The Black family arrived at Haven just before the first hints of dawn began to paint the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. The manor, nestled deep in the tranquil countryside, looked like a shadow against the early light. Its tall stone walls seemed to absorb the quiet of the morning, offering a sense of security and isolation. The drive had been long, and the chill of the early hours still clung to the air, but there was a sense of relief as they finally arrived at the familiar, welcoming gates of their sanctuary.
The sprawling estate stretched across the land, with lush greenery and towering trees surrounding the massive structure. The estate had always been a place of both solace and strength for the family, a place where they could regroup, plan, and sometimes heal. The soft rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant sounds of birds were the only things that broke the stillness.
They arrived at the manor around 5 a.m., the quiet hours of the night still fresh. As they stepped out of their cars, the cool morning air greeted them, and they made their way inside, tired but focused. Everyone silently moved toward their rooms, knowing the day ahead would be long and filled with difficult conversations.
Two hours later, the family gathered in the grand meeting room. The soft light from the early morning sun filtered through the large windows, casting long shadows on the polished wooden floor. The room was eerily calm, the only sounds being the soft shuffle of papers as Kian placed the documents detailing Selene's movements and the Shiro Clan's activities on the large table in front of them.
Kian stood at the head of the table, his expression hard and focused. He had told them earlier that they would discuss the situation regarding Selene and the Shiro Clan in detail, but now, as his children and Helena gathered around, the weight of the moment seemed heavier than ever.
While everyone was settled in the manor, Kian finally spoke, his tone carrying a weight that silenced the room. "There's something you all need to know about Selene," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Even if it's just a hunch… I can't ignore it anymore."
He exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. "I caught a glimpse of her outside Hirono, right after we left. At first, I didn't think much of it. But then, we got the footage from the investigation—about that gift." His jaw tensed. "And, yes… she was really there."
His gaze swept across the room, lingering on each of them. "At first, I couldn't believe it. Someone I thought was dead—someone I searched for—just appearing like that, after all these years?" His voice dipped lower, edged with something unreadable. "It doesn't make sense. But it's her."
Kian Black's journey to leadership was vastly different from his predecessors. His ancestors had once been rebels, fighting against the old order, unwilling to bow to oppressive rule. Their defiance caught the attention of a rising new government, which saw an opportunity in their strength and offered them support. In return, the Black family secured a powerful position, shifting from outlaws to key figures in both political and business landscapes. Over time, they established themselves in the world of high-level protection and security services, ensuring their influence remained untouchable.
Kian, however, took a different path. While he respected the family's roots, he sought to expand beyond the underground dealings of the past. He saw the potential for legitimate power, using his connections to build a shipping empire that strengthened the family's reach. His vision was clear—transition the Black name into a force that thrived not through violence, but through strategy and control.
But the past had a way of resurfacing.
Selene, his childhood friend, had once stood beside him. They had grown up together, training under the same legacy, learning the same lessons about power and survival. Then,during the war was also in a kidnapping incident, she disappeared. Kian had searched for her, but she had vanished without a trace. Now, years later, she had returned—but not as the friend he once knew.
At first, Kian remained firm in his vision. He wanted to handle things legally, to protect his family without falling back into the old ways. But Selene saw his restraint as weakness. She pushed and provoked, daring him to retaliate.
Kian tried to hold his ground. But when his family was threatened, his patience began to crack. Selene didn't realize it yet, but she was waking a sleeping bear. And when Kian finally struck back, it wouldn't be on her terms.
"Kian leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. "Selene wasn't just a childhood friend," he admitted. "She was… more than that. We grew up together, trained together, and for a long time, I thought we would shape the future side by side."
His voice carried an unusual softness, but there was a sharpness beneath it, something hardened by time. "She understood me in a way few people did. We weren't just allies—we were partners. We challenged each other, pushed each other to be stronger. And if things had been different…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "Maybe I would have considered her as someone to stand beside me for life."
Silence stretched for a moment before he continued, his tone growing heavier. "Then came the night she disappeared. The kidnapping." His fingers curled slightly. "I searched for her. I used every connection I had, but there was nothing—no trail, no ransom, no trace. I had to accept that she was gone." His expression darkened. "And now, after all these years, she's back—but not as the person I once knew. She's changed."
His eyes flickered with something unreadable—regret? Resentment? Or maybe just the weight of the past coming back to haunt him. "Whatever happened to her during those years… it turned her into someone else. And now, she's not just looking to reclaim her place—she wants control. Complete control."
After the incident at Hirono Hotel, Kian had gathered information about Selene. But he hadn't disclosed it—not yet. Not until the car chase and the bombings made it clear that someone wanted his family dead.
Now, he laid out the documents before them. "These are the latest surveillance reports," he said, his voice steady but cold. "The Shiro Clan's movements—human trafficking, bulk purchases of steel and alloys. They're producing armor, but for what purpose, we still don't know."
He glanced toward the shadows. "The Hounds have been tracking them."
A figure stepped forward—Karma, her sharp gaze scanning the room. She was known for her unmatched tracking and observation skills. Once a child abandoned and abused by the Shiro Clan, she had risen far beyond the fate they had left her to.
Karma inclined her head. "Master Kian, the Shiro Clan has been on the move. When the family was being chased, Selene was last seen boarding a jet heading west. We lost her trail in Mumbai."
