Ash was born the son of Veilyn, an A-ranked Alpha, and Eva, a quiet Beta. But life under his father's roof was far from safe. Veilyn was reckless, addicted to alcohol, and constantly surrounded himself with other Omegas, ignoring his responsibilities as a husband and father. Eva endured mistreatment for years, until Veilyn's greed nearly destroyed them both.
When Ash was eight, Veilyn tried to sell him. Male Omegas were rare; considered precious gems by powerful Alphas and Veilyn saw his own child as nothing more than a chance for profit.
Terrified for her son, Eva escaped with Ash in the dead of night. She fled to Moonveil, where her mother lived, and pleaded with her to protect the boy while she sought work in the city.
Life in town was harsh, for many years, Eva worked jobs that paid only a few pennies, barely enough to cover food and basic needs for Ash and her mother. Struggling between exhaustion and survival, she carried the weight of her family on her shoulders.
Finally, after years of hardship, she found stable work at a Mega company as Janitor. There, her life took a turn when she met Leclair, the CEO of the company. A widower, Leclair had lost his wife on the very day she gave birth to their only son, Adrian. Since then, he had lived with grief shadowing his otherwise powerful presence.
Unlike Veilyn, Leclair treated Eva with dignity. Over time, affection grew between them, and love blossomed. When he proposed marriage, he promised not only to take Eva as his wife, but also to accept Ash as his own son.
Eva married Leclair almost a year ago, and for that entire year she urged Ash to join them in their new home. At first, he refused; he was too used with his grandmother in Moonveil. But after a year of her persistence, Ash finally agreed, not out of desire, but simply to make his mother happy.
Only then was Ash drawn into Leclair's world of power and extravagance. Endless parties filled the mansion, and the schedules of the wealthy left little space for silence. Ash never felt like he belonged. At those gatherings, he kept to the shadows, avoiding attention, moving quietly like a ghost ship drifting unseen.
On weekends, he still returns to Moonveil to spend time with his grandmother. At school, he refused to adopt the Leclair surname, not wanting to create unnecessary attention in social media, and chose to remain as Ash Veilyn.
...
{Ash}
Ash lay sprawled on his bed, scrolling through his phone lazily. The usual blur of gossip, business updates, and entertainment news drifted past his eyes until a bold headline caught his attention.
"Adrian Leclair, heir of a Mega company, to wed his childhood betrothed fiancee, Celeste Johnson, the only daughter of the owner of Ironfang Enterprises in just three days."
Beneath it was their picture; Adrian in his sharp suit, Celeste at his side, the perfect pair that the internet couldn't stop talking about.
Comments swarmed the page:
."The wedding will be royal; nothing less."
."They look perfect together, like a match made in heaven."
."An S-ranked Alpha with an A-ranked Omega...it's destiny."
Ash's eyes lingered on the image longer than he meant to, the glow of the screen reflecting in his quiet gaze.
...
{Adrian}
"Fill me another glass," Adrian muttered, slouched at the counter, mini glasses scattered around him in defeat.
The waiter hesitated. "But , sir...you've already had six."
Adrian's gaze darkened, his Alpha presence pressing down. "It doesn't concern you. Just pour."
The glass slid toward him. He reached out, fingers brushing the rim; only for another hand to grab it first.
A familiar scent hit him, sharp and unshakable, pulling him back through memories he'd tried to burry. Slowly, his eyes rose, narrowing on the figure before him.
His lips moved before his mind could catch up, voice low and unsteady.
"Lucien..."
"You came back from France," Lucien said, his voice trembling with emotion, "and you never even paid me a visit..."
Adrian stayed silent, his jaw tight, refusing to meet his gaze.
Lucien's restraint snapped. In an instant, he seized Adrian by the hand, grip iron-strong.
Bravin moved forward, stepping in to block their path.
Lucien's eyes darkened. "Move away," he growled, his tone edged with fury.
Bravin didn't move.
The air shifted. A dark pressure rolled out of Lucien's body, purple pheromones seeping from his skin smoke, heavy and suffocating. Within seconds, Bravin's breath caught, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, choking for air.
Gasps broke through the bar as the other ABOs scrambled back, fear driving them to flee. The atmosphere thickened with Lucien's dominance, swallowing the room whole.
Lucien dragged Adrian out, shoved him into the car, and slammed the door. Sliding behind the wheel, he started the engine and drove off, tires screeching as the car shot into the night.
Lucien swerved into the apartment's lot, braked hard, and jumped out. He went around, yanked open the door, and pulled Adrian out. Adrian was heavy, his steps unsteady, his eyes clouded with drink.
Without a word, Lucien half-dragged, half-carried him into his apartment. They crossed the living room and moved straight through to the bedroom. Lucien shoved the washroom door open, twisted the tap, and the cold spray burst to life, drenching them both as he held Adrian under the shower.
The cold water poured over them, soaking their clothes, plastering fabric to skin. Adrian stood silent, his chest heaving, droplets sliding down his face as Lucien's eyes searched him desperately.
"Why didn't you go without telling me?" Lucien's voice broke, breathless, raw.
Adrian said nothing, only staring back at him.
Tears welled in Lucien's eyes, spilling down his cheeks. "What we had...didn't it mean anything?"
Still, Adrian remained silent.
Lucien's voice cracked as he pushed on. "Do you know what it's been like? Since you left, I've never felt for anyone else the way I felt with you; the way you touched me, breathed against my skin, kissed me, fucked me..." His shoulders trembled. His fists clenched. His jaw set.
Adrian's eyes flickered, his breath caught, but he said nothing.
Then Lucien's words came in whisper, fierce and unyielding.
"I am an Alpha...I've never been a bottom to anyone except you."
The air between them thickened. Adrian's red pheromones blazed through the room, scorching and heavy, clashing against Lucien's deep purple haze that pulsed, rich and intoxicating. The shower roared, but the true storm was between them.
Adrian finally spoke, his voice rough. "But..."
He never finished. Lucien's lips crashed against his, hungry, devouring, stealing the words from his mouth. Adrian froze, then melted, then burned, kissing him back with the same ferocity. The cold water couldn't cool the heat spreading through them.
Lucien's hands clawed at Adrian's tie, ripping it free, fumbling against wet buttons. Adrian growled low, yanking Lucien closer his fingers tearing at soaked fabric until it gave way. Their mouths broke only for ragged breaths, for the hiss of water, for the sound of clothes ripping loose.
Belt buckles clashed, slick fingers fighting leather, pulling, tugging, until both of them were helping, desperate, tearing away barriers. Adrian bent Lucien over the wall, pressing him hard. Every movement, every grip, was raw, devouring, overwhelming.
Tears rolled down Lucien's cheeks, his body trembling under the unrelenting force, a surge of sensation he hadn't felt in years washing through him like a door flung open. His breaths came in ragged gasps, chest pressed to the slick tiles, entirely consumed by Adrian's intensity.
Adrian pressed in closer, unstoppable, devouring, leaving Lucien quivering and gasping beneath him.