I laughed, picking up my cigarette again and taking another long, satisfying drag. “Enzo is something else entirely,” I said, blowing a stream of smoke toward the ceiling. “I never truly thought I would see him get so worked up and possessive over a simple human. Cherishing that kid, protecting him like he’s much more than just some disposable slave he owns.”

Stan shifted his weight, turning to face me completely, his eyes narrowing in confusion. “What do you mean? Enzo has a human kid living in his house? That’s what has you all smug and happy?”

I grinned, leaning forward to give him a quick kiss on his forehead. “Yeah, Stan,” I said, my voice low and conspiratorial. “But it’s not just any ordinary human. Enzo’s definitely hiding something important, and I genuinely think I know exactly what it is.”

Stan’s smirk widened, and he scooted closer until his shoulder pressed firmly against mine. “Okay, now you’ve definitely got my full attention,” he said. “What’s your big theory about him? What huge secret is Enzo hiding from everyone?”

I wrapped one arm tightly around him, pulling him close against me. “I think Enzo found his mate,” I said, my voice dropping to a barely audible whisper. “That kid, Noah. He’s got Enzo completely twisted up in ways I’ve never seen or imagined before. Protective, insanely angry, acting like he truly can’t help himself from this connection.”

Stan pulled back slightly, his eyes instantly glinting with mischief and disbelief. “A mate?” he said, his voice teasing. “Enzo? With a human? Are you completely serious right now?”

“Dead serious,” I said, kissing him back, quick and sharp. “You should have seen the way he acted. The way he roughly grabbed Noah, and ordered me to instantly stay away from him. It wasn’t just about the kid being his mere property. It’s deeper than that. I can feel the connection in the air.”

Stan pulled back fully from the kiss, his eyes still glinting mischievously. “So, what is your plan now?” he asked. “Are you going to actively mess with him? Push his buttons, just to see how far he will actually go to keep that kid safe?”

I laughed, a low, rough sound that showed my approval. “You truly know me far too well, Stan,” I said. “Enzo is my brother, but he’s simply too stubborn for his own good. If that kid is his true mate, he’s fighting the pull with everything he has. And I’m going to make absolutely sure he can’t ignore that bond anymore.”

Stan shook his head slowly, still smirking at my plan. “You’re nothing but trouble, Dean,” he said. “Always poking at things you really shouldn’t touch. What if Enzo snaps completely? You know exactly how dangerously he can get when he’s angry.”

“Let him snap for all I care,” I said, taking another long drag from the cigarette. “It’ll be incredibly fun for me to watch the chaos. He’s spent years acting like all humans are nothing and meaningless, and now he’s suddenly stuck with one he genuinely can’t let go of. I want to see exactly how long he can hold out and deny the bond.”

Stan leaned closer to me, his hand resting warmly on my chest. “You’re definitely playing a dangerous game with him,” he said, his voice soft but serious now. “Enzo is not just any random Alpha. If you push him too far, it won’t be just Noah who will pay the price for your actions.”

I looked at him, my smile fading completely for just a second. “Are you actually worried about me, Stan?” I asked, raising a single eyebrow. “Don’t be. I know Enzo better than anyone. He’s my brother. I know precisely how to handle him when he’s upset.”

Stan sighed softly, but his characteristic smirk immediately came back to his face. “Handle him, huh?” he said, reminding me of the past. “The last time you said you ‘handled’ him, you ended up with a severely busted lip.”

I laughed loudly, pulling him closer to me until our foreheads touched. “It was entirely worth the pain,” I said dismissively. “Besides, this situation is different. Noah is different. I truly saw it clearly in Enzo’s eyes. That kid has him completely hooked, whether he admits it out loud or not.”

Stan’s hand slid slowly up my arm, his touch warm and comforting. “So, what’s the next step?” he asked. “Are you going to keep messing with the kid in public? Get completely under Enzo’s protective skin?”

“Maybe I will,” I said, my voice low and determined. “I’ll start small this time. I’ll talk to Noah again, and see exactly how he reacts to me. If he truly is Enzo’s mate, he will start to feel the growing bond too. And that revelation will totally drive Enzo crazy with frustration.”

Stan chuckled, his breath warm and familiar against my cheek. “You’re absolutely evil, Dean,” he said. “But I like that about you. Just promise me you won’t get yourself killed by him, okay?”

“No promises, Stan,” I said, grinning widely at the thought. I kissed him again, slower this time, my hand resting on the back of his neck. The room suddenly felt warmer and more comfortable, the red lamp light softer, as we both leaned into each other’s presence. His hands moved down to my waist, pulling me even closer to him, and for a short moment, I completely forgot about Enzo, Noah, and the whole damn dangerous game I was starting. It was just us right now, the air heavy with unspoken promises for the night.

Later, Stan was sound asleep, his head resting softly on my chest, his breathing slow and completely steady. I lit another cigarette slowly, the smoke curling peacefully around me as I stared at the ceiling tiles. A cold smile crept onto my face, slow and sharp with malicious intent. “Finally,” I said, my voice a quiet whisper

in the dark room. “My brother found a human mate.”