Vincent was struggling to control his emotions today. His suppressants were working overtime—usually, they dulled the edge of his alpha instincts, but today, it was harder. The agitation was bubbling just beneath his skin. His gaze flicked to Elliot, who was watching him with concern.

Vincent knew it was the presence of an unmated omega that was making his rut worse than usual. He sighed and set his utensils down, another day when he couldn’t stomach his food.

“I’m in a rut,” Vincent told Elliot, his voice tight.

Elliot’s eyes widened. His body instinctively tensed, ready to defend himself. He gulped and replied, “I should leave you then.”

Elliot began eating faster, but Vincent interrupted, “It’s alright. I’m taking suppressants.”

Elliot eyed him suspiciously. He knew suppressants lessened the effects of heat and rut, but they didn’t completely erase the symptoms. Elliot knew this firsthand—when he was in heat, he preferred being alone. He assumed Vincent might want the same, but it was hard to tell with his unpredictable behavior.

“You smell like raspberries,” Vincent continued, his voice softer now. “It’s quite sweet.”

With his alpha instincts heightened, Vincent couldn’t help but admire the way Elliot smelled. It was comforting in a way that made the agitation in his chest settle—if only slightly.

Elliot felt embarrassed. Vincent was a man with no tact, but right now, he seemed bolder than usual.

“Thanks,” Elliot murmured, unsure how to respond.

Vincent stood up, his legs moving almost of their own accord as he approached Elliot. He leaned down behind him and asked softly, “Do you hate me, Elliot?”

The presence of the unmated omega was making Vincent dizzy. His body screamed to claim Elliot, to make him his.

Elliot knew Vincent was acting strangely due to his rut, and he tried to push aside any fears. He knew he shouldn’t take it too seriously. “You need to rest, Vincent.”

“Don’t avoid my question.” Vincent’s voice was harder now, impatience creeping into his tone.

Elliot sighed. “I don’t hate you, Vincent.” Alphas in rut were one of the things Elliot hated most. Their usual arrogance was amplified tenfold, and Vincent was certainly showing it now.

Suddenly, a chill ran down Elliot’s spine. Vincent had released his pheromones, intending to intimidate him and make him submit.

Elliot froze in his chair, unsure of what to do as the weight of Vincent’s presence pressed down on him. He could feel his control slipping, but he couldn’t show weakness.

“Vincent, stop,” Elliot said, his voice trying to remain steady, though the fear was clear in his eyes.

“Make me, Elliot,” Vincent challenged, his tone dark and filled with desire.

Elliot’s mind screamed for him to run, but his body and instincts as an omega kept him rooted to the chair, a part of him wanting to comfort the alpha in need.

“I understand what you’re going through, Vincent,” Elliot said softly, hoping that if he treated the other man gently, he might stop pestering him.

But Vincent, on the other hand, saw Elliot’s words as a challenge. “I only want sympathy from you, crawling into bed with me,” he retorted, his voice low and dangerous.

Heat crawled up Elliot’s neck and cheeks. Vincent was becoming bolder by the minute, and Elliot knew he had to de-escalate the situation before things went too far—before Vincent decided to attack him and force him.

Vincent smirked, a dark glint in his eyes as he reached out and touched Elliot’s neck, gently caressing the back of his head. “If you don’t hate me, you’d mate with me, right?”

Elliot shivered. Vincent had been hovering behind him for a while, but the gentle touch caught him off guard. Despite the urge to lean into it, his mind remained clear, unlike Vincent’s. “I’m leaving,” Elliot declared, his voice steady but firm.

Before he could stand, Vincent’s hands shot out, gripping his shoulders and holding him in place. Elliot couldn’t move; Vincent was clearly stronger than him. “Let me go,” Elliot said through gritted teeth.

Vincent was enjoying how easily he could control Elliot physically, how simple it was to manhandle him. His slender body looked so small in Vincent’s hands. He turned Elliot’s head to face him, holding his face with one hand. Their faces were inches apart.

The smell of mint, lemon, and raspberries filled the air.

Elliot’s dark blonde hair fell over his golden eyes, but he could still see how wide Vincent’s sharp blue eyes were. It was obvious that his suppressant could barely control him now. Elliot struggled, but managed to break free from Vincent’s grasp.

Elliot stood up, keeping his distance. “Snap out of it, Vincent.” He raised his hand, as if it would help to keep the other man away. “I know you barely use your brain, but use it this time,” he mocked.

Vincent seemed to snap out of it after Elliot’s words. He raised a hand to rub his face, cursing under his breath. “This is why we should mate already,” Vincent muttered.

Elliot scoffed. “This is why I should leave you alone.”

“You don’t understand, Elliot. We live under the same roof. My rut and your heat will be unbearable.” Vincent replied through gritted teeth.

Elliot understood it, of course; he knew his body, but he refused to submit to Vincent and be just his omega. He had things he wanted to achieve. He wanted to prove to those who saw him as nothing more than a mere omega that he could accomplish great things.

Before Elliot could reply, Vincent surged forward, gripping his shoulders again. “Do you think you can escape me so easily?”

Elliot glared at him, mustering all his strength. “Try me, Vincent.”