Kian's words echoed in my ears: "You are my omega, Rui. This is where you belong. Safe. With me." My breath hitched, caught somewhere between a gasp and a whimper. Safe? Belong?
All I felt was a cold wave of shock mixed with a confusing warmth that pricked at my skin.His omega.The phrase felt impossibly heavy, like a grand, suffocating cloak thrown over my shoulders.
The elevator doors had swooshed open, revealing a space so vast, so blindingly luxurious, it made my head spin. It wasn't just a penthouse; it was an entire city floor, wrapped in glass.
The lights of the real city outside blurred into a distant, sparkling river of gold. Everything here felt too smooth, too shiny, too perfect. Like walking into a magazine picture that wasn't meant for someone like me.
My worn sneakers felt ridiculously loud against the silent, polished floor. The air smelled different here, too. Not the usual city grime and stale food, but clean, sterile, and laced with Kian's powerful scent. Cedarwood, strong and unyielding. It wrapped around me, pushing down on my own faint, almost invisible scent, making me feel even smaller.
Kian led me down a hallway, and another silent door opened. Inside, it was a bedroom bigger than my entire old apartment.
The bed was enormous, covered in soft, cream-colored blankets. There was a comfy sitting area, a private bathroom with marble walls, and a closet that looked like it could swallow a small car.
This is... for me?My mind screamed. I'd never seen so much space, so much luxury, in my life. It was alien. It felt like a trap, almost. Too good to be true. Was this what fated mates meant? Getting swallowed whole by an Alpha who owned everything?
"The wardrobe is empty for now," Kian's deep voice rumbled, pulling me from my dazed thoughts. "We'll arrange for a selection of clothes to be brought tomorrow, based on your preferences." He was already planning my life, my clothes, my everything. It made my stomach clench.
My hand fluttered, hovering over the silk bedspread. It felt so soft, so expensive. Too expensive for me to even touch. "I... I can't stay here," I finally managed, my voice a pathetic whisper. "This is too much. I'm just..."
Kian moved closer. His scent intensified, a comforting weight that paradoxically made me feel more exposed. "You are my omega, Rui," he reiterated, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "This is where you belong. Safe. With me."
He was so calm, so sure. And me? I was shaking inside. He wanted me here. He wanted me. The Alpha everyone called cold and untouchable, the one who controlled billions. He wanted me, the defective, useless omega from the slums. It made no sense.
Just then, a familiar chime rang in my head, soft but clear. It was the System. Oh, great. What now?
[New Task Activated for Host: Make Yourself at Home – Reward: 50 Points]
[New Task Activated for Host: Hold Kian's Hand – Reward: 150 Points]
[Observation: Host's Comfort Level 25% - Potential for Improvement]
My eyes darted from the notifications to Kian. Hold Kian's Hand?! My face probably went bright red. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. Was the System messing with me?
This was Kian Elros!
The man whose presence alone made my knees weak. And the System wanted me to just... hold his hand?
One hundred and fifty points. That was a lot. More than any task so far. The thought pulled at me. Points meant safety, security. But holding Kian's hand... that felt like stepping into a whole new level of danger, of intimacy I wasn't ready for.
Kian was watching me, his dark eyes intense, unblinking. Did he know? Could he see the floating screen? No, that was impossible. He just stood there, waiting, utterly still.
My palms suddenly felt sweaty. This was it. Two choices. Ignore the task and risk the System's wrath, or take the leap. My omega instincts screamed for me to cower, to run, to hide from this overwhelming Alpha. But the memory of hunger, of the alley, of the constant struggle to survive, pushed harder. Points. I need the points.
My hand, trembling almost imperceptibly, slowly, awkwardly, lifted. It felt like moving through thick syrup. Kian's eyes followed my motion. He didn't flinch, didn't move an inch. He just... waited.
Then, with a burst of courage I didn't know I had, I reached out. My fingers, small and clumsy, just barely brushed against his larger, warm hand hanging at his side. It was firm, unyielding. He didn't grab me. He didn't move away. He simply let my fingertips graze his skin, waiting.
Taking a shaky breath, I curled my fingers just a little, tentatively, around his. His hand was so much bigger, swallowing mine whole. A jolt, like static electricity, shot up my arm.
It wasn't unpleasant.
It was... warm.
The warmth of Kian's hand lingered on my fingertips. My face felt hot, and a strange mix of relief and a tiny, almost shameful tingle pulsed through me. After a moment, I gently, almost imperceptibly, let go of his hand, tucking mine behind my back like I'd just stolen something. Kian just watched me, those deep, dark eyes giving nothing away. It was impossible to tell if he was amused, annoyed, or just... happy.
"Then, a familiar ringing echoed in my head."
[Task Complete: Hold Kian's Hand – Reward: 150 Points]
[Current Points: 250]