Avery kept his hand firmly on the steering wheel while Noël fidgeted in the passenger seat. He still had no idea where they were going, and Avery's refusal to answer only made him more nervous. The Alpha glanced at him once, catching the way Noël's fingers twisted together on his lap, and smirked faintly.
"You'll see soon enough," Avery said, tone low, the kind that always carried finality.
When the car pulled into the entrance of a large recreation center, Noël blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Avery to bring him somewhere so… lively. The place buzzed with laughter and chatter, with families and groups of friends moving in and out. There were several activities lined up inside. From indoor skating to arcade games and even a bowling alley.
"Avery, are you sure—"
"Yes," Avery interrupted, already stepping out and circling around to open Noël's door for him. "You've been buried in books and stuck in the house for too long. Today, I want you to have fun."
The word fun sounded so strange coming from Avery's mouth, Noël almost laughed. But he followed anyway.
They started with skating, and Noël quickly learned that Avery, despite his perfect composure in everything else, was terrible on the ice. He slipped more than once, and though his jaw tightened in frustration, Noël couldn't stop laughing at the sight of the mighty CEO struggling to keep balance. Avery tried to glare him into silence, but when Noël skated back to grab his arm and steady him, Avery's expression softened.
"Don't tell anyone about this," Avery muttered.
Noël grinned. "Your secret's safe with me."
After skating, Avery took him to the arcade. Noël's competitive streak emerged as they played basketball shots, racing games, and air hockey. To his own surprise, he actually beat Avery in two games. Every time he won, Noël's face lit up with excitement, a rare brightness that made Avery's chest tighten with something he didn't want to name.
By the time they left, Noël was flushed with laughter and energy, carrying a small plush toy he'd won from a claw machine. Avery's lips curved upward as he glanced at him. This was exactly what he wanted. To see Noël outside the shadow of his worries, to give him a day that felt light.
As the evening set in, Avery drove them to a quiet restaurant tucked away from the city's chaos. The staff welcomed them as if expecting their arrival, guiding them to a private room with dim lighting, soft music, and a table already set with wine glasses.
Noël glanced around, suddenly shy again. "This is… fancy."
Avery poured him water before settling into his own seat. "It's not fancy. It's private." His gaze lingered on Noël, unreadable. "You deserve comfort when you're with me."
They ordered light courses, and as the food arrived, Noël couldn't help but marvel at how different Avery seemed tonight. Softer, yet still with that commanding presence.
Halfway through the meal, Avery reached into his jacket and pulled out a white envelope. Without explanation, he slid it across the table toward Noël.
"What's this?" Noël asked, tilting his head.
"Open it," Avery replied simply.
Noël's brows furrowed, but he carefully tore the seal and pulled out the paper inside. The moment his eyes caught the word Passed, his heart nearly leapt from his chest. He reread it twice just to make sure, then gasped, his entire face lighting up.
"I—I passed?" His voice trembled with disbelief.
"You did," Avery confirmed, leaning back as if savoring the moment.
Noël's chair screeched against the floor as he nearly jumped to his feet. "I passed! I actually passed!" His excitement was so raw, so unrestrained, that it made Avery's lips curve into a rare, genuine smile.
"Congratulations, Noël," Avery said quietly. There was pride in his tone, unspoken but clear, and it settled into Noël's chest like warmth spreading through cold bones.
For a moment, Noël forgot about everything else. It was just the two of them, sitting across from each other, the paper in his hands proof that his efforts hadn't been in vain and Avery, the man who had believed in him enough to make this possible, watching him with steady eyes.
________
On the other side of the city, the atmosphere was the exact opposite.
Yulan sat stiffly on a high stool, glaring at the glass of cheap liquor set before her. The bar reeked of sweat, perfume, and spilled alcohol. Men and women in skimpy outfits drifted around, laughing too loudly, flirting with whoever had cash to spend. Yulan's lip curled in distaste.
"Why ask me to meet in such a filthy place?" she muttered, resisting the urge to pinch her nose.
"Did you wait long?" A smooth male voice came from behind.
