The Unspoken Bonds between Two Alphas

November in Ron City "President Moon!" Seeing the person arrive, Tory Bell hurried over as if he had seen a savior. However, before he could express his enthusiastic and sincere greetings, he was interrupted by a smile from the man before him. "We are equals, just call me Sebastian." Being addressed as 'President' by his own secretary, an honor bestowed by Clare Alonzo, was more than he felt he deserved. Besides, in terms of work experience, Tory probably had more than him. Sebastian glanced at his watch; the hands just past 1:45 PM. He should make it on time. "You go ahead and prepare for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. I'll go to the entrance to receive President Alonzo." He patted Tory’s shoulder reassuringly before turning to leave. Today marked the sixth anniversary of the Holy Angel Orphanage, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 2 pm. This orphanage was a lifelong wish of Mrs. Alonzo. From design and funding to execution, every step was meticulously overseen by Clare. Therefore, he would personally oversee this anniversary celebration. Anything funded by the Alonzo family, big or small, draws the attention of Ron City's elites. Now, the entrance is congested with a continuous stream of luxury cars. It took Sebastian a while to locate Clare's car among the sea of vehicles. Approaching, he tapped on the backseat window. The heavy car door opened, releasing a nauseatingly sweet scent of jasmine. Sebastian’s expression stiffened momentarily, and his hand movement paused. Before he could compose himself, Clare stepped out with a look of disgust. It was unclear whether he detested the surrounding scent or was annoyed by Sebastian’s reaction. He frowned and coldly asked, "What are you standing there for?" Sebastian suddenly remembered his rush to arrive had made him forget to bring a change of clothes. In a moment of desperation, he took off his coat, intending to swap it with Clare. They were of similar build, and the oversize coat should not be too noticeable. However, Clare’s expression grew even stranger at this gesture. He stared at the simple shirt on the other side and then disdainfully shook his own suit, saying, "It's fine. The smell will dissipate soon." As Clare walked away, Sebastian's heart sank. Holding his coat, his hands tightened involuntarily. Leaning closer, he caught a faint, barely there scent of dandelions. He had almost forgotten; he, too, was an Alpha. By 3 pm, the ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded smoothly. While Clare was still seeing off guests, Tory quickly pulled Sebastian aside for a private conversation. "Sebastian, what do you think about our president's feelings towards that Omega from the Valley family?" Despite being equals, Tory treated Sebastian with the utmost respect. He joined the Alonzo Group through campus recruitment right after graduation and worked his way up to his current position. Over the years, he had become quite savvy. Everyone in the company knew Sebastian Moon was practically part of the Alonzo family. Raised alongside Clare Alonzo since childhood, even the typically strict Chair Alonzo publicly declared Sebastian as his adopted son. If Sebastian were an Omega, this upbringing would make sense. However, as an Alpha, it raised questions about his true identity. Regardless of any rumors, he and Clare were recognized as non-biological brothers in the company, a status that demanded more respect than an ordinary employee. "You know, I have to report back to Chair Alonzo about this," Tory said, looking distressed. Clare was twenty-eight this year, the right age to choose a suitable Omega for marriage. At that thought, Sebastian's nose was again assailed by the cloying jasmine scent. To leave such a potent pheromone trace, how intimate must they have been? But he had no right to ask. All he could do was to respond officially and meticulously, like a competent assistant: "I'll ask him later and get back to you in the evening." Knowing that Sebastian was a man of his word, Tory finally relaxed and thanked him, "Great, you really are a lifesaver. I’ll head back to the office then." As Clare approached, Tory greeted him and hurried off. "Saved his life?" Clare joked, having overheard part of the conversation. "Did you give Tory a raise?" Sebastian wanted to say he lacked such authority, but upon reflection, decided against it, as it sounded too much like intimate banter between lovers. Instead, he opted for a tone of resignation, "It's just some work-related networking." After saying this, he met Clare's narrow, light brown, gem-like eyes. Memories of their childhood surfaced, and his words, despite his calm expression, carried the sincerity of a confession: "You are my true savior." Seemingly on the same wavelength, Clare coughed awkwardly into his fist: "As long as you know. Walk with me?" "Of course." The deep autumn in Ron City was slightly chilly, but fortunately, the afternoon sun made the orphanage's scenery quite pleasant. The roadside was filled with a variety of flowers - roses, camellias, dandelions, and jasmine. Remembering Tory's request, Sebastian, while gazing at the