Julius knew he needed to leave.
—
That thought stayed stuck in his head even as he walked away from Harrison. He forced himself back into the crowd and the noise, trying to find the life that was supposed to feel normal.
—
But nothing felt normal anymore.
—
Even with the distance of the ballroom between them, Julius could still feel him.
—
It didn't make sense. He wasn't looking at Harrison. He wasn't near him.
—
And yet, it was like Harrison's Enigma pheromones had wrapped around him, tightening slowly and refusing to let go.
—
"Are you alright?" Helen's voice pulled him back again.
—
Julius turned toward his fiancée, forcing his face to look calm. "Yes."
—
The answer was too fast. It felt empty.
—
Helen's eyes searched his longer this time. "You've been acting strange all night."
—
Julius exhaled quietly, his heart racing. "Just tired."
—
He used that excuse again, but even Helen didn't look convinced.
—
"You should go home early," she said softly, reaching for his hand.
—
"Maybe," Julius replied. But he knew he wouldn't.
—
Something was holding him here. Something powerful that he didn't want to name.
—
"I'll get some air," Julius said instead.
—
Before she could stop him, he turned and walked away. He moved faster this time, feeling more desperate with every step.
—
He ignored the looks from the other guests until he reached the balcony.
—
The moment Julius pushed the door open, the cold night air hit his face.
—
Finally. Silence.
—
He stepped forward and gripped the stone railing, trying to steady his breathing.
—
In. Out. Slow. Controlled. He was an Alpha. He was supposed to be in control.
—
"You keep running."
—
Julius's body went completely still. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
—
The scent of cedar and cold rain was already flooding his senses, heavier than before.
—
"Go away," Julius said. His voice was quiet—not angry, just exhausted.
—
"I don't think I will."
—
Footsteps echoed on the balcony. They were slow and unhurried.
—
Harrison moved like he had all the time in the world, like this balcony already belonged to him.
—
"Why are you doing this?" Julius asked, still staring out at the city.
—
There was a long pause. Then Harrison spoke.
—
"Because you're mine."
—
Julius turned immediately, his eyes flashing. "I'm not yours."
—
Harrison's gaze didn't waver. He stood his ground like a mountain. "You are."
—
"No," Julius argued, but his voice lacked strength.
—
"Yes."
—
Julius's chest tightened. The Enigma's pheromones were making it hard to think. "You don't get to decide that."
—
"I already did."
—
The certainty in Harrison's voice made Julius's resolve falter. It was a level of confidence that only an Enigma could possess.
—
Julius stepped closer without thinking, his Alpha pride wounded. "If you think you can just walk into my life and take whatever you want—"
—
"I don't think," Harrison said calmly, cutting him off. "I know."
—
Julius's breath caught. Harrison meant it. Every word. Every look.
—
Harrison lifted his hand slowly, giving Julius plenty of time to move away.
—
Julius didn't move. And he knew that was his biggest mistake.
—
Harrison's fingers brushed lightly against Julius's neck, touching the same spot that had been burning since the night they met.
—
Julius's body reacted instantly. He let out a sharp inhale and took a step forward, moving closer to the Enigma without any control.
—
Harrison's eyes darkened as he felt the reaction. "There it is," he murmured.
—
"Stop," Julius said quickly.
—
But he didn't pull away. He didn't break the contact. He stayed right where Harrison wanted him.
—
Harrison's thumb pressed slightly against Julius's skin, and this time, the biological reaction was deeper.
—
Something inside the Alpha responded to the Enigma without permission.
—
Julius reached up and grabbed Harrison's wrist. He didn't do it to push him away; he did it to steady himself because his knees were going weak.
—
"This isn't real," Julius whispered, his head spinning.
—
"It is."
—
"No."
—
"Yes."
—
Julius's breathing became uneven and unstable. "I'm getting married," he said, trying to use the words like a shield to bring himself back to reality.
—
"You won't," Harrison stated.
—
"I will."
—
"No."
—
The confidence in Harrison's voice shook Julius to his core. It didn't sound like a hope or a wish. It sounded like a fact that had already happened.
—
"You're insane," Julius whispered.
—
"Maybe."
—
Harrison's other hand moved to Julius's waist, pulling him slightly closer until their chests were almost touching.
—
"You still didn't move," Harrison noted softly.
—
Julius froze. Harrison was right. He hadn't stopped him. He hadn't left the balcony.
—
A part of him—the part that responded to the Enigma's pheromones—didn't want to leave.
—
"You're already mine," Harrison said quietly.
—
And this time, Julius didn't argue. He wasn't sure if he could anymore.