I'll give her my last heartbeat.

Dominic slowly neared the painting, side-eying Luciano to ensure that the King wouldn't lose control over his beast. Deeply personal things, especially anything that would remind a loved one, could awaken the beast inside like nothing ever did.

There she was- the woman Dominic once called mother himself.

Back in the days, Luciano's mother gave Dominic home, served food, and treated the boy as if he was her own. Even his biological mother never gave him as much love and affection as the woman who birthed his friend.

Looking at the painting felt surreal - her eyes were pictured so perfectly, he could swear that she was alive, smiling back at him. A sudden realization flashed before Dominic's eyes.

He turned around to face Luciano: “I'm not dreaming, am I?” He questioned the King, bringing his hand to his upper arm, ready to pinch himself until his skin turned purple. Whatever was happening - it was a whole mix of wrong and confusing.

“No, you're not dreaming, dumbass. Don't think of pinching yourself - we know that you won't be able to stop,” Luciano shook his head, trying to get rid of sudden ideas.

Why would he feel like it was the right moment to be friendly around Dom? They parted as enemies rather than friends, yet fate would keep bringing them together over and over again.

“Why is the portrait of your mother in the Council mansion? Doesn't this seem a little bit too weird? And man, the resemblance is wild,” Dominic turned his attention back to the painting, letting his heart lead him for the first time in ages.

He wanted to see her again; he wanted to feel wanted and loved. He would give up nearly everything just to meet her once again, even for a second.

Recalling the memories, a corner of his lip lifted in a weak smile. Those days spent with Luciano and his mother were the happiest days Dominic ever had.

No matter what the weather outside was - even when there were snow blizzards or hurricanes, they found themselves comfortably sitting around each other and enjoying the little things.

While others feared the force of nature - they watched the destruction in fascination. Luciano's mother kept pointing out how there was nothing more powerful than the wrath of Mother Nature, so both boys did their best to please the Godly creature. They had no idea if that Mother was real, but since Luciano's mom believed in her - so did both boys.

“I don't know,” Luciano growled out, brought his palm to his face, and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

His sudden action startled Dominic; obviously, his mind traveled far from reality once again - not that it would ever surprise anyone who knew Dom. If only he had all the answers, if only there were things he could explain without any hesitation.

“Her portrait shouldn't be here. If there is a place where it should be - it's my damn home. I guess I should be happy about this finding since my father's crazy bitch hid and burned all mom's photos she could find. Yeah, not sure if you knew that, but your mom's best friend got her claws into my father a couple of years before he died.”

Luciano struggled to sound calm. He had always hated the woman that was partly responsible for his mother's death, yet still married his father. For others, of course, it didn't seem like a big deal - powerful men weren't supposed to stay alone for a long time. However, Luciano would prefer any other woman near him, any at all, but the one chosen by his father.

Taking a deep breath, he kept talking: “I noticed the wild resemblance; there's no need to point that out even more. Perhaps now you'll understand why I might seem so obsessed with her.”

“I mean, I understand, but there has to be another reason behind everything, right? If you're anywhere near the person I knew - you wouldn't do anything without an actual reason. It's not, well - wasn't, part of your nature, to make rushed decisions. Luciano I used to know always thought two steps ahead, three back, and five more ahead. You used to think of possibilities even when we had to choose an ice cream flavor. The thing about you is that everyone thinks you are just another brainless jock, but you're so much more complex than that. Oftentimes, your brain rules over your heart, refusing you the chance to fall in love. Remember Abigail? The girl that lived next door? You had the craziest crush on her but never went as far as saying hi simply because you played all possible scenarios in your head, and none of the outcomes satisfied you. You might be an animal, but hell, you are one fucking intelligent beast.” Dominic chuckled as he finally managed to explain the thought that sounded way better in his head.

Perhaps choosing words wasn't his strong side, but he had a great memory - details to details, even ones from early childhood.

“I don't want to talk about it,” the King had enough of the friendly discussion.

He never intended to let Dominic speak in the first place, yet here he was - sharing some of his thoughts and feelings. That wouldn't be the worst; Luciano managed to tell Dominic more about his private life and family, which was something he swore not to do ever again.

Breaking a promise felt awful, especially after all those years he managed to stay away, even at times when he missed the only real friend he used to have.

“You can't hide forever. Listen, drop the past, imagine that nothing ever happened. There's just the two of us. Maybe talking this out will make you feel better, don't you think? Open up a little, break that damn shell before it's too late. By the end of the day - if she chooses you, a heartless man couldn’t make her happy,” Dominic kept pressuring the King to talk.

It didn't matter anymore - their friendship wouldn't be something he could fix, so there was little to no reason for them to hang around each other.

By the end of the day, they would part their ways and act like strangers, the same as it was before. The thought upset him, but the Alpha wouldn't show his weakness in front of someone but himself.

“I guess you're right.” Luciano turned around and pressed his back against the wall, letting his body slowly slide down to the floor. He wasn't physically tired of standing, but the whole situation frustrated him, so it seemed kind of logical to sit down and think.

Dominic followed his example, keeping a safe distance between their bodies.

For a couple of minutes, they couldn't hear anything aside from their breathing. The silence took over the cold hall, giving both men some time to overthink.

Throwing occasional glances at Luciano, Dominic couldn't take the silent treatment and growled out loud. He turned his body to face the King and spoke up: “I'm all ears. So, what's the reason?”

