Evan's POV
"Interesting," Evan murmured.
He stood up slowly, adjusting his suit.
"How much did you offer?"
The assistant hesitated. "One million."
Evan scoffed softly. "That's pocket change."
The assistant quickly added, "I thought it was reasonable—"
"It's not," Evan cut in. "Not for a man like that."
He walked toward the window, staring down at the world with the same predator calm Diamant carried.
"Offer him five million," Evan said.
The assistant's eyes widened. "Sir—"
"And if he refuses again," Evan continued, voice smooth, "offer him ten."
The assistant blinked. "Ten million… for a college student?"
Evan turned, his gaze sharp.
"For the man who can find Aiden," Evan corrected.
The assistant nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."
Evan's lips curved slightly, the first hint of something different in his expression.
Excitement.
"Reach out again," Evan ordered. "And this time… don't ask."
The assistant hesitated. "Then what do I say?"
Evan smiled.
"You tell him," Evan said softly, "that Evan Leigh doesn't make offers twice."
Noah's POV
Noah woke up slowly, blinking against the sunlight spilling across the bed.
His body felt warm… sore… but in a way that wasn't painful.
In a way that made his cheeks heat the moment he remembered last night.
His mate mark tingled slightly.
Noah lifted his fingers to his neck, touching it carefully.
It was real.
Diamant had really marked him.
He was really… his.
Noah's heart fluttered, and he sat up quickly.
Then he froze.
Something smelled amazing.
His nose twitched, the scent drifting upstairs like a delicious invitation.
Tomatoes.
Garlic.
Meat.
Something rich and warm that made his stomach growl instantly.
Noah blinked.
Cooking?
In Diamant's mansion?
Noah threw the blanket off and hurried out of the room, hair messy, shirt slipping off his shoulder as he padded down the hallway and down the stairs.
The closer he got to the kitchen, the stronger the smell became.
And when he stepped into the doorway…
Noah stopped dead.
Diamant Reed, the dominant alpha who ruled boardrooms and crushed enemies with a single sentence, stood in the kitchen wearing a simple shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
Cooking.
A wooden spoon in his hand.
A pot simmering on the stove.
Noah's mouth parted in disbelief.
Diamant turned his head slightly, sensing him instantly.
His gaze softened.
"You're awake," Diamant said.
Noah blinked. "…What are you doing?"
Diamant's expression didn't change, but his eyes held faint amusement.
"Cooking."
Noah stared at him like he'd just witnessed a miracle.
Diamant Reed… cooking pasta.
Noah suddenly rushed forward, almost bouncing on his toes, and stood beside him.
"Good morning!" Noah said brightly.
Diamant glanced at him.
"It's afternoon."
Noah froze.
"…Afternoon?" he repeated faintly.
Then he whispered under his breath, "How long have I been sleeping…?"
Diamant's lips curved slightly. "A long time."
Noah's cheeks burned. "I-I didn't mean to—"
"You needed it," Diamant interrupted calmly. "So you slept."
Noah stared at the bubbling pot, then at the plate of meatballs resting nearby.
His eyes widened with excitement.
"Is that for me?" Noah asked, almost glowing.
Diamant didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he stirred the sauce with a calmness that looked unfairly attractive.
Then he said, completely straight-faced.
"No."
Noah's smile dropped instantly.
His ears practically flattened.
"…Oh," Noah muttered, heart sinking.
Diamant glanced at him, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"I made juice too," he added. "Fresh."
Noah brightened so fast it was like someone turned the sun back on.
"Juice?!" Noah gasped.
Diamant's gaze lingered on him, and Noah could swear there was something warm in his eyes.
Like pride.
Like affection.
Like Noah was a reward.
Noah leaned closer, peeking into the pot.
"It smells so good," he whispered.
Diamant hummed. "Sit."
Noah blinked. "What?"
Diamant looked at him. "Sit down, Noah."
Noah obeyed immediately, hurrying to the dining counter like a well-pleased omega, though his cheeks burned at the thought.
Diamant plated the food neatly, placing pasta and meatballs in front of him like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Noah stared at the plate.
Then at Diamant.
Then back at the plate.
"You cooked for me," Noah said, voice filled with disbelief.
Diamant sat down across from him.
"I cooked for my mate, my little omega," he corrected calmly.
Noah froze.
Mate.
The word made his stomach flutter.
He stared down at his food, cheeks red.
"…I like how that sounds," Noah admitted quietly.
Diamant's gaze softened.
"You should," he murmured.
Noah picked up his fork, took a bite, and his eyes widened instantly.
"Oh my God," Noah whispered.
Diamant watched him closely. "Is it good?"
Noah nodded quickly, chewing. "It's amazing!"
Diamant's expression didn't change much, but Noah saw it.
That tiny shift.
That faint satisfaction.
Like he was pleased that Noah was happy.
Noah swallowed and smiled shyly.
"I didn't know you could cook," he said.
Diamant took a slow bite of his own meal. "I can do many things."
Noah giggled.
Then he paused, suddenly remembering something.
"…Diamant?" Noah asked softly.
Diamant looked up. "Yes?"
Noah hesitated, his fingers brushing his neck where the mark sat.
"…Thank you," Noah whispered.
Diamant's eyes darkened slightly, but not with anger.
With something deeper.
"For what?" Diamant asked.
Noah looked down, voice small.
"For last night… for being gentle. For… taking care of me."
Diamant didn't speak for a moment.
Then he stood.
Noah blinked as Diamant walked around the counter, stopped behind him, and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the side of Noah's head.
Noah froze, warmth spreading through his chest.
Diamant's voice was low, close to his ear.
"You're mine," he murmured. "Taking care of you isn't something I do out of kindness. It's something I do because it's my responsibility. My privilege."
Noah's throat tightened.
He turned his head slightly, looking up at him.
"And because I love you," Diamant added quietly.
Noah's eyes watered.
He smiled anyway.
"…Love you more," Noah whispered.
Diamant's lips curved faintly.
"That's impossible," Diamant replied.
Noah giggled softly, eating again, feeling safe… feeling warm… feeling like the world couldn't reach him here.
But far away, beyond the mansion walls…
Aiden was still missing.
And somewhere in the shadows…
something was moving.