After breakfast, they all got together in the meeting room once again. Rowan's sharp gaze swept over the others before he finally spoke.
"We received four invitations for the auction."
The words drew everyone's attention instantly, silencing the remaining murmurs of casual talk.
Kanji added, "We also got two on our side. That makes six in total."
Nico drummed his fingers against the wooden surface, his brows knitting together. "So who's going?"
The question dropped into the room like a stone in still water. For a moment, nobody answered. Faces turned thoughtful, some worried, others weighing risks. The silence dragged on until Rin finally broke it.
"From our side," Rin began, voice calm but firm, "I'll go. Kanji will come with me. Suri as well." His gaze shifted toward Tobi. "Tobi will stay at the base. You'll monitor, search for the omegas' location, and keep us informed."
Tobi gave a curt nod, already mentally preparing.
Rin's attention moved toward Lucas. "Take some of your men. Wait outside the club. When you get our signal, you'll move in."
Lucas acknowledged the order with a sharp nod, though his eyes flickered with unease at leaving Rin inside.
Once his side was settled, Rin turned his eyes to Kael. The Alpha leaned back casually, but there was calculation in his stare.
"Talon, Kade, and I will go into the club," Kael declared. "Jax and Rowan will join Lucas outside. They'll wait for the signal as well."
His voice carried the weight of finality, but then his gaze slid toward Milo.
"You'll stay with Tobi," Kael instructed. "Help him locate the omegas."
Milo nodded.
Satisfied with the assignments, the group shifted into deeper discussion. They mapped out routes, entry points, signals, and timing. Every possible scenario was dissected, every backup plan weighed. Both leaders ensured the details were air-tight: Rin's precision meeting Kael's ruthless practicality.
Finally, after hours of strategy, Kael's voice cut through. "We'll regroup at Wolf Marks HQ before the mission. Tobi, Nico, Milo, Ari, and Eric will remain here. The rest of us head to the club together."
There was no disagreement this time. The plan was sealed.
One by one, chairs scraped back as the two groups prepared to part ways. Wolf Marks departed first, heading to their own base for final preparations.
Eric caught Rin's wrist lightly. "Come on. We should go."
Rin nodded, though he still looked slightly pale. Together, they left HQ, slipping into the sleek car waiting outside.
The drive to the hospital was quiet, filled only with the soft hum of the engine and the occasional flicker of the city rushing past.
When they arrived, Eric stepped out first, buttoning his coat before circling to Rin's side. Rin followed, his posture straight, his elegance impossible to ignore even in simple clothing.
As they crossed the hospital's pristine lobby, eyes immediately followed them. Eric's presence already carried weight—he was a known figure here, a pheromone specialist who commanded respect. But today, all attention drifted to Rin.
Whispers sparked the moment they walked past the reception. Staff members exchanged glances, their curiosity barely contained.
"Who's that with Dr.Eric?" one nurse murmured to another.
"Look at him… he's gorgeous. Is he a model or something?"
A group of younger staff huddled at the front desk, pretending to shuffle papers while stealing glances. The gossip grew, hushed but insistent, fueled by Rin's sharp beauty and Eric's rare display of personal company.
Both of them could hear them, but acted like they didn't and walked to the elevator.
As they stepped into the lift and the doors closed, the staff couldn't contain themselves anymore.
"Who is he?"
"He's too handsome, it's unfair."
The gossip continued long after the elevator disappeared, excitement buzzing through the staff like wildfire.
On the third floor, the atmosphere shifted. It was quieter here, reserved for specialists and high-priority patients. Eric led Rin straight to a door with a brass nameplate:
Dr. Eric – Pheromone Specialist
Eric guided Rin inside and toward a side chair. With practiced ease, he retrieved sterile equipment. "It'll only take a moment," he assured.
Rin inclined his head, exposing the curve of his neck slightly as Eric collected a pheromone sample from his gland. The sensation made him tense briefly, but Eric's movements were professional, steady, and efficient.
When it was done, Eric stored the sample in a sealed container. "Stay here. I'll return shortly."
Rin nodded, leaning back in the chair, his face still faintly pale.
Eric left with purposeful strides, carrying the sample toward the lab. His mind raced with calculations, with worry he carefully hid behind a composed expression.
Time passed slowly for Rin in the office. He stared at the window, watching the city skyline, thoughts swirling. His body still felt weak, a quiet reminder of the suppressants and the strain they had taken on him.
Finally, the door opened and Eric returned, his expression unreadable. "The test is running. Results will be ready this afternoon."
He gestured for Rin to stand. "Come. Let's get lunch before we return."
They have lunch at a restaurant nearby.
When the meal ended, they returned to the hospital to collect the results. Eric picked up the folder with practiced hands, scanning the pages.
The faint tightening around his jaw was the only sign something was wrong.
He closed the folder slowly and looked at Rin. "We need to talk."
Rin's eyes narrowed slightly. "What?"
Eric leaned forward, tone firm. "You can't go on like this anymore. Your body can't hold suppressants any longer. The strain is breaking you down."
Rin's brow tightened. "Then… what about soothing pheromones? Would they work?"
Eric shook his head. "They could work, but not for long, for any normal omega soothing pheromones can end their heat, but your heat's still there even after the suppressants and the soothing pheromones. They will be of some use for you regularly, but not for your heat. And your heat has become irregular; you wouldn't know when or where you can go in heat. That is why I suggest you don't go to the club tomorrow. You're still in heat; it'll be dangerous. "
Rin sighed and asked after a little pause. "Do you have any solution to fix this?"
For a long moment, Eric was silent. Then he met Rin's eyes with a calm, unflinching expression.
"You need a permanent mark."
The words struck Rin like lightning. He froze, staring at Eric, disbelief widening his eyes. His breath hitched, his lips parting, but no words escaping.
"A… permanent mark?" he repeated, almost in shock.
Eric didn't flinch. "It's the only way now."
Rin's heart pounded in his chest, his mind spinning, the implications of those words crashing over him like a tidal wave.