Soft beams of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting golden patterns across the wooden floor of Rin's secluded room. The space was silent except for the slow, rhythmic breathing of the figure curled beneath the sheets.
The room was filled with the scent of fallen rain.
Rin stirred.
Long lashes fluttered open to reveal his amber eyes. He ran a hand through his tousled hair before sitting up, exhaling slowly.
3 hours, that's the time he sleeps. He didn't remember the last time he had a good night's sleep.
He just sighed and got off the bed.
He slipped into the bathroom. The sound of running water echoed softly through the space. Once done, Rin wrapped himself in a robe, walked toward the bedside drawer, and took an injection out of it and calmly injected it into his nape, after injecting the inhibitor, he put a transparent patch on the back of his neck, he did all of this without even looking at the mirror with prefect and precise movements. The kind of perfection that comes with experience, after all, he had to do all this daily without a break.
After that, he dried his hair quickly and left the third floor.
The living room buzzed with soft chatter and the occasional clink of utensils coming from the kitchen. Everyone had already woken up and freshened up—except, of course, Ari, who was dragged from his bed by Lucas.
He curled up on the sofa in his pajamas, hugging a large cushion to his chest, face buried in it. He looked like he was asleep, if not for the occasional yawns.
Rin's lips curved into a small smile as he approached.
He sat beside Ari and ruffled his already messy hair.
"You stayed up late, playing games again?" Rin said gently.
A muffled grunt came from the cushion, followed by Ari shifting and laying his head in Rin's lap. "Just… ten more minutes. Wake me up when the food's ready…"
Rin chuckled and let him be, resting a hand lightly on Ari's head. The others looked on, shaking their heads with amusement.
"He spoils him too much," Suri muttered, though the corners of his lips twitched upward.
"He's the youngest. Let him be a brat while he still can," Lucas replied, crossing his arms.
They all know that Rin has a soft spot for Ari. But it still amazes them to see their always cold and emotionless boss having a soft side.
From the open kitchen, the smell of something savory filled the air. Kanji stood behind the counter with sleeves rolled up, flipping eggs in a pan while Tobi chopped vegetables with practiced speed.
Kanji never let anyone else near the stove—not because he didn't trust them, but because cooking was his hobby. He found comfort in it. Control. Rhythm. And Rin just let him be— after all, who would say no to good food?
"Food will be ready in ten," Kanji called out, plating the final dish. "Rin, wake the sleepyhead up."
They always called Rin by his name when they were alone. It was Rin himself who told them to call him by his name because he did not want to hear them calling him "Boss" even in private.
Rin nodded and gave Ari a small shake. "Time to get up, lazy bones."
With a groan, Ari sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Fine. I'm going. Don't eat without me!"
He stumbled off to wash up, leaving the cushion behind.
The long dining table in the villa's open-concept kitchen was already set by the time Ari returned, freshened up and awake. The morning light spilled in from the wide windows, casting a soft glow over the polished surface of the table. One by one, they took their seats.
Kanji, true to his nature, had gone all out.
On the table were fluffy scrambled eggs sprinkled with fresh chives, crispy hash browns, grilled sausages, buttery toast stacked in a warm basket, and a platter of mixed fruit. A pot of black coffee steamed beside a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice. In the center sat a smaller dish of spiced beef strips with sautéed vegetables—a Kanji specialty and Tobi's personal favorite.
"Eat before it gets cold," Kanji muttered, settling down beside Tobi, who was already reaching for the beef.
They ate in companionable silence except Ari, who dramatically groaned over every bite like it was a five-star restaurant. Rin just watched them all quietly from the head of the table.
Once breakfast was cleared and everyone migrated back to the living room, Ari immediately flopped back onto the sofa with a satisfied sigh. Suri curled up in an armchair near the window, while Lucas and Kanji sat beside the coffee table. Rin remained standing, looking out the window, while sipping from a cup of coffee.