She turned sharply to find Adrian strolling toward her, casual as ever, that smug smirk painted on his lips. He slid into the seat beside her, ignoring the look of disgust she gave him, and motioned to the bartender for a drink.
"You couldn't have chosen somewhere better?" she asked, her eyes scanning the half-naked servers.
Adrian swirled the liquid in his glass before downing a sip. "This is the perfect place. No one notices serious conversations here. Everyone's too drunk, too busy."
Yulan crossed her legs, arms folded. "Get to the point."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Our plan. The pieces are moving. But if we want to break them apart, we'll have to act soon. My dear brother is softening dangerously so."
Yulan's eyes narrowed. She had her own reasons for wanting Noël out of Avery's life, but working with Adrian made her stomach churn. Still, if their goals aligned, she wasn't above using him.
"Fine," she said, her tone sharp. "But don't forget. Once this is done, I get what I want."
Adrian smirked again, raising his glass. "And so will I."
The clink of his glass against the counter echoed faintly, drowned out by laughter and music, sealing a dangerous alliance in the most unlikely of places.
Adrian leaned lazily back in his chair, swirling the last of his drink as if the taste amused him. "Jay finally sent word," he began, his tone deceptively casual. "Apparently, seducing Avery isn't going as smoothly as he thought. My brother is too wrapped up in that little Omega to even glance elsewhere."
Yulan arched a brow, swirling her own glass though she hadn't touched it. "And this surprises you? Avery has always been stubborn once he sets his eyes on something"
Adrian smirked, lowering his voice. "That's why Jay has a new idea. Something faster. Instead of wasting time trying to make Avery fall for him, he's going to stage it. A little… illusion of betrayal."
Yulan tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "Go on."
"We'll set Avery up in a situation that looks compromising. Hire someone, take photos at the right moment, then send them to Noël. With the right words, the right timing, we'll make the boy believe Avery doesn't love him anymore. If Noël loses faith, he'll crumble and Avery will have no one to anchor him."
For a moment, silence hung between them before Yulan burst into laughter. A sharp, ringing sound that turned a few heads nearby. She wiped at the corner of her eye, smirking. "I didn't think you had it in you, Adrian. Willing to drag your own brother down like that? But I like it." Her smile sharpened. "I'll handle our female protagonist then. Someone convincing enough to look like Avery's type."
"Good," Adrian said, finishing his drink with a single toss. "Let Jay worry about the timing. We'll make sure everything else is in place."
Yulan stood abruptly, disgust flashing across her features as she glanced around the grimy bar one last time. The stench of alcohol and sweat clung to her clothes, making her feel unclean. "I've had enough of this dump. I'll contact you when I find the right woman." Without another word, she swept out, heels clicking sharply against the sticky floor.
Adrian only smirked after her retreating back, eyes glinting with satisfaction. The trap was set.
________
That evening, Avery and Noël lingered at the balcony of the restaurant after dinner. The city glittered below them, stars scattered faintly above. Noël leaned against the railing, clutching the envelope of his results as though afraid it might vanish. Behind him, Avery slipped his arms around his waist in a firm embrace, resting his chin lightly on Noël's shoulder.
"It feels unreal," Noël whispered, eyes shining. "That I passed. That I get another chance at school."
"You earned it," Avery murmured, his voice steady, warm. "Whatever you need, I'll make sure you have it."
The quiet moment stretched, filled only with the night breeze, until Noël felt Avery's chest shift strangely against his back. His breathing grew uneven, heavier.
Noël turned quickly. Avery's forehead was damp with sweat, his jaw tense as his pheromones thickened in the air, pressing down in waves.
"Avery…" Noël's eyes widened in worry. "Is your rut acting up again?"
Avery clenched his teeth, forcing steadiness. "Let's go home." His voice was low, strained.
Noël wanted to protest, to suggest they call a driver, but Avery was already taking his hand and leading him back through the restaurant. Minutes later, they were in the car, Avery behind the wheel despite the faint tremor in his hands. Noël sat close, tense, watching him as the city lights blurred past the windows.
The date had been perfect, almost dreamlike. But the reality of Avery's body was catching up, and Noël couldn't shake the unease coiling in his chest.