Lucien opened his eyes to find Ash's trembling hands on him, tears streaming down his face. Startled, Lucien sat up quickly, scanning the area before Ash broke into a shaky, relieved voice.
"You're awake...thank God," Ash whispered, trying to smile through his sobs.
Lucien frowned, his voice hoarse. "Where are they? What happened?"
Ash shook his head, wiping his tears. "I don't know. The moment I stepped out of the car...they were gone. Then I saw you lying there."
Lucien's gaze dropped to his own chest. His thoughts spun. How...? I saw the silver bullet coming straight for me. I should be dead. How am I still here? Did I faint? No...they vanished too suddenly. None of this makes sense.
He looked back at Ash, who still seemed shaken. Forcing a small smile, Lucien stood and offered his hand to pull him up.
"It's alright," he said softly. "They're gone now. Don't be afraid. Let's go home before Adrian starts to worry."
...
They arrived at Leiclar mansion. As the car slowed to a stop, Lucien glanced at Ash, who sat quietly, his face pale and distant.
"Are you okay?" Lucien asked gently.
Ash forced a faint nod. "Yes...I'm fine."
He opened the door and stepped out, but midway through his stride, Lucien's voice stopped him.
"Wait."
Lucien followed him out, closing the door. "I'll keep you company for a bit."
Ash hesitated, then nodded.
They entered the mansion to find Adrian pacing the corridor, a cigarette between his fingers. He moved back and forth, glancing at his watch, his expression tense. The moment he spotted them, he rushed forward uneven. His eyes darted between Lucien and Ash.
"Why so late?" Adrian demanded.
Lucien stayed silent for a moment, his gaze steady but unreadable. Beside him. Ash shifted uneasy, lowering his head.
Adrian frowned. "Is there a problem?"
Finally, Lucien spoke quietly. "I need to tell you something."
Adrian gave a brief nod. "Mn." He motioned Lucien aside, and the two walked away together, leaving Ash to slip quietly toward his room.
Lucien and Adrian stopped at the far end of the corridor.
"I need to tell you what happened," Lucien said, his voice low. He explained the ambush, the silver bullet, and how the attackers vanished without a trace.
Adrian's brows furrowed, his steps slowing. "Those gangsters...they can't just vanish like that. There must be someone behind it."
"Yes," Lucien replied quietly. "I've been thinking the same. Whoever it was...they saved my life. I just don't know who. At least Ash wasn't harmed."
Adrian's jaw tightened, his fist curling as a faint pressure stirred in the air, "Who dares to come after you like this..." he muttered, anger seeping through his words.
Lucien glanced toward the stairs where Ash had gone, "Since you're here to ease Ash's fears, I may take my leave now,"
But as he turned, Adrian caught his hand, his grip firm. His expression was tight with worry. "No...you can't leave. What if they come after you again? Stay here tonight."
Lucien hesitated. "But..."
Adrian's eyes met his steady and almost pleading. "Please."
There was a short silence before Lucien exhaled softly and gave a nod. "Alright."
...
Dinner was served in the long dining hall. Ash sat between Lucien and Adrian, while Adrian's father and Ash's mother took their places at the head and far end of the table.
As the meal began, Ash's mother looked toward Lucien with a polite smile. "Lucien, if you had announced your coming, at least I could have prepared properly for you."
Lucien lifted his hand slightly, his voice calm. "It's alright. I didn't want to trouble you."
Adrian's father sat down his glass and looked toward Lucien. "How have you been?"
Lucien gave a small nod. "Good."
"And how are you coping with your teaching course?"
"Currently I'm on attachment," Lucien replied. "Serving as acting deputy at Greenhill High."
A smile touched Adrian's father's face. "That's promising. Shows you're moving in the right direction; unlike another one here, who has been nothing but a disappointment."
The sound of cutlery clattered against the plate as Adrian dropped his knife and fork. "I'm full," he said curtly, pushing back his chair.
He rose and headed toward the stairs.
"But you've hardly eaten," Eva said quickly.
