"Let me use your thighs," a low, rough voice whispered in Rivian's ear, every word full of intent.

"Are you crazy, Rayden?" Rivian shot back, defiant. "I'm an alpha."

Before he could say anything else, Rayden pushed Rivian hard against the wall. Rivian's breath caught as the familiar scent of sandalwood and musk filled the air, stronger now with Rayden in rut. The heat of Rayden's breath brushed against Rivian's neck, sending shivers down his spine.

With a quick move, Rayden pulled Rivian's pants down, letting them fall to his knees, but leaving his underwear in place. The heat of Rayden's arousal pressed against Rivian's thighs, each movement causing friction that teased them both. Rivian gasped, feeling the undeniable hardness against him. Rayden held him tightly, their hands against the wall, bodies pressed together, breaths growing heavy as he continued. Each restrained thrust sent a rush of heat through Rivian, making him dizzy, torn between resisting and giving in.

"Rivian…" Rayden's voice was a low, desperate whisper, thick with hunger. The sound lit a fire inside Rivian, pulling him deeper into the moment where desire and danger mixed. His heart raced, caught between the pull of submission and longing, his instincts fighting against the undeniable attraction that held him captive.

Rivian's eyes shot open as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, blinking to adjust to the dim lighting of the cabin. Outside, early morning light crept across the wing, casting a soft glow that mingled with the clouds below. He ran a hand through his hair, shaking off the remnants of sleep.

It was ridiculous. The events of the past had become a blur, like a dream. But it wasn't just a dream. It had happened.

Rayden Jones had been Rivian's rival since the moment they met, despite their families' close friendship and their fathers' business partnership. They competed over everything from toys, praise, grades, sports, and even the omegas. It was always a game of who came out on top first. Their families thought it was because they were both alphas. But then, in their final year of high school, something happened. The last few weeks before their final exams, an accident occurred.

The school was celebrating its 40th anniversary, and each class was assigned the task of raising money for renovations. As usual, their class was given the coffee shop, where the boys worked as butlers, making and serving coffee in neatly pressed uniforms, while the girls dressed as maids and did the same. Rivian and Rayden flirted and teased with the omegas, enjoying the attention, until things suddenly took a turn.

A girl from another class, an omega, had gone into heat while visiting their coffee shop. The air thickened with tension as the alphas in the room instinctively reacted. Rivian and Rayden noticed her panic, immediately recognizing what was happening. Without hesitation, they both rushed to help, guiding her to the doctor's office before things could spiral further.

Everything calmed down once she was safely out of the way, but in the rush of emotions and the lingering effects of the omega's heat, Rayden's own rut began. He pulled Rivian aside, his instincts taking control.

"What's going on?" Rivian asked as Rayden dragged him into a secluded storeroom. The moment the door clicked shut, the air thickened, charged with a tension they couldn't ignore.

"You're in rut?" Rivian asked, catching the scent and realizing the situation.

"Yes," Rayden replied, pulling his arousal free, his expression strained as he sought relief.

"What the hell?" Rivian muttered, turning away. "If you're going to jerk off, why bring me here? I'll wait outside."

"It's not helping," Rayden replied, voice tight.

"What?" Rivian asked, still confused.

"Let me use your thighs," Rayden murmured, his voice low and rough, every word filled with intent.

"Are you crazy, Rayden?" Rivian shot back, defiant. "I'm an alpha."

After that day, something shifted between them. They continued to rival each other, but it wasn't the same. Rivian found himself wrestling with emotions he couldn't fully understand, feelings he was reluctant to accept, especially since they were both alpha males. The confusion left him questioning himself, and he couldn't help but wonder if Rayden felt the change between them too. Yet the thought of confronting it scared him.

Unable to face these uncertainties, Rivian decided to study abroad without telling Rayden. His family was surprised by his sudden decision but ultimately accepted it. Rivian left, hoping that distance might help him forget these feelings.

