Flashback

The hospital was filled with the familiar scent of disinfectant, and the hallways echoed with hurried footsteps. Inside a well-lit office, a nurse walked in holding a folder in her hands, her expression tired yet professional.

"Doctor, here are the patient records," said the young woman, a little nervous upon seeing the omega's always-serious face.

"Thank you, leave them on the table. I'll review them in a moment," Ángel replied, not lifting his eyes from the computer, fully focused.

Silence reigned for a moment until Ángel's phone broke the atmosphere with a soft sound. Without thinking much, the omega slid his finger across the screen and checked the notification.

It was a message.

> "I already had breakfast, look"

The message came with a photo: a simple but well-presented plate of fresh salad and perfectly cooked meat.

"Killian..." Ángel murmured, an involuntary smile spreading across his face.

Quickly, he replied:

> "Good boy 😚 now get back to work"

> "And don't forget to come pick me up. If not, you know what I'll do 😗"

.

.

Miles away, in an elegant glass-walled office, Killian was reviewing documents when his phone vibrated softly. Reading Ángel's reply, his lips curved into a faint but unmistakable smile.

Matt, his personal assistant, noticed it and froze.

'Is... Is the boss smiling!?' Matt thought, holding back a gasp. 'Oh, Lord! Am I finally going insane?'

He placed a hand dramatically on his chest, struggling not to cry.

'Mom, Dad... I'm sorry for having to leave this world so soon...' he silently pleaded, feeling like the victim of a paranormal event.

"What are you doing?" Killian suddenly asked in his usual cold tone. "Get back to your report."

Matt flinched as if splashed with ice water.

"Y-yes! Right away, sir," he stammered, straightening up like a soldier in front of a general.

"Then continue," Killian ordered without looking up from his papers.

.

.

.

Hours later, as Ángel's shift ended, the omega was exiting through the hospital's main doors. The soft afternoon breeze brushed his face as he searched for that familiar black car.

'Is he coming or not?' he thought, a bit anxious.

His eyes soon caught sight of the vehicle parked a few meters away, engine still running. A soft, barely noticeable smile formed on his face.

"He's here..." he whispered.

Some patients and hospital employees noticed the car too, which quickly sparked murmurs.

"That car is here again," said a curious visitor.

"Maybe someone important is at this hospital!" another replied, watching closely.

Ángel sighed deeply at the comments.

'These people!' he thought, rolling his eyes. 'Don't they have anything better to do?'

He took out his phone and dialed Killian's number. After a few seconds, the alpha answered.

"Pick me up in the same alley as before," he requested.

"Alright," the alpha replied before hanging up.

.

.

Minutes later, Ángel was already in the alley, far from nosy gazes. He opened the back door of the car and got in, letting out a tired sigh.

"So annoying..." he muttered while settling in.

Killian, seated in the front, heard him.

"If it annoys you so much, why do you insist I pick you up?" he asked, rolling his eyes.

Ángel tilted his head with a playful expression.

"Mmm... because it's too much trouble to walk home?"

Killian frowned and let out a small sigh.

'I can't with this omega,' he thought, shaking his head.

.

.

.

The ride was quiet but comfortable, and soon they reached their destination: the large apartment complex where both resided.

Ángel was about to enter his own unit when he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something important.

"Oh! Almost forgot... give me your apartment door code."

Killian raised an eyebrow.

"You don't have it already?"

"Of course not," Ángel said with an obvious tone, as if it were ridiculous to assume otherwise.

"I'm not like a certain someone," he added with a sharp look. "That time, it was Arthur who invited me in."

Killian's expression immediately changed. He frowned visibly.

"Seems like you're pretty close to him," he commented, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Ángel raised an eyebrow and didn't miss the chance.

He slowly approached Killian, wearing a mischievous smile.

"Why do you say that?" he whispered near his face. "Does it bother you?"

Killian quickly averted his gaze, like a teenager caught in the middle of a confession.

"No," he replied curtly.

Ángel barely held back a laugh.

"Alright, I was joking. Don't forget to send me your door code by text."

And without saying more, he walked into his apartment.

Killian stood in front of his door for a few seconds. He said nothing. He thought of nothing. He just stood there, his mind suspended, realizing how that dangerously charming omega was starting to creep into the most unpredictable corners of his life.

Then, in silence, he opened his own apartment door and stepped inside.

.

.

.

Hours later. Night had fallen over the city, and the noise had gathered in the bars of the financial district. Amid dim lights, muffled laughter, and clinking glasses, Killian was sitting alone in his usual bar. In a reserved corner, the alpha remained silent, lost in thought while holding a glass of whiskey.

