Kian woke the next morning with a heavy weight in his chest. The conversation with Marcus the night before replayed in his mind, his words swirling like a storm he couldn't escape.
"You think he's protecting you, but all he's doing is using you to solidify his own position."
It wasn't true—or at least, Kian didn't want it to be. Adrian had been demanding, sometimes overbearing, but Kian couldn't deny the moments of genuine care and protectiveness he'd seen in him. But Marcus had planted a seed of doubt, and no matter how much Kian tried to shake it, it lingered.
As he made his way to the office, Kian told himself to focus on his work, to push everything else to the back of his mind. But the moment he stepped into the building, he knew that wouldn't be possible.
Adrian was waiting near the elevators, his sharp gray eyes locking onto Kian the moment he entered.
"We need to talk," Adrian said, his voice calm but edged with authority.
Kian's stomach churned. He nodded silently, following Adrian to his office. The walk felt longer than usual, the tension between them thick enough to cut.
When they reached the office, Adrian closed the door behind them, turning to face Kian with an unreadable expression.
"Where were you last night?" Adrian asked, his tone even but his gaze piercing.
Kian stiffened, his chest tightening. "I... went out."
"With Marcus," Adrian said, his words more statement than question.
Kian's breath hitched, his stomach sinking. "How do you—"
"I know everything that happens in this office, Kian," Adrian interrupted, his voice sharpening. "Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
Kian bristled at the accusatory tone, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I didn't tell you because I knew how you'd react."
"And how do you think I'm reacting now?" Adrian asked, stepping closer. "You went to meet with someone who has spent the past month trying to manipulate you, to undermine everything we've worked for. Why?"
"Because I needed answers," Kian snapped, his voice trembling with anger. "Marcus said you've been using me—manipulating me. And I needed to know if he was right."
Adrian's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "Do you really think I've been using you?"
"I don't know what to think anymore," Kian admitted, his voice quieter now. "You've been controlling everything from the start, Adrian. I've felt like a pawn in this game between you and Marcus, and I'm tired of it."
Adrian's expression softened, though the intensity in his gaze didn't waver. "You're not a pawn, Kian. You're the only person in this entire office I trust. That's why I've been protecting you, not because I see you as a tool, but because I see you as someone worth protecting."
The sincerity in Adrian's tone caught Kian off guard, his chest tightening. He wanted to believe him, but Marcus's words still lingered, a quiet whisper of doubt.
"Then why didn't you tell me everything from the start?" Kian asked, his voice breaking slightly. "Why did you keep me in the dark?"
"Because I didn't want to burden you with something you didn't need to carry," Adrian said, his voice softening further. "I've seen people like Marcus before, Kian. I knew what he was the moment he walked through those doors. But I didn't want you to get caught in the crossfire."
Kian let out a shaky breath, his frustration and confusion swirling together. "But I did get caught, Adrian. And now I don't know who to trust."
Adrian stepped closer, his gray eyes searching Kian's. "Trust me. I know I haven't been perfect, but everything I've done has been to protect you, Kian. That's the truth."
Kian stared at him, his chest tight with emotion. He wanted to believe Adrian, to let go of the doubt Marcus had planted, but it wasn't that simple.
"I need time," Kian said finally, his voice quiet.
Adrian nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Take all the time you need. But don't let Marcus's words cloud what you know to be true."
Kian didn't respond, turning and walking out of the office. The weight of Adrian's gaze followed him, but he didn't look back.
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur, Kian's mind too clouded to focus on his work. Lila stopped by his desk once or twice, but he brushed her off, unable to muster the energy for small talk.
By the time he left the office, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the city streets. Kian walked aimlessly, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of doubt and frustration.
Was Adrian telling the truth? Was Marcus? Or was the truth somewhere in between?
Kian didn't know anymore, and the uncertainty was eating away at him.
---
When Kian finally returned to his apartment, he collapsed onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. He felt like he was standing at a crossroads, but every path was shrouded in fog.
His phone buzzed on the coffee table, pulling him from his thoughts. He picked it up hesitantly, his chest tightening when he saw the name on the screen.
---
Adrian Blackwell:
If you want to talk, I'm here.
---
Kian stared at the message, his emotions warring within him. He wanted to respond, to let Adrian reassure him, but he wasn't sure if he could trust himself to believe him.
Before he could decide, his phone buzzed again—this time, a different name lighting up the screen.
---
Unknown Number:
You deserve the truth, Kian. Meet me tomorrow. Same place, same time.
---
Kian's breath hitched, the familiar chill of dread creeping over him.
Marcus.
He set the phone down, his chest tightening as the storm inside him grew louder.
