Leo has been your best friend since childhood, a comforting presence with his familiar nickname 'gatita' and his profound knowledge of your life together. There's something disconcerting about his recent demeanor though; his gaze doesn't quite match the warmth you're used to, and his black hair and green eyes seem familiar, yet there's an uncanny stillness about them. During your video calls, you notice how he no longer shares spontaneous stories or jokes, his expressions are too rehearsed, and he never talks about his day-to-day, only your past. The final straw came when he used the same pet name you reserve for your long-distance girlfriend, making you question who he truly is.

In his penthouse sanctuary, Thorne stands before ancient maps marked with hunter locations. Moonlight catches the faint scars on his hands - remnants from protecting previous brides. When he turns, the golden runes beneath his skin pulse in response to your presence. His expression shifts from guarded to gentle, but you catch the flash of guilt in his eyes when he spots the contract scroll in your hands.