That's when Tobi, who couldn't contain his curiosity, finally broke the quiet.
"So…" he started, his tone careful, "are we going to work the Wolf Mark?"
All eyes turned to Rin.
Rin didn't answer right away. He walked toward the single sofa, sat down, and put his cup down with a soft clink, then looked at each of them, his gaze steady.
"Yes," he said simply. "We are."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, but didn't interrupt.
"They're stronger than us," Rin continued, his voice calm but sharp. "They have the numbers, the connections, and Kael has influence even in law enforcement and politics. If we're going to bring down Ash Fang, we can't do it alone."
"But it's risky," Kanji said. "He could just as easily turn on us when it's over."
"He could," Rin agreed. "But for now, we need him to defeat Ash Fang."
A heavy silence settled.
Then Rin's voice dropped lower. " The Wolf Mark has a grudge with Ash Fang. They'll fight them to the end with or without us—but together, we can crush them faster."
Suri's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So… we use him. And he uses us."
Rin nodded. "Exactly."
Ari, who had been quietly listening with his chin resting on a pillow, finally spoke up. "As long as we kill Silas in the end, I'm in."
Everyone turned to look at Rin again. His expression didn't change, but his next words held steel.
"We will," he said. "We'll make them pay. All of them."
Everyone present nods at his words, as they all are here for one reason: to destroy the one who has made their life a hell in the past.
In the city center.
Kael's headquarters looked nothing like the sleek, sharp edges of the Crimson Vultures' villa. Nestled in a guarded, gated compound on the outskirts of the city's industrial district, the Wolf Marks' HQ was more like a self-contained community fortress—built from steel, concrete, and loyalty.
The main estate was surrounded by smaller residential houses where most of the gang's members lived with their families. Watchtowers marked the corners of the compound, and a training field, shooting range, garage, and underground bunkers were all integrated within the territory. The whole place thrummed with the quiet, disciplined chaos of a small army.
The main estate, located in the center of the community, was a modern-style three-story villa where the core members resided.
On the second floor of the estate, the inner circle of Wolf Mark had gathered inside the dark-paneled meeting room, where a large wolf-emblazoned table sat beneath a chandelier of cold steel.
Kael Vescari, the Alpha of the Wolf Marks, sat at the head of the table, silent and unreadable.
Seated around him were his most trusted:
Jax – the enforcer.
Milo – the hacker.
Nico – logistics in charge.
Kade – the assassin.
Rowan – the stratagist.
Talon – the information gatherer.
They had been reviewing the details of the gang summit that took place the night before.
"So... we're going to work with them?" Nico leaned forward, a brow raised. "The Crimson Vultures?"
Milo was more curious. "Why propose an alliance to others, Kael? That's not like you."
Kael finally looked up, his voice calm but sharp as a blade.
"Because I knew the moment I saw him—he's not someone I want as an enemy."
Rowan gave a slow nod, understanding. " I agree with that, he does look dangerous, the type you don't want to make an enemy with and….. Ashfang's the bigger threat here. If we join forces with them, it will only benefit us."
Kael tapped the table once. "Exactly. Crimson Vultures may be small in number, but they're strategic, brutal, and clean. If anyone can help us tear down Ashfang from the inside out, it's them. And..." he paused, "...they hate Ashfang even more than we do."
Talon, silent until now, added, "It's a risk. But a calculated one."
Nico muttered. "Still... we don't even know what kind of man he is."
" Oh! I can tell you he's one of the kind that you don't want to look away from." Jax spoke with a stupid grin on his face.
" Can someone please make him shut up? He's making me feel regret that I didn't go with you last night." Talon huffed." Plus, how beautiful can a beta be?"
"You're just jealous that you didn't get to see the beauty. And when you see him, you will know just how beautiful a beta can be."
" Well, he does have a face that you couldn't help but look at," Kade said with a smirk on his face.
Kael looks at his members, and his thoughts drift to the beta he saw the night before.