CHAPTER 17
“Mr. Lucian, you’re also here?” he asked, voice trembling.
“What do you mean ‘why I am here’?” Lucian replied, wrapping an arm around Rayne’s neck. “Of course I’m here for my omega, my wife,” he said in a cold, cutting tone.
The director’s face turned pale as he looked between them, clearly terrified.
“So it’s true that you’ve gotten married,” the director muttered.
“I already sent you the letter. The contract is terminated now, so go back,” Rayne said.
The director glared, but the moment he noticed Lucian beside Rayne, his fierce stare softened instantly, as if he suddenly remembered proper manners.
Rayne turned toward Lucian, and he was looking back at him, smiling softly.
The director’s anger was obvious, but he forced himself to calm down and let out a deep sigh.
“Mr. Rayne, why don’t we sit down and talk about this? Your company has been in partnership with us for years, and also our sponsor. You can’t just take everything back with one notice.”
Rayne nodded and went to sit on a chair, with Lucian standing protectively beside him. He glanced at San, who quickly brought another chair for Lucian, placing it right beside Rayne. Lucian sat down, and the director, along with the men who had accompanied him, took their seats across from them.
“I recently visited Aura Hospital, and your staff doesn’t care about patients at all. All you care about is money,” Rayne said firmly.
He hesitated for a moment. Should he mention Losif and the visit to the hospital? But the thought of Lucian getting angry made him stay silent.
“It makes no sense. Just because of a mere reason, you can’t terminate the contract,” the director argued.
“You seem to be mistaken. There was a clause in the contract stating that if our company is displeased with your performance, we could terminate the contract without your permission. And I did exactly that,” Rayne said calmly.
The director’s frustration was palpable, they were the only sponsor of the hospital, after all.
“Enough. I’ve already decided, so you can leave now,” Rayne added, standing up. “Lucian, let’s go. We have nothing more to discuss.”
Sliding his mobile into his coat pocket, Rayne left the office with Lucian by his side. Outside, Rose was slumped in a corner, crying, while several employees, particularly the alphas, tried to comfort him.
“Wasn’t he the one cursing at you? What was his name again?” Lucian asked.
“Rose,” Rayne replied, turning to the others. “You are all fired. Why are you still here? Why haven’t you gone home?”
Not a single person stepped forward to protest. They clearly hadn’t wanted to work here in the first place. Rayne glanced at Lucian, and together they left the company.
As they stepped outside, a voice called out from behind. It was Juan, the omega who had earlier informed Rayne about the situation inside the office.
“Yes, Juan?” Rayne asked.
Panting, Juan asked, “Boss, I didn’t get an envelope… am I fired, or am I still working here?”
Rayne smiled. “I didn’t fire you. You’re hardworking, and the company needs you. I hope you’ll help take care of the new employees who join soon.”
Juan nodded eagerly, his hair bouncing with the motion.
“Go home for now. We’ll meet tomorrow,” Rayne said.
Rayne and Lucian settled into the back of Coral’s car as he started driving.
Rayne gazed out the window. Even though he was still new to this world of leadership, having Lucian beside him gave him an unusual sense of confidence.
He could take on anything—but he reminded himself that he was still human and could make mistakes.
“What are you thinking so seriously?” Lucian asked.
“I was thinking I can’t be perfect, and I’ll make mistakes,” Rayne admitted.
Lucian extended his hand and pulled him closer, pressing Rayne’s face against his chest while holding his hand.
“Don’t think too much. Your brain is very small. What will I do if my wife goes insane?” Lucian teased.
Rayne glared up at him and tried to move away, but Lucian held one hand firmly while his other rested on Rayne’s back, gently nudging him forward. Rayne’s hands gripped Lucian’s thighs instinctively as he struggled.
“Lucian, are you showing your strength? Don’t you feel any shame?” Rayne asked.
“Hahaha, of course not. You’re fun to tease. I haven’t done this for weeks, so it’s enjoyable,” Lucian replied.
Rayne stopped struggling, remaining still while Lucian’s grip loosened. He pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.
Lucian poked his puffed cheek. “Don’t pout. I’ll treat you to good food today.”
Does Lucian really think food will make him fall for such tricks? Rayne thought, determined not to be manipulated.
“Should we have hotpot? It’s so cold now,” Lucian suggested.
Rayne’s answer came too quickly. “Yes! I like hotpot very much!”
Lucian chuckled and ruffled his hair gently. Rayne reached out and ruffled Lucian’s hair back, a playful spark passing between them.
“Lucian, why do I feel like you treat me like a kid? I’m an adult, so don’t treat me like a child,” Rayne warned, voice firm, even cold.
“Who would dare treat you like a kid, Rayne?” Lucian said with a teasing smile.
Rayne’s attention snapped back to the view outside, though his anger lingered beneath the surface.
After a short drive, the car stopped in front of one of the city’s best hotpot restaurants. The place was crowded, though not overly large.
