Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting faint stripes of light across Kian's face. He stirred, groaning softly as the weight of exhaustion pulled at his limbs. His head ached, his body sore in a way that wasn't unfamiliar but still unwelcome. For a moment, he lay still, letting the remnants of sleep wrap around him like a fragile cocoon.
But reality wasn't far behind.
The events of the previous day came rushing back, crashing into him with the force of a tidal wave. The heat, Adrian, the way he had crumbled under the weight of his biology—all of it played in his mind like a cruel film reel. Kian's stomach churned, a bitter mix of shame and resentment bubbling to the surface.
He sat up slowly, blinking against the light. He wasn't in his apartment. The sleek, minimalist decor, the faint scent of expensive cologne—this was Adrian's office. More specifically, Adrian's private lounge, a space few in the company even knew existed.
Kian swung his legs over the edge of the plush leather couch, his bare feet brushing against the cool hardwood floor. He was still dressed in yesterday's clothes, though his tie and blazer were missing, folded neatly on the nearby armchair.
The faint sound of papers rustling drew his attention to the desk across the room. Adrian sat there, his back to Kian, focused on a stack of documents. The Alpha's dark suit was immaculate as always, his posture exuding control and authority.
For a brief moment, Kian considered slipping out quietly. But the ache in his muscles and the knowledge that he had no idea where his belongings were made that option seem impossible. Instead, he cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the quiet.
Adrian glanced over his shoulder, his sharp gray eyes meeting Kian's. There was no trace of surprise on his face, only a calm, measured expression that made Kian's skin crawl.
"You're awake," Adrian said, setting down his pen. "Good."
Kian bristled at the casual tone. "Why am I still here?"
"You passed out," Adrian replied simply, leaning back in his chair. "I wasn't going to send you home in that condition."
"I didn't ask you to—"
"You didn't have to," Adrian interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "Whether you like it or not, you needed help."
Kian clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms. "I don't need your pity."
Adrian's lips curved into a faint smirk, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Pity has nothing to do with it. You're a part of my team, Kian. I protect what's mine."
The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down Kian's spine, though he quickly masked it with anger. "I'm not yours."
Adrian stood, his movements slow and deliberate. He crossed the room, stopping a few feet away from Kian. The Alpha's presence was overwhelming, filling the space with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.
"You keep saying that," Adrian said, his voice low and calm. "But actions speak louder than words, don't they?"
Kian's jaw tightened. "You think just because you helped me through a bad heat, I owe you something?"
Adrian's expression darkened, the smirk fading. "I never said you owed me anything. But you do owe it to yourself to stop pretending you can handle everything alone."
The words hit like a punch to the gut, and Kian looked away, his throat tightening. He hated how easily Adrian saw through him, how the Alpha's words cut straight to the heart of his insecurities.
"I didn't ask for your opinion," Kian muttered, his voice weaker than he intended.
"No," Adrian said softly. "But maybe you needed to hear it."
The tension between them was thick, the silence that followed heavy with unspoken words. Kian wanted to lash out, to push Adrian away, but he was too tired, too drained to summon the fight.
"I should go," Kian said finally, pushing himself to his feet. The room tilted slightly, and he gripped the back of the couch for support.
Adrian was at his side in an instant, his hand on Kian's arm, steadying him. "Careful," he said, his voice quieter now.
Kian jerked away, though the movement made his head spin. "Don't touch me," he snapped.
Adrian held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, though his expression remained impassive. "Fine. But you're still not leaving until I'm sure you're okay."
"I'm fine," Kian insisted, though the tremor in his voice betrayed him.
Adrian's gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost... concerned. "You're not fine, Kian. And that's okay. You don't have to be invincible all the time."
Kian's throat tightened, the weight of Adrian's words pressing down on him. He wanted to argue, to deny it, but the truth was staring him in the face.
"I need to get back to work," Kian said instead, deflecting the conversation.
Adrian sighed, clearly frustrated but not surprised. "Your files are on the desk. Take the day to recover. That's an order."
Kian glared at him. "You can't order me around outside of work."
Adrian's lips quirked into a faint smile, though it lacked his usual edge. "You're still in my office. That makes this my jurisdiction."
Kian rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Instead, he moved to the desk, gathering his belongings with careful precision. He could feel Adrian's gaze on him, sharp and unyielding, but he refused to look up.
As he reached for his tie, Adrian spoke again. "Kian."
Kian froze, his fingers brushing against the fabric. "What?"
Adrian hesitated, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "You don't have to keep doing this alone. If you ever need..." He trailed off, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "Just know I'm here."
Kian straightened, his chest tightening. He looked at Adrian, searching for the ulterior motive, the manipulation he was certain lay beneath the surface. But all he saw was sincerity, raw and unfiltered.
"I don't need your charity," Kian said finally, his voice quieter now.
"It's not charity," Adrian replied, his expression unreadable. "It's an offer. Take it or leave it."
Kian's lips pressed into a thin line, his mind racing. He didn't trust Adrian—not fully, not yet. But a small part of him, the part that had been drowning in loneliness and exhaustion, whispered that maybe he didn't have to do this alone.
Without another word, Kian grabbed his tie and blazer, heading for the door. He didn't look back, didn't acknowledge the Alpha's lingering presence. But as he stepped into the hallway, the weight of Adrian's words stayed with him, a quiet echo that refused to be ignored.