CHAPTER 51: ADRIAN’S INSECURITY

Adrian had imagined this date differently. He’d planned candlelight, maybe a little flirting by the water, just him and Lucien.

But now, with Silas glued to their side, it felt more like he’d brought a bodyguard to his own proposal.

Adrian knew they had decided to share the omega, but there was a time he wanted Lucien to himself only, and today was supposed to be the day.

Lucien stood between them, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he watched the dancers. He looked calm, almost radiant under the golden light.

His amethyst eyes were shining like a jewel more beautiful than any of the colors in this city.

That serenity only fueled Adrian’s frustration. ’Why does he have to look that good doing nothing?’

When a performer approached with a rose, Silas took it first — smooth as ever — and tucked it behind Lucien’s ear.

"It suits you," he said, his tone maddeningly polite but his eyes anything but.

Lucien chuckled, tilting his head. "You really have a way with words."

Adrian almost choked. "Oh please. A rose? That’s the oldest trick in the book."

He stepped forward, snatched another rose from a nearby vendor, and bit off the stem before offering it to Lucien between his teeth.

"See? That’s passion."

Lucien gave him one look and laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink.

"Adrian, you look like you’re about to audition for a soap opera."

"Then I’ll win an award for you," Adrian shot back, refusing to drop the act even as his cheeks burned.

Silas just sipped his wine and murmured, "Desperation doesn’t win awards, you know?"

Adrian turned his head so fast it could’ve snapped. "Excuse me?"

But Silas had already turned back to Lucien, offering his hand when the next dance started.

Lucien hesitated — just for a moment — then accepted with his usual smirk.

Adrian’s heart sank as the two moved toward the plaza. Silas was elegant, damn him. Every movement beautiful, every step measured.

Lucien matched him effortlessly, the two of them gliding in a rhythm that looked too natural.

The crowd cheered as they spun. Adrian could only stand there, fuming, clutching his discarded rose stem like a weapon.

’Damn it! Is Silas doing this on purpose?!’

When the dance ended, Lucien was laughing again, hair falling over his eyes, cheeks faintly flushed.

Silas said something that made him smile wider, and that was it, Adrian had reached his limit.

He stormed up, grabbed Lucien’s wrist, and growled, "My turn."

Lucien blinked at him, amused. "You even know how to dance?"

"Oh, I’ll show you," Adrian said through gritted teeth.

It wasn’t graceful, not even close. He stepped on Lucien’s foot twice, almost tripped once, and spun him too hard near the end.

But when Lucien laughed, bright and unrestrained, Adrian couldn’t help grinning too.

"God, you are so bad at this, Adrian."

"I know, but you are happy, right?"

He could see him stunned a bit flushed even as if he was caught doing something bad.

"Hah! You cocky city boy!"

Adrian just stuck out his tongue even when his heart wanted to explode.

For a fleeting second, the world shrank down to just them; the music, the lights, and Lucien’s laughter echoing in his chest.

When the crowd started clapping again, Adrian smirked in triumph, only for Silas to whisper smoothly, "You dance like a bulldozer, but at least you tried."

Adrian nearly lost it.

***

Later, the three of them walked along the shore. The night had grown quieter, the tide low, and the air cooler.

The beach shimmered like starlight poured over sand, every step leaving faint trails of light. Couples walked hand in hand, some laughing, others whispering promises.

Lucien paused to watch the waves, the glow of the sand reflecting softly against his skin. Even the wind seemed to linger on him.

Silas, of course, walked beside him; calm, perfect posture, voice low and gentle as he spoke.

They looked like something out of a painting: the poised alpha and the composed omega, framed by a sea of light.

Adrian trailed a few steps behind, kicking at the glowing sand with his foot. Great. Just great.

’They look like the main characters, and I look like the comic relief.’

It was the thing Adrian hated most about Silas, he was just perfect. The kind of man who never had to try, yet everyone still looked at him like he was the center of gravity.

And Adrian? He was just Adrian. Loud, reckless, a little too much of everything.

Even the people he dated — boys, girls, anyone who caught his eye — somehow ended up liking Silas more.

He used to laugh it off, pretend it didn’t matter, but over time the laughter stopped feeling real.

Somewhere along the way, the question started to eat at him.

’Was it something I did wrong? Or maybe there’s something wrong with me?’

That thought festered, turned into something sharp and sour. Jealousy. Insecurity. A mix he couldn’t spit out no matter how hard he tried.

He hated it, hated himself for feeling it toward the man he considered his brother.

Adrian crossed his arms, muttering, "They have that... adult vibe or whatever. Meanwhile, I’m apparently the overgrown puppy."

He sighed, glancing at Lucien and feeling that old ache twist a little deeper. He wasn’t like the others.

He didn’t want to impress him, he wanted to belong to him. And the idea that Lucien might like Silas more, pained him.

If that ever happened... Adrian wasn’t sure what it would do to him.

Lucien glanced back, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You talking to yourself?"

"No," Adrian said quickly, looking away. "Just... thinking."

"About how jealous you look?" Silas offered, smirking slightly.

"Shut up," Adrian grumbled, kicking up another small burst of glowing sand.

The sparkles clung to his ankles, faintly blue and silver under the moonlight. "I’m not jealous. Just... bored."

Lucien’s laughter drifted over the waves. He turned away from Silas and walked toward Adrian, that familiar teasing curve on his lips.

Adrian tensed, unsure what to expect; another jab, maybe. Instead, Lucien stopped in front of him, leaned in, and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.

It was soft, barely a touch, but it hit harder than any punch he’d taken in his life.

"Stop sulking," Lucien said quietly, still close enough for Adrian to catch the faint scent of wine and sea salt on his breath.

"I don’t like jealous boys."

Adrian blinked, completely thrown off. "I—I wasn’t—"

Lucien smiled, cutting him off. "Sure you weren’t."

Then he reached down, scooped up a handful of glowing sand, and tossed it at him. The particles burst like starlight across his chest.

Adrian gasped, then laughed, half shocked and half delighted. "Oh, that’s how it is?"

"You started it," Lucien said, stepping back just as Adrian lunged after him.

Within seconds, the serene beach turned into a full-blown war. Adrian chased Lucien through the glowing shallows, throwing handfuls of shimmering sand as Lucien laughed so hard he nearly fell into the water.

Silas watched them with an exasperated sigh, but even he couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips.

By the time they collapsed on the beach, breathless and covered in stardust, Lucien lay between the twins, hair tangled, eyes bright.

The tide whispered against the shore, washing away their footprints but leaving a faint glow where they’d played.

Adrian turned his head toward Lucien, heart still pounding, the jealousy fading into something softer.

"You know," he muttered, "this date didn’t go how I planned."

Lucien laughed quietly. "That’s because you never plan. You just jump in headfirst."

Adrian grinned, eyes half-lidded. "And still managed to win a kiss."

Lucien smirked. "A pity kiss."

"Still counts."

Silas groaned softly beside them. "You two are unbearable."

Adrian rolled onto his back, hands behind his head, watching the stars blur above. "Admit it, you had fun."

Silas didn’t answer. But when Adrian glanced at him, he swore he saw the faintest hint of color in the man’s cheeks.

Lucien chuckled between them. "You both are ridiculous."

Adrian smiled, content. For once, he didn’t care who won; the night, the sand, Lucien and Silas’ laughter were all his reward.