As Lucian moved to get out, Rayne reached for his hand, stopping him.
Rayne asked Lucian, “Can we go to another restaurant? One that isn’t small and doesn’t have a crowd?”
Lucian’s words made Rayne’s chest ache. “Do you hate small restaurants that much? You’ve only ever gone to luxurious big hotels.”
Rayne stayed silent, turning his face away and refusing to move.
“Rayne, I’m asking you something. Reply to me,” Lucian pressed.
“I just… don’t want to go to small restaurants with many people. If you want, we can go somewhere with no crowd,” Rayne replied softly.
Lucian glanced at Coral, who resumed driving. Guilt twisted inside Rayne; Lucian wasn’t speaking to him anymore. He must have thought Rayne was throwing a tantrum over something trivial.
After a while, the car stopped. Rayne looked outside to see a small hotpot restaurant with only a few diners. He opened the door and stepped out, Lucian following him while Coral went to park. They walked inside together.
Lucian ordered dinner without saying a word, his gaze lingering on Rayne as if he were studying him silently.
They had just started eating when Lucian’s phone rang, and he excused himself to answer it outside. At the same time, the restaurant door opened, and a group of alpha boys entered.
“Don’t you think it was fun seeing that damn omega go into heat right in front of us?” one of them laughed.
They sat at the table next to Rayne. His hands froze, and he lowered his gaze to the table, feeling their eyes burning into him. The boys had been noisy earlier, but now, seated, they suddenly fell silent.
One of them stood up, dragging his chair toward Rayne. “Hey, cutie. Are you alone? Want me to join you? We can hang out after dinner too. What do you say?”
Rayne looked at him. The alpha had the air of a thug.
“Please stand up from here. My husband won’t like it if he sees you,” Rayne said, lying without hesitation. He didn’t know how Lucian would react, but he was sure Lucian would prefer to handle things quietly.
“Ohh, so you’re married? But you’re not marked.” The alpha’s hand brushed the back of Rayne’s neck, testing his glands.
Rayne jerked his hand away. “Don’t touch me, you bastard!” he shouted, glaring in disgust.
The alpha scoffed, examining his hand. “I know you’re lying. You’re not married. Maybe you have a boyfriend, but he’s not here, so why not enjoy with me? I’ve taken a liking to you. You’re breathtakingly beautiful. I’m even ready to make you my omega.”
Rayne’s face twisted in disbelief. Who asked him for this? Did he really think Rayne would fall into his arms after hearing that nonsense?
Suddenly, the alpha grabbed Rayne’s hand.
“Let go of my hand right now,” Rayne demanded.
The grip only tightened, the alpha’s eyes filled with lust, face flushed as if intoxicated by pheromones.
“Come on… no omega can handle this many pheromones. I know you must be dying to take me in now,” he taunted.
Rayne’s disgust deepened. “What the hell are you talking about? Let go of my hand right now!”
A cold voice cut through behind him.
“Didn’t you hear what he said?”
Rayne turned to see Lucian standing there, gripping the alpha’s shoulder—the same alpha who had his hand.
“Who the hell are you? Fuck off from here,” the alpha snapped.
A sharp creak echoed, followed by the sound of bones snapping. Lucian had pulled the alpha away from Rayne and slammed him to the ground with terrifying strength.
Rayne’s eyes widened. Lucian was unbelievably strong.
Lucian’s gaze found him, and suddenly, he exuded a strong wave of soothing pheromones. The lemon scent wrapped around Rayne like a protective shield.
“That bastard tried to cover you with his pheromones to trigger your heat cycle,” Lucian muttered, kicking the alpha once more.
Rayne realized why the alpha had bragged about his pheromones—but since he was just an ordinary alpha, it had no effect on Rayne at all.
He stood, and Lucian returned to his side, his attention now on the three remaining boys. They stood, rage evident in their expressions.
“You have a death wish,” one said, stepping toward Lucian.
Lucian laced his fingers with Rayne’s, his glare sharp and dangerous.
The alpha’s face went pale, his steps faltering as he backed away. Soon, all three grabbed their injured friend and fled the restaurant.
“Why don’t we sit down and eat again?” Lucian suggested, taking the seat beside Rayne.
Rayne had lost his appetite entirely, though he hadn’t been enjoying his food before either. At least now, Lucian was talking to him.
“Lucian… were you mad at me? Is that why you weren’t talking to me?” Rayne asked quietly.
“It’s not like that. Why would I be mad at you?” Lucian replied.
Rayne stayed silent. Lucian lifted his chopsticks and fed him. Surprised, Rayne leaned forward to take the bite, touched by Lucian’s gentleness.
“Isn’t Coral going to have dinner with us? He must be hungry too,” Rayne said.
“It’s okay. He has some other business to take care of, so don’t worry about him,” Lucian replied, continuing to feed him.