Chapter 12 – The Rival Appears
The tension from Adrian's outburst lingered like a dark cloud in the office. Ethan sat stiffly on the sofa, staring at the floor, his thoughts racing. His fingers still tingled from the touch of that notebook—the way Adrian had ripped it from him told him one thing clearly: whatever was inside was important. And dangerous.
But Adrian had gone cold again, immersing himself in documents as if Ethan didn't exist. Not a single word was exchanged between them until the night drew deep and the lights of the city illuminated the office windows.
"Go home," Adrian finally said without looking up. His voice was curt, final, like a verdict handed down.
Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but the memory of Adrian's suffocating Alpha aura silenced him. He grabbed his bag and left without a word.
---
The next morning, Ethan thought things might calm down. He had decided to avoid provoking Adrian, at least until he understood more. But fate, as always, seemed intent on mocking him.
As soon as he arrived at the company lobby, whispers erupted. This time, they weren't about him walking beside Adrian.
"Is that…?"
"I can't believe he's here."
"Didn't he just come back from overseas?"
Ethan frowned, following their gazes. A tall figure walked through the glass doors with confidence that rivaled Adrian's. The man was strikingly handsome, with sharp, fox-like eyes and a playful smirk tugging at his lips. His tailored grey suit clung perfectly to his lean frame, giving off a more flamboyant, dangerous charm compared to Adrian's cold, restrained aura.
The stranger's gaze swept the lobby—and landed directly on Ethan.
For a moment, the man paused, interest sparking in his eyes. Then, as though he had found an amusing toy, he began walking straight toward him.
"You must be Ethan Li," the man said smoothly, his voice rich with amusement. "I've heard some… interesting things about you."
Ethan stiffened. "And you are…?"
Before the stranger could answer, a voice cut through the lobby like ice.
"Leon."
Ethan turned. Adrian had just stepped out of the elevator, his presence as sharp and commanding as ever. His eyes narrowed dangerously as they locked on the newcomer.
The stranger—Leon—smiled wider. "Adrian. It's been a while."
The atmosphere instantly shifted. Employees froze, sensing the invisible clash of two powerful Alphas. Even without releasing pheromones, the sheer weight of their auras pressed down on the room.
Ethan felt his throat tighten. Whoever this Leon was, he wasn't just any rival—he was someone who could stand on equal footing with Adrian.
Adrian's voice was low, controlled, but every syllable carried a threat. "What are you doing here?"
Leon shrugged casually, his eyes never leaving Ethan. "I had business overseas, but now that I'm back, I thought I'd check in. Imagine my surprise when I heard you got married." His smirk deepened. "And to such an intriguing Omega, no less."
A hush swept through the lobby. Gasps echoed among the employees. Ethan's heart nearly stopped.
He knows.
The blood drained from his face. He had worked so hard to hide it—his suppressants, his demeanor—but Leon had seen through him instantly.
Adrian's aura exploded, sharp and suffocating, silencing the whispers instantly. His body moved before Ethan could even react. In an instant, Adrian was at his side, his arm snaking around Ethan's waist in a possessive grip.
"Watch your tongue, Leon," Adrian growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You're overstepping."
Leon tilted his head, unfazed by the killing intent radiating off Adrian. "Overstepping? I'm simply stating the truth. Or are you ashamed, Adrian? Afraid the world will know your precious spouse is an Omega?"
Ethan's chest tightened. Shame, anger, and fear warred within him. He wanted to scream at Leon to shut up, to stop exposing him, but his voice was trapped in his throat.
Adrian's grip on him tightened, his cold fury palpable. "Say another word, and you won't leave this building standing."
For a long, tense moment, the two Alphas locked eyes—predator against predator. Finally, Leon chuckled softly, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Relax, Adrian. I didn't come here to pick a fight. Not today, at least." His fox-like eyes flicked back to Ethan, lingering far too long. "But I must say… you have unusual taste. I wonder, does he know what he's gotten himself into?"
Before Adrian could react, Leon turned and strolled out of the lobby, his confident steps leaving chaos in his wake.
---
The elevator ride back to Adrian's office was suffocating. Adrian hadn't let go of Ethan, his grip still firm around his waist. Ethan could feel the Alpha's fury radiating from every pore.
Finally, Ethan broke the silence. "Who was that?"
Adrian's jaw clenched. "Leon Zhou. My cousin."
Ethan blinked. "Your cousin?"
Adrian's eyes darkened. "And my greatest rival."
---
Back in the office, Adrian finally released Ethan, pacing like a caged beast. His usual control was fraying, and Ethan had never seen him so visibly shaken.
"Stay away from him," Adrian ordered, his tone like steel. "No matter what he says, no matter what he does. Do not speak to him."
Ethan's brows furrowed. "You think I want to be near him after what he just did? He—he saw through me instantly, Adrian. He knew."
Adrian stopped pacing, turning to face him. His expression was grim, but beneath it, Ethan caught a flash of something else—fear.
"That's why you must stay away," Adrian said quietly. "Leon doesn't just see through people. He uses them. If he's set his eyes on you, he won't stop until…"
Adrian trailed off, his fists tightening.
Ethan swallowed hard. "Until what?"
Adrian didn't answer. Instead, he strode forward, gripping Ethan's chin firmly and forcing him to meet his gaze. His eyes burned with intensity.
"Listen to me, Ethan. You are mine. No one else's. Not Leon's, not anyone's. If he so much as tries to touch you, I'll—" He cut himself off, his voice thick with a dangerous promise. "Just remember that."
Ethan's breath hitched. He wanted to argue, to reject the possessiveness in Adrian's words—but a part of him, deep inside, trembled at the thought of Leon's piercing eyes.
For the first time, he wondered if Adrian's ruthless dominance might be the only thing standing between him and something far worse.
---
That night, Ethan lay awake in the vast, cold bed of the Zhou estate. Adrian had left for a late meeting, and the silence pressed down on him. He replayed Leon's smirk in his mind, the way those sharp eyes had stripped away his carefully built defenses in seconds.
He knew I was an Omega.
If Leon could see through him so easily, how long before others did too? And what would happen then?
The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
But even as fear gnawed at him, another thought lingered, one he couldn't shake.
Why did Leon's gaze feel so familiar?