The morning sun had barely breached the horizon when Kaein adjusted his tie in front of the mirror, glancing once at his reflection. A faint trace of wisteria clung to his skin, a lingering sign of last night's closeness with Lior. Even in the professional world, that scent—his Alpha essence—was a subtle undercurrent, one that he had to manage carefully.
Lior, meanwhile, checked his flight logs at the apartment kitchen table, sipping black coffee. Gardenia lingered faintly around him, soft but present, a reminder of his rare Lunar nature. Even though he didn't fully awaken like Kaein, there was a gentle tug in the air between them, a pheromonal connection that informed his mood, his attention, his instincts.
"You ready?" Kaein asked, brushing his hand against Lior's, the motion lingering just a second longer than necessary.
"As I'll ever be," Lior replied, voice low, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You know, it's still weird going to work knowing our… unique dynamic is just beneath the surface."
Kaein nodded. "Yes, but we've learned to manage it. Rules, boundaries… and trust." He kissed Lior briefly on the lips before heading to the door. "See you tonight. Don't overwork yourself."
Lior watched him leave, inhaling, faintly aware of the residual wisteria, the invisible tether that made the day feel slightly shorter.
---
By mid-morning, Kaein was in his office at the university, arranging case files for the week. His students had left, and his assistant had already briefed him on the latest forensic psychology lecture topics. But beyond academics, Kaein was constantly aware of the subtle societal shifts—the Omegaverse adaptation, the workplace protocols that had been recently implemented. Alphas, Betas, and Omegas were treated equally in public spaces, but private interactions required nuance. The university had established quiet zones for Omega students during heat cycles, pheromone suppression guidelines for Alpha faculty, and a protocol for Lunar presences like Lior's.
As Kaein reviewed a student report, Professor Hamel knocked and stepped inside. "Kaein, I wanted to discuss the upcoming ethics board meeting. There's been some confusion about the pheromone compliance protocols."
Kaein smiled faintly. "Yes, I've reviewed the regulations. It's mostly common sense—maintain professional distance during heat cycles, offer suppression access, and document any incidents if an Alpha oversteps."
Hamel nodded, but the corners of his eyes twitched slightly. "It's still… unusual. I didn't think we'd see these dynamics so early in the academic system."
Kaein leaned back, a wry smile curling. "Neither did I. But it's reality now. We adapt."
---
Meanwhile, Lior was navigating the airport hangar with his usual precision. Pilots, crew members, and ground staff all followed new protocols. Omegas were given private lounges during heat cycles; Alphas had separate locker rooms with pheromone neutralizers; and Lunars were tracked discreetly, for safety, in high-alert situations. Lior moved past colleagues with casual smiles, his gardenia subtly lingering but under the threshold of triggering anyone else's instincts.
During a pre-flight briefing, a junior pilot, Arienne, whispered, "Lior… is it true you're Lunar? That's… rare."
Lior smirked slightly. "Yes, but it's not a circus. I do my job like anyone else. Rules exist for a reason." He leaned closer, voice just above a whisper. "And trust me, you don't want to test the pheromone boundaries."
Adrian flushed, but nodded, realizing the unspoken warning: Lior's dominance, even latent, was enough to maintain control.
---
By late afternoon, both had wrapped up their respective workdays. Kaein left the university with his case files tucked neatly under his arm, eyes scanning the city street for familiar taxis. Lior had landed back in Verdene, taxiing the plane to its assigned hangar, and mentally preparing for the evening routine he'd longed for all day.
Their reunion at the apartment was quiet at first. Kaein's hand brushed Lior's as they entered, the faint pheromone scents of wisteria and gardenia mingling. Lior leaned in for a brief kiss.
"Long day?" Kaein asked softly.
"Full of humans, schedules, and subtle rules," Lior said, tugging Kaein's hand gently toward the couch. "But now, it's just us. I can relax."
---
Dinner was simple—takeout from a nearby café, eaten on the balcony with the city lights sparkling below. Kaein brushed Lior's hair back from his face as he spoke about a lecture he'd given, and Lior listened, absorbing not only the words but the pheromonal undertones that conveyed excitement, passion, and subtle Alpha dominance.
"You did well today," Lior murmured, fingers brushing the nape of Kaein's neck. "Even with all those students, you held yourself perfectly. I didn't even notice anyone getting… uncomfortable with your scent."
Kaein chuckled softly. "I keep it restrained. But I can't hide it completely from you, can I?"
Lior leaned in, lips brushing Kaein's. "No. And I don't want you to."
---
Night fell, and the apartment grew darker, shadows stretching across the walls. The subtle intimacy of their day spilled into the evening. Hands moved lightly over shoulders and backs, kisses traced along necklines and collarbones. Kaein's Alpha scent pulsed faintly, Lior's Lunar essence harmonizing—an unspoken acknowledgment of control, of need, of possession and trust.
"I felt a few… bad Alpha pheromones today," Lior murmured, shifting so Kaein could hear. "Trying to overwhelm a junior Omega in the café. I had to step in."
Kaein raised an eyebrow. "You Lunar types… always taking responsibility."
"I can't ignore it," Lior said, voice firm, dominant even as he pressed his hand against Kaein's chest. "It's my nature. And you… you're mine. I don't want anyone else overstepping."
Kaein shivered, leaning into Lior's warmth. "Good. Because I want only you. Always. Even if the rules of this world are strange, even if our cycles are… complicated. You're mine."
Lior smirked, lowering his head to capture Kaein's lips in a long, possessive kiss. Pheromones mingled, subtle, charged, enough to convey dominance and desire without overwhelming. They moved together, bodies entwined on the couch, whispering endearments, teasing, asserting possession in soft, primal touches.
"Don't forget," Lior murmured against Kaein's ear, "this isn't permanent. But it's ours. Every mark, every kiss… temporary, yes, but a promise."
"I know," Kaein replied, voice trembling slightly, "and I want it. Every time,my one and only Lunar. I want it."
The night continued in quiet, steady intensity. They alternated between gentle teasing and raw, grounding touches, a balance of power and trust. Kaein's Alpha instincts pulsed faintly, soothed by Lior's Lunar control, while Lior exhaled softly, pleased with the harmony they'd found.
Eventually, as sleep began to tug at their limbs, they lay together on the couch, limbs entwined, the city lights casting gentle reflections across the floor. Kaein rested his head on Lior's chest, inhaling the subtle gardenia scent while Lior's hand traced patterns across his back.
"Tomorrow," Kaein whispered, "we'll face work again. But tonight… just this."
"Just this," Lior echoed, pressing a kiss to Kaein's temple. "We're safe here. We're ours."
And as the apartment grew still, the faint, mingled pheromones of wisteria and gardenia lingered, a testament to their bond, their dominance, their possession, and their trust. In the quiet night, they existed only for each other—a professor and a pilot, an Alpha and a Lunar, navigating the Omegaverse world together.