Chapter 73 THE END(2)

Chapter 73 THE END(2)
Blade chuckled to himself, shaking his head.

He turned away from the hallway, ready to head back to his own floor but he stopped.

Storm was at the far end of the corridor.

And Viper was with him.

They were talking and aughing.

Viper who always shoved Storm off, avoided him, iced him out.

But right now… she was actually smiling at something he said.

Storm rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, looking down, clearly flustered. Viper’s eyes softened in a way Blade had never seen before.

"Well I’ll be damned" Blade whispered, lips parting slightly.

He didn’t want to disturb them, so he turned and walked the other direction, hands in his pockets, a small smile tugging at him.

He needed air.

Maybe he needed to stop minding everybody's business.

He stepped into the dim side hallway near the stairwell, letting out a long exhale.

But as he rounded the corner, he collided with someone.

"Oof—!"

His hands shot out automatically, gripping her arms to steady her.

And then he froze.

Vixen stood in front of him, her hair loose, her lips painted a soft red.

"Oh—Blade," she breathed. "Sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going"

Blade’s heart dropped to his stomach… then shot to his throat.

Vixen.

He swallowed, stepping back just enough but not letting go of her arms.

"I—uh—no, my fault," he managed, hating how rough his voice sounded. "Didn’t expect anyone here"

Her lips curved into a soft, almost shy smile.

"You okay?" she asked. "You look… distracted"

If only she knew.

Blade cleared his throat. "Just needed air. That’s all"

Vixen tilted her head slightly, studying him in that calm, observant way.

And Blade felt heat creep up his neck.

Because damn…
Of all the people he could’ve bumped into…
It had to be her.

They ended up sitting on one of the low concrete blocks behind the training hall, the cold air brushing against their skin. Blade sat beside her, trying to act normal, even though his heart was doing acrobatics.

"How are you feeling about Ace and Maya?" he finally asked, pretending it was a casual question.

Vixen let out a small laugh. "Oh, that? I fucked it up myself. When he liked me, I never took him serious. I’m happy with him being with Maya"

Blade nodded slowly. "I’m so sorry… so uh, are you open to a new relationship?"

She scoffed softly. "I’m cancelling love for life. No relationship. I want to focus on acing missions instead"

Blade swallowed, masking the disappointment that flashed across his face. "Speaking of that," he said, clearing his throat, "I heard we have one tonight"

Her lips curved into a small smirk. "Let’s duel"

Blade blinked. "Right now?"

She rose to her feet, cracking her knuckles. "Unless you’re scared"

He stood, smirking too. "Of you? Never"

She stepped closer, eyes glinting. "We’ll see"

The training hall was almost empty. Vixen pulled her hair into a quick ponytail while Blade rolled up his sleeves.

"Rules?" he asked.

"No rules," she said with a smirk. "Just don’t cry when I win"

Blade laughed. "You talk too much"

They circled each other, slow and steady, eyes locked like predators testing each other's patience.

Vixen struck first and Blade dodged, barely, her fingers grazing his jaw.

"You're getting slow" she taunted.

"Or maybe you're too fast" he shot back, moving in.

They clashed, hands catching wrists, feet shifting, bodies brushing. Vixen flipped him, but he twisted mid-air and landed on his feet, grinning like a devil.

"Oh, you practiced" she said.

"You inspire me"

She froze for half a second, caught off guard. Blade took advantage, pinning her wrist, but she slid out, sweeping his leg. He hit the mat with a grunt.

She stepped over him, smug. "One point for me"

Blade grabbed her ankle and tugged lightly. She toppled, landing on his chest with a soft gasp, her palms pressed against him, his hands steadying her waist without thinking.

They stilled, their faces were inches apart. Her breath fanned his cheek. His fingers flexed against her waist before he forced himself to let go.

She pushed off him a little too quickly, clearing her throat. "Accidental" she muttered.

"Sure" he said, standing, eyes lingering a moment too long.

They went again, faster this time, sharper, both trying to shake off what just happened. She tried to flip him again, but Blade countered, trapping her arms behind her and locking her gently against his chest.

"I win" he whispered in her ear.

"You cheated"

"I adapted"

Their eyes met over his shoulder, heat flickering and disappearing just as fast.

Vixen stepped away, grabbing her jacket. "Whatever. We should prepare for the mission"

Blade nodded, but he watched her walk away, heart thundering, wondering how long he could keep pretending.

And how long she would keep ignoring the spark she swore she didn’t care about, he couldn also see the connection between her and Axel these past few days.

He would wait until she was finally ready for a relationship. And if she never was, he’d still be Blade. And if she chose Axel, he’d still be Blade.

•••

NIGHT, THE BELLANTI’S ESTATE

Aurora’s heels clicked softly against the marble as she stepped into the familiar mansion. Nothing had changed, yet somehow everything felt different.

She barely took two steps before warm arms wrapped around her tightly.

Her mother, Elena.

"Aurora," she breathed, pulling her in even closer. "I’ve missed you"

Aurora closed her eyes for a second, letting herself melt into the embrace she rarely received growing up. "I’ve missed you too, Mamma"

When they pulled back, Aurora wasted no time.

"Why did father message me for a family dinner?" she asked, brows drawn. "He never does that"

Her mother sighed softly. "I have no idea. You know your father… full of surprises." Her tone hinted at annoyance… and something else. Worry.

Before Aurora could say another word, heels echoed from the staircase.

Sharp, slow and intentionally loud.

Aurora stiffened.