Chapter Nine: Hands in the Darkness

Bailey’s life returned to its little routines, but he couldn’t shake the memory of the hallway that afternoon. The shadowed, commanding figure who had saved him—so intense, so unyielding—left him both rattled and strangely… safe.

He didn’t know who the Alpha was, only that the danger had vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared. And, inexplicably, he felt calm now. A warmth lingered in his chest, like sun filtering through storm clouds.

Luca, from his office high above his building, monitored everything through cameras wired on every place Bailey walked. Every casual smile was genuinely observed by Luca. Every wag of that tail that refused to hide anymore, which Luca always finds amusing.

His days were packed—board meetings, film shoots, contract negotiations, syndicate affairs. Every second of his life was scheduled, controlled, optimized. Yet no matter how demanding his hours, he found time. Time to ensure Bailey didn’t stumble. Time to make sure the little Omega was never in harm’s way.

A maintenance crew “randomly” repaired a shaky railing near Bailey’s apartment building. A late-night shuttle bus “happened” to pass by him when he finished work. Even the cafeteria menus shifted in his favor, ensuring Bailey always had a warm meal.

None of it obvious. None of it traceable. Just… comfort. Safety. Invisible hands protecting him.

Because Luca could not—would not—allow Bailey to slip away. Not once. Not ever.

The next day, Bailey noticed a small difference.

A misplaced bag of groceries had been carried upstairs for him. A window in the library was left open just enough to let in sunlight where he sat. Hallway doors that usually creaked now opened silently before he arrived. The landloard told him he doesn’t have to pay for the next few month’s payments and balances, he just have to take care of the apartment while they are away for a vacation. It confuses him but was still happy for somehow being lucky.

“Okay…” Bailey murmured, tilting his head. “It’s… nice. Feels… safe.”

He smiled softly, tail wagging again, unaware that the Alpha responsible was watching every subtle motion, every small, golden moment of happiness.

Luca’s jaw tightened. He should not care this much. He should not watch so intently. He should not feel the pull in his chest every time Bailey laughed or stumbled or tilted his head in curiosity.

Yet he did.

And worse, he realized:

He didn’t want to stop.

Every tiny act of kindness, every shielded moment, every “coincidence” was feeding a growing obsession. Not dangerous—well, not yet. Sweet, almost tender… until it reached a point where he would do anything to protect Bailey, to claim him, to make sure no one else ever touched that golden light again.

That evening, Bailey hummed to himself walking back from work, the campus empty around him. Shadows stretched across walls, but he didn’t feel unsafe. Something—someone—was watching over him. He just knew it.

And deep inside, a strange comfort warmed him, though he didn’t know why.

Luca, despite the chaos of his life—board meetings still waiting, contracts unsigned, syndicate alerts pinging—smiled faintly from his high perch, lips curling just enough. He didn’t move. He didn’t speak. He didn’t touch.

But his eyes followed every step, every sway of Bailey’s golden frame, every wag of his tail.

Sweet obsession had begun.

And Luca knew it.

He didn’t care.

Because this Omega… this little golden light… was his to protect.

No matter what.

Not even once.