plants and trees, casually asked, "How did your matchmaking go at noon?" His tone was indifferent, like a concerned non-biological brother. Clare's expression soured. He glanced at Sebastian reproachfully, then said irritably, "Annoying, delicate, troublesome." And that Omega used too much perfume. The strong scent of jasmine was already overwhelming, and adding a similar perfume made it unbearable for him even to eat. Perhaps out of jealousy, Sebastian felt unexpectedly better. Out of Clare's sight, he smiled and nodded, "Looks like the chair will introduce someone tougher next time." "What a hassle." It was unclear whether Clare referred to the matchmaking or his father. Sebastian plucked a dandelion, intending to blow off a speck of dust from its fluffy white head. However, his breath was too strong, and the whole dandelion dispersed, its seeds scattering to unknown fates. "One must marry eventually," Sebastian said, sounding like a nagging brother, or perhaps advising a superior, but definitely not like a lover who spent every day together. "And you? Will you marry?" Clare asked abruptly, his tone sounding very displeased. "Me?" Sebastian paused, taking a moment to realize the implication. He had never considered marriage, but he needed to reassure Clare. So, he earnestly replied, "I need to focus on my career first, at least reach your level." From an assistant to a president – a chasm he will never bridge. The conversation should have ended smoothly, but something seemed to upset Clare today. He persisted, "Reach my level, then you'll marry?" "Ah, why are you..." Sebastian's response was cut off by a toy car. Picking up the "uninvited guest" at his feet, he noted its simplicity, with exposed mechanical parts, unlike a*****e-bought toy, seemingly handcrafted. Before he could examine it closely, a figure stood up from the nearby bushes. A child stared quietly at the toy in Sebastian's hand, his gaze a mix of caution and fear. "That's mine," he said softly. The child's mature demeanor struck a familiar chord in Sebastian. He handed back the toy car, gently touching the boy's head. "What's your name, young man?" Despite Sebastian's attempt at a friendly demeanor, his presence was too imposing for the child. The boy stepped back, clutching his toy tightly. "I don't have a name, just a number." The orphanage gathered many city orphans, some abandoned at birth without names. However, teachers usually let such conscious children choose their preferred names by age three, rather than continuing with numbers, especially for a child nearly a meter tall. It seemed the boy didn't want to talk. Catching the faint, bitter scent of the child, Sebastian asked, "Are you an Omega?" Most abandoned children were Betas and Omegas due to their inherent traits. "Alpha." The child ran off, too impatient to say goodbye. Lost in thought, Sebastian muttered to himself, "Can Alphas also be unwanted?" "What are you thinking about?" Clare asked, noticing Sebastian's gaze at the boy. Sebastian was about to dismiss it when a surprising idea struck him. "I want to adopt him." "What did you say?" Clare asked in disbelief. "Young master, I want to adopt him." Clare's eyes narrowed as he stared intently at Sebastian. Since graduating, Sebastian had stopped calling him 'young master' and switched to 'president.' Yet, Clare disliked 'young master' even more. It signified Sebastian lowering himself further, weakening their relationship, ready to detach at any moment. "Ridiculous," he chided sternly. "Do you think this is a pet?" "I'll take responsibility, raise him well," Sebastian rushed to explain, never one to abandon any life. "I don't agree." Sebastian knew Clare disliked children, so he quickly added, "I won't bring him to the Alonzo house. It won't bother you." But this seemed to anger Clare more. "Not bring him home? Where then? Or do you already have your own place?" "I wouldn't dare." Sensing Sebastian's reluctance, Clare frowned, his tone a mix of advice and warning: "Sebastian, you can barely support yourself. How can you take care of a child?" Though meant as a lover's whisper, Sebastian only felt a tightness in his chest hearing these words. That's right, he owed eighteen years of debt to the Alonzo family for raising him. How could he, who lived at their mercy, dare to make his own decisions? Yet, at this moment, Sebastian's defiance was palpable, almost self-destructive, as he uttered a painful truth: "Don't you remember? My twin brother also liked tinkering with robots..." The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken words and emotions. Clare's eyes, usually so expressive, now masked a storm of thoughts. The complexity of their relationship – part familial, part professional, and deeply personal – hung palpably between them. "Sebastian," Clare's voice softened slightly, a rare occurrence. "You're not your brother." For a fleeting second, Sebastian glimpsed a different Clare, one less burdened by expectations and duties. But the moment passed quickly, like the dandelion seeds carried away by the wind. The rest of their walk was silent, each lost in their own thoughts, as they navigated the complexities of their intertwined lives.