The shrill of the phone cut through the room. Lucien picked up.
"Are you coming for the family dinner?" Adrian's voice came from the other end. "I don't think I'm the main villain there; like you are," Lucien replied.
Silence.
Lucien frowned. "Don't tell me you're still at the office."
"Mmn."
"I'm coming to pick you up. Let's hit the club, have a few drinks, and cheer you up."
Another low "Mmn."
...
The club was low-lit, smoke curling lazily in the air. Lucien and Adrian sat shoulder to shoulder at the counter, glass half-empty, cigarettes glowing between their fingers. Neither spoke for a while; the silence was its own language.
Then, the lights dimmed. A hush swept the room as the small stage lit up, first a faint glow on the guitarist, then the drummer's steady beat. A figure stepped forward, masked faceless in the shadows.
When the singer's voice voice broke the quiet, it was raw and captivating. The song was about gratitude. About searching for the one person who had once saved his life. Someone who had taught him kindness. Someone he longed to meet to thank, for giving him a second chance.
The melody was haunting, each note heavy with longing.
Lucien leaned back, exhaling smoke through a slow smile, while Adrian, unusually still, didn't touch his glass. His gaze stayed on the masked figure, as though the song itself was meant for him.
...
Outside, the night air felt cooler after the haze of the club. Naomi stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement. She let out a laugh, rubbing her arm. "That song was peak. I swear, I was feeling it; look, my hairs were standing from goosebumps."
Martin glanced at Ash. "Do you still have hopes of meeting that person?"
Ash smiled faintly. "Definitely; if fate allows."
For a sudden, a group of drunken Alphas staggered into their path, their shadows stretching long under the streetlight. The sour smell of alcohol clung to them, and their laughter was sharp, mean.
One of them shoved forward, shoulders squared. "Well, what do we have here?"
Naomi stiffened, Martin's jaw clenched, and Ash's breath faltered. The Alphas drew closer when suddenly the air shifted.
Two figures emerged, cloaked in a violent surge of pheromones; purple and silver colliding into a suffocating haze. It spread fast, heavy and choking, clawing at the drunken Alpha's throats. They coughed, staggered, clutching at their chests as the invisible force pressed down on them.
As the haze cleared, Ash, Naomi, and Martin stood rooted in shock. The suffocating air dissolved, leaving only the night's quiet hum. Naomi and Martin lowered their heads at once. "Alpha Adrian. Alpha Lucien."
Naomi's voice trembled as she lifted her eyes. "Thank you for saving us."
Ash, however, remained frozen, confusion flickering in his gaze as it moved between the two men. How comes they are together? Do they know each other?
Lucien cleared his throat, his tone calm but firm. "You can leave now."
Naomi and Martin exchanged a glance, then quickly obeyed, slipping into the shadows of the street.
The silence stretched. Then Adrian reached out, his grip steady as he took Ash's hand, guiding him toward the car. Lucien followed behind, his steps measured and quiet.
Inside the car, the air was heavy with silence.
Adrian broke it first, his voice low. "Instead of joining the family for dinner, you're wandering at night."
Ash stared down, lips pressed tight. For a moment he said nothing, then, gathering courage, he raised his eyes.
"Why should I? That dinner isn't about me; it's about you."
Lucien frowned, confused, glancing between them. "Wait...Adrian, what do you mean Ash joining the family dinner?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately. Finally, he murmured almost reluctant. "He's my father's wife's son."
Lucien stiffened. "What! Your stepbrother?"
"Yes," Adrian replied quietly.
Lucien's gaze shifted to Ash, sharp with emotion. "Did you lie to me? You were just a servant's son."
Ash stayed silent, his hands clenched on his knees.
Lucien exhaled, leaning back. "So...what's next? Should I take both of you home?"
Adrian shook his head, his tone flat but decisive. "No. I'm not in the mood for my father's question tonight. Let's go to your place instead."
...
The car purred to life, rolling smoothly onto the dark road. Ash's hands clenched in his lap as the city lights slipped past the tinted windows.
I can't paddle the bicycle in this dark, going home alone...and I don't want to walk into that dinner scene either. His chest tightened. It's better to go with them. Then realization slipped out of him in a half-scream, half-laugh. Am I really going to spend the night with two Alphas? He pressed his lips together quickly, heat rising in his face. Luckily, I had taken my supplement blocks earlier. At least my Omega's scent won't drift out...I won't be prey for them tonight.
The thought settled over him like a fragile shield, though the unease still gnawed at his stomach.
...
At Lucien's house, they sank into the wide sofa. Lucien asked what they wanted to eat, but Adrian shook his head. "I'm full." Ash quickly echoed, "Me too."
Lucien smirked, grabbing popcorn and crisps instead. "Then we watch."
The horror movie began, sharp sounds and flickering shadows filling the room. At the first jump scare, Ash jerked and pressed himself closer; shoulder brushing Lucien, knee almost touching Adrian.
Lucien chuckled softly, holding out the popcorn. "Scared already?" Adrian leaned back with an amused glance. "It's just a movie."
Ash's face warmed, but he didn't move away.
When the credits finally rolled, Lucien stretched lazily. "Alright...Ash, you take the couch. Adrian and I will use the bed."
Ash froze, the memory of the horror movie flashing in his head; those shadows, the sharp sounds. His chest tightened. Before he could stop himself, the words rushed out: "I'll sleep with both of you in the bed!"
Lucien blinked, then smirked. "But we don't sleep with people in our bed. Fine...but just so you know, Adrian and I always sleep naked."
Ash's heart pounded. Naked...?
He forced a shaky breath. People sleep naked all the time. It's not a big deal. Better that than being eaten by monsters in the dark.
His lips parted quickly. "Well-then I'll still sleep with you."
Lucien raised a brow, amusement dancing in his eyes. Adrian simply glanced at Ash, unreadable.