Out of Bounds

22

Archer brushed the stray hair away from Shiloh’s face and gently pulled the blanket up to cover his body as Shiloh instinctively moved closer to him.

A small, almost unnoticeable smile formed on Archer’s lips. Carefully, he traced his gaze over Shiloh’s features—from his closed eyes down to his jaw—taking in the calm expression on his face. It was rare to see him like this, completely at ease.

"Good thing you’re a heavy sleeper," Archer murmured under his breath. He knew Shiloh wouldn’t wake easily, not without his alarms.

Archer then lifted his hand and lightly touched Shiloh’s lips with his index finger, exhaling slowly as he did. There was something about this quiet moment that felt… different.

More than just the usual.

Archer was attracted to Shiloh—no, it was more than that.

He liked him. And he had known it for a while now.

The memory of when he saw Shiloh in the library flashed in his mind—unconscious, vulnerable, unlike the composed and controlled captain everyone knew. At that moment, Archer couldn’t explain it, but something had pulled him in. It felt like fate had a hand in it.

That same day, he had accidentally discovered Shiloh’s secret—that he was an omega and instead of stepping away, Archer had done the opposite.

A reckless idea had formed in his mind. That was when he made the deal. To be Shiloh’s f**k buddy. At the time, it seemed simple, but now, as he looked at Shiloh sleeping peacefully beside him, Archer couldn’t help but feel that things were no longer as simple as they used to be.

Archer closed his eyes and pulled Shiloh closed to him as he drifted off to sleep.

Morning came somewhere in the City, Alec pulled out an envelope and slowly opened it. Inside were photographs of two men. He stared at them, his expression unreadable as he began browsing through each photo one by one.

"What are you hiding from me?" Alec whispered under his breath. His fingers tightened slightly around the edges of the photographs as his eyes narrowed.

"I’ll find out soon," he added quietly. His phone suddenly vibrated, breaking the silence in the room.

Alec reached for it and saw his secretary’s name flashing on the screen. He answered the call, his tone calm but firm.

"Hello, sir."

"Mikee, what is it?" Alec said. "I told you to only call me if it’s urgent," he added.

There was a brief pause on the other end before Mikee cleared his throat.

"Sir, the Patriarch is here and he’s demanding your presence," Mikee said.

Alec cursed under his breath and glanced back at the envelope. Without another word, he slipped the photographs back inside and placed it aside.

"Tell him I’m coming," Alec said before ending the call. He stood up and removed his robe, quickly changing back into his working clothes. As he buttoned his shirt, his gaze briefly drifted toward the bed.

An omega lay there, still fast asleep. Alec’s expression didn’t change. He walked over to the side table, pulled out his wallet, and placed a stack of money beside the bed—payment for the night.

Without sparing another glance, Alec turned his back and walked out of the room, leaving everything behind as if it meant nothing to him.

Alec arrived at the Whitmore company he was managing, and as soon as he stepped inside, employees greeted him with respect.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, Mr. Whitmore."

Alec acknowledged them with small nods as he walked straight toward his private elevator. He pressed the button for his floor—the top level, where his father was waiting.

The ride up was quiet, but the tension lingered. When the elevator doors opened, Alec stepped out and immediately saw his father’s personal bodyguards stationed outside the office.

Without a word, he walked past them and entered.

Inside, Jansen Whitmore stood with his back facing him, looking out through the wide glass window overlooking the city.

"Father," Alec greeted respectfully.

Jansen slowly turned around, his sharp eyes immediately landing on Alec. He looked him over from head to toe, as if assessing him.

"Where have you been, Alec?" Jansen asked. "I hope you’re not fooling around like your brother," he added, his tone firm and serious. Alec felt a slight tension in his chest but kept his composure.

"No, Father," he replied. "I was out having a breakfast with the daughter of the Smith family," he added. It wasn’t entirely a lie—but not the full truth either. Jansen’s gaze remained steady.

"And?" he asked. Alec straightened slightly.

"I believe Jessica would agree to the marriage," he said.

The meeting had been centered around a marriage alliance something both families saw as beneficial. If successful, the Whitmore and Smith families would merge their businesses, expanding their influence even further just exactly what Jansen wanted. Jansen nodded once.

"Alright. Make sure they agree," he said simply.

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the office, not even sparing Alec a second glance.

The moment the door closed, Alec loosened his tie and let out a long breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

He walked over and dropped into his swivel chair, exhaustion briefly showing on his face.

Right on cue, Mikee stepped forward and handed him a cup of coffee. Alec took it with a small nod.

Mikee knew the routine well—whenever the Whitmore patriarch visited, Alec always needed something to steady himself afterward.

Alec took a sip, letting the warmth calm his nerves as he leaned back into his chair.

"Mikee," he called his secretary.

"Yes, boss?" Mikee replied, immediately looking at him, attentive as always.

"Send Jessica a bouquet of flowers and a diamond necklace. Then tell her I want to have dinner with her," Alec said, his tone calm but firm. Mikee quickly jotted everything down.

"Alright, boss. I’m on it," Mikee said.

Alec nodded and leaned back slightly, closing his eyes for a brief moment. But his rest was cut short when his phone vibrated again. Frowning, he pulled it out of his pocket and checked the notification.

His expression darkened instantly. It was from his bank. An amount of money—exactly the same as what he had given earlier had been transferred back to his account. Alec’s jaw tightened.

Without hesitation, he dialed a number he had already memorized. The call connected after a few rings.

"Hello?"

Alec gripped his phone tightly.

"What the hell are you planning, Nicole?" he demanded. "Why did you send back the money I gave you?" His voice was laced with irritation.

There was a pause on the other end before Nicole spoke again, her tone steady.

"I’m not a w***e, Alec," she said. "I sent everything back because I agreed in the first place without your f*****g money and it was foolish of me to allow it," he added. Alec clenched his jaw, frustration building.

"Why are you so f*****g stubborn?" he snapped. A quiet scoff came from the other line.

"You know the answer to that, Alec," Nicole replied. "And don’t call me again. I’m spending time with MY son today," he added. Before Alec could respond, the line went dead. Alec pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at the screen in annoyance.

"f**k…" he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair as frustration settled deep in his chest.