CHAPTER 20: SOON ENOUGH?

Elias’s heart pounded as Viktor dragged him through the mansion’s halls, his grip on Elias’s wrist tight but not bruising. The air felt thick, charged with Viktor’s cedar scent, which made Elias’s head spin.

’Where the hell is he taking me? His room?’ Elias thought to himself as he just allowed himself to be dragged like that.

And just as he thought, they reached Viktor’s room, a heavy oak door with a keypad and scanner. Viktor pressed his thumb to the reader, punched in a code, and yanked Elias inside, slamming the door shut behind them.

Before Elias could catch his breath, Viktor pushed him against the door, the wood cold against his back.

"Explain what my kids mean by what they said?" Viktor growled, his grey eyes burning. "You and that Jace guy on the floor? Speak!"

Elias’s voice shook, his hands clutching his shirt to prevent it from getting ripped like yesterday. "We fell," he said, trying to keep calm. "We were moving our project from the balcony, and Jace tripped. We were just saving it. That’s all. Nothing happened more than that,"

Viktor leaned closer, his face inches from Elias’s, his pheromones flooding the air... dark, smoky cedar, overwhelming. Elias’s chest tightened. He could feel the tingling warmth spreading through him. His heat was close, too close, and Viktor’s scent was making it worse. He bit his lip, fighting the urge to lean into it.

"Master, I’m telling the truth," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Viktor’s eyes narrowed. "I don’t believe you. I’ll never believe all the lies you tell me!" His voice was low, dangerous. "You’re getting punished for this."

Elias frowned, his fear mixing with frustration. "Punished? Why? I didn’t break any of your rules!"

Viktor’s grip tightened, his jaw clenching. "Oh? Name them."

Elias swallowed, his heart racing. "No leaving the estate without permission. No leaving with the kids without permission from you or Gerald. No getting close to you since you’re not into men. I didn’t do any of that!"

Viktor’s lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes stayed cold. He grabbed Elias’s other hand, pinning both wrists above his head against the door.

"Then I’ll add a new rule," he said, his voice a low growl. "You’re not allowed to get close to any other man. Not your classmates, not your friends. No one."

Elias’s eyes widened, anger flaring. "What? Why? That’s ridiculous!"

Viktor’s face darkened, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "Don’t make me repeat myself, Elias. Break this rule, and you’ll regret it."

Elias’s heart pounded, but he didn’t back down. "Your rule is stupid," he said, his voice shaking but firm. "You can’t control who I talk to. You don’t have any right to!"

The room went silent, the air thick with tension. Viktor’s eyes flashed, and for a moment, Elias thought he’d crossed a line. He slowly parted his lips to speak. Then, without warning, Viktor’s lips crashed onto his, kissing him hard. His tongue pushed into Elias’s mouth, demanding, hungry.

Elias froze, his body pinned, Viktor’s hands roaming his sides, fingers grazing his bare skin through his shirt. The cedar scent overwhelmed him, sparking heat in his core, his body betraying him as it responded.

Elias’s mind screamed to stop, but his lips moved against Viktor’s, caught in the intensity. Viktor’s hand slid to his neck, thumb brushing the pulse point, then lower, leaving a trail of heat. Elias gasped into the kiss, his wrists straining against Viktor’s grip. It was too much! Everything was happening too fast and it felt so dangerous.

Then, instinct kicked in. Elias bit Viktor’s lip, hard. Viktor pulled back, his hand flying to his mouth, blood beading on his lip. Elias slumped to the floor, clutching his shirt, his eyes burning with tears. "Make up your mind!" he yelled, his voice cracking. "You tell me to stay away, say you’re not into men, and now you’re doing this? If you hate me, just fire me!"

Viktor’s face twisted, guilt flashing in his eyes. He turned away, wiping his mouth. "I’m sorry," he said, his voice low, barely audible. "I... didn’t mean to."

Elias stood, glaring at Viktor’s back, tears streaming down his scratched cheek.

"You don’t have to hide your hatred for me," he said, his voice shaking. "If you want me gone, just say it. There’s no need anyway, since you’ll get what you want soon enough."

Viktor’s brows furrowed, confusion flickering. "What do you mean, ’soon enough’?"

But Elias was already at the door, yanking it open.