As a flight attendant moved down the aisle, handing out water bottles, Rivian gratefully accepted one, taking a sip to steady himself. He needed to shake this off. He had left with the intention of focusing on his studies, hoping to clear his mind. But even after graduation, he'd spent six months playing around, avoiding his return. Now, though, he was finally going back.

As the plane cruised through the clouds, Rivian gazed out the window, watching the landscape shift beneath him. He thought of his family, the life he had left behind, and the uncertainty of what awaited him. The closer they got to home, the more he realized how much he missed them. Their voices, laughter, and the comfort of familiar routines beckoned to him like a warm embrace.

The flight attendant's voice pulled Rivian from his thoughts as she announced the descent. He fastened his seatbelt, feeling both excited and nervous. He had talked to his family over video calls, but nothing felt as good as being together in person. Would they notice how much he had changed while he was away? Would they accept the person he had become? He couldn't wait to see them.

As the plane touched down with a gentle thud, Rivian exhaled, feeling the finality of the moment. He was home.

The airport was busy with people, the sounds of chatter and footsteps filling the terminals. Rivian moved through the crowd with his bags, walking with purpose but not in a hurry. He had already spotted his family outside the arrivals area, and his heart lifted when he saw them.

The moment his mother saw him, her face lit up with a smile, and she rushed forward to pull him into a tight hug. "Rivian!" Elena called out, her voice full of joy as she ran to embrace her son. "Oh, we missed you so much!"

"Missed you too, Mom," Rivian replied, grinning as he hugged her back.

As they stepped apart, Rivian noticed his younger brother, Leo, standing a bit behind with his arms crossed, trying to hide the smile creeping onto his face. Typical Leo, Rivian thought.

"Whatever," Leo muttered, feigning indifference. "It's not like I was counting down the days or anything."

"Hey, don't be a jerk!" Elena chided, ruffling Leo's hair playfully. "You're just glad to see him."

Rivian chuckled, knowing his brother's true feelings. "You know you missed me, Leo."

Leo shrugged but couldn't suppress his grin. "Yeah, well… maybe a little."

Just then, their father, Robert, stepped forward with a proud smile. "Welcome home, Rivian. We're all glad to have you back," he said, enveloping him in a warm hug.

"Thanks, Dad!" Rivian replied, feeling grounded in that moment, knowing he was truly home.

"Come on, let's get you home," his mom said, beaming as she reached for his hand, holding it gently. "I made all your favorites for lunch: grilled chicken, baked fish, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, crispy fries, and a warm bowl of chicken soup. And your nanny made your favorite apple pie for dessert. Dinner's at the Jones tonight; they're looking forward to seeing you too!"

Rivian laughed. "Wow, you've really got my whole day planned out, huh?"

His mom winked. "Of course! We're making up for lost time."

"Well then," Rivian replied, smiling, "I can't wait to see everyone."

He still remembered the day he left for abroad. The Jones had been out of town, attending a relative's funeral. His mother had mentioned on a video call how shocked the Jones were when they found out he was gone. Rivian was really looking forward to seeing them, especially Rayden, and he couldn't wait to find out how much the other had changed during their time apart.

As Rivian stepped out of the car, he was warmly welcomed by his nanny. Still working for the Hayes family, her familiar smile instantly made him feel at home. "Rivian! It's so good to see you!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a brief embrace. "You've grown so much since you left!"

Rivian felt a rush of nostalgia as he hugged Mrs. Thompson, his heart swelling with warmth. "Thanks! I missed you too," he replied as they pulled back. He looked down at her, noticing how he had grown taller than her. "It's good to be back."

As he looked around, he noticed that while some things had changed, the rest remained the same as he remembered.

Rivian turned to see his father bringing his larger suitcase inside the mansion, a focused look on his face. Leo followed closely behind, struggling a bit with the smaller suitcase, determination etched on his features.

"Need a hand there, Leo?" Rivian called out, a teasing smile on his lips.

"Not at all!" Leo shot back, puffing out his chest as if the effort were a badge of honor. "I've got it covered."

