Mister.A was Adrian Wild. Callum was almost sure of it. Of course, there was always the possibility that the anonymous internet fling was lying. No doubt in an attempt to get Callum's attention. But it didn't feel like that. 

It felt more like fate. 

Because that was where Adrian was wrong. Callum did feel it too. That little jolt of lightning every time they touched; the invisible string that seemed to tether them together—all of it. Callum sat at his desk, hands trembling, staring at the message with absolutely no way to respond. Say the wrong thing, make the wrong move, and he would expose himself right then and there. And then he'd have to find a way to intimidate Adrian into submission—make him swear to never tell anyone the truth. 

And he'd lose Adrian—really lose him—forever. 

Bently

You're 100% positive? 

Mister.A

I've known him since we were kids

Trust me

I'm sure 

Okay, it was definitely Adrian. Undeniably Adrian. And this whole dating app fiasco was just another trick of fate, just like when Bruin Enterprises decided to open up a corporate office right across the street from Nebula Cafe. It was like a cosmic force in the universe was trying to make sure they were together. Always. Even when neither of them wanted to be. When either of them could be. 

All this time, Callum had thought Adrian hated him. But maybe in reality, Adrian was just annoyed that he was stuck with Callum as his fated. Honestly, Callum didn't really even believe in all that stuff. He had thought it was the work of fairy tales and romance novels before Adrian manifested and Callum first felt it. But even if it was true, and even if they were fated—which Callum wasn't sure they were—they couldn't be together. Raphael Bruin would never allow it. 

He would never allow anything that made Callum happy. 

Callum sighed and set down his phone, rubbing his temples. He had to say something. Adrian was waiting—or, rather, the Mister.A that wasn't such a mystery anymore. 

Bently

I can see how that would complicate things. 

But… do you even believe in that stuff? 

Honestly, I don't know that I do

Mister.A

I don't know 

It's just the only thing I know that can explain what's going on! 

I mean, trust me, if you knew me and Callum Bruin… you'd know why I'm inclined to think it's this

It's not like we're in love or something 

We just… know each other 

Bently

Is that why you're flirting with me?

It briefly occurred to Callum that it was stupid to keep going on like that. Adrian didn't know it was him at the other end of the line, and he never could. Callum tapped his finger on the table, holding his phone with his other hand, when someone burst into his office. He jumped, nearly sending his phone flying, and scrambled to hide the device before anyone could see what he was doing. 

“Bruin! Did you hear the news? I mean, I'm sure you did, what am I saying?” Beck called into the open space, closing the door behind him because, as Callum’s best friend, he knew better than to keep it open. 

Callum scowled, not meaning any offense to Beck, but still feeling interrupted. “Hear what, Caddel?” He tried to busy himself and make it look like he was working, and not like he was flirting on a dating app. 

“Um—duh! The quarterly meeting! The one where your father is officially naming us the successors for the company? Hello!” 

Callum could have sworn he felt his ear twitch. That was the first he had heard of anything like that. “I'm sure if my father had plans to retire, I would hear about it.” 

“Well, sounds like you should ask him about it, man! Mom told me this morning. Since you're the Bruin heir, and I'm the first alpha in my family, which makes me the heir, and Courtney is the heir to her family, we’re all set to take over for your parents. Soon, from what I can tell.” Beck flopped down on the open seat in the office, a huge grin on his face. “Sounds like the meeting for the shareholders is in, like, two months.” 

Callum slammed his paperwork down on the table. “Two months?” His voice came out harsher than he expected it to. He didn't mean to be so short with Beck, but he was surprised. Last time he talked to his father, he was still the family disappointment. He needed to do more to prove himself. To prove to his father that he could handle things. 

And he was wasting time on some dating app? 

Beck jumped when Callum slammed the papers down, his expression melting from elated to confused. “I thought you would be excited? Haven't you been waiting for this day your whole life? I know I have!” 

Callum let out a long, deep breath. “Yes.” The lie sounded strange even to him. He needed to cover it up, and fast. “I'm just surprised it's so soon. My father hasn't mentioned anything.”

Beck shrugged. “Maybe he's waiting for the right moment. You know how Raphael is—always working on his own schedule.” 

Callum scoffed in recognition. Beck had no idea how true that was. “I'm sure I'll get the rundown soon. My father doesn't like to dilly-dally with these things.”

Beck laughed. “I've never known your dad to dally,” he agreed. 

As if on cue, the door to Callum's office opened, revealing a tall, middle-aged man with lean muscles gently hugged by his perfectly pressed suit. His hair was dark and greying on the sides, but the blue of his eyes rivaled even Callum’s. The frown lines around his lips and eyebrows were deep, and the air in the room suddenly became thick and suffocating the second he walked in. He didn't need his pheromones to do it; it was just his presence. 

Beck instantly sat up in his chair, fixing his posture. Callum did his best not to seem bothered. 

“Mr. Bruin! It's good to see you—uh—sir.” 

Raphael waved his hand, signaling to the two of them to relax. But Callum knew it was just a formality, and his father didn't actually expect Callum to let his guard down. “Father. I wasn't aware we had a meeting today.” 

Beck looked between Callum and Raphael, biting his lip. He stood abruptly, likely sensing the immense pressure in the room that came from the Bruins sharing space. “I should let you two… talk…” he slipped out of the room, side-stepping around Raphael on his way out, his tie bouncing in his hurry. 

Raphael smoothed out his blazer, watching Beck go with a sharpness in his eyes, and closed the door behind him. “I'm sure by now you've heard.” 

“You're retiring.” It wasn't a question, because Callum could read it off his father’s face. If there was one thing Raphael Bruin hated, it was company gossip. He was sure to announce it officially soon, if only to get the whispers to die down. 

Raphael sucked in a breath and stepped further into the office. “That's correct. I'm sure you have things handled.” He emphasized the last word, letting it drip with meaning. 

“The suppressants you make me take daily, the synthetic pheromones I have no control over, and the forged medical documents labeling me an alpha aren't enough for you?” Callum drawled. 

Raphael was at the desk in seconds. He slammed his finger down on the table, but Callum didn't flinch. He knew better. He looked up, keeping the same, disinterested look on his face. “Don't use that tone with me! This is all for the company! We cannot risk anyone–”

“I know.” Callum cut in. “Don't you think you've made that perfectly clear by now?” 

Raphael growled and leaned back. “See to it that no one ever finds out what you are.” He looked Callum up and down like he was disgusted even to have to be in his son’s presence. “You're engagement to Ms. Hart will be official soon, so make sure you make the necessary arrangements before then. Her family can never know the truth.” 

Raphael started to leave, his back facing his son. “And, Callum?” 

“Yes, Father?” Callum kept his voice steady and sure. He couldn't show any weakness, especially not in front of his father. It didn't matter that he didn't want to spend the rest of his life hiding, or that he thought it unfair to lock Courtney into a marriage with a man she could never truly know, or that Callum knew what fate had in mind for him, and it wasn't any of this. It didn't matter because Raphael Bruin was bigger than fate, and all he could do was follow. 

“Don't embarrass me.” With that, Raphael Bruin was gone.