Diamant's pov two days later, in the office
Two weeks after watching Noah sleep peacefully in the morning light, Diamant was buried in reports when Evan Leigh strode into his office.
Evan dropped a thick file onto the desk.
"You're not going to like this."
Diamant opened it.
Counterfeit contracts. Anonymous tip-offs. False allegations landing in City B.
Financial sabotage cleverly hidden through multiple companies.
But one name kept appearing under signatures and shipment numbers:
Valken Labs.
Diamant's brows lowered dangerously.
Evan crossed his arms. "Someone has gone to a lot of effort to frame your company. Look who their senior researcher is."
Diamant flipped the final page— and his expression turned to ice.
Aiden Frost.
Of course it was him.
"He's targeting you," Evan said quietly. "And… Noah."
Diamant didn't answer.
He was too busy controlling the sharp, predatory instinct flaring through him.
"He's not stupid enough to confront me directly," Diamant murmured.
"He'll aim for Noah while I'm away."
Evan nodded. "Which means you need backup."
Diamant exhaled.
"There's more," Evan added. "Valken Labs has been experimenting with something called—"
"I know," Diamant said sharply. He had heard rumors. Just rumors.
But if Aiden was involved…
"It's a Claim Reductant," Evan said. "A prototype. If perfected—"
"It won't work on my mark," Diamant said with certainty he didn't fully feel because he had been present in an underground event few days ago, where the claim reductant were tested but failed.
"But it might still hurt him."
Evan nodded once.
"Let me stay with him. I'm the only other Dominant you trust."
Diamant looked at his oldest friend. His brother in everything but blood.
"Take care of him," Diamant said quietly. "No matter what happens in City B."
"You have my oath," Evan replied.
Diamant dialed Noah, voice unconsciously softening when the boy answered.
"Noah. I'm traveling to City B."
"Oh—right now?" Noah's voice was sleepy and warm. "Do you… need anything from me, sir?"
"Yes," Diamant said. "I need you to stay with Evan while I'm gone. And help watch the company."
There was a small gasp.
"M-me? But—"
"You're capable," Diamant said. "And I trust you."
Silence. Then Noah whispered:
"…Thank you, Diamant."
His name on Noah's lips warmed something deep in Diamant's chest.
Before ending the call, Diamant added gently:
"If you feel unsafe at any moment, Evan will come to you immediately. You're not alone."
City B.
The subsidiary was collapsing under pressure, contracts frozen, accusations flying, partners threatening to pull out.
It was sabotage.
Calculated. Sharp. Fast.
And someone wanted him out of his territory long enough to destabilize everything.
He exhaled slowly through his nose.
"Incompetent cowards," he muttered. "If they wanted to challenge me, they should've done it face-to-face."
Noah's pov
He stared at his phone long after the call ended.
Diamant trusted him. Diamant believed in him. Diamant—who was gentle in ways Noah had never seen before.
"…He's nothing like other alphas," Noah whispered to himself. "Not like Aiden. Not like any of them."
Noah pulled his knees up to his chest on the sofa, cheeks warm.
"I've never seen a Dominant Alpha be this calm… and caring."
The memory of Diamant watching him sleep still made his heart flutter.
He shook the thoughts away.
Focus, Noah. Work. Responsibilities.
Evan Leigh knocked on his office door, smiling kindly.
"You're with me until Diamant returns. Don't worry—I'll keep you safe."
Noah nodded, still a little shy around him. He could feel the Dominant aura, but Evan's was steady, non-invasive. Protective.
Later that evening, Noah found himself thinking:
Should I bake muffins for Diamant…? As a thank you…?
He covered his face in embarrassment.
"No, no, that's too much…"
He decided he would do something simple instead.
When Diamant returns… I'll just smile. A real smile. And say thank you.
That was enough.
But outside the window of Reed Tower, a black car idled across the street.
Inside it sat Aiden Frost.
Watching. Waiting. Planning.
And imagining the syringe of Claim Reductant in his pocket.
"When Diamant leaves the city…" Aiden whispered, eyes darkening.
"…Noah will be mine again."