Morning sunlight spilled across the long dining table in the Wolf Mark headquarters, glinting off polished cutlery and the low steam rising from mugs of dark coffee. The air was calm—deceptively so, considering the storm that had hit them just a night ago.
Rin sat quietly beside Kael, his face unreadable, the faint shadows under his eyes betraying a sleepless night. The rest of the Wolf Marks and Crimson Vultures filled the table, exchanging low murmurs over breakfast. No one dared to mention the gruesome memory of Jay's death. The silence between both groups was thick—uneasy, fragile, new.
Kael's eyes, sharp and calculating as ever, flicked toward Rin. The Omega looked calm on the surface, but Kael could sense the faint edge of tension rolling off him like mist. He didn't comment. Rin's strength lay in his composure; breaking it in front of others was something Kael would never allow.
When the plates were nearly empty and the room began to relax, Rin stood. "Crimson Vultures," he said softly, his voice clear enough to cut through the chatter. "With me."
The others from his group—Lucas, Kanji, Suri, Ari, Tobi, and Eric—rose immediately, following him without question. The Wolf Marks glanced at each other, uneasy at the commanding tone that echoed from someone so… beautiful.
Upstairs, Rin's temporary quarters were spacious yet simple. Once the door closed, the tension shifted; the Crimson Vultures stood around him, waiting. Rin didn't waste words.
"We'll stay here for the time being," he said. His tone was even, decisive. "It's safer than moving around, and we need to avoid unnecessary attention until things settle. Kael's HQ has more protection than any of our current safehouses."
No one protested. Lucas gave a nod. "We figured you'd say that."
Rin's gaze softened slightly. "I know it's not easy to stay in another gang's territory, but I trust Kael's men won't act carelessly."
Tobi gave a small smile. "We trust your judgment, boss."
One by one, they nodded. The Crimson Vultures had followed Rin through blood and chaos—staying under another gang's roof was nothing compared to what they'd endured before.
When they rejoined the main hall, Kael was already waiting near the stairs, speaking with Talon and Jax. He looked up when Rin approached.
"You'll all stay in the rooms you're in now," Kael said, his voice low but steady. "They'll give you a tour of the territory so you can familiarize yourselves with everything."
Rin nodded. "That'll do."
Kael's gaze lingered on him. "The study room is upstairs—top floor, right next to mine. I've had it set up for your use."
Rin blinked, slightly surprised by the thoughtfulness, but kept his tone neutral. "Appreciated."
The rest of the day unfolded in measured steps. The Wolf Marks, though curious, couldn't hide their whispers when they realized the Crimson Vultures were now residing in their main house. The notorious assassins—the silent ghosts of the underworld—were suddenly sharing their halls, their mess tables, their air.
"Are they really staying here?" someone murmured in the courtyard.
"Yeah," another replied, glancing toward a passing figure in black. "Boss said so himself. Apparently, they're… allies now."
"Allies? The same Vultures who nearly blew up an Ash Fang convoy last year?"
"Yeah. Those."
Shock spread fast, but no one dared question Kael's decision.
Later that afternoon, Kael gathered his key commanders and team leaders in the conference room. When the door opened and the Crimson Vultures entered, the room fell into complete silence.
The Wolf Marks had expected someone older, rougher—someone who looked like the ruthless leader the rumors spoke of. But when their eyes landed on Rin, every thought froze. A beautiful man with sharp, elegant features walked in, his calm presence commanding the room effortlessly. His dark hair framed his pale face, and his cold yet composed gaze swept across the hall.
A low murmur spread among the Wolf Marks.
"Who is he?" someone whispered.
"He's… beautiful," another replied quietly.
Their whispers faded when Rin walked past them with steady, graceful steps and, to everyone's surprise, took the empty seat beside Kael.
The commanders exchanged glances, stunned.
Who was this man to sit beside their boss so casually?
And more importantly, why wasn't Kael saying anything?
Behind Rin stood the other Crimson Vultures, silent and watchful, their posture sharp enough to make even the toughest Wolf Marks straighten up.
A quiet tension filled the air until Kael finally spoke, his deep voice breaking through the silence.
"This is Rin Asano," he said evenly. "Leader of the Crimson Vultures."
The room froze again. The whispers stopped completely as realization hit them. Their guesses—impossible as they'd seemed—had turned out to be true.
After Kael's introduction, Rin's subordinates also stepped forward and introduced themselves, their discipline and confidence leaving an impression. Kael's own commanders followed, each stating their name and position, explaining who operated under which sector of the Wolf Marks' inner circle.
Once the introductions were over, everyone was dismissed. But as soon as Rin and his people left, several Wolf Marks immediately circled Talon, who stood there with his usual laid-back grin.
"Wait—he's really the Crimson Vultures' boss?" one of them asked in disbelief.
