Lucien sat in the rear seat of the taxi, eyes fixed on Ash at the roadside, drenched by the pouring rain. The car moved slowly past him, tires splashing through puddles.
"Stop the car," Lucien commanded the driver, his voice tight with urgency.
He stepped out of the taxi sped off, calling through the downpour, "Ash! Ash!"
Ash didn’t move, sitting on the wet ground, the bicycle lying abandoned beside him, tears mingling with the rain.
Lucien hurried over, kneeling beside him. His voice softened, edged with worry. "Ash...co, I’ll take you ho."
Ash shook his head, looking up at him, tears still streaming. "I don’t want to go ho."
Lucien’s brow furrowed. "Why not?"
Ash’s voice broke as he whispered, "It...it really hurts." mories of ho, of Adrian, pressed painfully on his chest, making the thought unbearable.
Lucien drew him into his arms, holding him tight against the storm. "Okay...I won’t take you ho," he murmured.
Then, carefully, Lucien lifted Ash, shielding him as he carried him to the taxi, the rain soaking both of them, but the embrace keeping him grounded.
On reaching the taxi, Lucien instructed the driver, "Take us to the Azure Haven Hotel." He knew taking Ash to his own ho would invite too many questions between Ash and Aster, and this wasn’t the right ti.
Lucien shifted Ash carefully into his arms, holding him close. The warmth of his body and the subtle pull of his pheromones seed to soothe Ash, calming his trembling fra as he rested against him.
They reached the Azure Haven, and the hotel attendants imdiately bowed at the sight of Lucien. Without a word, he commanded the manager, "Bring dry clothes for and him."
The manager nodded respectfully. "Right away, boss."
Lucien guided Ash to their room. Once inside, the clothes arrived, and Ash changed quickly, the warmth and dryness offering so comfort. Lucien changed as well, moving with his usual composed grace.
Once they were settled, Lucien instructed the manager, "Bring sothing for him to eat, sothing that will make him feel better."
The manager bowed and left, leaving Lucien alone with Ash, who leaned against him, comforted by his presence.
The food finally arrived, prepared specially for Ash, a recipe made only on Lucien’s orders. But Ash barely touched it, his appetite lost in the storm of his thoughts.
Lucien’s brow furrowed. "It seems you don’t value your job here," he called to the manager sharply. "Go. Make another."
The manager hurried away and returned soon with a second dish. Ash tried it, but still, he couldn’t bring himself to eat.
Lucien’s patient thinned. "Again," he barked, voice low but dangerous. The manager scurried off and returned with a third attempt. Ash pushed it aside, distracted and tense.
By the fourth plate, Lucien’s anger flared. He stood straighter, fists tightening at his sides, eyes narrowing. "Do you think this is a joke?" he demanded, voice sharp. "You’re fire..."
Ash snapped out of his haze, his voice trembling but firm. "The food is good...it’s . I’m just not in the mood right now."
Lucien’s glare softened slightly as he studied him, unclenching his fists, though the tension in the room lingered.
...
Adrian and Celeste left the eting with the overseas partner, the negotiations finally concluded. They headed toward the hotel, intending to spend the night there.
At the reception, the attendant handed them a single key.
Adrian’s voice cut through the quiet lobby, firm and commanding. "I need another key."
The attendant blinked, surprised, and quickly complied.
Celeste followed Adrian toward the elevators, confusion written all over her face. "Why two rooms? We’re engaged," she asked softly, trying to make sense of it.
Adrian didn’t look at her. His tone was clipped, almost cold. "Not married."
He entered his room, closing the door behind him with a deliberate click.
Adrian sank onto the bed, reaching for his phone. His eyes widened as he saw the picture Celeste had snapped-him caught off guard-already trending on social dia. Anger surged through him, sharp and hot.
Then he noticed the dozens of missed calls from Bravin. He dialed imdiately.
"Bravin, what’s the matter?" he demanded.
Bravin’s voice trembled. "Sir...I wanted to tell you..."He hesitated, swallowing hard.
"Spit it out," Adrian snapped.
"The young master...he’s missing," Bravin said, voice shaky.
Adrian bolted upright. "What do you an he’s missing?"
Bravin explained quickly, "I went to pick him at school as you instructed, sir. I didn’t see him...and I don’t think he was driven by Alpha Lucien. I didn’t spot his car today."
