Chapter 2: Act Two

A sleek, silver sports car glided smoothly into the subterranean garage of Madrid’s most exclusive residential skyscraper. The engine died with a low purr, and the door swung open.

Velvet Trigger—Felix—stepped out onto the concrete pavement. Even after a grueling transatlantic flight, he looked jaw-droppingly beautiful, handsome, and cute all at once. The soft ambient lighting of the garage caught his shoulder-length, silky black hair. His pale, porcelain skin looked practically airbrushed, and his signature rosy-pink eyes gave him an alluring, doll-like gaze that effortlessly blurred the line between elegant and adorable.

"Ah! The air of the homeland!" Felix inhaled deeply, his rosy lips curling into a bright, goofy smile as he threw his arms wide. "It smells like expensive perfume, drama, and absolutely no California traffic. Madrid, your king has returned!"

Miya hauled a massive designer suitcase out of the trunk, letting out a sharp, exhausted sigh. "Calm down, royalty. We’re here on a highly dangerous biochemical drug mission, not a fashion week vacation. Get your bags."

"But Miya!" Felix pouted dramatically, his eyes turning wide and puppy-dog cute as he looked down at his own manicured fingers. "A delicate, harmless art student shouldn't be doing heavy lifting. What if I callus my hands? How will I hold my paintbrushes? Or my suppressors?"

"You just kicked a grown Alpha’s jaw into a brick wall last night in California," Miya groaned, rolling her eyes as she pushed past him toward the private elevator. "Move your cute butt inside before someone spots your face."

The private elevator chimed open directly into a sprawling, multi-million-euro penthouse. The space featured minimalist white marble floors, plush velvet furniture, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering Madrid skyline.

Felix instantly dropped his oversized designer trench coat onto a lounge chair and sprinted toward the master bedroom, throwing the double doors open to reveal a custom-built, walk-in wardrobe that resembled a luxury boutique.

"Oh, you actually did it! You got the backlit shoe racks!" Felix gasped, his eyes sparkling with pure joy as he began meticulously hanging up trendy university outfits—soft pastel sweaters, tailored trousers, and glamorous accessories.

Miya leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms as her face turned strictly professional. "Your university enrollment is fully finalized. Tomorrow morning, you step onto campus as a pampered, wealthy art major. Your scent blockers are already stocked in the bathroom cabinet."

Felix stopped arranging his silk scarves. In a split second, his bright, cheerful demeanor shifted. The goofy expression melted away, replaced by the sharp, dangerously handsome gaze of Velvet Trigger. He walked over to the vanity mirror, tilting his head to examine his left ear. He firmly pressed down the medical-grade, flesh-colored scent patch neatly hidden right behind his ear piercings. He sniffed the air. Total silence. Not a single trace of his sweet Omega pheromones could escape.

"Perfect," Felix whispered darkly, a deadly smirk on his rosy lips. "To the world, I’m just a pretty, scentless Beta kid sitting in the back of a lecture hall. No one will ever suspect a thing."

"Good," Miya replied. "While you’re tracking the student distribution circles for 'Elysium-9' on campus, I’ll be opening the bakery downstairs. The grand opening is tomorrow. Let's see who bites the bait first."

Felix turned back to the mirror, fluffing his silky black hair and giving his reflection a stunning, heart-melting wink. "They won't stand a chance, bestie."

By the next evening, the mission profile changed violently. The Association had bypassed their scheduled timeline, delivering an emergency package of high-end garments to the penthouse. Three low-level informants disguised as venture capitalists were infiltrating a massive high-society gala to recruit wealthy investors for the mass production of 'Elysium-9.'

The penthouse master bedroom had been converted into a high-fashion salon.

Felix sat in front of the vanity mirror, looking incredibly beautiful, cute, and handsome all at once. Miya stood behind him, expertly styling his silky, shoulder-length black hair, weaving delicate, hidden silver threads into the dark strands to catch the light beautifully.

"Hold still, Velvet," Miya muttered, securing a strand with a hairpin. "If I mess up this parting, your whole 'glamorous international student' vibe is ruined."

"Careful, bestie! My hair is my life," Felix pouted at his reflection, his rosy pink eyes wide and doll-like. He stood up, turning around to reveal a custom, deep-burgundy silk blazer with satin lapels that perfectly accentuated his lean but muscular frame. The blazer was cut slightly loose, masterfully hiding the ultra-thin tactical holsters beneath his arms. "But wow... look at this fit. The Association really outdid themselves."

