Owen returned to the nurse's station, trying to contain his grin. Emily was waiting, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"So? What happened?" she whispered.
Owen leaned in, keeping his voice low. "The lizard's in a party hat and sunglasses on Hayden's desk. He knows it was me."
Emily's giggles erupted, and she covered her mouth. "Oh my god, what did he say?"
Owen chuckled, recounting the conversation. "He told me to 'handle it'. Like I'm the one throwing a party on his desk."
Emily shook her head, laughing. "You two are something else. What's next?"
Owen's grin turned mischievous. "I think it's time for round two. Want to help?"
Emily's eyes lit up. "Always. What's the plan?"
Owen glanced around, making sure they were alone. "I need you to... 'accidentally' leave a few 'clues' around the hospital. Nothing too obvious, just enough to keep Hayden guessing."
Emily nodded, a sly look on her face. "Like what?"
Owen leaned in closer, a whisper of a plan forming. "Leave a trail of tiny lizard footprints... leading to the conference room."
Emily's eyes widened, and she mumbled, "Genius. And then?"
Owen's smile grew. "We'll see what Hayden does next
Emily nodded, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Tiny lizard footprints it is. But we need a decoy, something to distract Hayden."
Owen's eyes lit up. "I have just the thing. Meet me in the supply closet in 10 minutes."
Emily raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's the decoy?"
Owen's grin was answer enough. "You'll see. Just bring your A-game."
Exactly 10 minutes later, Emily slipped into the supply closet. Owen was waiting, holding a large box.
"What's that?" Emily asked, eyeing the box.
Owen opened it, revealing a ridiculous-looking inflatable rubber chicken.
"It's Clarence," Owen said, trying to keep a straight face. "Our decoy."
Emily burst out laughing. "Clarence the chicken? You're kidding, right?"
Owen shrugged. "Hey, it's a classic. We're going to put Clarence in the conference room, and..."
Emily's eyes widened as she caught on. "The lizard footprints lead to Clarence?"
Owen nodded, grinning. "Exactly. Hayden will think it's the real deal, and while he's distracted, we'll sneak the lizard back."
Emily chuckled, shaking her head. "You're a genius, Owen. Let's do this 😊."
Owen and Emily carefully made their way to the conference room, trying not to arouse suspicion. They quickly set up Clarence the chicken, positioning it in the center of the table.
As they finished, Owen glanced at Emily. "Okay, now for the footprints."
Emily pulled out a tiny stamp they'd prepared earlier, and they started leaving a trail of lizard footprints leading from the door to Clarence.
Just as they finished, they heard footsteps approaching. Hayden's voice echoed down the hall.
"Looks like someone's having a party in here," he said, his tone dry.
Owen and Emily exchanged a look, trying to stifle their giggles. They slipped out of the conference room, hiding just outside the door.
Hayden entered, his eyes scanning the room. They landed on Clarence, and he froze.
"...What," he said, his voice flat.
The lizard footprints led straight to the inflatable chicken. Hayden's expression was priceless - confusion, amusement, and annoyance all rolled into one.
He looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Owen."
Owen and Emily burst out laughing, unable to contain themselves anymore. Hayden's gaze turned to the door, a small smile creeping onto his face.
"Guess it's my turn 😊," he said, his voice low.
Owen grinned, knowing they'd been had. "No .. wait
Hayden's eyes never left Owen's as he dismissed Emily with a wave of his hand. "You can go, Emily."
Emily nodded, trying to suppress a grin, and slipped out of the room. Hayden waited until the door closed behind her, then turned the lock with a soft click.
Owen's eyes widened as Hayden started walking towards him, a determined look on his face. Owen quickly backed away, rounding the desk to put some distance between them.
"Ah, sir... I think we've had enough fun for today," Owen said, trying to sound casual.
Hayden's smile was slow and deliberate. "Oh, I think we're just getting started, Owen."
Owen's heart rate picked up as he continued to back away, his eyes fixed on Hayden. "I mean, the lizard's had its fun, right? Time to call it a day..."
Hayden chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "You think the lizard's the only one having fun?"
Owen's back hit the wall, and he stopped moving. Hayden loomed over him, his eyes glinning with amusement.
"You're in trouble now," Hayden whispered, his voice barely audible.
Owen's grin faltered for a moment, before he rallied. " sir"
Hayden started unbuckling Owen's belt, a mischievous glin in his eye.
Owen's eyes widened in alarm. "Sir, I surrender! What's in there is only for my boyfriend or mate!"
