RUT

CILLIAN

The last six days had tested every ounce of patience I possessed.

Today was the final day of my rut, and I was beginning to wonder if I was going to survive it without killing someone.

I sat at the head of the long table in the Vercelli headquarters, my fingers wrapped tightly around a pen as I tried to focus on the documents in front of me.

I couldn't.

My body was restless, overheated, and painfully aware of every Omega within breathing distance. The suppressants should have made it easier. I had taken the pills, changed my patches, and followed every instruction the doctor had given me.

Nothing helped enough.

The Vercelli family had a tradition when it came to my rut. Every year, my family selected an Omega for me to spend it with. It was supposedly about protecting the family name and preventing an irresponsible Alpha from choosing someone unsuitable.

In reality, it was another reminder that my life belonged to the Vercellis.

I hated it.

I hated the rut.

I hated the pills.

And at that moment, I especially hated the man sitting across from me who had been talking for what felt like an eternity.

"Cross International has spent the last few years developing a security and logistics system specifically designed for companies operating across multiple countries," Gabriel Laurent explained. "The system would allow the Vercelli Group to monitor shipments, personnel, assets, and security operations through one encrypted network."

My eyes moved across the document.

"We would provide the technology and the infrastructure," he continued, "while the Vercelli Group would provide access to several European markets where we've been trying to expand."

My father leaned back in his chair. "And you're certain your company can handle the scale?"

Gabriel nodded. "Without a problem."

My mother sat beside him, listening quietly. Matteo was scrolling through something on his phone beneath the table, pretending nobody could see him.

I rubbed my temple.

I wanted this meeting over.

Gabriel finally closed the folder. "Personally, I think it's a very good deal. I'm ready to sign."

My father looked at him. "Absolutely!”

Finally!

"You'll have to wait for the CEO." Gabriel added.

My patience snapped. "And who is that?"

Gabriel smiled. "My son."

I looked at him. "Your son?"

"He's the one in charge of everything now. I'm getting too old for this. We have to start pushing the younger ones forward."

I glanced at my watch. "Then why isn't he here yet?"

Gabriel opened his mouth, but I spoke before he could answer.

"I don't care if he's an Alpha, or whatever else he thinks gives him the audacity to keep me waiting… I don't…”

The door suddenly opened and I stopped breathing.

A man walked into the room.

For one second, I didn't recognize him.

Then I did.

My chair scraped sharply against the floor as I stood.

“Adrian?” Matteo beat me to it.

Adrian Cross.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

He was older.

His hair was longer than I remembered, blond curls falling naturally around his face. He still wore glasses, and there was something about the way he carried himself that made him look completely different from the boy I had known.

But his eyes were the same.

Those ocean blue eyes.

They found mine almost immediately.

Adrian walked toward me. There was no hesitation.

No surprise.

No apology for being late.

Nothing.

He stopped in front of me and extended his hand.

I stared at it for a moment before taking it.

His fingers closed around mine and my entire body went still.

"Mr. Vercelli." He said.

I couldn't speak.

My eyes stayed on his face. For the briefest second, they dropped to his lips before I forced them back to his eyes.

Is this real?

Behind us, my father's chair moved. "What are you doing here, Adrian?"

Adrian finally looked away from me.

Gabriel smiled. "This is my son, Adrian Cross. CEO of Cross International."

My mother stared at Adrian as if she had seen a ghost. "That's impossible. He can't possibly be your son."

Gabriel looked at her. "Ah, yes. Adopted."

Adrian adjusted his glasses. "Are we going to discuss that all afternoon, or can we get to the business?"

I couldn't take it anymore. "Everyone out."

Nobody moved.

I looked around the room. "Get out!" My voice came out harsher.

My father stood slowly. "Cillian, don't do anything stupid." He warned.

I ignored him.

Oh, they knew. They all knew what this was about.

One by one, they left.

Gabriel stopped beside Adrian. "Will you be all right?"

Adrian nodded. "I'm fine."

The door closed and silence settled over the room.

I stared at him as he sat.

He had changed.

The sweet Omega I remembered was nowhere in front of me.

This Adrian was colder. More confident. Detached in a way that made it obvious he didn't need anyone's approval.

Least of all mine.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

He leaned back in his chair. "Mr. Vercelli, business. What else?"

"Don't call me that." I snapped.

His eyebrow lifted. "Why not?"

"You know exactly why."

He smiled faintly.

"Tell me the truth."

"There isn't anything to tell."

"You knew who you were doing business with."

His expression didn't change.

"You came here intentionally."

"I came because Cross International has a deal with your family."

"That's not what I asked."

Adrian slowly stood. "You seem to have a problem separating business from whatever happened eight years ago."

I stared at him. "Was this a trap?"

He said nothing.

"What's your game, Adrian? Revenge?"

Something flickered in his eyes. Then it disappeared.

He stepped closer. "Even with those patches, I can still smell your rut."

My jaw tightened. "Don't."

"Is that why you've been so irritable?"

I crossed the distance between us before I could stop myself.

My hand caught his collar and pulled him closer. I've always been stronger.

"What are you doing here?"

He didn't flinch. Not even when I pulled him closer.

"Unlike you," he said quietly, "I don't hide who I am."

My grip loosened.

Adrian looked straight into my eyes. "You are a coward, Cillian."

I pushed him away.

He stumbled back a step, then straightened his jacket as though nothing had happened.

I turned my back to him.

I didn't understand this man standing behind me.

He wasn't the Adrian I remembered.

"Don't beat yourself up," he said. "I won't be here for long. You can satisfy your conscience that way."

I turned around. "I don't have anything to feel guilty about. I wasn't the one who disappeared overnight."

Silence.

The words hung between us.

I watched something change in his expression.

Then I understood.

He hadn't forgotten. Not even close.

"We need to talk."

Adrian picked up his folder. "I have nothing to say to you."

"Then you'll have all the time to listen to me."

He walked toward the door. "If it's not business, I'm not interested."

I watched him reach for the handle.

I should have let him leave. Instead, I walked toward him.

He stopped when he realized I was behind him.

I was taller than him. I had always been.

I looked down at him when he turned. "I'll be waiting for you at my estate."

He glanced at me.

I reached into my pocket, pulled out a key, and put it into his pocket.

His eyes lowered to it.

"You know the room."