The morning sunlight crept slowly into the bedroom, sweeping over the sheets where two bodies had embraced all night. Lucas was awake first, his eyes still heavy with sleep, his arms wrapped around the little omega who was curled up protectively against his chest.
Erven still sleeping soundly. Still warm. Still breathing softly as if Lucas's presence was calming him.
Lucas moved closer, brushing a finger across Erven's cheek. The omega didn't move, only curled instinctively toward the touch.
A soft smile graced Lucas's usually sharp face.
Without thinking, he pressed a soft kiss to Erven's cheek… then another on his lips, almost a whisper.
Lucas (slowly): "Go to sleep. I'll be back before you know it."
Carefully, he pulled away, even though every inch of him wanted to stay there.
He stood, dressed, adjusted his tie, and before leaving the room, he glanced once more at the gleaming gold seal around Erven's neck. His jaw tightened with possessiveness.
Then he left the penthouse.
At the Alexander Corporation Building
The atmosphere changed as soon as Lucas stepped into his father's office. It was cold and heavy, full of business. His father, Alexander, was sitting behind a large mahogany desk, poring over some thick files related to the EGI company.
The old man stared at Lucas.
Alexander: "You're late."
Lucas: "I have business at home."
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
Alexander: "Home? You mean the penthouse full of your men and that crazy schedule?"
Lucas ignored him. He just sat across from his father, legs crossed, posture erect.
Lucas: "Dad, you want to talk about the company?"
Alexander: "Yes. The board needs an update on the expansion. But"
Lucas's jaw tightened at the word "but."
Alexander: "Before that, I want to talk about something more important."
Lucas let out a deep breath.
Lucas: "Dad. No."
Alexander ignored him.
Alexander: "What about Nathan?"
Lucas stood up suddenly.
Lucas: "I said no."
Alexander's voice became firm.
Alexander: "Sit down."
Lucas sat down but the tension inside him was sharp, dangerous.
Alexander folded his arms.
Alexander: "Nathan is your fiancé. The engagement was set for years. Your mother agreed to it before she died. Our family agreed to it. Nathan's family shares shares with us. Everyone is waiting for the wedding. So tell me—when are you going to marry him?"
Lucas's face went cold as ice.
Lucas: "We're not going to talk about this. Not today."
Alexander slapped the table.
Alexander: "WE'RE GOING TO TALK NOW."
The air between them seemed to be choked.
Lucas closed his eyes for a moment, trying to hold back the storm that was raging inside him.
Lucas: "Dad, can we focus on EGI? On the company? Why must you interfere in personal matters?"
Alexander: "Because your personal life is connected to this company!" he shouted. "I appointed you CEO in the hope that you understand the responsibility of our lineage. You will take full control when you marry Nathan."
Lucas stared at him, anger burning beneath his calm exterior.
Lucas: "I don't love him."
Alexander: "Love is not necessary. Stability is what matters."
Lucas laughed bitterly.
Lucas: "Stability? You think forcing me into a loveless marriage is stability?"
Alexander: "Stop being so dramatic. Nathan is a dominant omega from a powerful family. Strong smell, strong genes. That's what you need."
Lucas's hands clenched into fists.
Lucas: "Dad, the smell makes me nauseous."
Alexander's face turned confused.
Alexander: "What do you mean?"
Lucas leaned forward, his face dark.
Lucas: "You mean when I was near Nathan in his summer, I almost threw up. Almost passed out. My body rejected him."
Alexander was shocked.
Lucas continued, his voice sharp:
Lucas: "I don't want her. I never did. You forced this engagement, I hope I bow down like you forced my brother."
Alexander's eyes darkened and dangerous.
Alexander: "Watch your mouth."
Lucas: "Why? Because I reminded you of how you ruined her life?" Lucas replied. "You arranged her marriage to the ship's omega family and she lost everything."
Alexander stood up suddenly.
Alexander: "Enough!"
Lucas: "No," Lucas said with eerie calm. "I hear you."
He took a breath, then finally spoke the words he had been holding back:
Lucas: "I've met someone."
Alexander froze.
Alexander: "What?"
Lucas leaned back, folding his arms.
Lucas: "An omega."
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Alexander: "…You? Omega? You hate the smell of omegas. You can't be in the same room with them in the summer "
Lucas: "I found one I don't hate."
Alexander's jaw tightened.
Alexander: "Who?"
Lucas's eyes lit up.
Lucas: "Not Nathan."
Alexander: "I asked who, Lucas."
Lucas: "Someone who doesn't make me sick. Someone who doesn't make me faint. Someone who smells like ."
He stopped, but his father could sense the change.
Alexander: "Someone you like?"
Lucas didn't answer.
That was enough of an answer.
Alexander's voice dropped, low and threatening.
Alexander: "You made a mistake. You can't throw away a strong partnership for a random omega who just got on your hormones."
Lucas stood up.
Lucas: "It's not hormones. This is the first time in my life that my instincts didn't reject someone. The first time I didn't feel like dying because of their smell."
Alexander's voice trembled between disbelief and anger.
Alexander: "Who is this omega?"
Lucas adjusted the cuffs, refusing to look back.
Lucas: "My choice and my future."
Alexander slapped the table again.
Alexander: "Lucas!"
But Lucas had already turned away.
Lucas: "Enough."
He walked out without looking back, leaving his father shaking with anger and confusion.
As soon as the door closed, Alexander whispered to himself:
Alexander: "An omega he didn't reject…?"
His eyes narrowed.
Alexander: "I'll find him."