Having you in my arms I knew you are my someone special, but knowing that we don't have much time, let me love you just this one night.

Wei Lan's POV:

"Why do I feel you're lying to me, Autumn?" Caressing his soft supple skin I look at the contrast between us. Mine was calloused whilst his was glowing with supremity. "Why do I feel your eyes are saying no but your lips are begging to be kissed."

Bringing my nails below his lips I scratch them and on hearing him gasp, my smile transforms into a grin.

"Are you lying?" I repeat my question from before and watch his hesitation.

Bringing my cheeks closer to his, I rub my stubble against his smooth ones and feel him shudder against my touch. It wasn't repulsive rather he found me seductive.

Moving away from him I turn to leave when he questions, "Whe... Where are you going?"

"You need to come to me Autumn. I am everything except a liar. I want you, your body and your one night. I wish to feel your taste, hear your moans and feel your breath against my naked skin, but I need you to come to me voluntarily. If you still want me, meet me in my bed chamber, but once you cross my threshold, then all bets are off."

With that I leave and walk over to the shed where Crimson was tucked safely inside. Hearing me walk in he snorts and I smile. "Atleast someone is glad to have me beside them. Are you well?"

Caressing his neck with my fingers I coo into his ears when we both hear another pair of boots enter the shed.

"Everything is ready Night." This was reported by Dragon.

Dragon is my shadow. Literally. He's the one whose face not many have seen. He works alone and only for me.

I met Dragon when we were 16 years old and were termed as hooligans. He was an outlaw and so were we. By the time I met Dragon, Cat and Zed were already my family with strong loyalty.

Dragon was about to be stoned when we saved him and he joined our small triad. Having gained trust of Cat and Zed, Dragon became my shadow.

"Dragon." I smile at him as he leans against the wall opposite to where Crimson and I were.

The silver scar on his face shone under the moonlight.

"Everything is ready, Night."

At his words I take a deep breath and sigh. So this is it. The moment that we've all been waiting for.

"Royal Guards?" I ask and watch Dragon place a dry hay in his mouth.

A sly smirk adorns his lips as he answers, "My men are toying with them. By the time they realise our game, it would be their doom and our victory."

"Women and children?" Continuing to pamper Crimson I enquire.

"They won't be hurt. You have my word." I nod at his assurance.

Raising my eyes to meet his I smile finally, "Go get some rest. Tomorrow night we shall feast."

"How's he?"

Watching Cat caress his lover's hair he  replies, "Could have been better. That man's medicines are working though."

"Cat-"

"I am not in love with him, Autumn. I know peope like us don't deserve such sweet life, but he makes me yearn for a life I wish we had. Why should we not have family? Why should we not enjoy the warmth of a body for more than one night? Why-"

"Cat," with a deep sigh I walk by his side and place an arm on his shoulders, "not now. Don't ask these questions now. Not when we are so close to achieving our dream. Come tomorrow night you too can live the life you want but-"

"What if I don't survive tomorrow night?" Turning to look at me his painful gaze pierces my heart. "What if tomorrow I don't get to see you, Zed or even him?"

"Cat-"

"Please give me this one night. Please."

Caressing his hair I smile and leave them to be.

Stepping outside I narrow my eyes at the silhouette by the corridor. Following him I hear the slosh of whiskey and ice against the cup.

"He shouldn't be falling in love at this time."

Taking a seat next to Zed I snatch his cup and take a gulp of his liquor. Frowning at me, I smile and hand back the cup to him, "He says he isn't in love."

"Bull***t, you and I both know that he's lying."

"Zed-"

"No! Not him, Night. Not him."

"I have a plan." His eyes raises to meet mine.

"What?"

This is not going to be easy for Zed to listen.

"Let's leave him here. Hear me out before you go ballistic. Cat and that boy can lead a quiet life here or escape to somewhere far away. You and I both know Cat isn't meant to lead such a hard life. He's always been a soft hearted person. He shouldn't deserve to lead a life like us, Zed. Come tomorrow, none of us know what the future has in store for us. Let him go. Think about it."

Just as I get up to leave I hear Zed say, "He's my only family Night."

Without turning to face him I answer, "And you're all my family."

Making way to the upper floor with a heavy heart, my steps falter at the sight of Autumn waiting for me outside my bed chamber.

"Autumn."

The air around us is heavy and watching his eyes fill with lust, I knew once we step inside there is no turning back from this. In the end I just hoped that this soul could leave him behind and not entangle myself in his charms.

Turning away from me he pushes the door and with one last look Autumn takes a step inside my room.

With a smile I follow him.

Han Xian's POV:

Watching him walk away my heart hurts. Why? Why is it that even though I just met him, it feels so wrong having to lie to him. Why do I feel this strong urge to stop him, confess the truth and ask him to save himself, and despite of what I really want...
I can't.

Ah Yuan.

He needs to be safe.

Hearing a low whistle which only my ears could catch I turn around and walk towards the guard hiding behind a tall tree.

"King's orders."

My heart thunders, "What?"

"The prince is safe for now."

Fuck. I knew the underlying threat. Nodding I ask him to retreat and make my way back to the open space.

If Ah Yuan has to survive, I need to place my life on line for him.

Following the footsteps of Night, I crawl under the banister and hear a conversation between him and another guy whom I couldn't see.

"Go get some rest. Tomorrow night we shall feast."

Tomorrow? What?

But before my mind could ponder too much, I watch them leave. Following Night quietly, I witness him entering the room which was occupied by the boy whom I had helped before.

Hearing their conversation made me feel extremely guilty, but it's those words that just hurt my core.

"What if I don't survive tomorrow night?What if tomorrow I don't get to see you, Zed or even him?"

What are they planning?

Raising my eyes to see Night turning to leave and I quickly run and hide inside a small room only to watch him continue to walk the same path as me and sit beside another man and have liquor with him.

Trying to hear their conversation, by now I knew that these guys were definitely planning on something big, but to hear the Night say; "and you're all my family."

That was probably the last straw within me that just broke.

Having to choose between a man, his people, who were wronged by my family and a boy whose mother made me his sole custodian, I was truly lost.

Night. A man who is as pure as Ah Yuan, both weren't at fault but I could protect only one.

Closing my eyes I reminisce back to the moment when he kissed me. Yes, my heart knew it wanted him. So if this is all I can get, a part of Night in me, then let tonight be Autumn's Night.

Using another door I quickly escape and take another stairs towards his room and wait patiently for him. As I hear his footsteps, my heart beats erratically.

Let us have this one night.

"Autumn." His husky voice greets me.

Raising my gaze to meet his, without another word I open the door and enter for him to soon follow me.