Suddenly, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder with familiarity.

"Man! It's really hard to get in touch with you these days!" exclaimed a male voice from behind.

Killian turned his head and saw a familiar face.

"Lewin..."

"What's up, brother!" the other greeted with a wide grin as he sat beside him.

"Back from Italy?" Killian asked.

"Yeah, got in this morning."

"What happened with the problem?" Killian looked at him.

"Solved, obviously," he said proudly. "I tortured them enough to make sure they wouldn't try it again."

Killian let out a tired sigh.

"I told you, sometimes it's better to handle things calmly..."

"Forget that, brother," Lewin replied casually. "You should work under me. I get things done easily."

"I refuse."

"Ugh! You always reject me," Lewin grumbled as he lit a cigarette.

"Give me one," Killian requested, holding out his hand.

"Here," the other said, handing him a cigarette that Killian lit calmly.

Lewin watched him for a few seconds.

"So, brother... anything new to share?"

Killian narrowed his eyes.

"Something new, huh?" He suddenly thought of Ángel—his defiant smile, the way he spoke without fear. But he quickly shook his head. 'Wait! Why am I thinking about him?'

"Brother? You okay?" Lewin asked, frowning.

"Ah, yeah," Killian replied, regaining composure.

Lewin leaned toward him seriously.

"Arthur told me you did something stupid again."

Killian let out a dry laugh.

"Him and his damn loose mouth."

"I'm being serious, Killian," Lewin said, eyes fixed on him. "Is it because of him? That bastard Ren?"

"...."

The alpha's silence was enough of an answer for Lewin.

"That idiot just doesn't know when to stop!" Lewin growled. "Over a girl, he ruined all those years of friendship."

"Enough. Shut up," Killian ordered, his voice cold as a scalpel.

"Why should I shut up?! You know exactly what happened that day!"

Killian didn't answer. The silence between them was broken only by memory.

.

.

.

Flashback

At a charity ball, the gala hall sparkled with golden lights, elegantly decorated for a fundraising night. Red carpets, soft instrumental music, and champagne glasses in every hand. However, in a secluded corner, two omegas whispered maliciously as they watched a young woman who stood out for her beauty and charm.

"That bitch... who does she think she is?" muttered the first, gripping their glass tightly.

"You're right," replied the second with disdain. "Just because the CEO favors her, she thinks she's in a privileged position."

A cruel smile spread across the first one's lips.

"I have a plan. We'll drug her so she learns her place."

"And then we'll send her to some pervert who'll 'welcome' her properly," added the other, bursting into laughter.

.

.

.

An hour later, the ballroom corridors were quieter. Maria, a young omega with a delicate figure, stumbled down the hallway, her cheeks flushed and her breathing heavy. Her dress was slightly askew, and her heels made her trip every few steps.

'I feel dizzy...' she thought with difficulty. 'Where's the guest room? That omega said it was around here...'

She opened a door without looking, and the soft darkness inside wrapped around her. The air was warm—too warm for her altered state.

"I-It's really hot in here," she whispered before collapsing onto the bed.

Seconds later, Killian entered from the balcony, having just finished an important phone call. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of a figure on his bed.

"Maria?" he frowned, quickly walking toward her. "Are you okay?"

The omega turned to him with glassy eyes and flushed cheeks.

"I... I feel really... hot..." Maria began releasing faint pheromones.

Killian's frown deepened. His instincts warned him something was very wrong.

"Stay here, I'm going to call a doctor."

But as he turned to leave, he felt a weak hand gripping his.

"D-Don't go... I'm really uncomfortable..." she whispered before sitting up and desperately kissing his neck.

"Maria!" Killian pushed her away carefully but firmly. "Calm down! You're not in your right mind."

Just then, the door burst open with a loud bang. Ren stormed in like a furious storm.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HER, KILLIAN?!" he roared as he charged and punched him in the face.

Killian staggered but didn't hit back.

"HOW COULD YOU DRUG HER?!" Ren shouted, completely unhinged. "You call yourself my friend while trying to rape my woman?!"

Killian's jaw clenched, his fist tightening.

"HOW MANY TIMES DOES SHE HAVE TO REJECT YOU FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND?!" Ren lunged again. "IT WOULD'VE BEEN BETTER IF YOU HAD JUST DIED!"

