"Doctor, are you alright?" a small, hesitant voice asked from her office door. Ayako sighed as she raised her head from the desk, eyes still obviously red rimmed and sore. The innocent-looking beta invited herself in quietly and placed a fresh cup of coffee on the desk, as well as some final papers. Ayako's throat tightened at the thought of having to go through them. Filling out the final papers for the deceased was never easy, but at least she'd done the hardest part. The family had been inconsolable.

"I'll be fine." Ayako somehow managed to keep her voice level as she eyed the thick file. It was hard to believe she'd never see her again. The girl had been in and out of the hospital for years. It was almost sickeningly ironic that it was an accident, and not the terminal illness, that had ended her life. She could have lived for another year at least...Ayako sighed as she sipped her coffee. Her condition complicated the surgery. There was really nothing I could do. Even knowing that was the case, in the back of her mind, she felt there must have been something she'd missed. She thought it every time, but this patient had been special.

"I-I don't mean to overstep..." the beta murmured hesitantly, clearly worried about what she was going to say next. Ayako looked up, almost forgetting she wasn't alone for a moment. She nodded for her to continue. Ayako had always kept her cool and listened, even when she didn't like what she was hearing. "You've been here for over twenty-four hours now, and I understand the meetings are important, but I can get someone else in to do them." Ayako gave her a soft look, grateful for her concern. It was to be expected at this point. Saki had been her assistant for three years, and rarely saw her like this.

"I must look terrible for you to say that," Ayako teased, watching Saki flush and look away. Ayako knew she must look drawn and pale, likely with giant black rings beneath her eyes. It had been a long surgery. Too long. Too long to end in failure. It was always heart wrenching to lose a patient, but the sting was always worse when you got so close to the end. She wasn't the only one who'd suffered. The whole team had known her for years and worked together on multiple occasions.

"I-I really think you should go home for today..." Saki insisted with more firmness. "I know! What if I asked your father to chair the meetings? I'm sure he'd understand," she added hopefully, watching Ayako sigh in resignation. If her father got wind of this, he'd probably come down and drive her home himself. She reluctantly agreed, closing her eyes for a few moments before finishing the coffee and filling out the final forms. There was a heavy feeling in her chest as she put the file in her out pile and returned her pen to the holder. She couldn't help looking back one last time before taking her bag and leaving her office.

"Aya, honey, do you need me to drive you home? Saki just told me," her father said once she picked up her phone. She felt her throat tighten a little upon hearing his voice. It didn't matter that they were both alphas. When things went wrong, she still wanted to run to daddy. She coughed a little before responding. Despite wanting comfort, she still wanted to present as a mature grownup. She was also in public. The last thing she wanted was for other members of staff to see her like this.

"It's fine, Dad. I'll get a taxi." They both knew she wasn't in a fit state to drive.

"Alright, just call me if you want to talk...I know how hard it can be when we lose a patient like Eri." Hearing the name almost set off her tears. She wasn't about to cry in the hallway. There was no telling which nurses or doctors were watching, and as the owners' daughter and one of the chief surgeons, she had a reputation to uphold. She tightened her jaw and murmured a response before hanging up. As she walked down the hall, she caught a familiar scent. Her throat caught as she raised her head and looked around. Houshou? It was definitely him. There was no mistaking his apple and sultana scent. She'd know it anywhere, but it was somewhat faint. She looked up and down the hall, chest falling slightly as she saw no sign of him. Maybe he left...But she was sure he wouldn't even come unless it was to see her. She winced as she remembered. He definitely won't want to see me right now.

"Oh, Dr Matsuzaki. Good morning," Iwakawa greeted formally as he appeared in the hall. Her heart pounded, heat flaring as she recognised the apple scent. Houshou's scent is...It's coming from his clothes! A ball of rage welled in her chest, growing beyond her control with her already fatigued and turbulent state. Iwakawa's eyes widened as Ayako's nails lengthened and her teeth sharpened. He braced himself and caught her smaller body as she threw herself upon him. Luckily, their hallway was empty, and he managed to wrestle her into a small storage closet where no one would see her loss of control.

"What did you do?" she almost hissed as her hand reached up and gripped his throat, nails biting the freshly shaved skin. One may think Iwakawa would automatically have the upper hand in a situation like this, being the larger alpha, but Ayako's lithe form was built with strength and dexterity. She could, and would, rip his throat out if she didn't like his answer. Being overtaken by her alpha's rage, she also wouldn't hesitate.

