"Ethan?" Lucian said calmly, forcing steadiness into his voice even though his pulse was already racing.
"Leave." Ethan bit the word out harshly, jaw tight, breath uneven.
Lucian's breath hitched. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it was pressing against his ribs, his muscles weakening under the dense cloud of pheromones filling the room. The air was heavy, intoxicating, almost dizzying. "Ethan, stop it…" he whispered, trying to pull his wrist back, but Ethan's grip only tightened, fingers digging in as if letting go would send him falling into something worse.
He's so strong Lucian thought
"Why?" Ethan's voice was low, rough around the edges. "Why are you here?"
"Because… because today is the Reagents and you didn't come. I was worried." The confession slipped out before Lucian could filter it, honest and bare.
