chapter 15

The café was buzzing when Rhonin and Kane walked in, the scent of burnt espresso and stale pastries mixing with the general college stress in the air. 

Rhonin beelined for the counter, ordered the strongest coffee available and dropped onto an empty seat with all the enthusiasm of a man actively avoiding conversation. 

Naturally, Kane didn't get the memo. 

"So," Kane drawled, sliding into his own seat across from him, grinning like he'd just won the fucking lottery. "Since when do you give it up so easily?" 

Rhonin exhaled slowly, already exhausted. "Since when do you care about my sex life?" 

"Since you became a professional stud at Eden," Kane shot back, sipping his iced coffee obnoxiously. "You entered the elite world of premium-grade baby-making, my guy. I have to know if you're living up to the brand." 

Rhonin gave him a look. "As if you never worked there before." 

"Exactly." Kane smirked. "I gotta make sure the legacy is upheld." 

Rhonin groaned, rubbing his face. "You don't have a legacy." 

"I do now," Kane said smugly. "And you? You're out here getting fucking tipped like a high-end escort, so—" 

"Shut up," Rhonin muttered, immediately shifting gears. "Speaking of money—what the fuck do I do with mine?" 

That, of course, worked like a charm. 

Kane's attention snapped to full focus, as if someone had just promised him front-row tickets to a shitshow. "Wait. Hold the fuck up. You're actually asking me for financial advice?" 

"You're loud," Rhonin pointed out. "And I'm trying to shut you up." 

Kane hummed, tapping his fingers against his coffee cup. "Fair trade. Well, you know—"

"Moving the fuck on," Rhonin interrupted. "What the hell do I do with this money?" 

Kane narrowed his eyes, gears turning. "Okay, okay. You could do something smart, like investing—" 

"No." 

"—or," Kane continued, unbothered, "You could buy a sick motorcycle." 

"I don't even ride." 

"You could learn." 

"Kane." 

"Okay, okay," Kane huffed. "What about something practical? Like a bed." 

Rhonin blinked. "...Go on." 

"Bro," Kane snorted. "You've been sleeping in your car. You're basically feral. Get a fucking room, man." 

Rhonin sighed. "That's actually… not the worst idea." 

"I know," Kane said smugly. "Now let's find you somewhere that doesn't involve you waking up with back pain and regret."

_

Rhonin immediately regretted letting Kane help with apartment hunting. 

Because, of course, Kane took this as a personal mission to fuck with him as much as possible. 

The two of them sat in Rhonin's car, scrolling through listings on Kane's phone. 

"Alright," Kane said, sipping his third iced coffee. "Let's find you a home, my little breeding stallion." 

Rhonin shot him a deadpan look. "Stop calling me that." 

"Never." Kane smirked, flicking through rental ads. "Alright, first up—low-budget studio. Looks like an actual prison cell but hey, it's got four walls and a questionable mattress." 

"Let's go," Rhonin muttered, starting the car. 

_ 

1st Apartment – The Depressing Studio 

"Jesus fucking Christ," Rhonin muttered, stepping into the shoebox of sadness. 

The apartment was tiny—barely enough space for a bed, a single window that barely let in light and a bathroom that looked like it had seen some shit. 

Kane walked in, took one look at the flickering overhead light and nodded. "Perfect place to start your villain origin story." 

"I'd rather die," Rhonin muttered, backing the fuck out. 

"No taste for aesthetics, I swear," Kane sighed, following. "Next!" 

_ 

2nd Apartment – The Beta Landlord Situation 

"So," The beta landlord, a bored-looking guy in his late twenties, leaned against the doorway. "You're an alpha." 

Rhonin sighed. "Yeah?" 

"No parties, no weird rut bullshit and no breeding omegas in my apartment," The beta said. 

Kane snorted. "Damn, man, way to assume." 

The landlord raised an unimpressed brow. "Am I wrong?" 

Rhonin hated that he had no defense. "...Next place." 

_ 

3rd Apartment – Fancy but Financially Irresponsible 

Rhonin stepped into the third rental and immediately paused. 

It was… nice. Like, suspiciously nice. Modern furniture, sleek kitchen, actual space. 

"Damn," Kane muttered, stepping in. "Look at this shit. You could bring a date home and not immediately lose their respect." 

"What's the catch?" Rhonin asked the landlord. 

"It's five grand a month," The guy replied casually. 

Rhonin laughed. "Alright, fuck that." 

Kane sighed. "Goodbye, sweet luxury." 

_ 

4th Apartment – Sweet Grandma Landlord 

The moment the door opened, Rhonin smelled cookies. 

"Oh, you poor thing," The elderly woman cooed, looking him up and down like he was a lost child. "You look exhausted. Do you need soup?" 

Kane immediately turned to Rhonin. "Bro, you have to live here." 

Rhonin, rubbing his face, muttered, "What's the rent?" 

"Oh, don't worry about that too much, dear," She said sweetly. "But no bringing omegas over for any of that heat business—" 

"We're leaving," Rhonin said, grabbing Kane's arm before he could sign a lease on his behalf. 

"BUT FREE SOUP," Kane howled as Rhonin dragged him out. 

_ 

5th Apartment – The Suspiciously Cheap Room in a Fancy Area 

"This is it," Kane said, dramatically waving his arms as they stood outside a shockingly nice-looking complex. "This is the one. I can feel it." 

"You said that about the cookie lady," Rhonin pointed out. 

"AND I STAND BY IT," Kane declared. "But this is fate." 

Rhonin rolled his eyes and knocked on the door of the unit they were checking out.

The door creaked open.

And standing there was—

A small, soft-looking omega with big, nervous hazel eyes and an oversized cardigan that made him look like he was trying to disappear into it.

Rhonin blinked.

The omega blinked back.

Then immediately looked down at his feet, hands gripping the edges of his sweater sleeves. "Oh. Um… hi?"

…Huh.

Rhonin had expected a grumpy landlord, not whatever this was.

"Uh, hey," Rhonin said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm here for the room?"

"Oh, yes." The omega straightened a little, nodding so quickly it looked like his head might fall off. "I just moved in too, so I don't know much about the place yet, but the landlady is inside. I can get her."

Before Rhonin could respond, the omega practically fled, disappearing into the apartment like he was being chased.

There was a pause.

Then Kane leaned in, grinning. "That dude just got so nervous looking at you."

"Shut the fuck up," Rhonin muttered, kicking Kane's shin.

Kane wheezed, rubbing his leg. "Bro. You just made Bambi panic."

"He looked like he was gonna pass out," Rhonin admitted, still staring at the now-closed door. "You think he's okay?"

"Maybe he's just shy," Kane said, snickering. "Or maybe he can sense the filthy alpha energy on you. Dude took one look at you and ran for his life."

"You're so fucking annoying," Rhonin grumbled.

"Oh, I know," Kane shot back. "Now hurry up and rent this place before some other poor soul ends up living with you."

Rhonin rolled his eyes but sighed.

Yeah. He needed a real fucking bed.