Zayden was lying on one side of the bed while Caspian was on the other. Caspian was staring at sleeping Zayden. Zayden didn't take it anymore-he stopped pretending and opened his eyes. Their eyes locked.
Caspian quickly averted his gaze as his cheeks turned light pink. He'd been caught red-handed.
Zayden sighed and said, "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Sleep didn't come to me. What can I do?"
Zayden opened his arms.
"Come here. I'll help you sleep."
Caspian came to him obediently, pressing his head against Zayden's arm while his face rested against Zayden's chest. Zayden stroked his back lightly, caressing his hair with his other hand.
Caspian stayed like that for a while, then whispered,
"Zay."
"Hmm?" Zayden answered.
"What is love?"
Zayden froze for a moment before continuing to console him.
"Everyone has a different view of love, but I think it's the feeling that never changes, no matter what happens."
Caspian tilted his head and asked,
"Then did anybody love you?"
That made Zayden stop. His pheromones spread through the room. Caspian caught the sadness in them, so he quickly pressed his face against Zayden's chest and hugged him back, mumbling,
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you sad."
Zayden didn't speak for a while. Caspian was afraid he'd leave, but he didn't. Instead, Zayden asked back,
"What about you?"
Caspian remembered his sister-those eyes that once loved him. He swallowed his tears back and said,
"Yeah. There was someone who loved me, but she changed."
Zayden felt his whole body freeze at his words. Jealousy flashed in his eyes.
"Who?"
"My sister."
Zayden sighed in relief and pushed back his alpha pheromones.
Caspian tilted his head lightly and asked,
"Did you also change, like my sister?"
"Of course not!" Zayden answered with a big smile.
"Don't worry. I'll teach them a lesson. They should be good to Omegas."
Caspian didn't hide his excitement.
"How?"
"I'll tell you later. Now sleep-it's already midnight."
Caspian didn't argue. He just closed his eyes in Zayden's arms.
"Good boy," Zayden murmured as they both fell into a deep sleep.
---
*Next morning*
The quiet of the room was broken by the buzz of Zayden's phone.
He groaned softly, reaching for it without opening his eyes.
"Boss," Matteo's voice came through, low but urgent. "Silas went to the other mafias for help. They're all calling for a meeting. Now."
Zayden's eyes snapped open instantly.
He glanced down-Caspian was still curled against him, breathing slowly, face peaceful.
"Hold on," Zayden muttered to Matteo, his voice dropping to a whisper so he wouldn't wake Caspian.
Gently, he slipped his arm out from under Caspian, moving slow so he wouldn't stir. He tucked the blankets around Caspian's shoulders, making sure he was warm. Before leaving, he let a trace of his pheromones linger over the blankets-subtle, familiar, meant to keep Caspian calm and safe while he was gone.
Zayden swung his legs off the bed and stood, already moving.
"I'm coming to the study room. Stay there. We'll discuss it there."
At the door, he paused and looked back.
Caspian lay there, clutching the blankets, surrounded by Zayden's scent. His face was relaxed, trusting.
A small smile tugged at Zayden's lips.
Then he stepped out and closed the door quietly behind him.
---