Miya adjusted her own sharp, tailored black tuxedo jacket. "Remember the objective. These targets are trying to fund a synthetic drug that completely destroys the neural scent glands, posing a fatal threat to Alphas, Betas, and Omegas alike. Locate the informants. Erase them quietly. Make it look like an overdose or an accident. Do not disturb the high-society guests."

Felix reached behind his left ear, firmly pressing down his fresh scent patch. He sniffs the air. Total scentless perfection. His lips curled into a sharp, dangerously handsome smirk.

"Let’s go give Madrid a heart attack."

Hundreds of flashing paparazzi cameras illuminated the red carpet outside the grand Palacio Gala Hall. Tonight, the entire Spanish aristocracy was gathered to celebrate the return of the three legendary Destiano brothers.

A sleek black town car pulled up, and the valet opened the door. Miya stepped out first, looking sharp and commanding, before extending a hand into the vehicle.

The moment Felix's designer leather boots hit the red carpet, a sudden silence rippled through the nearest crowd. Paparazzi lower their cameras for a split second, completely stunned by his visual perfection.

"Miya... they are staring," Felix whispered through his teeth, keeping a flawless, angelic smile plastered on his rosy lips. "Do I have something on my face? Is my hair okay?"

"They're staring because you look like a masterpiece, idiot," Miya smiled gracefully for the cameras, linking her arm with his. "Keep walking. Play the pampered younger brother."

As they climbed the marble stairs, the crowd bubbled with whispers. Several high-society Alphas sniffed the air frantically, completely frustrated that they couldn't smell a single pheromone from the gorgeous, ethereal man in the burgundy blazer.

The doors opened into a breathtaking ballroom lit by massive crystal chandeliers. Suddenly, a loud fanfare played from the balcony, and the crowd burst into ecstatic cheers. At the top of the grand double staircase, the three Destiano brothers made their grand entrance side-by-side.

In the center was Richard, looking cold, calculating, and utterly powerful in a dark three-piece suit. To his left was Luke, standing 6'2 with broad shoulders, his icy blue eyes sweeping the room with the effortless grace of a dance king. To his right was Dedrick, flashing his signature golden-boy football star smile. Their collective Alpha presence was so massive and suffocating that several Omegas in the front row visibly swoon.

Felix stood near a champagne tower in the back of the room, completely unbothered by the heavy Alpha pheromones thanks to his scent blocker. He took a sip of a bright pink cocktail, blinking innocently as he looked up at the staircase.

"Wait... Miya," Felix tilted his head in pure confusion, looking effortlessly cute. "Who are those three blonde guys everyone is screaming for? Are they some kind of local boyband?"

Miya nearly choked on her champagne, staring at him in utter disbelief. "Are you serious, Felix? That’s the Destiano family. They practically own half of Spain."

"Meh. Not my style. Too flashy," Felix shrugged, his eyes narrowing as his assassin focus locked onto the VIP lounge area. "Anyway, look at 2 o'clock near the VIP lounge. That's our first informant. I'm going to make my move."

Felix slipped into the crowd like a beautiful, scentless ghost. Unbeknownst to him, Luke Destiano stood at the bottom of the staircase, politely nodding to a group of politicians. Suddenly, Luke’s hyper-sensitive Alpha nose twitches. Amidst the suffocating wall of heavy perfumes and desperate Omega pheromones in the room, a completely blank, scentless void passed by just twenty feet away.

Luke froze. His icy blue eyes snapped toward the crowd, locking onto the retreating figure of the gorgeous, burgundy-clad man with the silky black hair. For the first time in his life, Luke's inner Alpha sparked with a strange, violent curiosity.

Away from the booming music of the ballroom, the VIP hallway was completely deserted.

The first informant, a corrupt venture capitalist, paced nervously while looking at a digital tablet displaying chemical formulas for 'Elysium-9.' "With the Destiano name on the guest list, these clueless investors will sign anything. The capital for the next batch is practically in the bag—"

A soft, melodic chuckle cut him off.

Standing under the dim chandelier light was Felix. He looked jaw-droppingly beautiful, his rosy pink eyes wide with an innocent, cute expression as he tilted his head, twirling a single silver hair thread between his fingers.

"Who... who let a kid back here?" the informant blinked, completely fooled by the harmless routine. "Are you lost, sweetheart?"

