The air inside the Wolf Mark meeting room was heavy with focus. The faint hum of computers filled the silence as the two gangs — Wolf Marks and Crimson Vultures — gathered around the long table. The digital map of the port glowed dimly on the large screen behind Milo, who was the first to speak.
Milo's voice was calm, clipped, and professional. "We managed to breach the port's central server," she reported, fingers tapping rapidly across the laptop keys. "But we didn't find anything about the upcoming delivery. The last recorded shipment for this week is scheduled for tomorrow at 6 p.m. After that—" She paused, looking toward Kael."—there's no other shipment registered. Nothing about the drug transport Danielle mentioned."
Kael's jaw tightened slightly. Rin leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. His sharp gaze shifted toward Tobi, who spoke next. "We tried tracking the foreign gang Danielle told us about," Tobi said, sounding frustrated. "But nothing came up. Not through the dark channels, not through financial trails, not even their encrypted lines."
Rowan crossed his arms, his expression grim."We looked into Ash Fang's movement, too. Nothing. It's like they're keeping this deal buried deeper than usual. No chatter, no unusual cargo requests, no slips."
Lucas sighed softly."Same here. We followed every lead we could find through our street channels. Still no luck."
Rin's eyes narrowed. He exchanged a quiet look with Kael before speaking.
"If Ash Fang's locking things down this tight, it means this client isn't just another small buyer. He's important — maybe one of their overseas partners. They never hide information unless the client's big."
Kael nodded, his tone low and steady."Then we make sure we get some of his men alive tomorrow. We need confirmation — names, connections, everything."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The plan was forming, piece by piece, like a quiet storm before it hit.
When the meeting ended, the room slowly emptied until only Rin and Kael remained.
Rin leaned back in his chair, glancing sideways at Kael, who was still scanning through some files on his tablet.
"You think this client could be the same overseas gang Danielle mentioned?" Rin asked quietly.
Kael looked up, his gray eyes calm but thoughtful."Most likely. If Ash Fang's being this cautious, it's someone powerful — someone he can't afford to disappoint."
Rin nodded faintly, his expression thoughtful. The room went silent for a long moment, broken only by the faint buzz of the ceiling light.
Then Kael spoke again — casually, almost too casually."I should give you a mark tonight."
Rin froze for a second, eyes snapping to him. His heartbeat skipped.
He glanced instinctively toward the door, his mind flashing through the possibility of someone overhearing — but then he realized Kael wouldn't have said that if there were anyone around. Kael never talked carelessly.
Rin exhaled slowly."It hasn't been three days yet."
Kael's gaze softened slightly, like he'd expected that reaction. His tone was patient."Tomorrow's a big day. You'll be moving, fighting — your pheromones will strain. Eric told me your body reacts worse when you push yourself. I'd rather you stay stable."
Rin stared down at the file in his hands, pretending to read, but his ears were already turning red. He didn't answer, only gave a faint nod, hoping Kael wouldn't notice.
Of course, Kael noticed. He noticed everything.
But he didn't comment. He only smiled faintly, returning his attention to his screen.
That night, the air was quiet inside Rin's room.
The moonlight spilled across the floor, cool and silver.
Kael entered after knocking softly, wearing loose black pajamas. His hair was slightly damp, a sure sign he'd just showered. The faint scent of his pheromones followed him in — deep and warm, like smoke and cedarwood.
The door wasn't locked. Rin never locked it anymore.
Kael stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. The room was dim, only the small lamp by the bed giving off a golden glow.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Rin was still showering.
Kael sat on the edge of the bed, half-leaning against the headboard, scrolling through his phone while he waited. His pheromones were calm, restrained — but they still lingered, thick and steady in the air.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened, and Rin stepped out.
He was wearing black silk pajamas, hair still damp, towel in hand. Droplets of water rolled down his neck, glinting under the light. His steps were quiet as he dried his hair.
He didn't need to look up to know Kael was there — the Alpha's presence filled the room in a way that couldn't be ignored.
Rin moved to sit on the opposite side of the bed, but before he could, Kael reached out, his hand wrapping around Rin's wrist. With a firm but unhurried pull, he brought him closer — straight onto his lap.
Kael sat sideways on the bed, Rin now straddling him, legs resting on either side of his waist.
Rin blinked, momentarily startled by the sudden motion, but Kael's calm gaze kept him still.
Without a word, Kael took the towel from Rin's hand and began drying his hair himself. His fingers moved slowly through the damp strands, gentle but steady. Every so often, his fingertips brushed against Rin's scalp, and Rin could feel his body relaxing despite himself.
Kael's voice was low when he spoke."You never dry it properly. You'll catch a cold."
Rin made a small sound — half protest, half embarrassment — but didn't pull away.
When Kael finished, he tossed the towel onto the nearby chair and slid his arms around Rin's waist, drawing him closer. He rested his head briefly against Rin's shoulder, his voice quieter now.
"Stay still."
Rin didn't argue. He knew what came next.
Kael brushed Rin's hair aside, revealing the faint mark still visible on his gland. He pressed a soft kiss there — a silent warning — before his teeth sank in gently, enough to leave the familiar sting that quickly faded into warmth.
Rin shivered, his hands tightening slightly on Kael's shoulders.
When Kael pulled back, he lingered there for a moment, breathing in Rin's scent before finally exhaling and resting his forehead against Rin's neck.
"That's it," he murmured. "You're good now."
Rin hummed faintly in acknowledgment. He didn't trust his voice enough to speak.
They lay down together afterward, bodies naturally finding each other in the dark. Rin's head rested against Kael's chest, their breaths syncing without effort.
For a while, everything was silent. Calm.
Until —
A sharp series of knocks shattered the quiet.
Rin stirred, blinking in confusion. Kael was already sitting up, expression alert. He swung his legs off the bed and went to the door.
When he opened it, Tobi and Rowan stood outside, slightly breathless — and clearly shocked.
They froze at the sight of Kael in Rin's room.
Both their eyes widened as they exchanged a look that screamed We probably shouldn't be seeing this.
They had gone to Kael's room first, but when he wasn't there, they'd come to find Rin — never expecting to find both together.
Rin came up behind Kael, rubbing at his eyes, still half-asleep. The sight of their wide-eyed faces made him frown in confusion.
"What is it?" Rin asked, his tone calm despite the situation.
Rowan cleared his throat quickly."D-Danielle called," he said. "He said they're moving the shipment tonight — in two hours."
Rin's eyes widened slightly. "Tonight?"
Tobi nodded, serious now. "Yeah. He said they changed the schedule last minute."
Kael's jaw tightened. He exchanged a glance with Rin — the kind that said everything without a word.
"Get everyone in the meeting room," Kael ordered, his voice low but firm.
Both Tobi and Rowan nodded immediately and left down the hall.
As the door clicked shut, Rin turned to Kael, who was already reaching for his phone.
The calm of the night had vanished.
The raid had just begun — hours earlier than anyone expected.