To his surprise, Luciano didn't attempt to avoid the topic - quite the opposite. A corner of his lip twitched, and he instantly spoke up.

“When I was about six or seven years old, my mother predicted her death. She once told me that she doesn't have much more time left, so we should enjoy every moment the life granted her so generously. You might remember that we started going out more, hiking, and traveling to places she always wanted to visit at one point. You've been a part of the majority of those adventures; there is no way anyone could forget something as magical as my mother and her passion for adventures. Anyway, I'm losing the point here.” Luciano chuckled, giving himself a little more time to go back to the happy place.

When the woman was alive - she was her son's happy place, and now, she still was, in a way. Whenever he felt upset, he would think back to the days when there was someone who truly cared. Someone who loved him without asking for anything in return.

The woman, who was deemed weak, always stood in front of the boy, shielding him as if he was just a defenseless puppy.

“So, after the sudden prediction and all those adventures, we went to the lake house for the last time. After that time, within a couple of days, I lost her. However, as we sat by the lake, watching the full moon, she suddenly spoke up. Mom said that she would always be next to me - living in my heart, holding my hand along the journey of life even when it seems too difficult. Of course, I took it as a joke just to face reality not so long after. While her words seemed rather funny back then, I understood the depth and truth behind them in time. Then, I recalled one more thing - a promise. She promised that one day she'd send me someone special. The only way I could find the person would be the resemblance to the one I love the most. I never told her how much I loved her. Funny, isn't it?” A lonely tear slid down Luciano's cheek, leaving a hot trace on his skin.

The salty fluid made his skin feel as if it had been ripped open, poured full of lava and left to bleed out. He wasn't the one to cry or show the emotions he felt, but even the strongest men could break at unpredictable moments.

Recalling good memories always made him feel better, but thinking of his mother's death made the pain more intense. Even after all those years, the pain was still there; it never went away or faded in a way.

“So, you think that it's the truth? Like that's exactly what's happening now?” Dominic tried to distract Luciano from the negative thoughts.

So far, the man in front of him, deep inside, was still the same boy he used to know. His characteristics matched perfectly - the way he thought and acted did too, so the Alpha had to use tricks from the past.

Perhaps blindly relying on something he used to know could be the wrong choice, but there was no other way out.

“Is there any other explanation? My mother never broke her promises, and she promised me something before her death. I don't see a reason not to believe in her words.” Thankfully Luciano didn't take the Alpha's words as a mockery. He kept acting as if he didn't care about his emotions.

“Yeah, I mean, I get it, but.. Doesn't that still seem a bit suspicious? I'm not sure about this,” listening to the part of the past which didn't involve him was quite hard, mostly since those were the woman's last days and Dominic wasn't a part of them.

However, even the biggest believers could find it difficult to convince themselves that any of Luciano's words might come true. The resemblance was clear, there was no doubt about that part, but the way he painted the whole photo together just didn't feel right.

None of them could know - they both were alive, absolutely unaware of what happened after one's death and if the promises given shortly before death could actually be broken or not.

What if his mother was trapped somewhere on the face of the Earth until she dealt with the unfinished business? What if she was still there, around them, watching every move both men took? Would she feel disappointed?

She probably would - Luciano and Dominic swore that they wouldn't leave each other's side, and now they weren't anything more than just two strangers.

“You don't need to be sure about anything; you are here to listen. I met her in a bar by accident. Technically, I met her before but nothing happened. She was a drunk I brought to a hotel room to sleep off the booze. Honestly, I never planned to go out that night, let alone to such a shitty place. But as soon as she walked through that door, my eyes couldn't leave her - she was the center of my universe as soon as I noticed her. She didn't know that back then; she probably still has no idea now. Seth… I'm sure she's the one. I'm fucking sure my mother sent her. That's the reason all three of you will have to work your ass off if you ever try to get her. I won't stop.” Luciano growled, unable to let go of his statement.

He loved that woman, and adding the promises given by his mother, made it impossible for him to stop. Seth was sent for him; he had to stay with her - there was no denying that the puma shifter would be the only one to make the King happy.

Many failed relationship attempts, even more one-time toys were just another proof that no other woman could stay around him for longer than a week.

Besides, no woman had ever made him smile like Seth did - she had the talent to make him smile or laugh.

“Understandable. But I'm still curious about one tiny detail.” Dominic scratched the back of his neck, still doubting if he should address the matter.

Technically, he did, but the Alpha couldn't know the outcome if he took everything one step further.

“What is it?”

“Usually, when someone receives a gift as such, they have to pay a high price. Are you ready? I won't try to discourage you or talk you out of your plans; I'm just wondering.” The Alpha averted his gaze in shame.

He had no reason to feel worried or shameful for asking questions, but the words left a bitter aftertaste on his tongue. Was that a sign that he shouldn't have questioned Luciano?

“Ready as I'll ever be. Even if I have to pay with my life. I'll give her my last heartbeat and die with a smile on my lips.”

Watching how the man in front of him smiled, probably picturing his death, Dominic felt tears sting his eyes. He wouldn't cry - the most someone could see would be the glazed look, but nothing more.

His heart skipped a beat for all the wrong reasons - the man he once praised as his hero was ready to die, just to get a woman of his dreams.

The more Dominic thought of it, the guiltier he felt before his ex-friend. Pulling his hands into tight fists, he hissed something under his breath and quickly got back on his feet.

The last thing Luciano overheard Dominic saying was some silent cursing as the Alpha rushed away from the hall.