There was a quick, sharp pause between the two of them. Callum stared at his phone as if it could answer for Adrian. But for a moment, there was nothing at all—not even static. He was almost worried Adrian had hung up the phone. 

“Is there some reason you assume I would think that?” Concern coated Adrian’s voice. 

Callum rested his head against the wall. “In my experience, it’s not exactly a topic people are thrilled to hear about.”

“In your experience?” Adrian echoed. “Was there someone who gave you a hard time about it?” 

Callum’s heart twisted. “My—My father.” He admitted, all in a rush. He didn’t even know why. It was stupid, and he was feeling vulnerable and unwound, hiding behind a voice modulator and a moniker to keep Adrian off his tracks. He cursed, trying to backtrack. “I shouldn’t have—”

“Your Dad isn’t happy, then? About you being an Omega?” Adrian powered forward, his voice dipped in frustration. “That’s fucked up, you can’t control your second gender!” 

Another smile found its way to Callum’s lips. “Well, he’s an Alpha. He wanted me to be one, too.” Wanted was an understatement. As the only child of Raphael Bruin, it was a requirement. 

“Tough shit! You know, all my family members are Betas. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned that before.” Adrian huffed, continuing on his righteous tirade. 

“I don’t believe you have,” Callum responded, leaning into the phone as if he could lean into Adrian’s body through the screen. He knew that about Adrian, but Bently didn’t. 

“Well, they are. Just your average Beta family, right? Only I’m an Alpha. The only one in my whole family, I might add.” There was static, as if Adrian were shifting the phone. “I can’t help that, and neither can you! Your Dad needs to grow up.” 

Callum blinked, then absolutely erupted with laughter. 

“What’s so funny?” Adrian asked from the phone. 

It took Callum several seconds to calm down. “Sorry, just… if you knew who my father was, you’d see the humor.” The last of his laughter began to die down. “I don’t think anyone would have the guts to say such a thing to him.” 

“No one is too important for human decency,” Adrian scolded. 

“Yeah, well, if you have enough money, people tend to just stop caring.” Callum shrugged, even though he knew Adrian couldn’t see it. He couldn’t believe they were still talking—couldn’t believe he’d let the conversation get so personal. Adrian just had a way of getting underneath Callum’s skin. 

“Sounds like you come from a wealthy family, then?” Adrian’s voice was slow, like he knew he was sailing into rocky waters. 

Callum bit down on his lip. There were many wealthy families in the world, not just the Bruins. It just so happened that the Bruins were among the .01% of the 1%. The name would be too familiar, as known as they were, but Adrian only knowing Bently came from money wouldn’t be enough to out him. 

“Well… yes, I suppose you could say that.”

Adrian hummed. “I see. Well, I’m afraid you’ll find my life quite boring, then. Like I said, I come from just an average Beta family.” 

“One with their own shop, I seem to remember? That is quite interesting,” Callum insisted. Oh, how he longed for Adrian’s life. There was honor in the simplicity, the gentle happiness, even in hardship. Adrian’s family had love—a thing Callum never had. Though he was sure his money would fix many problems the Wilds were sure to face. 

Wasn’t it strange, the way all that worked? 

Adrian laughed a little. “Is it really? Even to someone who works at Bruin Enterprises?” 

“Incredibly so,” Callum insisted. “If anything, it’s my job that is dreadfully boring.”

“Oh, I find that hard to believe,” Adrian sputtered. 

“Really? You think working in an investment firm is something little children dream about in their spare time,” Callum joked. 

“I… guess not.” Adrian laughed lightly. “At least, I’ve never heard my niece or my nephews fantasize about anything like that.” 

“Then I’ve made my point.” Callum was still on the floor, leaning his head against his bedframe. He stared at his phone, the call screen, and imagined Adrian’s face there. He could see it so clearly—Adrian’s fluffy brown hair, striking green eyes, and strong jawline. Callum imagined those big hands cupping his face, the warm feeling of Adrian’s breath against his skin. 

“Bently?”

Callum shook himself back to reality. “Sorry, I—Did you say something?” His breathing was a little heavy, his eyes lidded, and his body warm. Did he need to take more suppressants? 

“Are you alright?” Adrian’s voice morphed back to concern. “I hope this isn’t insensitive to ask, but… is it your heat? I can go, if you need to rest.” 

Callum bit his lip. “It—is my heat. But… you don’t need to hang up.” 

Adrian paused. “Are you sure?” 

“I’m sure.” 

“Can I help?” 

Callum blinked. Those were words he had never heard before, especially when it came to his heat. He’d never been given the option by anyone; he’d always had to deal with it alone. “How could you help from the phone?” 

“You… you said it was a lonely one. Maybe I could make it less lonely.” 

“You’ve already done that.” 

“Let me do more.” Adrian purred, his voice dropping to a low husky timbre. “I can’t stand the thought of you all alone, feeling bad about your heat.” 

“It wouldn’t be anything new, A.” 

“That’s worse, Bently. Not better,” Adrian insisted. 

Callum’s heart jumped. “How do you recommend we proceed?” Callum’s voice was thick, his desire catching in his throat. 

“I… didn’t think that far ahead,” Adrian admitted, chuckling softly. “You make me forget my head sometimes, Bently.” 

Once again, Callum’s breath hitched. “I haven’t even gotten back into my bed,” he admitted, laughing somewhat awkwardly. “I’m still sitting on the floor of my apartment.” 

“Well, you should get into bed. It would be more comfortable.” 

There was something about Adrian’s voice that made Callum want to follow every order. He stood, his legs a little shaky, and collapsed onto the plush mattress. With one hand, he took a fistful of his sheets. The heat was rising in his body, tingling up his thighs. It was like tendrils had wrapped themselves around him—squeezing and squeezing and—

“It’s—so warm in here—” Callum choked, his vocal chords tense. “I need to turn down the AC."

“What you need is release,” Adrian scolded. “You’re fighting it. Don’t fight it.” 

“Easy… for you to say.” 

“Bently,” Adrian’s words were firm and commanding. “Let me help.” 

“You’re a voice over the phone.” 

“There’s plenty you can do with a voice.” 

The low growl to his words sent tingles through Callum’s nervous system. His breaths were little puffs of air, and every part of him wanted to give in. “Are you suggesting we fool around on the phone, while I’m in heat?” 

“Was that not obvious?” 

“You’re insane.” 

Adrian huffed out an affectionate laugh. “You’re considering it.” It wasn’t a question; it was a fact. And he was right. “You’re imagining it, aren’t you? My hands cupping your thigh?” 

“Mister.A.” Callum warned, but it wasn’t as effective when it sounded half like a moan.

“Adrian.” His voice wrapped itself around Callum’s heart. “My name is Adrian.” 

“Adrian, then.” Callum breathed. “You’re going to get me worked up.” 

“I like the way you say my name,” Adrian purred. “Even with the voice changer.” 

Callum laughed, though it quickly turned to halted, stuttering breaths. “Don’t—Don’t make me stop thinking straight. I'm going to lose all reason if you talk like that.” 

Callum could practically hear Adrian’s grin over the phone. “I would never.” Something about Adrian's voice suggested the exact opposite.

Callum’s resolve crumbled, a victim of his consuming heat. The suppressants were a distant memory, not enough to stop what was happening to his body at the sound of Adrian’s voice. “A-Adrian, I…” 

“Give in, Bently. It’s going to be okay.” 

All Callum could do was surrender.