Adrian’s mind raced, anger and concern clashing as he tried to process the news. He tapped Lucien’s number without thinking. The first ring went unanswered. The second, too. Frustration coiled in his chest.
In the hotel suite, Lucien watched the phone before him and smiled, murmuring, "I was waiting for your call, devil." Ash slept soundly in his arms, rain-black hair plastered to his forehead.
When he finally answered, Adrian’s voice was sharp. "Where is Ash?"
Lucien hushed him with a finger to his lips.
"Shh. Don’t make noise, he’s sleeping." Then he flipped the cara so Adrian could see: Ash curled against him, breathing even.
"Bastard," Adrian spat into line. "If I find out you laid a finger on him..." His voice went ice-cold. "...I’ll kill you."
Lucien’s smile didn’t waver. He let the silence hang a heartbeat, then cut the call.
...
Adrian didn’t hesitate. He slamd his thumb on the pilot’s number and barked into the line, "Get the jet ready. I want to leave for the country now."
There was a pause, then the pilot’s asured voice: "Sir, protocol says we should wait until morning"
Adrian cut him off, breath hard and low. "I don’t care about protocol. There’s soone I need to kill. Prepare the plane."
The pilot stamred, searching for a reply. Adrian’s voice went colder, controlled. "Do it. I’ll handle the rest when I land." He ended the call and moved imdiately grabbing a jacket and bag. Every step was urgent as he headed for the hanger, ready to leave at once.
Once abroad the jet, the pilot glanced at Adrian. "Sir...what about madam?"
Adrian’s expression was calm but firm. "No need to wake her. you’ll co for her tomorrow."
The pilot nodded silently, understanding the order, as the jet engines roared to life and lifted into the sky.
In the hotel room, Lucien napped occasionally but spent most of his ti snapping selfies with Ash, who remained soundly asleep. He stared at him, whispering softly, "Let look at you until I’ve had enough...although I know I never will. I know the devil will be here soon."
Hours later, Adrian arrived at the airport. He imdiately checked the watch Lucien had gifted him; a GPS tracker capable of monitoring the locations of the other two watches. Through it, he knew exactly where Lucien and Ash were.
"Drive to the Azure Haven Hotel," he snapped at Bravin, voice sharp.
...
Lucien’s ears caught the pounding on the door before he even saw who it was. He didn’t ask; he already knew. He moved to open it.
The door burst open. The bodyguard stumbled inside first, nearly falling over. Adrian followed, storming in, every step radiating fury. His pheromones hit like a wall- Lucien could feel the heat rage before even seeing his expression.
"Didn’t I tell you I’d kill you?" Adrian bellowed, voice sharp. "Where is Ash?"
He surged forward, but Lucien t him head-on, blocking his path, a lamp toppled, shattering against the floor. Papers flew everywhere as their shoulders and arms clashed again and again.
Lucien shoved Adrian back, and Adrian grabbed a chair, swinging it-but Lucien ducked and kicked it aside, the legs splintering against the wall. They traded blows, precise and controlled yet fueled by raw emotion. The air between them shimred heavy with pheromones that made it hard for anyone else to breathe.
Bravin, standing frozen at the doorway, coughed violently and bolted downstairs, unable to handle the overwhelming tension and chemical heat.
Amid the chaos, Ash stirred awake.
Adrian’s voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding. "Didn’t I warn you? You can’t take my brother anyhow without my permission!"
Ash stepped forward, calm but resolute. "I’m not your brother!"
Both Adrian and Lucien froze, eyes widening as they glanced at the figure standing firmly before them. The haze of pheromones between the two n began to fade.
Ash continued, voice steady, "I’m not Kestrel. I’m Ash Veilyn."
Adrian moved closer, his gaze fixed on Ash. "Ash..."
Ash t his eyes, emotions flickering there-hurt, determination, and defiance. "I’m also an adult. I can make my own decisions. If I want him to ...sleep with , it’s none of your business."
"Ash..." Adrian began.
"Please," Ash cut him off, voice firm, "leave."
Lucien sank to the floor in disbelief, stunned that Ash would refuse Adrian so openly.
Adrian advanced again, closing the distance, but Ash stepped back, raising a hand. "I told you...leave."
Lucien rose to his feet, placing himself between Ash and Adrian. "Didn’t you hear him?" he said, his voice low but sharp. "He said you should leave."
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