Silence stretched across the room, the weight of her words sinking in.
Kian exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping over his family. "I need to know where you all stand on this. Because if she thinks she can take what's mine, she's mistaken."
Helena, who had been silently studying the reports, finally spoke, her voice unwavering. "Contact Hansel, the ambassador. Have him locate her and report back on her movements."
As the siblings listened to their parents and scanned the files laid out before them, the weight of the situation settled over them like an unshakable force. The evidence was clear—Selene wasn't just building power; she was orchestrating something far greater.
Alexa's grip tightened around the edge of a report, her eyes flickering with unease. She exhaled slowly, pushing past the noise of the room.
"Vleid?" Her voice echoed in the space between minds, reaching out to him and the guardians.
There was a slight pause before Vleid's voice responded, steady yet edged with caution. "I'm here."
"Do you think some people from Astralis might have been helping her?" Alexa's thoughts wavered, her control over telepathic communication still rough around the edges. "I mean, how can they act this swiftly? Everything is too well-organized—like someone is monitoring us. We know how to control the information passing through the cloud, we even hacked into their systems, tracked those in power within the Shiro Clan… so how did they slip right through our fingers?"
Her frustration bled into the connection, thoughts tumbling over each other, unfiltered.
Vleid picked up on it immediately. "Your mind is scattered again," he noted, his tone calm but firm. "Focus, Alexa."
Another presence stirred within the link—Dante, one of the guardians, their energy sharp and analytical. "If someone from Astralis is involved, it would explain their precision. But it also means this is bigger than just Selene. Someone with knowledge of both worlds could be feeding her information."
Meanwhile, outside of the telepathic exchange, Helena suddenly stiffened. A voice—familiar yet unexpected—had echoed in her mind. It wasn't one of the guardians. It wasn't Talon. It was Alexa.
For a brief moment, Helena was taken aback. Her daughter's voice in her head—unintentional, yet unmistakably clear. She turned slightly, her gaze lingering on Alexa, who remained deep in the mind conversation.
Then, Talon's voice smoothly entered her thoughts. "Dear, your daughter truly has a strong gift, just like you… and like the founder. You should have expected this more. She's just like you when you were younger."
Helena blinked, her expression unreadable as she listened. Talon's tone was knowing, amused even, as if he had been waiting for this moment to happen.
Before she could respond, he added, "Let her be. Don't interrupt. The guardians are guiding her."
Helena exhaled softly, relaxing her posture. She hadn't expected this, but Talon was right—Alexa was growing into something more.
Alexa was still caught in the telepathic exchange when Xanthine's voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Nee-san, let's eat first, then sleep again. Last night made me so tired."
Xanthine's blunt statement snapped Alexa out of her thoughts. She blinked, momentarily losing focus on the conversation with Vleid and the guardians.
Helena, who had been silently observing, let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "You always know when to interrupt, don't you, Xanthine?"
Xanthine stretched her arms and let out a small yawn. "It's not my fault thinking on an empty stomach makes everything more complicated." She lazily walked toward the dining area, clearly done with heavy discussions for the moment.
Xander smirked. "You just want an excuse to eat and sleep again."
Xanthine shot him a look. "And? What about it?"
Kian, who had been tense just moments ago, exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. "Fine. We'll eat first."
Alexa sighed, rubbing her temples. "You really have a way of changing the mood, Xanthine."
Her younger sister only grinned as she grabbed a plate. "It's a skill."
The tension in the room had finally lifted, albeit momentarily, as the family settled into a more relaxed mood. The strategic discussions about Selene's movements and the Shiro Clan's activities had taken their toll on everyone, but now, with the offer of food and a brief reprieve, the air felt lighter.
The family made their way to the dining area, where a warm breakfast awaited them. Xanthine, still half-distracted by her hunger, quickly claimed a seat at the table and piled food onto her plate. Her antics, though typical, seemed to lighten the mood that had been heavy with the weight of the threat they were facing.
Kian, now with the tension slightly eased from his shoulders, took his seat at the head of the table. He still carried the burden of the decisions ahead, but for now, his family was safe under the shelter of Haven. He glanced around at his children, Helena, and the few trusted associates who had accompanied them. The family was strong—more resilient than they realized.
Helena, who had been listening intently, caught the subtle, thoughtful expression on her husband's face. "You're not going to let this go easily, are you?" she asked softly, her tone more an observation than a question.
Kian's gaze met hers, his lips tightening in a controlled smile. "Not until I'm certain Selene is no longer a threat," he replied, his voice steady.
Xanthine, who had been busy inspecting a piece of toast, looked up from her plate. "You know, you don't have to handle everything on your own. We're a team. We've always been." She was blunt, but there was a softness beneath her words—an understanding that they were all in this together.
Kian's eyes softened at his daughter's words, though his expression remained firm. "I know," he said quietly. "But this is personal."
The family ate in relative silence after that, the early morning tension slowly dissipating as they prepared for the long day ahead. They knew the meeting wasn't over, that the situation with Selene would take time and careful planning. But for now, they had each other.
As the sun rose higher, casting light over the estate, the Black family knew they had entered a new chapter—one that would test everything they had worked for, and perhaps, redefine the meaning of power and loyalty.