Adrian met Rylan's eyes—and for a moment, the world stilled.
Rylan's voice had softened, his posture lowered, his overwhelming Alpha aura restrained. He looked almost… patient. Almost gentle.
But Adrian knew better.
Because beneath that softness was something fierce and unyielding, a hunger that wanted to claim, to possess, to decide everything for him.
An unyielding desire no one can quench if not Adrian.
And Adrian had lived his whole life hearing the same poisonous line:
Omegas are meant to be chosen.
Omegas should be grateful.
Omegas don't get to decide.
Not in his father's household—not under Cassian Severale.
Not in this family.
Cassian had raised him differently.
You are my son before you are an Omega.
You bow to no one.
So when Rylan took that single step forward, waiting for an answer—
Adrian straightened his back.
And took a step back.
Rylan froze.
Cassian hid a proud smirk.
Adrian's voice was steady, clear, and strong when he finally spoke.
"I didn't talk to you because I don't belong to you."
Rylan blinked—shock flickering across his features. He clearly hadn't expected that. Most Omegas would be trembling, blushing, melting under his presence.
But not Adrian.
Not today.
Rylan recovered quickly, jaw tightening. "I never said you belonged to me."
"You implied it," Adrian fired back. "From the moment you kissed me without permission."
The hall went quiet.
Rylan's Beta envoy shifted uncomfortably.
Cassian folded his arms, very much enjoying the scene.
Rylan opened his mouth—but Adrian cut him off again.
"And then," he continued sharply, "you sent a symbolic claiming necklace to my home without my approval. Do you know what that makes me look like? Like an Omega being purchased."
Rylan's eyes flashed. "That is not what I—"
"Then why did you act like it?"
Rylan flinched.
Not visibly. Not dramatically.
But Adrian saw it.
A tiny crack in the confident heir's expression.
Rylan exhaled, schooling his voice. "Adrian, I didn't mean to insult you. The necklace wasn't a purchase—it was a—"
"A declaration," Adrian said. "A public one. Without my consent. That's even worse."
Cassian cleared his throat smugly. Rylan ignored him entirely.
Instead, he held Adrian's gaze, crimson eyes simmering with frustration and something else—something like… respect?
"You're strong-willed," Rylan said quietly.
"Did you think I wouldn't be?" Adrian shot back.
"No," Rylan answered honestly. "I hoped you would."
The admission made a faint heat bloom in Adrian's chest—annoyingly warm, annoyingly real. But he didn't let it sway him.
He lifted his chin. "Strength doesn't mean letting someone else make decisions for me."
Rylan narrowed his eyes slightly. "You really think that's what I want? To… own you?"
"That's exactly how you've acted so far."
Rylan opened his mouth, then closed it again—like the words he wanted weren't the ones he should say.
He finally spoke, low and strained.
"I'm not used to being refused."
Adrian didn't soften. "Get used to it."
The Beta envoy actually choked.
Cassian's lips twitched.
Rylan stared at Adrian, like he was seeing him for the first time—not as a fragile Omega, but as a person with fire.
Finally, Rylan asked quietly, "Then what do you want from me?"
"Respect," Adrian said instantly. "And distance."
Rylan stiffened. "…Distance?"
"For now."
Cassian nodded approvingly. Adrian continued.
"I won't be pressured. I won't be overwhelmed. And I won't be decided for. If you want to speak to me, you do it calmly and politely. If you want to see me, you request—not demand. And if you ever send a claiming gift again—"
He stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"—I'll throw it in the fireplace myself."
Cassian coughed to hide a laugh.
Rylan…
Rylan did not laugh.
He stared at Adrian like he was some rare, infuriating treasure he didn't know how to hold but desperately wanted.
When he finally spoke, it was barely a whisper.
"…You're impossible."
Adrian's lips curved in a sharp, cold smile. "Good. You should know what you're dealing with."
Rylan took a slow breath.
Then another.
He clearly wanted to step closer,but he didn't.
Instead, for the first time since arriving…
He bowed his head.
A small bow.
Showing he felt a little bit embarrassed.
"Then I'll start over," he said quietly. "May I speak with you again—properly—when you're ready?"
Adrian folded his arms. "We'll see."
Rylan's lips twitched—not quite a smile, but something softer. Something dangerous in a different way.
"Fine," he murmured. "I'll wait."
Cassian stepped forward. "Good."
But Rylan held Adrian's gaze as he said:
"Not forever."
He turned sharply, cloak sweeping behind him as he strode out the door—his Beta scrambling after him.
When the hall finally emptied, Cassian placed a heavy hand on Adrian's shoulder.
"Good," his father said. "You were firm. You were clear. You were strong."
Adrian exhaled shakily. "I don't feel strong."
Cassian smirked. "That's because you're young. You'll grow into it."
But as Adrian stared at the door Rylan had exited through…
His heart thudded—too loud, too warm.
He wasn't weak.
He wasn't owned.
He wasn't giving in.
But one truth burned beneath all of it, no matter how he tried to shake it:
He still wanted to see Rylan again,he wanted to kiss and feel his warmth.
And that terrified him most of all.