The Alpha's Regret.His Omega,His Calm

Chapter Five:The Last Time.

Nobody on the executive floor could breathe properly.

The scent pouring from Charles Harrison's office was overwhelming now.

Sharp cedarwood.

Burning spice.

Pure Alpha dominance.

Even the betas were affected.

Meanwhile, every omega in the building had either been escorted downstairs or locked safely inside meeting rooms with scent blockers.

Because Charles Harrison's rut had arrived early and violently which wasn't supposed to happen,the CEO has been under a lot of stress, partly because of Leo's cold attitude towards him which has been keeping him awake for the past three days.

"Where's Leo?!"

The terrified shout came from one of the department heads rushing across the hall.

Nobody answered.

Because everyone knew.

Leo was still at his desk, ignorant of the war going on at the company,

Still working quietly.

Still pretending his heart didn't ache every time Charles lost control inside that office.

The sound of something shattering echoed again.

Employees flinched.

Leo's fingers paused briefly over his keyboard.

His omega instincts twisted painfully.

For three years, Charles's rut had always happened beside him.

Leo knew every stage of it.

The aggression.

The headaches.

The loss of control.

And most importantly—

The loneliness.whatever he whispered,you will get used to it Charles,sooner or later.

"Mr. Leo…"

A secretary approached shakily.

"The CEO won't let anyone near him."

Leo lowered his eyes.

"…I see."so let him be,he will be fine,he shrugged waving the secretary off dismissively.

Before the secretary could continue—

The elevator doors opened sharply.

A sweet omega scent spread instantly across the floor.

Everyone froze.

Ethan Whitmore stepped out looking annoyed.

"I've been calling Charles for hours," he complained. "Why is nobody answering?"

Several employees looked horrified.

One brave manager stepped forward immediately.

"Mr. Whitmore, this isn't a good time—"

"I'll decide that myself."

Ethan walked straight toward Charles's office.

Leo stood abruptly.

"Wait—"

Too late.

Ethan pushed open the office doors.

The entire floor went silent.

Then—

A terrifying growl exploded from inside.

Not human.

Primal.

Violent.

Everyone froze in fear.

The scent that burst from the office became crushing instantly.

Dominant Alpha pheromones flooded the hallway so aggressively that several employees stumbled backward.

Then Ethan screamed.

The omega came stumbling out moments later, pale and trembling violently.

Tears streamed down his face as he collapsed onto the floor struggling to breathe.

"H-help…"

Panic erupted instantly.

"He can't breathe!"

"Call an ambulance!"

"Oh God—"

Leo's chest tightened sharply.

Inside the office, another furious crash echoed.

Charles.

Without thinking, Leo moved toward the door instinctively.

But he stopped himself.

No.

He couldn't keep doing this.

Not anymore.

Meanwhile, Ethan was quickly rushed away as paramedics arrived.

The doctors explained it fast.

Extreme Alpha pheromone rejection.

Charles's rut instincts had reacted aggressively toward an unfamiliar omega entering his territory unexpectedly.

And because the Alpha was already emotionally unstable…

The reaction became dangerous.

Whispers spread immediately after the ambulance left.

"Mr. Harrison has never reacted like that before…"

"Did his rut mutate?"

"No… I think…"

The employees' eyes slowly drifted toward Leo.

Realization spread silently across the floor.

Because despite three years of rumors…

Nobody had ever seen Charles react negatively toward Leo.

Not once.

In fact—

Charles always calmed down around him.

The realization felt dangerous.

Leo immediately looked away.

Inside the office, another crash sounded.

Then silence.

Heavy silence.

A terrible feeling settled in Leo's chest.

Something was wrong.

His phone suddenly vibrated violently.

Mark.

Mark Sullivan.

Leo answered quickly.

"Hello?"

"Leo, thank God."

Mark sounded breathless.

Panicked.

"You need to come."

Leo closed his eyes tiredly.

"Mark…"

"He's losing control."

Another loud crash echoed through the office behind Leo as if proving the point.

Mark cursed softly on the phone.

"I've never seen him like this before."

Leo stayed silent.

"He attacked the conference room walls," Mark continued. "The suppressants aren't working."

The ache in Leo's chest deepened.

Rut suppressants only failed when stress levels became dangerously high for dominant Alphas.

And Charles's stress right now…

Leo knew exactly what was causing it.

"You're the only one he listens to," Mark said desperately. "Please."

Leo gripped the phone tighter.

His mind screamed no.

After everything.

After the humiliation.

After the heartbreak.

He should walk away.

He should let Charles deal with his own problems for once.

But then another memory surfaced painfully—

Charles half-conscious during a past rut, holding Leo tightly while whispering weakly:

"Don't leave me…"

Leo's chest hurt.

Because despite everything…

He still loved him.

Still worried.

Still wanted to protect him.

How pathetic.

Mark's voice softened slightly.

"Leo… he asked for you."

That shattered the last piece of resistance.

Silence filled the apartment around Leo.

Finally, he whispered quietly,

"…I'll come."

Relief flooded Mark's voice instantly.

"Thank God."

But Leo's eyes lowered sadly.

Because this decision wasn't hope.

Wasn't forgiveness.

And definitely wasn't love returned.

No.

This would simply be the last time he would be helping Charles during his rut.

The last time he will surrender to the beast inside him,with that thought in mind he slowly walk towards private elevator.

Nearly an hour later, the private elevator opened directly into the executive floor.

The moment Leo stepped out, every employee looked relieved.

Like salvation had arrived.

The entire floor still smelled overwhelmingly of Charles's pheromones.

Aggressive.

Restless.

Hurting.

Mark rushed toward him immediately.

Tall, exhausted, and clearly stressed, Mark Sullivan looked seconds away from collapsing himself,he came to visit Charles immediately he got back from his business trip only to meet a chaotic and tense atmosphere,he knew instantly that something was wrong.

"You came."

Leo nodded quietly.

"How bad is it?"

Mark ran a hand through his hair.

"He won't let anyone near him. Broke three offices. Nearly attacked security."

Leo swallowed hard.

"And Ethan?"

Mark grimaced.

"At the hospital. He'll recover."

Silence.

Then Mark looked at Leo carefully.

"You know this isn't normal, right?"

Leo frowned slightly.

"Charles's rut?"

"No," Mark muttered quietly. "This."

He gestured toward the destroyed hallway.

"The way he's reacting to losing you."

Leo's chest tightened painfully,he looked away afraid Mark would notice the tears in his eye,he told me you have been acting strange three days ago,you have been distance and cold,

Before he could answer—

A deep growl rumbled from inside the office again.

Immediately Leo's omega instincts reacted.

Warmth spread faintly beneath his skin.

Recognition.

Bonded comfort.

Home.

Leo hated himself a little for it.

Mark noticed the conflict in his expression.

"You don't have to stay forever," he said softly.

Leo looked toward the office doors.

Behind them was the man who broke his heart.

The man he still couldn't stop loving.

Slowly, sadly, Leo answered,

"I know."

Then he walked toward the door,you can do this Leo,forget whatever you heard that day and focus,this will be the last,he whispered but Mark heard every word he said.