Lyra's POV – Strategic Wing, Morning
The email was simple.
> Subject: Audit Interview – Strategic Cluster Personnel
Location: HR Conference 2B
Time: 11:15 A.M.
Her stomach flipped. The timestamp was too close. The room too high-profile. The wording too vague.
Talia passed by her desk, coffee in hand. One glance at Lyra's screen and she stopped short.
"That's a trap," she said.
Lyra closed the tab. "It says it's routine."
Talia's jaw ticked. "So does poison when it's sweetened."
Before Lyra could reply, her system pinged again.
> Interview Postponed – System Rescheduling in Progress.
Per Request: Office of Strategic Oversight
She turned slowly. Across the room, Theo didn't look up from his screen. Didn't move. But his presence pressed like a shield.
Talia exhaled. "I'll buy him a coffee. And a sword."
---
Lyra's POV – Strategic Hallway
The man leaning casually against the glass looked like trouble dipped in tailored charm.
He straightened as she approached, bright smile flickering with curiosity. "You're not who I expected to see in Strategy."
Lyra paused. "I work here."
"Even better." He extended a hand. "Rhys Dorne."
His grip was firm, warm. His dimples made her blink.
"I'm visiting my dear cousin. Or at least pretending to, so my mother doesn't ask why I still haven't committed to a vineyard investment."
"Which cousin?" she asked.
His smile turned sly. "The tall, brooding, incapable-of-small-talk one."
Cassian.
"You know," Rhys added, tilting his head, "you don't smell like this wing. Not entirely. There's something... off-pattern. Kind of familiar."
Lyra's throat tightened.
"Don't worry," he said, winking. "I like mysteries. And yours smells expensive."
She didn't reply. She didn't need to.
That was when Cassian rounded the corner.
---
Cassian's POV – Same Corridor
Cassian hadn't expected to see Rhys. Certainly not leaning too close, laughing too softly.
He didn't make a sound. Just stood. Watching.
And for the first time in weeks, jealousy flickered hot and fast in his chest.
Not possessive. Not territorial.
Personal.
Because Lyra laughed once, low and uncertain, and it wasn't meant for Rhys. But it landed there anyway.
Rhys turned, noticed him, and grinned like a man who'd stirred something on purpose.
"Well, well. Speak of the devil."
Cassian didn't smile. "You're early."
"I'm always early when I'm curious." He looked at Lyra again. "Nice meeting you, Lyra."
She nodded once. Then left.
Rhys gave a long, low whistle. "She's sharp."
"She's not yours to notice," Cassian said evenly.
Rhys raised his hands, amused. "Oh, I noticed. Doesn't mean I'm stupid."
Then, "She smells like you, you know."
Cassian didn't reply.
Rhys laughed. "So it's true. Or almost."
Then he added, quieter: "Mother's planning to stay. She says this place needs better wine and fewer secrets."
---
Letizia Private Apartment
Cassian didn't explain. He just handed her the folder.
Letizia skimmed it in silence.
Then set it aside and sipped her wine. "Well. That explains the tone in your eyes lately."
"You're not surprised," he said.
"I raised four Dorne boys. You think I can't smell an omega in distress clinging to dignity?"
"She didn't ask for this."
"She won't have a choice if someone else frames the story first." Letizia's voice softened. "You need to protect her, Cassian. Formally."
He stared at the skyline.
"She's not leverage," he said.
"Then act like it. Because if you don't step up, someone will step in. And they won't be kind."
—
Lyra POV – Admin Floor
Talia found her in the storage hallway. Gave her a paper cup of cocoa with marshmallows melting into the lid.
"You okay?"
Lyra nodded.
"You sure?"
"No."
Talia grinned. "Good. That's human."
She pulled a face. "Also, you look like someone in a perfume ad. Can you tone down the glowy energy?"
Lyra laughed, just once. "I'll try."
"Try harder. Some of us have fragile egos."
The laugh faded too fast.
But it was real while it lasted.
—
Cassian's Apartment, Later
She didn't expect it to feel so easy. The silence between them. The air held no pressure.
He sat on the floor beside her couch, sleeves rolled up, tie abandoned. A takeout box sat open between them, chopsticks resting across the rim.
"Thank you for delaying the HR meeting," she said.
He didn't look over. "Theo handled it."
"But you knew."
"I knew they'd try something."
She nodded. Quiet.
They ate a few bites in silence.
Then he asked, gently, "Will you let me protect you?"
Her breath caught.
"I won't move unless you say so," he said.
"But the systems won't wait."
She didn't say yes.
But she didn't say no.
She set her hand near his.
Not touching. Just close enough to feel the warmth.
Cassian shifted closer. Slow. Intentional.
And kissed her.
It wasn't urgent. It wasn't messy.
It was grounding.
It was safe.