Snow fell steadily over Moscow, turning the rooftops into a soft, white landscape, the icy air, and footprints crisscrossed the frozen sidewalks, leaving fleeting traces before fresh flakes covered them.
The guard stationed at the far edge of the yard glanced at his watch before giving a subtle nod to the man taking his place
"Security rotation changes every six hours, yeah" I muttered under my breath, observing the shift through the wide glass wall of the lounge
I leaned back against the glass, arms crossed, the cool surface seeping through my coats as I stood.
Three months.
That was all I was given to execute the plan. Three months to plan out and abduct Hakem Dasarov—alive, at the very least.
I needed to observe him—learn his habits, map out his daily routine. Where he went, who he was with
...every movement, nothing could be left out.
The only problem?
Khalib fucking Dasirov.
"First time hunting?" My gaze shifted to Hakem.
He stood a few steps away, already dressed for the hunt. Layers of winter clothing hugged his framed dark, heavy coat with a fur-lined hood, a thick scarf wrapped around his neck.
He walked toward the couch and lowered himself onto it
"Hunting bears, yeah"
Like him, I dressed myself in layered winter clothing: a winter trapper hat lined with thick, white-colored fur that covers my ears and paired with a dark knitted turtleneck sweater inside that covered by white coats
After the tense breakfast earlier, Artem had suggested the hunt—an invitation extended to his brothers… and to me.
They agreed, the bet lay bare on the table.
A simple challenge for a weekend hunt: the terms…
… first to catch a wild bear win.
And the price? Whoever came out on top could name whatever they wanted—no questions asked, no limits.
So here I'm settling myself in the minimalist living room,
A centered around sleek, linear fireplace, with Hakem, waiting for the other two brothers.
The fireplace is built into a smooth, light-colored wall, with flames dancing in a narrow, horizontal slit.
A minute passed before Artem appeared, making his way down the staircase, from the second floor
Followed closely by Khalib. Both were dressed in full winter hunting gear.
The cold winter light caught the sharp lines of Khalib face, highlighting a ruthless piercing gaze and every step he took carried an authority
His MP-155 shotgun rested easily in his hands; the weight is a silent warning.
Artem, in contrast, carried his rifle casually over his shoulder, the ease in his stance almost taunting.
"Let the hunt begin." Hakem rose smoothly from his seat, his hand slid to the shotgun resting beside the long, midnight-blue couch, lifting it with practiced ease.
A few armed men were positioned throughout the hunting ground. They were on high alert, watching for any possible threats—and keeping a close guard on the Dasirov family.
Snow crunched under our boots as we stepped into the dense forest. The air was sharp, each breath a cloud that vanished almost instantly.
The pines stood tall, heavy with ice, their branches creaking underweight. A frozen river cut through the valley like a silver vein, reflecting the pale morning light.
"Let's team up, yeah?" I glanced at Artem.
"Artem and I will join forces," Hakem said firmly.
"Irana, you'll team up with Khalib," he pointed us both. I shrugged, saying nothing, no point in arguing.
Thought teaming up with Hakem would have given me the upper hand— But I kept quiet, letting the decision stand
We split into two teams, Artem with Hakem….
Me and Khalib
Hakem team go forward in North while we chose to head straight.
Khalib led the way, moving through the underbrush. I kept my distance, blending into the white of the snow, my trapper hat pulled low, turtleneck snug against my throat.
Forest around us was eerily quiet. Khalib's sharp eyes scanned the dense trees, his hand brushing over the MP-155
Hours passed. The hunt was grueling—tracking footprints frozen into the snow, listening for the distant crack of branches.
"Stay alert," he warned, his voice low but carrying a weight that made me tense. He cast a quick glance over his shoulder. "There could be a bear nearby."
I studied the deep gashes etched into the bark of a nearby tree. Bears are territorial—mostly they leave claw marks as their warnings, a silent threat to any predator daring to cross their ground.
I gave Khalib a sharp gaze from the back of his head, half my face hidden beneath my scarf, the fabric brushing lightly against my lips.
At this point I could kill him.
A shotgun rested in my hands.
I was participating in the brothers hunting game, after all.
I raised my shotgun and pulled back the mechanism, letting out a crisp click.
The sound made Khalib pause in a minute, then he slowly turned to face me.
Our eyes met, calm yet deliberate, my cat like eye didn't waver, refusing to back down from his gaze.
Then A low growl, almost drowned by the wind, coming from the ridge behind him. Smoothly, I shifted the gun a few inch away from him, aligning my aim to the head of wild bears.
"You should stay alert as well…" I murmured, as I squeezed the trigger.
The gunshot ripped through the air, reverberating off the snow-covered trees. The bear collapsed into the white ground, in one single clean shot, blood staining the snow.
"…Khalib" my voice barely more than a whisper,
He cast a quick glance over his shoulder toward the fallen bear, before returning his gaze to me. This time, amusement flickered in his eyes.
"You have kin shot as first timer, yeah" His gaze sharpened, glancing at my shotgun before settling back on me.
A small laugh escaped. Masking the tension
"It is my first time hunting a bear," I admitted, "but I didn't say it was my first time hunting anything."
He chuckled, "Irana Sokolova"
It was the first time I'd heard the full name spoken aloud like that. He pronounced it slowly.
a dark amusement lingering in his gaze. "You keep amusing me, Irana."
I tense the moment he suddenly steps closer. His towering frame loomed over me, and I instinctively flinched as his hand brushed just beneath my eye.
"You're intent staring… it's fascinating," he murmured. My eyes flicked up at him, heart hammering, as he grabbed my cheek roughly, forcing it to tilt.
"That little mole under your eye… it's intriguing," he said
I yanked his hand roughly and stepped back.
"But remember this thoroughly Irana..." He tilt his head slightly and raise his gun.
My stomach dropped. I froze,
"Killing one bear doesn't mean you can let your guard down. Remember—you're in their territory; their kind might come back for---you." Few meters away, another low, guttural growl ripped through the trees
I spun around instinctively, a sight of massive dark fur moving between the trunks.
Three consecutive gunshots echoed through the forest, and the beast collapsed its slide across the snow, gradually slowing before stopping right at my feet.
I staggered back several steps, my back hitting solidly against Khalib's chest.
"…so, stay alert," he murmured, his voice calm.
Those words linger, a hint of warning. Did…. He----?
Did he fucking know?
I felt the weight of his massive torso behind me as he leaned in, bending slightly to whisper in my ear,
"Malen'kiy kotonok."