~chapter ~

The morning sun had barely risen, but Rion Azrel was already arranging moon orchids in the front window of Flora Haven, the tiny flower shop he worked at. His silver hair glowed softly under the warm light, and his vanilla-moonlight scent drifted through the room, calming the air like always.

Except today… Rion wasn’t calm.

His fingers trembled slightly as he arranged the petals.

Something in the air felt different—like a storm waiting to break.

Rion tried to shake it off.

“Probably just lack of sleep,” he muttered.

From the counter, Lyn Orian snorted.

“That’s what you say every day. And every day you still look like an angel who hasn’t slept in 10 years.”

Rion rolled his eyes.

“Shut up, Lyn.”

But Lyn grinned, leaning against the counter with that minty scent of his.

“I’m just saying,” he teased, “if you keep looking that cute, one day a dangerous alpha will walk in and—”

The bell above the door rang.

And the world fell silent.

A tall figure stepped inside.

Broad shoulders.

Black cloak.

Hair slightly messy from wind.

Eyes like winter storms.

Kael Draven.

Rion didn’t know his name yet.

But his scent—storm rain and cedarwood—hit the room like thunder.

Rion froze.

Lyn’s playful expression vanished instantly.

Even the flowers seemed to stand straighter.

Kael’s gaze swept the shop slowly… and then landed on Rion.

For a moment, Kael forgot to breathe.

He had seen omegas before—hundreds of them, elegant, delicate, graceful. But he had never felt anything like this. The soft vanilla mixed with moonlight wrapped around him, warm and gentle, tugging at the parts of him he’d locked away long ago.

His chest ached.

His heartbeat stuttered.

No.

He didn’t want this.

Not again.

Not ever.

But when Rion blinked up at him, lips parted slightly in surprise, Kael felt something inside him break and heal at the same time.

“C–can I help you?” Rion asked, glancing away, suddenly shy—something he almost never was.

Kael swallowed.

He didn’t know why his voice shook when he answered.

“I… need moon orchids.”

Rion nodded quickly and turned, but his fingers faltered. The vase nearly slipped.

Kael moved before he could think.

One step.

Two.

His hand caught Rion’s wrist gently, steadying it.

A spark shot between them—raw, electric, burning.

Rion gasped softly.

Kael’s eyes widened.

He let go immediately, stepping back like he’d touched fire.

“I—sorry,” Kael muttered, voice low, tense, almost pained.

Rion’s heart beat too fast.

Not from fear.

From something else he didn’t want to name.

From behind the counter, Lyn stared at the scene, his jaw tightening.

Who the hell was this alpha?

And why did Rion’s scent suddenly react like that?

Rion cleared his throat, grabbing the vase properly this time.

“No worries,” he whispered.

He didn’t understand why his cheeks were warm.

Kael watched him carefully, eyes softer than before… almost vulnerable.

Rion placed the orchids on the counter.

“These are fresh. Just arrived today.”

Kael nodded but didn’t look at the flowers.

He looked only at him.

“Your scent…”

Kael suddenly stopped.

Rion froze.

Every omega feared those words—because scents could change destinies.

But Kael didn’t finish his sentence.

Instead, he pulled out payment silently.

Rion took the money, their fingers brushing.

That spark again.

Kael stepped back, gripping the flowers tightly.

This shouldn’t happen.

He wasn’t supposed to feel anything.

Not after what he’d lost.

He forced himself to turn and leave.

But at the door, he paused.

Without looking back, he said:

“What’s your name… omega?”

Rion’s breath caught.

Something in Kael’s voice wasn’t dominance.

It was curiosity.

Interest.

A pull he couldn’t hide.

“…Rion,” he answered softly.

Kael stood there for a heartbeat… then whispered:

“Rion.”

As if tasting the name.

As if memorizing it.

Then he walked out.

Rion stood frozen.

His heart was too loud.

His scent too warm.

Lyn rushed to him immediately.

“Rion? Are you okay? Who even was that alpha? Did he touch you? Did he scare you?”

Rion shook his head slowly.

“No… he didn’t scare me.”

“Then why do you look like you just saw your soulmate?”

Rion didn’t answer.

But outside, standing under a grey sky, Kael Draven looked down at the moon orchids in his hand.

And for the first time in years,

he whispered to himself…

“Why… does he smell like fate?”

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Thank you so much for reading this chapter.

I’m still a beginner writer, but your support means everything to me.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Rion, Kael, and the world they live in.

Their journey has only just begun — there is so much more love, drama, and destiny waiting for them.

Please look forward to the next chapter.

I’ll continue the story soon, with all my heart.

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