Diamant's POV
Diamant woke before the sun fully rose.
The room was still dim, painted in soft grey light, curtains stirring gently with the morning breeze.
For a few seconds, he simply lay there, breathing in the quiet — the kind of quiet he hadn't known for a long time.
Then he felt the warmth beside him.
Noah was curled against his chest, fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady.
His hair was a soft mess against the pillow, lashes resting gently against flushed cheeks, completely unaware of the world beyond this room.
Diamant's gaze softened instantly.
Carefully, so he wouldn't wake him, he shifted slightly and reached out, brushing his thumb lightly across Noah's cheek. Noah stirred just a little, lips parting in a tiny sigh, but didn't wake.
A faint smile curved Diamant's lips.
He tucked the blanket more securely around Noah, then leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead — slow, deliberate, protective.
"You're safe," he murmured quietly, more promise than statement.
Noah shifted closer in his sleep, instinctively seeking his warmth, and Diamant wrapped an arm around him again, holding him there for a few more moments, just enjoying the stillness.
For a brief time, the world outside didn't exist.
Until his phone vibrated.
Diamant stilled.
He carefully slid his arm free, making sure Noah didn't wake, and reached for the phone on the bedside table. One look at the caller ID made his expression change.
Rowan.
He answered quietly, voice low.
"Report."
Rowan's voice came through tight and serious.
"Sir… Aiden has vanished."
Diamant straightened slightly.
"Explain."
"Our men swept all his known locations. No sightings. No records. No traces — digital or physical. It's as if he disappeared."
Diamant's jaw tightened.
That wasn't possible.
Aiden was dangerous, yes. Powerful, yes. But not powerful enough to erase himself completely.
"That doesn't happen without help," Diamant said coldly.
"Yes, sir. That's what concerns us."
Diamant glanced back at Noah, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the threat quietly creeping back into their lives.
"Double the search radius," Diamant ordered. "I want every informant activated. And Rowan—"
"Yes, sir?"
"If he surfaces even for a second… I want to know."
The call ended.
Diamant remained standing there, phone in hand, eyes dark with thought.
Aiden disappearing without a trace didn't mean he was gone.
It meant he was planning something.
And Diamant would not allow Noah to be the price of that plan.
He turned back to the bed, his expression softening instantly as he looked at Noah again. He walked over, sat beside him, and brushed his hair back gently.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered.
Just then—
"Oh… my eyes."
Diamant froze.
He turned sharply toward the doorway.
Evan stood there, one hand dramatically covering his face, peeking through his fingers.
"I walk in and what do I see?" Evan sighed loudly. "The great untouchable alpha, reduced to a lovesick fool."
Diamant's gaze turned murderous.
Evan dropped his hand. "Wow. That look alone could kill someone."
Diamant stood, carefully closing the door behind him so Noah wouldn't be disturbed, then grabbed Evan by the collar and dragged him down the hallway.
"Do you have no concept of knocking?" Diamant hissed once they reached the living room.
Evan laughed, straightening his shirt. "Please. Your door was open. And besides, I didn't expect to see Sleeping Beauty being kissed asleep."
"I was not kissing him asleep."
"You absolutely were," Evan grinned.
"Also—lock your door. You're a CEO, not a romance drama lead."
Diamant pinched the bridge of his nose. "You came all the way here for this?"
Evan's expression slowly turned serious.
"You heard too, didn't you?" Evan said. "About Aiden."
Diamant's eyes sharpened. "Rowan called you as well?"
"No. My own network did." Evan folded his arms. "Aiden vanishing without a trace is not normal. Even for him."
Diamant turned toward the window, staring out at the city below.
"He's not powerful enough to erase himself," Diamant said quietly.
"Which means someone is helping him. Or hiding him."
"And that makes him more dangerous," Evan finished.
Diamant turned back to him.
"Exactly."
He picked up his phone again and sent out orders.
"Activate all units," Diamant said coldly. "Search again. Underground, ports, borders, black market networks. I don't care where — I want him found."
Not long after, reports started coming in.
Nothing.
No sightings.
No traces.
No leads.
Diamant stood still as the final message came through, his face unreadable.
Evan exhaled slowly. "Something's wrong. Aiden doesn't just vanish like this."
Diamant clenched his fist.
"No," he agreed quietly. "He doesn't."
His thoughts immediately returned to Noah — asleep, vulnerable, trusting.
And Diamant knew one thing for certain:
Whatever Aiden was planning…
He would not get anywhere near Noah again.