Rain fell in a fine drizzle over the narrow streets of the small Italian town, soaking the stone pathways. Cael hurried along, his umbrella long gone, hair plastered to his head, feet slipping on the wet cobblestones. He tried to find his way back, but every alley looked the same.
Suddenly, a large shadow appeared ahead. A tall woman, dark hair swept back, sharp eyes fixed on him. "You look like you could use some help," the voice was calm yet firm. Adela.
Cael looked at her, startled, yet relieved. "Uh… yes… thank you… I'm lost," he replied softly. Adela gave a small smile, reaching out her hand while holding her own umbrella. "Follow me. If you stay out in this rain, you'll catch a cold."
They walked side by side, the rain drenching their clothes, unintentionally creating an intimate atmosphere. Cael felt comfortable in Adela's presence—something he rarely felt before. He glanced at her, giving a shy smile, and she smiled back unexpectedly.
Arriving at a small café glowing with warm yellow light, Adela opened the door for him. "Come in, warm up first," she said. Cael stepped inside, brushing rain off his jacket, and they sat across from each other.
"Thanks for helping me back there," Cael said, his voice slightly trembling—not from the rain, but from a newfound sense of safety. Adela just nodded, eyes carefully observing him. "No need to thank me. But you have to promise me, don't do anything reckless in weather like this again."
They laughed together. At one point, Adela draped her shawl over Cael's shoulders, and their hands brushed spontaneously. Cael looked at her hand for a moment, warmth spreading through his chest. "You… are always like this—calm, yet firm?" he asked. Adela smiled. "Only when someone I care about worries me."
Time passed quickly; the rain eased, but they remained in the café, sipping hot coffee and talking about small things—their favorite foods, beautiful views in Italy, songs they liked. Every laugh and smile drew them closer.
At one point, Adela reached for Cael's hand, holding it as she looked into his eyes. Cael blushed, yet did not pull away. A strange sense of safety and warmth enveloped them both, even though the world outside was uncertain.
"This… feels strange," Cael whispered, "but I feel safe with you." Adela smiled softly, eyes glimmering. "Sometimes, we just need someone to make us feel like this." They stayed silent for a moment, letting the warmth settle without words.
The moment was brief, but it left a sweet memory etched in their hearts. Cael looked out the café window at the clearing sky, sunlight beginning to pierce through. He realized his feelings for Adela had grown beyond simple admiration.
Adela, meanwhile, smiled inwardly, already planning—how to keep her Omega safe, and perhaps, one day, bring Cael closer, beyond just this fleeting moment.
---
Adela sat in a small room, afternoon sunlight filtering through the window, highlighting her calm yet determined face. Flashbacks of her moment with Cael replayed in her mind—the narrow rainy street, their laughter in the café, the accidental touch of hands. Her heart raced, not merely because of the sweetness of the memory, but because Cael truly mattered to her.
She drew a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. "I can't let him stay in danger…" she whispered to herself. Every step she had taken since the F-E-R-O-M 9 mission began reinforced one fact—Cael was the focus of Eric and the team. They may not realize it, but he was in a highly risky position.
Her mind jumped to strategy. She needed to get Cael out of their watchful eyes without raising suspicion. She realized she would have to be gentle, sweet, yet clever. "I need to make him trust that I'm on his side…" she thought, fingers twirling a strand of hair that fell over her shoulder.
She stood, moving to the window, gazing at the colorful Italian town. Every smile, every sweet word from before could be a tool.
But there was one obstacle—Cael wasn't naive. He was a clever Omega, observant, aware of danger. Adela knew her moves had to be precise—too rough or hasty, and Cael would push back, or worse, the mission would be compromised.
She closed her eyes again, recalling Cael's shy smile at the café, the way he slightly ducked when touched. "Will he trust me again?" she asked herself. Warmth filled her chest, but her resolve remained. "He will follow me. I know how to make him feel safe."
She began planning—silent signals, discreet meeting points, the perfect timing to lead Cael out without disturbing Eric and the team. Every action had to be subtle, like a dance only the two of them understood.
Adela opened her laptop, studying the area map, plotting the safest escape route. She made notes, marking strategic points, appropriate times, and contingency plans. Every second was filled with planning, yet her heart focused on one goal—Cael's safety.
She smiled softly, closing the laptop. "Soon… everything will go as I planned," she whispered. The earlier sweet flashback wasn't just a memory—it was the key to gaining Cael's trust, not just in her, but in the fact that they could be safe together.
In the quiet of the room, Adela's determination shone brighter than ever. She knew the path was difficult, fraught with risk, but her heart was clear—she would not let her Omega be in danger again. And when the time came, Cael would be at her side, unsuspecting, trusting, following every step she chose.
---
Night often enveloped the heavily guarded house. Dim exterior lights were enough to illuminate the perimeter and the shadows of patrolling guards. From the outside, the house looked ordinary. But inside, every corner was monitored, every movement observed.
Cael was in one of the upstairs rooms. Not a cell, not an interrogation room—just a locked empty room. While awaiting further orders, it was the safest place for him.
Eric stood in the small kitchen, glancing at his watch. They had been waiting too long.
"The day has changed, HQ is still silent," one of the agents whispered.
Eric nodded. "We can't do anything until HQ contacts us. Procedure is procedure."
They all knew it—within this unit, only HQ could initiate contact. They weren't allowed to reach out first. It was a safety measure—no leaks, no rash decisions.
Eric took a tray of food and started toward the upstairs level. His steps were calm, face blank as usual. Though the situation remained half-pending, he showed no hesitation. This wasn't the first time he had waited for orders mid-mission.
But before he could reach the top of the stairs, a swift movement appeared from a dark corner.
Everything happened too fast.
Eric's body jolted forward, nearly dropping the tray. He caught himself before falling, his agent reflexes taking over. In front of him, a masked man with a white smile and splashes of red stood tall. Weapon raised just low enough to threaten, but clearly dangerous.
Eric did not flinch. He straightened, eyes sharp, analyzing.
"Brave to come this far," he said calmly, without fear.
The man did not answer. He simply moved toward the stairs—toward Cael.
In a blink, Eric seized the opportunity. From behind, he lunged, pushing the man to the floor. A brief struggle ensued before Eric gained control. His hand reached for the mask, pulling it away with a sharp tug.
Eric froze.
His heartbeat felt heavy for a moment.
A blonde-haired man stared back at him. The sight left Eric stiff—not out of fear, but from something that shouldn't have arisen in this moment.
Shock. Disappointment. And something deeper, unnameable.
He could not speak.