Talon chuckled and crossed his arms. "Yeah. Hard to believe, huh? But don't let that pretty face fool you. He's a mafia boss—and a dangerous one."
The others glanced at each other, still processing it.
"He's too beautiful to be that brutal," one murmured.
"Yeah," another added, half-smiling. "But if he's anything like our boss, I'm not getting on his bad side."
Talon laughed softly. "Smart choice. Just treat him with respect—and don't do anything stupid."
The men nodded, though a few couldn't help but glance toward the door where Rin had exited, still clearly intrigued by the contrast between his beauty and the aura of quiet danger he carried with him.
The next morning, Kael gathered both the Wolf Marks and the Crimson Vultures in the main courtyard. The mansion buzzed with quiet curiosity — it wasn't every day outsiders, much less the infamous Crimson Vultures, were seen walking side by side with the Wolf Marks.
Kael stood tall at the front, his expression calm as always. "You'll all be shown around the territory," he said, his gaze sweeping across the assembled groups. "Familiarize yourselves with the grounds. From now on, this place will be your base as well."
Rin stood beside him, silent as usual, his face calm but sharp. The moment they began walking, the gazes followed.
Everywhere they passed — whether it was the training yard, the armory, or the weapon hall — people stopped what they were doing. Conversations fell quiet. Eyes widened, whispers followed.
"That's the Crimson Vultures…"
"They look so composed."
"Is that really him? The leader?"
The rumor of Rin's beauty had already spread across the estate, but seeing him in person, surrounded by his lethal team, was another thing entirely. He moved gracefully, his every step balanced with control. His cold eyes missed nothing, yet there was something distant about him, as though his thoughts were somewhere else.
By the time the tour ended, dusk had settled across the compound. Everyone gathered in the dining hall for dinner.
After dinner, Eric stood up and motioned for Rin and Kael to follow him. "We'll do the checkup now," he said.
The clinic was right beside the study room that Kael had offered Rin earlier. It was something Kael have prepared for Rin's condition.
Eric had them sit down and took blood samples from both Kael and Rin. "I'll run these tests tonight," he said while labeling the vials. "The results will show your pheromone compatibility. I'll let you know in the morning."
Then he moved to inspect Rin's wound. He unwrapped the bandage carefully, nodding in approval. "It's healing well. You're lucky it didn't get infected."
Rin merely nodded, tiredness evident in his eyes. After that, Eric dismissed them, heading off to his room to begin the analysis.
Kael and Rin walked back in silence, the hallways dimly lit by the warm glow of the sconces. When they reached Rin's room, Rin sat on the bed quietly while Kael remained standing near the window. The air between them was still — not uncomfortable, just quiet.
After a moment, Rin looked up. "You said this was your room," he said, his tone calm but questioning.
Kael glanced at him and nodded once.
"Then," Rin continued softly, "I should move to another one."
Kael's lips curved faintly, though not into a smile. "No need. Use it as it is."
Rin frowned lightly. "But—"
Kael cut him off. "I'll be spending most of my nights here anyway," he said simply, his tone final.
Rin blinked, then sighed and turned his gaze away, realizing there was no point in arguing.
During the day, they rarely interacted — it was safer that way. Rin's secret as an omega had to remain hidden, and Kael respected that. But at night, when the mansion went quiet, Kael would stay close, letting his pheromones fill the room to help steady Rin's condition. Eric had said Kael's pheromones were the good for Rin, their presence helping his unstable cycles and fragile body recover faster.
So, each night, Kael remained by his side.
"Go take a shower," Kael said, breaking the silence.
Rin nodded and stood, taking a towel and stepping into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the room. Meanwhile, Kael moved into the other room and changed into his gray pajama pants and a black shirt.
When he returned, Rin was sitting on the bed, drying his damp hair with a towel. His hair, slightly longer, fell over his forehead, glistening under the light. He was wearing one of Kael's shirts and pants — both a size too big — the sleeves brushing over his hands.
Kael's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he spoke. "We'll order your clothes tomorrow," he said. "Something that actually fits."
Rin nodded, placing the towel aside as he stood and walked back to the bathroom to hang it. When he returned, Kael was already lying on the bed, one arm folded under his head, scrolling through his phone.
Rin hesitated, then moved to his side of the bed.
Kael put his phone away, turned off the lamp, and released a slow breath. The room dimmed, filled only with the faint silver glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. His pheromones slowly spread, filling the space with a steady, grounding warmth.
Without saying anything, Kael shifted closer and pulled Rin into his arms. Rin stiffened for a second but then relaxed against his chest, his body instinctively responding to the familiar comfort of Kael's scent.
Neither spoke. The silence between them was calm — fragile but peaceful.
And as the night deepened, their breaths fell into rhythm, and they both drifted into sleep, wrapped in the faint hum of intertwined pheromones and unspoken emotions.