"Leave him," Adrian's father muttered, not looking away from his plate. "Let him go."
After dinner, the house grew quiet. Lucien slipped into the kitchen, gathered a plate, and carried it upstairs. He paused briefly outside Adrian's door, then went in with the food.
In the room, Ash sat on his bed, restless. His ears sharpened at the faint sounds from Adrian's side. Are they...? The thought flickered, stirring unease. He pressed closer to the wall straining to catch something more.
Still unsatisfied, Ash stood and moved into the corridor. Step by step, he reached Adrian's door, leaning slightly as if listening would give him an answer. Just as he pressed closer, the door swung open.
He stumbled forward, falling straight into Lucien's chest. Their eyes met briefly before Lucien pulled him inside, pushing him down onto the bed.
"Do you know it's bad manners to listen at doors?" Lucien said, his gaze fixed on him.
Ash's breath quickened, his omega instincts unsettled under Lucien's weight.
"Should I punish you for that?" Lucien added, a teasing glint in his eyes.
At that moment, Adrian set aside his cigarette in the ashtray, his voice cutting through the tension. "Stop messing with him."
Lucien eased back with a faint smile. "I was only teasing."
Ash stood there, shaken, his breath still uneven. He pushed himself up from the bed, wanting to slip out, but Adrian's voice stopped him.
"Who told you to go?"
Ash froze.
"You'll leave once I say so," Adrian added firmly.
Lucien chuckled, stretching out on the bed in his shorts. "Princess, it's time to sleep," he teased, his tone playful.
Adrian joined him on the other side, also in only his shorts, settling back in silence.
Ash lingered at the door, his heart pounding.
What trouble have I put myself into...walking straight into...walking straight into a poacher's den.
Lucien cracked an eye open, smirking faintly. "Are you going to stand there all night, or are you coming?"
Ash stood frozen, uncertain. Minutes stretched into nearly an hour before he finally heard Lucien's steady snoring, and Adrian's breathing deepened in sleep.
Carefully, Ash tiptoed across the room toward the side of the bed, moving slowly, as though pinning himself there might spare him from notice. He had just eased himself beside the bed when Adrian shifted, turning onto his side. A soft vanilla scent lingered from him, reaching Ash and clouding his senses.
Ash's chest tightened, his gaze drawn to Adrian's calm face in the dim light. For a moment, it felt as though his body moved on its own; leaning closer, lips brushing against Adrian's.
Adrian's eyes opened at the touch.
Ash jolted, trying to pull away, but Adrian's hand caught him, holding him down firmly. Adrian's eyes glinted faintly, silver catching the dim light as a low breath escaped him. A trace of his pheromones slipped into the air, thick and warm.
"I'll give you what you want," he murmured.
He leaned in, brushing his lips over Ash's. His mouth parted slowly, drawing Ash's lip between his own, then his upper, his tongue tracing gently before claiming both.
Ash's body stirred, heat rushing through him, his instincts pulling to the surface. His lips moved clumsily at first, then began to follow Adrian's rhythm, faster, hungrier.
But the urgency tipped too far.
"Ouch!" Ash flinched, a sharp sting breaking through the haze.
Adrian froze, his senses snapping back, He pulled away, only to see a bead of red at the corner of Ash's lip. Guilt flashed across his face.
"I'm...sorry," he whispered, voice rough, before turning on his side, pulling the blanket over himself, and facing Lucien.
Ash raised his hand, fingertips brushing over his lips in disbelief, his heartbeat quick and unsteady. Did I just...get my first kiss from Adrian? The thought tumbled in his mind, sharp and confusing. Celeste's fiance...Lucien's lover...His chest tightened, the words catching in his throat.
He swallowed hard, almost stammering aloud the truth he didn't dare name. ...my mother's husband's son.
...
When morning came, soft light crept into the room. Ash stirred awake and found himself alone. Adrian and Lucien were gone, but the blanket had been carefully drawn over him, as if someone had made sure he wouldn't feel the cold.