Alex didn't remember how long he stood in that alley.
His forehead pressed against the cold brick wall, his breathing uneven.
"Calm down… just calm down…"
But his body wasn't listening.
His cock still throbbed, a painful reminder of the brief moment of weakness earlier.
"It's not my fault…"
But that was a lie.
He looked.
And the Omnitrix responded.
Every glance.
Every curve.
It was always there.
The heat.
It wasn't as bad now.
But it was never gone.
"I can't…"
His jaw clenched.
"I can't keep fighting this."
But what choice did he have?
"If I lose control again…"
His stomach twisted.
"No."
He couldn't let that happen.
New York was a jungle.
And everywhere Alex went, there was… temptation.
Tight skirts.
Low-cut tops.
Legs. Curves. Skin.
"Just… stop looking."
But it was impossible.
Every accidental glance was enough to stir the heat again.
"Why is everyone dressed like this today?"
Or maybe…
"It's just me."
The Omnitrix pulsed against his wrist.
It was quiet.
But Alex felt it.
"Always watching…"
Meanwhile…
Inside Stark Tower, things weren't quiet.
Stark stood over the holographic display, his expression unreadable.
"Still nothing?" Steve's voice was calm, but there was tension underneath.
Stark's eyes narrowed.
"Not yet."
Bruce adjusted his glasses, frowning at the readings.
"It's moving."
Stark's head snapped up.
"What?"
Bruce pointed at the data stream.
"Energy signature. It's faint, but it's shifting."
Stark's jaw clenched.
"Where?"
"Near Midtown."
Bruce's voice was quiet, but the words echoed like thunder.
Natasha's eyes narrowed.
"Midtown?"
"Yeah," Bruce murmured. "But it's not staying in one place. It's…"
"Moving," Stark finished.
His eyes darkened.
"Like it knows we're watching."
"Good."
Natasha's voice was cold.
"Let it run."
"We'll catch it."
Even in the crowded streets, he felt it.
"They're watching."
The eyes.
The whispers.
"They're getting closer."
He walked faster.
Head down.
Avoiding eye contact.
But it didn't help.
"They're closing in…"
Alex ducked into a corner store, trying to calm himself down.
The bell chimed as he stepped inside.
Cool air hit his face.
"Just breathe…"
But then…
"Of course."
The cashier.
A woman.
Early twenties.
Tight shirt.
Pushed-up cleavage.
And a smile that lingered a little too long.
"What can I get you?"
"Don't look."
But his eyes…
They wandered.
Just for a second.
Her shirt was tight enough to show the curve of her breasts, the swell of her chest straining against the fabric.
Her lips were glossy, her nails tapping softly on the counter.
"Fuck…"
The heat returned.
Stronger.
"Not now…"
His cock twitched.
"Damn it."
"Sir?"
Her voice pulled him back.
"Are you okay?"
"No. I'm not."
But he forced a smile.
"Yeah. Just… just looking."
His voice cracked.
"Just leave. Now."
"Alright… just let me know if you need anything," she said, her smile lingering.
Alex turned away quickly, his heart pounding.
"Get out of here."
The Omnitrix wasn't helping.
It wasn't glowing.
It wasn't making noise.
But it wanted something.
"And I can't stop it…"
Alex pushed through the crowded street, trying to disappear.
But the heat followed him.
Every glance.
Every accidental brush against someone.
A woman brushed past him, her scent hitting his senses like a sledgehammer.
Floral perfume.
Warm skin.
"Fuck…"
His cock twitched again, rubbing painfully against his jeans.
"Not now."
He kept his head down.
But even when he didn't look—
He felt them.
Curves.
Soft skin.
Warmth.
"Stop thinking about it."
But he couldn't.
"Gotcha," Stark muttered, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
"Where?" Steve's voice was sharp.
Stark tapped the display.
"Energy trail. Heading south."
Natasha's eyes narrowed.
"Send me."
"Not yet."
Stark's tone was firm.
"We let it run a little longer."
Natasha's jaw clenched.
"Why?"
Stark's eyes darkened.
"Because I want to know what we're dealing with first."
Even as he walked through the streets, he knew.
"They're coming."
His heart pounded.
"It's only a matter of time."
But the worst part?
The heat was still there.
Lurking.
Waiting.
"I can't…"
A woman walked by, her jeans hugging her curves perfectly.
His cock stirred.
Again.
"Fuck…"
"I can't hold out much longer."