chapter 10

Rhonin stepped out of the breeding suite in a complete daze. 

His body was aching in places he didn't even know could ache, his limbs were heavy and his brain still hadn't fully processed the past two days. 

He had just spent 48 hours buried inside a gorgeous, cold-as-fuck omega, knotting him repeatedly, filling him to the brim, only to be handed a goddamn bonus check at the end of it. 

What the fuck. 

He barely made it three steps before Julian appeared out of nowhere, flanked by two staff members. 

"Ah, Alpha 017—perfect timing," Julian said smoothly, already flipping through his tablet like he was about to give a PowerPoint presentation on Rhonin's dick. 

Rhonin groaned. "Dude." 

Julian ignored him, motioning for him to follow. "Come along. You need to get changed before you return to the outside world. We can't have you walking out of here looking like you just got dragged through a week-long rut." 

Rhonin begrudgingly followed, still moving like a man who had been thoroughly fucked dry. 

The second they entered the pristine changing room, Julian continued. 

"Well, I must say, I'm rather impressed," He said, scrolling through data Rhonin absolutely did not want to know existed. "Argent has previously rejected two of our top alphas before they could even begin. And yet, you managed to not only complete the session but leave the client fully satisfied." 

Rhonin pulled the dark silk robe off, sighing as he changed back into his broke-ass jeans and hoodie. "Yeah, well. It wasn't exactly easy." 

Julian smirked. "No, I imagine it wasn't. But the results speak for themselves. Argent's post-session report indicates high satisfaction levels, complete breeding success, and a likelihood of returning for future sessions." 

Rhonin froze mid-shirt pull. "Wait, what?" 

Julian nodded approvingly, tapping the screen. "Your performance rating is currently sitting at an impressive 9.8 out of 10." 

Rhonin snorted. "What's the missing 0.2?" 

Julian glanced at the data. "Ah. 'Excessive conversation.'" 

Rhonin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, excuse me for making sure he was actually enjoying himself." 

Julian smirked. "Regardless, you've done remarkably well. Your file has been flagged for high-value clients, meaning you'll likely receive more premium assignments moving forward." 

Rhonin blinked. "More?" 

Julian raised a brow. "You didn't think this was a one-time job, did you? You still have other two omegas to impregnate successfully." 

Rhonin sighed, tugging his hoodie over his head, shoving his hands into his pockets. "No, but I didn't think I'd be getting assigned to the VIPs right out the gate, either." 

Julian chuckled. "Well, what can I say? You left quite an impression. Expect to be booked again soon." 

Rhonin exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy post-breeding hair.

_ 

The first thing Rhonin did after leaving Eden? 

He bought food. 

Not just any food—good food. 

The kind of shit he hadn't been able to afford in months. 

A full meal. Hot, greasy, filling. Meat, carbs, actual nutrients—everything his broke-ass body had been craving while living off instant noodles and gas station snacks. 

Now, he was seated in a booth at his favorite diner, hunched over a plate of food like a goddamn greedy alpha gremlin, shoveling bite after bite into his mouth, practically moaning at the taste. 

'Holy fuck, this is the best thing I've ever eaten.' 

Money couldn't buy happiness but it sure as hell could buy a burger with extra toppings and a large-ass milkshake. 

He was mid-bite—mouth full, cheeks stuffed, living his best life—when his phone buzzed. 

He glanced at the screen. 

Kane. 

Rhonin sighed through his nose. He already knew where this was going. 

He let it ring a few times before answering, shoving another fry into his mouth. "What." 

"DID YOU JUST FUCK YOUR WAY INTO TEN GRAND?" 

Rhonin choked. 

"What the fuck, Kane—" 

"I KNEW IT." Kane was losing his shit on the other end. "Bro. Bro. Don't lie to me. You got fucking tipped, didn't you?" 

Rhonin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, groaning. "How the fuck do you even know that?" 

"I have connections, bitch. Also, one of the staff might have mentioned it." 

Rhonin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jesus Christ, Kane." 

"TEN FUCKING GRAND, RHONIN." Kane sounded personally offended. "Do you know how many alphas don't even get a bonus their first session?! And you walk in, breed an omega for two days, and walk out with VIP status and a fat fucking tip?!" 

Rhonin sighed, picking up his burger again. "You done?" 

"No. I need details." 

"Not happening." 

"Was he rough? Were you rough? How many times did you knot him? What position did he like?" 

"Oh my fucking god." 

"Does he have a thing for dirty talk?" 

"I'm blocking your number." 

"Don't you dare. I'm your manager now." 

"The fuck you are—" 

"Bitch, who got you this job?" 

Rhonin scowled, taking an angry bite of his food. "Fuck off, man." 

Kane laughed, smug as hell. "Now hurry up and eat so we can talk about how to turn you into Eden's highest-paid alpha." 

Rhonin groaned and quickly ended the call.

After stuffing his face like a starving stray finally given a meal, Rhonin sat back in the diner booth, phone in hand, finally checking the one thing he had been avoiding for months.

His student debt.

With a deep, dread-filled inhale, he logged into his university's student portal and clicked on his financial statement.

Outstanding Balance: $97,530.

Rhonin stared at the number.

Then he sighed.

"Fuck me."

His overdue payments were stacked up, his account was one step away from getting restricted, and his last semester's tuition still hadn't been fully covered.

The ten grand tip sitting in his pocket? Barely a dent.

Sure, it was more money than he'd ever had at once but compared to the financial hellhole he was in? It wasn't nearly enough.

He exhaled, dragging a tired hand down his face.

What the hell was he supposed to do with the money?

He could throw it at his debt but it wouldn't clear anything.

Or he could use it to actually survive—get a decent place to sleep, fix his car, buy food that wasn't free cafeteria scraps.

Rhonin groaned, shutting his eyes.

That was a problem for future him.

His phone buzzed.

Kane: u do know we still have class, right?

Kane: like. u still go here. u are still a student

Kane: i know ur a high-class breeding stud now but

Kane: we have a seminar today

Kane: one of the top ceos is speaking for our elective

Rhonin squinted.

Elective. Right.

He and Kane had chosen a business elective course because it sounded easy as hell.

A seminar from a CEO, though? That sounded painful.

Rhonin: do i have to go?

Kane: idk. do u wanna pass?

Rhonin: i just drop out and become a full time sex god

Kane: lmfao DO IT, COWARD

Kane: also. what if the ceo guy is hot?

Kane: eye candy for a boring seminar

This dude was zero help as usual.

With a heavy sigh, Rhonin finished the last of his milkshake, shoved the rest of the tip money into his pocket and prepared himself for the soul-crushing experience of a university seminar.

At least, he thought, it couldn't be worse than what he'd already been through this week.

Right?