The seed of doubt Marcus had planted had taken root, and no matter how much Kian wanted to ignore it, he couldn't.
The message from Marcus burned in Kian's mind long after the screen of his phone dimmed. He leaned back on the couch, his thoughts spiraling.
"You deserve the truth, Kian. Meet me tomorrow. Same place, same time."
It felt like a trap—like Marcus was baiting him, testing his loyalty to Adrian and the boundaries of his own doubt. But Kian couldn't ignore it. Marcus had a way of making him question everything, twisting his perception until even the most concrete things felt shaky.
For what felt like the hundredth time, Kian glanced at his phone. Adrian's message was still there, too, a quiet reminder of the Alpha's unwavering presence.
"If you want to talk, I'm here."
Kian closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath. He wanted answers, but every path seemed to lead deeper into the storm. He wasn't sure which direction would take him closer to the truth—or farther from it.
---
The next morning, Kian arrived at the office with a heavy sense of dread. The usual buzz of activity felt muted, and the weight of the previous day's confrontation with Adrian hung over him like a storm cloud.
Lila was at her desk when Kian passed by, and she shot him a concerned look. "You okay?"
Kian managed a faint smile. "Yeah. Just tired."
"Maybe you should take a day off," Lila suggested, her tone gentle. "You've been running yourself ragged lately."
Kian shook his head, his chest tightening. "I can't. Not right now."
Lila didn't press further, but the concern in her eyes lingered.
---
Throughout the day, Kian avoided Adrian as much as possible, sticking to his desk and burying himself in work. But no matter how hard he tried to focus, Marcus's message nagged at the back of his mind, its implications impossible to ignore.
When the clock struck five, Kian packed up his things and left without a word, his heart pounding as he made his way to the bar.
The place was just as he remembered it—dimly lit, with low chatter filling the air. Marcus was already there, seated in the same booth as before. His expression was calm, but there was a sharpness in his green eyes that made Kian's stomach twist.
"You came," Marcus said, his lips curving into a faint smile.
Kian slid into the seat across from him, his jaw tight. "What do you want, Marcus?"
"I told you," Marcus said, leaning back in his seat. "I want to show you the truth."
Kian crossed his arms, his chest tightening. "Then stop talking in riddles and tell me."
Marcus chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. "Adrian likes to keep his hands clean, doesn't he? Always pulling the strings, but never getting caught in the mess."
"Get to the point," Kian snapped, his patience wearing thin.
Marcus reached into his bag and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the table. "Go on. Take a look."
Kian hesitated before opening the folder, his hands trembling slightly. Inside were copies of emails, financial reports, and internal memos—each one tied to Adrian in some way.
"What is this?" Kian asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It's proof," Marcus said, his tone calm. "Proof that Adrian isn't the saint he pretends to be. He's been playing this game for a long time, Kian. You're just the latest piece on his board."
Kian's stomach churned as he scanned the documents. Some of them were vague, little more than normal office correspondence. But others... others hinted at backdoor deals, strategic manipulations, and decisions that benefited Adrian at the expense of others.
"You're lying," Kian said, though his voice lacked conviction.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Am I? Or are you just afraid to admit the truth?"
Kian's chest tightened, his thoughts spinning. He wanted to believe Adrian was different, that his protectiveness came from a genuine place. But the evidence in front of him painted a far more calculated picture.
"Why are you showing me this?" Kian asked, his voice trembling.
"Because you deserve to know who you're dealing with," Marcus said simply. "Adrian doesn't care about you, Kian. He cares about control. And as long as you're useful to him, he'll keep you close. But the moment you're not? You're disposable."
Kian shook his head, his hands clenching into fists. "You don't know that."
Marcus leaned forward, his green eyes glinting with intensity. "Think about it, Kian. Has Adrian ever let you make a decision for yourself? Or has he always been there, steering you in the direction he wants you to go?"
The question hit harder than Kian expected, striking at the core of his doubts. Adrian's presence had always been a constant—a source of guidance, but also control.
"You can walk away, Kian," Marcus said, his voice softening. "You don't have to play his game anymore."
Kian stared at the folder, his chest tightening with a mix of anger and confusion. He wanted to believe Marcus was lying, that Adrian's intentions were genuine. But the weight of the evidence was impossible to ignore.
"I need time," Kian said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Marcus nodded, his expression calm. "Take all the time you need. But don't let him pull you back in."
Kian stood, clutching the folder tightly as he left the bar. The cool night air hit him like a wave, but it did little to clear his mind.
He didn't know who to trust anymore—Adrian, Marcus, or even himself.
As he walked home, Kian felt the weight of the truth pressing down on him. Whatever choice he made, he knew there would be no going back.