CHAPTER 38: HUNTING MEMORY

"Hm, interesting. I’m listening."

Lucien swirled the wine in his glass before taking another slow sip, eyes glinting with amusement.

Adrian leaned forward, voice dropping to that lazy drawl he used whenever he was about to say something stupidly bold.

"You once said—even if you’re fucked, humiliated in bed—you could still take me in a game of brawl and brain, right?"

"So why don’t we test that? If you can run away from us and stay hidden for three hours, you’re free to leave this island."

Lucien blinked. Then he smirked.

Silas, however, gawked and immediately elbowed his twin, whispering harshly, "What the hell are you doing?" Apparently, even identical minds had their disagreements

Before Adrian could answer, Lucien was faster than him.

"Sure, why not? I never back down from a challenge," Lucien rose from his seat with that confident flick of his wrist. "State the rules."

Adrian stood too, practically vibrating with excitement, while Silas followed with the heavy sigh of a man who already knew this was going to end terribly.

"You’ll get a ten-minute head start before we come after you. If either of us manages to touch you, the game’s over."

Lucien tilted his head, lips curling into that sharp little smirk that always spelled trouble.

"Fine. But don’t cry when you lose. This island’s full of places to hide. I’d say the odds are in my favor."

"Then it’s settled," Adrian said, his grin feral. "The game starts now."

Lucien turned, unhurried, and began walking to leave the balcony. He had time, ten minutes of freedom, and the entire island to disappear into.

The sea breeze brushed his hair back as he glanced over his shoulder once, smirking again before vanishing.

The moment he was gone, Silas groaned, rubbing his temples. "Are you insane? What if he actually wins?"

"What are we supposed to do, tie him up again and drag him back like an animal?"

"Relax," Adrian said with that same dangerous confidence.

"We can smell him from miles away. That scent of pomegranate and jasmine is too unique, we couldn’t miss it even if we tried."

Silas sighed again, he sometimes forgot that they were trained assassins when it involved Lucien. Their senses were sharpened even more sharply than dogs.

He stared toward the horizon. The sky was already dimming, dark clouds gathering like a warning.

"We’d better find him fast. The storm’s coming."

"I know." Adrian glanced at his watch, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe this time... he’ll remember us."

"That again... If he doesn’t, it’s fine. We have all the time in the world to make another memory," Silas said softly, his tone calm but laced with something bittersweet.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Even so, you’re the one who looks heartbroken."

"Of course," Silas murmured, his gaze distant. "It was a beautiful memory... but I understand."

"That time must’ve been too much for him, traumatic even. If he ever remembers us and that too..."

His voice faltered, eyes lowering. "I’d rather he didn’t remember at all."

"Oh wow, still the gentle one." Adrian chuckled and patted his brother’s back.

"Don’t worry so much. He’s not that fragile. He’s a Don now, he’s survived things far worse than what happened back then."

Still, Silas didn’t smile. His eyes lingered on the balcony where Lucien had stood just moments ago.

From there, he could see the omega walking across the courtyard, head high, the white of his shirt catching the wind before he disappeared into the woods.

Adrian grinned beside him, the thrill already burning in his veins.

"There he goes," he said, eyes gleaming. "The game officially begins."

***

Lucien was walking along the beach when it hit him, his pheromones. Of course, those damned alphas could track him like bloodhounds if he didn’t keep moving.

"Fuck!" He kicked the sand, ruffling his hair in frustration.

The salty wind caught in his shirt, the fabric clinging to his damp skin.

"Out of all the days to smell good..."

The Twins weren’t just playful idiots, they were assassins. Professional ones. Their names had been legends back in the Black Shore, the most expensive blades money could buy.

Zero failures, zero mercy. If they were serious about finding him, he was utterly doomed.

He ran toward the forest, boots sinking into damp sand as the ocean faded behind him.

The scent of salt might help blur his trail, at least for a moment. He ducked beneath the branches, breathing hard, the sound of crashing waves replaced by the whisper of cicadas and leaves.

"Yeah, great plan," he muttered to himself.

"Hide from trained killers with a glowing scent trail. Genius, Lucien."

But then, Lucien froze when he heard rustle followed by a voice echoing through the trees.

"Where are you, Lucien? I know you’re here!"

Adrian.

Lucien’s stomach dropped. "Fuck." He darted between trees, feet pounding on damp earth.

"I can hear you!" Adrian called again, laughing. "Don’t run too fast, we still wanna play!"

"Tch!"

Lucien hissed, pushing through ferns and brambles until the trees opened up and the sight before him froze him in place.

A waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pool, sunlight cutting through the mist like gold threads.

Fish shimmered beneath the surface. It was beautiful, hauntingly familiar.

Why do I feel... déjà vu?" he whispered.

In his head, the voices of laughter, splashing water, and childish laughter echo.

’Lucien! Don’t swim too far!’

’But you said we’d go on an adventure!’

He clutched his head, a sudden pain stabbing in his head felt painful. His breathing grew shallow as flashes of a memory—sunlight, laughter, and two boys—slipped away before he could grasp them.

A splash brought him back to reality. Silas emerged from the water, droplets sliding down his bare chest as he grinned up at him.

"Oh? You’re so slow. Should I come and catch you myself?"

"Damn it! Can’t I just enjoy the damn island for five minutes?!" Lucien yelled, backing up as Silas glided closer through the pool.

"Come on," Silas said lazily, floating on his back, eyes closed, "stop the game and swim with me."

Tempting. The water, his voice, his bare skin—it all called to him.

But pride was a stubborn thing.

Lucien turned away, muttering under his breath, and bolted once more into the woods.

This was getting creepy. How the hell did they keep finding him so easily?