"Figure it out," he snapped, storming out, his heart pounding. He didn’t look back, his steps quick as he fled to his room, locking the door behind him.

His chest heaved, his vanilla scent spilling out, stronger than ever. My heat, he thought, panic rising. He scrambled to his drawer, grabbing the expensive pills Luka had given him. His hands shook as he swallowed two, double the dose, and curled up under his duvet, trying to calm his racing heart.

The doctor’s warning echoed in his mind:

’As a rare omega, you’re a target. Alphas could force a bond. Be careful.’

Elias squeezed his eyes shut, the memory of Viktor’s kiss burning his lips. He couldn’t afford to lose control of his Pheromones, not here, not with Viktor so close. The double dose hit fast, pulling him into a heavy sleep, his body exhausted from the day’s chaos.

He woke to the dim glow of evening light filtering through his window. His phone read 7:30 p.m... He’d slept for hours. His stomach growled, and he realised he hadn’t eaten since the protein shake. He dragged himself out of bed, still in his shirt, and headed to the kitchen, forgetting about the new chef.

Milo was there, chopping vegetables with a grin. "Hey, Elias!" he called, his voice loud and cheerful. "Are you okay? You look like you got hit by a truck."

Elias forced a smile, grabbing an apple from the fridge. "It’s nothing. I’m just tired. It’s been a long day."

Milo raised a brow, tossing onions into a pan. "Do you want dinner? I can whip up something quick. Spaghetti, maybe?"

Elias wished to say no but his stomach rumbled, betraying him.

"Okay," he said, sitting at the counter. "Thanks."

Milo moved like a pro, boiling pasta and stirring sauce, the kitchen filling with the smell of garlic and cheese. In minutes, he slid a plate of spaghetti in front of Elias, topped with sauce and parmesan.

Elias took a bite, his eyes widening. "This is amazing," he said, his voice genuine.

Milo blushed, scratching his neck. "Thanks! My dad’s a chef, so I learned from the best. Used to do a weird part-time gig for cash, but this job’s better."

Elias tilted his head, curious. "What kind of gig?"

Milo hesitated, then pulled out his phone, opening an app. "It’s this matching thing," he said, showing Elias the screen. "You register as an alpha or omega, and people pay for... time with you. Like, if I’m an alpha and you’re an omega..."

"I’m not an omega," Elias said quickly, his heart racing.

Milo smirked, unfazed. "It’s just an example, man. Say I request an omega... I pay them for their... services. Or if you request an alpha, you pay them. It’s all private, no names. Nothing at all,"

Elias’s eyes widened, his mind racing. It’s like... prostitution, he thought, but he didn’t say it. "Sounds... interesting," he said, keeping his tone neutral. "Thanks for the food."

Milo grinned. "Anytime. You’re cool, Elias."

"You think so?" Elias asked, tilting his head.

"Yes. You’re also a very handsome person. Do you mind being friends?"

"That’s a weird way to ask but okay?" Elias replied. He knew he wouldn’t have to be friends with Milo for long especially if he’s leaving very soon.

"Oho! Thank you, buddy!" He lifted his hand playfully.

Elias just nodded with a weird smile and finished his plate. He thanked Milo and headed to the twins’ room. They were already asleep, sprawled across their beds, homework scattered on the floor.

He smiled, tucking them in, closing their windows, and adjusting the air conditioner. "Sleep tight," he whispered, leaving quietly.

.

.

Back in his room, he sat at his desk, trying to study, but his mind was elsewhere... Viktor’s kiss, the matching app, and everything. He had so much in his head that he couldn’t sleep. Then suddenly, his phone buzzed, snapping him out of it. An unknown number sent a message to him.

Unknown: Hey beautiful Elias! Don’t forget our shopping tomorrow!

Elias frowned. ’Shopping... huh? Is it Luka? How’d he get my number?’

He texted back immediately

Elias:How do you have my number?

A reply came instantly.

Unknown:I have my ways. See you at 3 p.m. I’ll ask Vik for permission on your behalf. So, don’t be late!

Elias sighed, tossing his phone onto the bed. Shopping for Viktor’s engagement felt like a punch to the gut. Next week, he’d leave with his pay, take Lila, and disappear. But why did the thought of leaving hurt so much?