Amused, Rivian turned toward his mother, who stood nearby with a warm smile. She gently patted his shoulder. "Go shower, sweetheart. Lunch will be ready soon."

Grateful for her understanding, Rivian followed his father and Leo inside, the familiar scents of home washing over him. The bustle of family life wrapped around him like a warm blanket, reminding him of all the moments he had missed while he was away.

After showering and enjoying a hearty lunch, Rivian gathered everyone in the living room. A sense of excitement filled the air as he prepared to hand out the gifts he had brought for each family member.

He turned first to his father, who was checking emails on his phone while lounging on the sofa. With a wide smile, Rivian produced a sleek leather wallet embossed with his father's initials. "Dad, I thought you could use an upgrade," he said, eager to see his father's reaction.

His father's eyes widened in surprise as he accepted the gift. "Wow! This is beautiful, Rivian," he replied, genuine delight lighting up his face. He flipped open the wallet to reveal a hidden compartment, a practical touch that Rivian had chosen specifically for him. "You always know exactly what I need."

Pride swelled in Rivian's chest, knowing he had made a thoughtful choice that reflected his father's style. "I'm glad you like it," Rivian said.

Next was Leo, who bounced on the edge of his seat, barely able to contain his excitement. Rivian pulled out a brand-new gaming headset, the latest model with noise-canceling technology and surround sound capabilities. "I know how much you love gaming, so I thought you might want an upgrade."

Leo's eyes lit up as he gasped, snatching the headset from Rivian's hands. "No way! This is epic! Thanks, Rivian!"

"You're welcome, little brother," Rivian said, smiling.

Rivian stood up and walked over to his mom, holding out a nice blue handbag. "For you, Mom. I saw this and thought of you right away." He showed it to her with a smile, watching her eyes light up with joy.

"Oh, Rivian! It's lovely!" she exclaimed, taking the bag into her hands and inspecting it closely. "You always know how to pick the perfect gifts." She leaned in to hug him tightly, whispering, "Thank you for thinking of me." Rivian felt her warmth envelop him, a reminder of the love that filled their home.

Finally, Rivian reached for the last gift, the one he had wrapped with special care. "And for Mrs. Thompson," he said, presenting it with a grin. The nanny, who had been standing back with a soft smile, stepped forward, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Oh my, Rivian! You shouldn't have," she said, her voice warm with surprise.

"I wanted to," he replied, handing her the package.

Mrs. Thompson gently opened it, revealing a beautiful hand-painted mug crafted by a local artist. "I know how much you love your morning coffee," he added.

Her eyes glistened with emotion as she cradled the mug in her hands. "This is so thoughtful, dear. Thank you!" Rivian nodded at her with a smile.

Did you bring gifts for the Jones family too?" his mother asked, looking at him with curiosity.

Rivian nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Of course! I have."

Leo leaned forward, eyes bright with excitement. "Did you bring a gift for Rayden too?"

Rivian sighed, knowing how much his younger brother looked up to Rayden. "Yes, I did."

Their father interjected, "You know, Rayden has taken over the CEO role from his father, which means it's your turn to step up, Rivian, so that I can retire."

"I know, Dad, and I'm ready to start tomorrow," Rivian said confidently.

"That's my son," his father replied, pride evident in his voice.

His dad and Rayden's father were business partners of Evergreen Construction, each owning 50% of the company. They had started the business together and helped it grow over the years.

His mother looked at her husband, concern in her eyes. "Darling, he just came back. Let him rest a bit before handing over the responsibilities."

"It's alright, Mom; I'm fine," Rivian reassured her with a smile.

His mother sighed but smiled back, though a hint of worry still lingered in her expression. "Alright, but remember, we want you to take care of yourself too."

Rivian nodded, appreciating her concern. "I promise, Mom. I'll balance it all." A mix of excitement and responsibility washed over him at the thought of stepping into a bigger role, especially knowing he would be working alongside Rayden. "I hope we will work peacefully," he thought to himself, but deep down, he knew that with their history, that might not be possible.