The next morning, the office buzzed with the usual energy of a midweek workday, but for Kian, everything felt off-kilter. The encounter with Adrian in the break room still clung to his thoughts like a stubborn shadow, and Marcus's friendly overtures lingered in his mind for reasons he couldn't—or wouldn't—acknowledge.
As he settled into his desk, sipping his morning coffee, Kian tried to focus on the campaign. The deadline loomed, and he couldn't afford to let his personal turmoil affect his performance. Still, the words on the screen blurred as his thoughts strayed.
"Kian!" Lila's cheerful voice snapped him out of his haze. She appeared beside his desk, her arms laden with files. "Got a minute?"
"Yeah, what's up?" Kian asked, setting down his coffee.
"Marcus was asking about the Rowland campaign earlier," she said, her voice low, as if sharing a secret. "He's curious about how marketing works and wanted to know if he could sit in on a meeting sometime."
Kian frowned. "Why would accounting need to know about our campaign strategies?"
Lila shrugged. "I guess he's just trying to learn the ropes. He's new, after all."
Kian's lips pressed into a thin line. While Marcus's curiosity might be genuine, the timing felt suspicious, especially after Adrian's cryptic warning about trust. He shook his head, dismissing the thought. You're overthinking it, Kian.
"Tell him I'll let him know if there's anything relevant," Kian said finally.
"Sure thing," Lila said, giving him a wink before disappearing back to her desk.
---
By mid-morning, Kian was buried in revisions when a notification popped up on his screen. It was a calendar invite from Adrian for a private meeting at 11 AM. Kian's stomach twisted at the sight of it.
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. The timing couldn't be worse—he was already behind on the Rowland campaign, and the last thing he needed was another intense one-on-one with Adrian. Still, ignoring the invitation wasn't an option.
At exactly 11:00, Kian knocked on the door of Adrian's office, his nerves frayed.
"Come in," Adrian's familiar voice called.
Kian pushed the door open, stepping inside. Adrian sat behind his desk, his gray eyes flicking up from his computer to meet Kian's.
"Close the door," Adrian said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Kian did as he was told, his posture stiff as he sat down. "You wanted to see me?"
Adrian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I've reviewed the latest revisions to the Rowland campaign. It's good work, but there's still room for improvement."
Kian bit back a sigh. He'd expected criticism—Adrian was nothing if not exacting—but his patience was wearing thin. "What needs to change?"
Adrian's lips twitched in what might've been the ghost of a smirk. "You're defensive today. Something on your mind?"
Kian's jaw tightened. "I'm just trying to meet the deadline."
Adrian studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp. "You're overthinking it. Rowland doesn't want perfection; they want bold, actionable ideas. Stop second-guessing yourself."
Kian blinked. It wasn't the critique he'd been expecting, and for a moment, he wasn't sure how to respond. "I'll make the adjustments," he said finally.
Adrian nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Good. I want to see the final draft on my desk by tomorrow morning."
Kian stood, eager to escape the tension-filled room, but Adrian's voice stopped him just as he reached the door.
"One more thing, Kian."
Kian turned, his hand resting on the doorknob. "What is it?"
Adrian's gray eyes locked onto his. "Marcus Calloway. What do you think of him?"
Kian's stomach sank. "He seems... fine. Why?"
Adrian's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Be careful with him."
Kian frowned. "Why do you keep saying that? What's your problem with him?"
Adrian stood, rounding his desk with deliberate steps until he was mere feet from Kian. The Alpha's presence was overwhelming, as always, but this time there was something more—an edge of warning in his tone.
"Marcus is ambitious," Adrian said, his voice low. "That's not inherently a bad thing, but it can be dangerous if you're not paying attention."
Kian's jaw clenched. "Noted. Can I go now?"
Adrian's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he stepped back. "Go."
Kian didn't wait for further permission, slipping out of the office and closing the door behind him.
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and revisions, but Adrian's words continued to gnaw at Kian's thoughts. Was Marcus really as harmless as he seemed, or was Adrian trying to manipulate him?
By the time the office began to empty for the day, Kian's mind was spinning with unanswered questions. He was gathering his things to leave when Marcus appeared at his desk, his easy smile in place.
"Hey," Marcus said, his tone light. "You heading out?"
"Yeah," Kian replied cautiously.
"Mind if I walk with you? I'm still figuring out the best route to the train station."
Kian hesitated, then nodded. "Sure."
The two of them left the office together, stepping into the cool evening air. For a while, they walked in silence, the bustling city around them providing a comfortable backdrop.
"So," Marcus said eventually, glancing at Kian. "How's the Rowland campaign coming along?"
Kian shot him a wary look. "Why do you ask?"
Marcus chuckled. "Relax. I'm just curious. I know it's a big deal for marketing."
Kian forced a small smile. "It's coming along."
Marcus seemed to sense his reluctance and changed the subject. "You know, I've been meaning to ask—what's it like working with Blackwell? He's got a reputation for being... intense."
Kian stiffened, his grip tightening on the strap of his bag. "He's demanding," he said carefully. "But he knows what he's doing."
"Fair enough," Marcus said, nodding. "He's definitely got that Alpha presence, doesn't he?"
Kian didn't respond, his mind racing. Was Marcus fishing for information, or was this just harmless small talk? Either way, the conversation left him uneasy.
When they reached the station, Marcus flashed him an easy grin. "Thanks for letting me tag along. See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," Kian said, his tone more curt than he intended.
As Marcus disappeared into the crowd, Kian couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian's warning hadn't been entirely baseless.
---
That night, as Kian lay in bed, his thoughts churned with doubts and suspicions. Adrian's cryptic behavior, Marcus's charm, the lingering tension between them—it all felt like pieces of a puzzle he couldn't quite assemble.
But one thing was certain: the balance of his carefully constructed world was shifting, and Kian wasn't sure if he was ready for what came next.