Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 218 - 4: What makes Killian happy

Chapter 218: Chapter 4: What makes Killian happy

Killian tried to focus on his work, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the man.

His mind replayed their brief interaction in the elevator, the way he had stopped the doors from closing, how his presence had triggered something inside Killian that he couldn’t explain.

Was it possible...? No.

Killian pushed the thought away. There was no way that Steve Williams was the cause of his heat. That didn’t make any sense. He barely knew the man, and they hadn’t interacted enough to justify the sudden onset of his heat.

But the lingering effects of that encounter couldn’t be denied. Every time he thought of Steve, his body reacted with a strange, almost magnetic pull.

It was unnerving.

"A...uhm, Mr. Killian..."

A voice snapped Killian from his reverie. He looked up from the figure standing on the edge of his desk and found the female omega who suffered a pheromone shock a week ago. "Ms. Ingrid. How are you feeling now?"

Ingrid Shelby bowed at Killian in a ninety-degree posture as she exclaimed, "I’m sorry for troubling you last week, Mr. Arden! I heard that you were in shock too after helping me. Thank you so much and I’m really sorry for the inconvenience I’ve caused you!"

Killian was a bit surprised at the sudden loud apology. He glanced around and found a few watching them. He quickly held the woman by the shoulder and straightened her up. "Don’t mention it. I think it’s not entirely because of the shock that I went into heat anyway. My heat schedule is in that week too, so it just started a few days earlier. It’s not your fault, Ms. Ingrid."

Killian lied. His next heat would be in three months, and the suppressant herbs he always carried were just for emergencies due to irresponsible alphas he might encounter. He wasn’t easily affected, yes, but what if the alpha targeted him and poured an intense pheromone shower on him?

Even if he is recessive, he’s still an omega with a functioning nose and hormones.

"Please, accept this. Even if it’s not entirely my fault, it still weighs on me. I...uh...also, didn’t know that you’re an...omega. I’m sorry..." Ingrid gave him a box of energy bars and supplements.

Killian accepted them and mumbled his gratitude. After that, Ingrid excused herself.

By lunchtime, Killian’s nerves were frayed. He needed a break; some space to clear his head.

He grabbed his lunch and headed to the quiet park a few blocks from the office, hoping the fresh air would help him relax. Emily had to lunch with her team, so he decided to eat alone since she was the only one he was comfortable with.

It was a pity that they weren’t in the same department.

However, as soon as he sat down on a bench, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his heart skipped a beat.

It was a message from the manager.

[Mr. Steve Williams has requested a meeting with you at 2 PM. Please report to his office.]

Killian stared at the message, his stomach twisting into knots. A meeting? With that man? Alone? Why?!

His mind raced.

Why did Steve want to see him? Was it related to the pheromone shock incident? Or had he noticed his strange behavior today? Killian couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than just a routine work meeting.

He couldn’t help but feel dreadful, and so, he wasn’t able to finish his meal because of it.

At exactly 2 PM, Killian found himself standing outside Steve’s office. His palms were sweaty, and his heart was racing. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Come in," came the smooth voice from the other side.

Killian pushed the door open and stepped inside. The man was seated behind his desk, his green eyes immediately locking onto Killian as he entered the room.

"Mr. Arden," Nathaniel said, his voice calm and composed. "Thank you for coming. Please, take a seat."

Killian swallowed hard and sat down, trying to keep his expression neutral. His body was reacting to the alpha’s presence again, a warmth building in his chest that made it difficult to concentrate.

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, studying Killian with an intensity that made him squirm. "I’ve heard a lot about you," he said, his tone casual, but his eyes never leaving Killian’s. "You handled the pheromone shock incident exceptionally well."

Killian blinked, taken aback by the compliment. "I... I just did what I had to do," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Nathaniel nodded slowly. "You did more than that. You showed remarkable composure under pressure. Most omegas would have been incapacitated in that situation, but you remained unaffected."

Killian felt a flush rise to his cheeks. It was still a wonder to him how the man could easily tell he was an omega from the beginning.

Furthermore, he wasn’t used to this kind of attention, especially not from an obviously dominant alpha like him, so his awkward actions may seem noticeable. He lowered his gaze and replied, "I’ve... always been a little different."

"Different," Nathaniel repeated, his voice quieter now. "Yes, I can see that."

Killian halted. He lifted his head and met those green eyes again. What did he mean? Killian wanted to ask, but his words were caught in his throat.

For a moment, the room was filled with a heavy silence, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Killian’s heart was pounding in his chest, his mind racing to make sense of the strange connection he felt toward his superior.

Nathaniel leaned forward slightly, his green eyes piercing into Killian’s soul. "Due to the consecutive pheromone shock that happened last week, the committee was considering creating a new policy or benefit aimed at enhancing the well-being of omegas in the workplace. It’s a policy allowing them to take leave in advance of their heat cycle schedule to prevent situations like pheromone shocks during working hours."

Nathaniel stood up, walked around the desk, and stopped right in front of Killian. He looked down at him, his expression unreadable. "I’d like to hear your thoughts about it."

Killian’s breath hitched, his pulse quickening. The intensity of Nathaniel’s gaze was overwhelming, and for a brief moment, Killian felt like he was teetering on the edge of something dangerous.

He lowered his head and stammered, "I...I...uh...am will be happy if that policy is implemented..."

What? What the hell is he saying?! The man wasn’t asking for his feelings! Killian wanted to slap his forehead in embarrassment. His mouth moved on his own and spouted nonsense!

Killian’s inner monologue was cut off when he heard a soft chuckle. He was surprised, learning it came from the alpha.

Nathaniel realized it and his smile disappeared. He looked away, his ears tinged in red, but his expression remained impassive.

He pursed his lips and cleared his throat. "A very adequate response, Mr. Arden. I will make sure to consider your happiness once the deliberation proceeds. You can leave now. Thank you for your cooperation."

Killian’s face flushed. He wasn’t sure if the director was teasing him or what, but he just couldn’t find the right words to refute him. It was like his tongue always twists if he talks with him. So, he just excused himself.

As Killian left Nathaniel’s office, tension followed him, lingering even after the door softly clicked shut. He could still feel Nathaniel’s gaze, intense and unreadable as if it had branded itself into his very being.

His heart raced, not just because of the unsettling feelings stirred within him but also because the meeting itself had been unusual. It wasn’t every day that a higher-up like Nathaniel—or Steve Williams, as Killian still thought—would ask for his opinion on company policy.

What was the call even for?

Usually, when there are debates about changing or adding some regulations in the company policies, the committee would just send survey questionnaires through emails.

Killian just shrugged his shoulders and continued working, trying his best to focus his mind on his monitor and not on the man a few doors away.