Hayden smirked, pulling the belt free and giving Owen's thighs a playful swat. "Ow, sir! It hurts!" Owen yelped.
Hayden chuckled. "That's the punishment."
He placed the belt on Owen's head, earning a protesting scream. "Hey, that's not fair!"
"What's fair about telling me what's for your boyfriend?" Hayden teased.
Owen nodded sheepishly. "I was just being honest."
Hayden raised an eyebrow. "Really? I bet it's too small for any girl to be satisfied."
Owen fixed his belt, crossing his hands defensively. "It big!"
Hayden laughed mockingly. "Show me then."
Owen rolled his eyes and made a quick exit towards the door. Just as he reached it, Blake walked in, and they collided. Owen stumbled, but Blake caught him, looking confused.
Owen's face turned bright red as he met Blake's gaze. Hayden rolled his eyes, swooped in, and pulled Owen back.
Blake looked taken aback, his hands still hovering near Owen's waist where Hayden had pulled him away. "Uh, sorry..."
Hayden's expression was all innocence. "No harm done, Blake. Just a... demonstration."
Owen was still beet red, trying to catch his breath. "Yeah, just a... demonstration," he echoed, shooting Hayden a look.
Blake nodded slowly, clearly unsure what to make of the situation. "Alright... I was just coming to, uh, discuss the Simmons report?"
Hayden smiled smoothly. "Ah, yes. The report. Let's discuss it in my office, shall we?"
Owen took the opportunity to slip away, muttering something about needing to, uh, get something from his desk. Hayden's chuckle followed him to the door.
Hayden locked the door after Owen walked out, a sly smile playing on his lips. Blake raised an eyebrow, a smirk spreading across his face. "Being possessive about your little omega?"
Hayden sat down, his expression unreadable. "He's not my boyfriend yet."
Blake chuckled, taking a seat. "What's the delay? He's the reason you switched to this hospital, isn't he?"
Hayden sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know, but he still sees me as his rival. You know, back in high school, I was always bullying him and teasing him."
Blake's expression softened. "Well, everybody's love story starts from somewhere. Sometimes it's hate, fight, rescuing, or... others."
Hayden nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, but there's a problem."
Blake's curiosity was piqued. "What problem?"
Hayden's face turned serious. "He's in love with you."
Blake's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
Hayden leaned back on the couch, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Last night, he messaged me thinking it was you." He showed Blake their conversation.
Blake's smirk returned. "Is this good or bad?"
Hayden's face hardened. "Bad. We're talking about my mate here, not yours."
Blake chuckled, a low, teasing sound. "That's a high claim."
Hayden's voice was low and possessive. "It doesn't matter. He's only mine."
Blake laugh, shaking his head.
Owen was in the nurse's room, pacing back and forth, Emily watching him with amusement. "What's wrong, Owen? Blake's just in Hayden's office."
Owen's eyes widened. "That's the problem. What if Hayden tries to... seduce him?"
Emily chuckled. "That's not possible, Owen. Both are dominant alphas."
Owen sighed, his face flushed. "I read a novel where two alphas ended up together..."
Emily rolled her eyes. "It's just a novel, Owen."
Owen's determination kicked in. "I'm going to take a look."
He headed towards Hayden's office, Emily following closely. Owen leaned against the door, trying to hear what was being said inside. But he couldn't make out anything.
Just as he was trying to get closer, Hayden opened the door, and Owen lost his balance, landing on Hayden's chest. Hayden caught him, his hands on Owen's waist.
Blake chuckled and slipped out of the office. Hayden sighed, knowing Owen was probably spying.
"What were you doing there?" Hayden asked, his voice low.
Owen quickly pulled back, his face red. "I was trying to come in... to get my..."
He leaned out of the door, seeing Blake heading out of the hospital. Hayden's glare intensified, and he closed the door, his eyes never leaving Owen's face.
Hayden's eyes narrowed as he watched Owen's face, his expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Get your what?" he prompted, his voice low and smooth.
Owen's face turned bright red as he realized he was caught. "Uh, my... phone. Yeah, I was coming to get my phone."
Hayden's smile was slow and deliberate. "Your phone, huh? I think you dropped it when you were... eavesdropping."
Owen's eyes widened as Hayden pulled out his phone from behind his back, a teasing glint in his eye. "I... I was just..."
Hayden chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Save it, Owen. I know what you were doing."
Owen's face fell, his shoulders sagging in defeat. "Sorry, sir."
Hayden's expression softened, his eyes cr crling at the corners. "I'll let it go this time