Rihan stared at the Alpha beaming in front of him, biting into his salty chicken with utter disinterest. They hadn't exchanged a single word since they arrived at the cheap restaurant, and he was grateful for the silence.
It was strange enough to be sharing a meal with a killer, but this? This was absurd.
He cracked through the chicken bone between his teeth, the sharp sound oddly satisfying in his head. Across from him, Taeryn froze mid-bite, his bright gray eyes lifting to meet Rihan's cold hazel gaze.
The Alpha tilted his head to the side, curiosity softening his features. "You don't seem to be enjoying this," he said, then sighed. "Neither do I, to be honest."
Rihan pulled the bone from his lips and set it down on the plate. His tone was flat when he asked, "Do you like me?"
Taeryn laughed, a warm, unbothered sound. "Isn't that obvious, Detective?"
Rihan was certain he had been stalking him even before tonight. That comment.... how he'd said Rihan looked more beautiful up close wasn't something a stranger would say.
"We're both Alphas. It can't happen," Rihan said with a frown.
Taeryn blinked, confused. "But… I can't pick up your pheromones."
"That's because I take blockers," Rihan replied coolly. "It's necessary for my job."
Taeryn leaned forward, unfazed. "I don't care if you take blockers or if we're both Alphas. I like you, Detective."
Rihan's jaw tightened. The hope in Taeryn's voice, the softness in his eyes...it made his skin crawl.
He'd said he was twenty-three, which meant Rihan was five years older… five years wiser to know better than to entertain a killer's obsession.
"You like... me?" He shook his head, biting down on his lower lip. He had no time for feelings. He had never had time for feelings.
Rihan knew how to control himself. His urges, his impulses and he didn't need a partner. No one could handle him anyway.
This Alpha, killer or not, was just being childish. He couldn't handle him.
"Enough. I'm leaving." He stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor, and Taeryn shot up after him, worry clouding his face.
"What? Why?"
Rihan didn't reply. He just stormed out of the restaurant, heading straight for his car.
Taeryn tossed some cash on the table, mumbling a quick apology to the waiter before running after him. By the time he reached the parking lot, Rihan was already behind the wheel, starting the engine.
"No, no! Wait!" Taeryn shouted, panic flashing across his features. And before Rihan could react, the Alpha darted in front of the car, spreading his arms wide.
The tires screeched as Rihan slammed the brakes, stopping just an inch away from Taeryn's body. For a second, shock flickered across his face then fury replaced it entirely.
"Are you fucking insane?" Rihan roared, throwing open the car door.
Taeryn dropped his arms, his shoulders sagging. "Is this because I'm a killer? That shouldn't matter, Detective. Please, just give me a chance."
He hurried to the driver's side, gripping the door to stop Rihan from leaving.
Rihan glared at him, the muscle in his jaw twitching.
"I'm not in the mood for dating or romance. Isn't it obvious? Go away!" he snapped, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. He was holding himself back from doing something he'd regret.
Taeryn's lips pressed into a thin line, torn between defiance and submission. Seeing that hesitation, Rihan exhaled sharply through his nose, frustration boiling over.
"Fucking maniac." He reached for the gun tucked in his seat and aimed it straight at Taeryn's chest.
"Get away from me. I shouldn't have entertained your presence in the first place."
"Oh?" Taeryn blinked rapidly. But there wasn't a hint of fear in his eyes. If anything, he looked almost into it. Then, a wild smile curved across his lips.
"I'll leave you to think about it, then." He took a step back, retreating toward the sidewalk, his gaze never leaving Rihan.
The detective's finger tightened on the trigger, but Taeryn didn't even flinch.
Rihan scoffed. He was used to people being wary of him. He was used to people watching him with discomfort, with fear... but this Alpha... this one was different.
With that wild smile, so out of place on his deceptively handsome face, he was focused on Rihan like he was something precious.
He hated it.
Jaw clenched, Rihan slammed the car door shut, tossed the gun aside, and drove off without looking back. The city lights blurred through his windshield, but all he could see was that damned smile burned into his mind.
And for that, he found himself regretting leaving the station in the first place.