"Oh, terribly lost!" Felix pouted playfully, his voice sweet and childish. "I was looking for the restroom, but then I saw that shiny little tablet of yours. Is that a science project?"

"Something like that," the man smirked, stepping closer. "An elite little thing like you shouldn't be wandering alone—"

In a fraction of a second, the cute innocence vanished. Felix’s rosy eyes turned deadly sharp.

SWISH.

With blinding speed, Felix flicked his wrist. The silver thread woven into his hair snapped out like a razor-sharp wire, looping tightly around the man's neck and choking his airway completely. Felix spun around, pulling the wire tight over his broad, lean shoulder with the fluid, graceful posture of a dancer.

"You shouldn't play with poison, darling," Felix whispered coldly over his shoulder, a deadly smirk on his rosy lips. "It ruins the high-society aesthetic."

With a final, precise twist of Felix's wrist, the informant's neck clicked softly. The man went entirely limp. Felix smoothly caught the body, sliding it gracefully onto a decorative velvet lounge sofa to make him look like he simply fell asleep from drinking too much champagne. He picked up the tablet, wiped it with a silk handkerchief, and slipped it into his inner pocket.

"Mission part one: immaculate success," Felix cheerfully smoothed down his hair.

Felix turned a sharp corner, checking his reflection in a mini compact mirror. "Perfect. Not a single hair out of place. Miya's styling is actually—"

BUMP.

Felix ran directly into a massive, solid chest. The impact was so sudden that his compact mirror slipped from his hand. A pair of strong, athletic arms instantly shot out, catching Felix firmly by his waist before he could fall.

Felix looked up, his beautiful rosy eyes blinking in surprise. Standing at 6'1, with broad shoulders and messy, sun-kissed blonde hair, was Dedrick Destiano. Dedrick looked down, his golden-boy football star smile completely freezing on his face the moment he locked eyes with Felix.

Dedrick's heart gave a sudden, violent thud against his ribs. Looking at Felix’s pale skin, swollen rosy eyes, and breathtakingly sharp yet cute features, Dedrick completely forgot how to breathe.

"W-Wow... I... are you okay?" Dedrick stammered, his grip tight on Felix's waist, his golden-boy charm totally failing. "I didn't see you turn the corner."

Felix quickly pushed himself back, breaking the embrace. He dusted off his burgundy jacket, completely unfazed by Dedrick's massive Alpha aura because of his scent blocker. To Felix, this guy was just another loud member of that "local boyband" he saw on the stairs.

"I’m perfectly fine, thank you," Felix pouted slightly, bending down to pick up his mirror. "But you should really watch where you're walking, giant. These shoes are brand new."

"Hey, wait! I'm Dedrick. Dedrick Destiano," Dedrick rubbed the back of his neck, blushing slightly, completely captivated by this gorgeous, independent guy who treated Spain's star football player like a minor inconvenience. "Are you a guest of the family? What's your name?"

"My name is none of your business, boyband. Have a lovely evening!" Felix gave a sharp, handsome little salute and strolled right past him, disappearing effortlessly into the crowded ballroom like a beautiful, scentless phantom.

Dedrick stood frozen in the hallway, clutching his chest as a massive, goofy grin spread across his face. "Boyband? Oh man... I am definitely a goner."

High above the crowded ballroom, the private residential wing of the palace was quiet and strictly guarded.

Richard Destiano walked down the long, marble corridor, loosening his black silk tie. His face had completely returned to its signature cold, expressionless corporate mask. Suddenly, a side service door at the end of the hall clicked open.

Felix stepped out into the main hallway, brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve after successfully exiting the VIP corridor. He looked up and stopped, noticing Richard standing fifty feet away.

The warm, golden lighting of the palace hallway hit Felix perfectly. With his shoulder-length silky black hair framing his pale skin, his wide, swollen rosy pink eyes, and his plush lips, Felix looked like an angelic painting come to life.

Richard froze dead in his tracks. His icy blue eyes went completely wide. In a split second, the cold corporate mask completely shattered, and a deep, heavy crimson blush rushed up Richard’s neck, turning his cheeks and the tips of his ears bright red.

"An angel...?" Richard whispered to himself in a completely soft, dazed tone, his inner Alpha brought to its knees. "Did an angel just walk out of the walls?"

THE END OF ACT TWO / CHAPTER 2

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