The tension was suffocating.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Ren yelled, grabbing Maria into his arms. "I WISH YOU HAD NEVER BEEN MY FRIEND! I HATE YOU!"

Without another word, he left with the omega in his arms, leaving Killian alone in that room, fury and helplessness burning in his chest.

.

.

The next day, at Live Corporation.

Ren's office door slammed open. Lewin, his face twisted in fury, walked in uninvited.

"ARE YOU INSANE, YOU IDIOT?!" he bellowed.

Ren raised an eyebrow from behind his desk.

"This is my office, Lewin."

"SO WHAT?! Like I care right now."

Ren leaned back with indifference.

"Here to say something stupid?"

But Lewin wasn't playing. His tone turned razor-sharp.

"How dare you accuse Killian of something he never did?"

Ren stood up immediately, visibly angry.

"Something he never did, huh?" he shot him a cold look. "Maria was in his VIP room. Drugged. And you want me to believe he's innocent?"

Lewin laughed bitterly.

"So you're going to believe some whore you barely know over your blood brother of years?"

"Watch your mouth!" Ren growled.

"Oh, I will," Lewin said, pulling out his phone. "Here."

He tossed the phone onto Ren's desk with contempt.

"Security footage from the hallway. Watch it."

Ren hesitated but played the video. As he watched Maria entering the room alone, stumbling, and later the scene of other omegas putting something in her drink, his expression slowly changed.

Lewin didn't hold back.

"Killian didn't even touch her. She threw herself at him like a desperate bitch. He tried to help her, and you tore him apart without even asking."

Ren threw the phone down onto his desk.

"That's enough! Get out of here!"

Lewin turned.

"You don't have to throw me out. And listen well... I don't consider you a friend anymore. To me, you're dead."

Without another glance, he left, slamming the door behind him.

.

.

.

End of flashback.

The echo of those memories still lingered in both their minds as cigarette smoke drifted lazily above their heads.

Lewin clenched his teeth tightly.

"He didn't even apologize after that!" he spat, eyes burning with anger.

Killian didn't respond. He just lowered his gaze slightly, eyes fixed on the glass in his hands.

"Why did you stay silent when you were innocent?" Lewin pressed, raising his voice slightly. "Why didn't you say anything?!"

Killian closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling his cigarette smoke before exhaling slowly.

"I just didn't want to make a bigger scene," he replied in a calm tone, laced with resignation.

Lewin watched him silently for a few seconds, fingers tapping the counter with anxiety. He then let out a heavy, frustrated sigh.

"Just forget about him, Killian," he said finally, tired. "Our friendship is broken, and it's never going to be fixed. What he did... it's unforgivable."

The silver-haired alpha said nothing. He just listened to the sound of ice clinking in his glass as the bartender came back to refill it.

"Let's drink now," Lewin added, forcing a bitter smile. "I don't want to talk about that bastard anymore."

Killian brought the glass to his lips, but didn't drink immediately. His gaze was fixed on a distant point ahead, as if seeing something beyond the smoke, the bar, or even the night itself.

'Broken, huh...?' he thought, a barely noticeable grimace forming.

Inside, that word echoed loudly. Broken. Like the pieces of himself he never quite picked up. Like the bonds that once felt eternal and now were just ashes on the wind.

Without another word, Killian downed the drink in one gulp. The burn of the liquor slid down his throat like a necessary pain. One that didn't heal but at least reminded him he was still alive.

And deep within it all, a soft, sweet, and unexpectedly persistent voice resurfaced in his mind...

Angel.

Maybe... not everything was completely broken.

...

ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ

Lewin Cruz

25 years old

Dominant Alpha

He has a dark, seductive, and dangerous appearance, with an impossible-to-ignore "bad boy" vibe. He radiates confidence, mystery, and an almost addictive charm.

He's tall with a lean yet muscular build, toned and elegant. His long neck, sharp collarbones, and relaxed posture reinforce his dominant and self-assured aura.

He has black, slightly wavy hair styled to one side with strands falling over his face, giving him a messy but deliberately attractive look.

His eyes are grayish or light brown, narrow and intense, with a tired but dangerous gaze. His droopy eyelids and relaxed expression make him look like someone who's unfazed... or who's seen it all.

He was one of Killian and Ren's best friends since college. Though now a famous model, few know he is also the heir to a powerful Italian mafia clan.

He's loyal, emotional, and brutally protective of his own. Cold toward traitors, relentless toward those who hurt his family. He doesn't forgive—he acts.

He loves his family and friends.

He despises traitors, gold diggers, and manipulative flirts.

...