Chapter 185: You ready for the next step?

The return to Apex HQ was both expected and strange.

After a weekend of sand, sun, and nearly drowning each other, stepping back into the high-tech walls of their headquarters felt almost surreal.

The moment they walked in, the weight of their real lives settled back onto their shoulders.

No more lounging. No more ridiculous surf attempts. No more pretending that they were just a bunch of normal people with normal problems.

Because they weren’t.

And the world wasn’t going to let them forget that for long.

**Liam and Alexandra**

Liam dropped his bag by the door and stretched, letting out a dramatic groan.

"Back to reality," he muttered. "I already hate it."

Alexandra smirked. "Says the guy who nearly died three times in one weekend."

Liam grinned. "You worried about me, babe?"

Alexandra rolled her eyes. "I was more worried about the surfboard you tried to fight."

Liam scoffed. "That was a strategic battle, and I—"

"Lost," Alexandra cut in smoothly.

Liam sighed. "You really know how to wound a man."

Alexandra shook her head, setting her bag down before turning to him.

"But you know what?" she murmured. "I kind of liked it. Us, out there. No Apex. No missions. Just…" She hesitated.

Liam’s smirk softened. "Just us?"

Alexandra nodded.

Liam exhaled, pulling her in by the waist. "Then maybe we should make that a regular thing."

Alexandra arched a brow. "You mean a vacation?"

Liam grinned. "Yeah. Just the two of us."

Alexandra chuckled. "Miracles do happen."

Liam kissed her softly. "Only when I’m involved, sweetheart."

**Zayn and Tessa**

Zayn stood in his room, staring at the small black box in his hands.

The moment was slipping away.

He knew it.

He felt it.

The reality of being back here meant that everything was shifting again. The weekend had been an escape, but now—now the world was creeping back in.

And if he didn’t do something soon…

He might lose his chance.

A knock at his door made him tense.

He slid the box back into his bag before opening it—

Tessa.

She leaned against the frame, arms crossed, her hair still damp from a quick shower, her expression unreadable.

Zayn raised a brow. "Something wrong, Quinn?"

Tessa hesitated for a fraction of a second—so quick he almost missed it.

Then—"Just wanted to say thanks."

Zayn blinked. "For what?"

Tessa rolled her eyes. "For not being a complete disaster the whole trip."

Zayn smirked. "Low bar."

Tessa smirked back. "Yeah, well. You cleared it. Barely."

Zayn chuckled, but his gaze lingered on her a little too long.

Tessa noticed.

Her smirk faltered.

Then—"See you at training tomorrow."

She turned and walked away.

And Zayn?

Zayn just stood there, gripping the doorframe like an idiot.

Because the words were right there.

And once again—he let them go unsaid.

**Damon and Seraphina**

Seraphina had barely stepped into her office when Damon closed the door behind them.

She sighed, setting her bag down. "Something on your mind?"

Damon smirked. "You mean aside from the fact that my wife is growing our future inside her?"

Seraphina smirked back. "You really like saying that, don’t you?"

Damon stepped closer, his hands resting on her hips.

"Yeah," he murmured. "I do."

Seraphina exhaled, letting herself sink into the moment just for a second.

Then—back to business.

"You ready for the next step?" she asked.

Damon’s smirk didn’t fade. "Leaving the field?"

Seraphina nodded.

Damon exhaled. "I thought I would feel different about it."

Seraphina studied him. "And do you?"

Damon considered that.

Then, finally—"No. It feels right."

Seraphina nodded, resting her forehead against his.

"Then we do it," she murmured.

Damon grinned. "Just like that?"

Seraphina smirked. "Rare exception."

Damon chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Yeah.

This?

This was exactly where they were meant to be.

And no mission, no war, no enemy was ever going to take that away from them.

Not now.

Not ever.