"Dr Matsuzaki! Get a hold of yourself!" He didn't even flinch as the nails breached his skin, leaving angry red crescents. He waited with firm eyes, watching as she finally wrestled her alpha under control. Her breath and fingers were shaking as she finally softened and loosened her grip. "Do you need a sedative?" It was rare for her to show any emotion, let alone lose control, and that had him worried. She took another breath and shook her head, barely able to look him in the eye. Takigawa's scent was still making her twitch.

"You were with Takigawa." Her lip stung as she bit the skin with sharp teeth. Iwakawa didn't deny it. How could he when his scent was all over him? Had he come like this on purpose? Was it a message for her?

"I won't deny it...I was with him last night," Iwakawa replied honestly, reining in his own alpha. This was a choice he was going to leave for Takigawa. Fighting with Ayako wouldn't affect the omega's decision, or do any good for his cause. "I'm only going to say this once. Make a move or get out of my way because I will take him from you." With that warning, he returned to the hall and left her inside. Ayako was stunned, her knees weakening as she leaned against the shelves, almost knocking over the neat row of cleaning chemicals. She left a few moments later and hurried her way outside, feeling sick as she hailed a taxi to take her home. The driver was nervous as he drove, silently eyeing her every so often in his rearview. He could tell she was stressed, and a stressed alpha was bad news.

Once she was home with the door closed, Ayako cut loose. Her small fist left a dent in the plaster wall beside the door as she punched it. Everything felt wrong. She was home instead of working. Her job had gone horribly wrong the night before. She'd upset Takigawa enough to send him into the arms of another alpha for comfort, and she couldn't even work herself up to wanting to see him. A feral cry fled her lips as she continued her rampage, knocking over a small cabinet and smashing a vase that sent water and flowers all over the hall. Upstairs, she tore her suit off before getting in the shower and running the water so hot it burned her skin.

Her phone rang while she was showering, and it rang a second time as she climbed out. She glanced at it as she dried her hair. It was Takigawa. She tossed her phone at the far wall, watching it bounce off and tumble across the floor. Bitterness welled in her chest as she pulled on one of the shirts Takigawa had left in her wardrobe. The lingering scent comforted her despite what had happened. She couldn't blame him. She'd sent him a curt response to a question she didn't feel ready to answer, not to mention the state she'd been in last night. He'd texted her between surgeries. It was right before she'd tried to save Eri. She didn't move from the bed as her phone rang again.

She never expected to fall asleep, but she found herself stirring to a new scent invading her home. It was Takigawa. He was one of the few she trusted with a spare key to her door. His steps were quiet as he entered the room. She could tell he'd removed his shoes by the lightness of his steps. She remained as she was, thinking perhaps he'd leave if he thought she was sleeping. The bed dipped beside her, and her brow twitched as a hand laced in her hair. She couldn't help the growl that rumbled in her throat. He still had Iwakawa's scent all over him.

"I know when you're faking." Despite the softness of his words, she could hear the underlying worry. He drew back at her growl, unsurprised as he came face to face with her alpha. He braced himself, knowing he was in for it from the rage in her dark eyes. Long nails dug into his upper arm and dragged him down onto the bed, making him wince at the sting. Everything in her being told her to dominate him. This omega dared to sleep with another alpha and come to her home to rub it in her face? It was beyond insulting! She hissed as a firm hand on her shoulder held her back from pouncing. "Ayako!" The sharp tone was like a slap to the face.

"What are you doing here?" Ayako demanded as she drew back, still straddling his hips as she sat up. It was stupid of him to come, especially covered in the scent of another alpha. There was no bigger insult. Takigawa sighed as he rested his hands on her thighs, guiltily enjoying the softness of her skin beneath his hands. Despite his inner guilt and turmoil, he was worried.

"Your father called me..." he trailed off awkwardly, watching Ayako's brown pinch. She didn't know her father had Takigawa's details, but of course he'd send someone over to check on her. Usually it would be her mother. Since I took him to the banquet, he probably assumed...She should have cleared up that misunderstanding. This wasn't something Takigawa should have to deal with.

"I'm sorry. He shouldn't have bothered you like that." She made to climb off, but paused as Takigawa's hands tightened on her thighs. He looked almost as terrible as she did when she looked at him. Dark rings circled his eyes, suggesting he hadn't slept much the night before. His skin was pale, and his eyes were pinched, probably worried about her alpha's reaction to him. She couldn't stand the paprika that still clung to his skin and clothes. It churned her stomach to know he'd been with someone else. She actively had to remind herself that they weren't exclusive. They'd never agreed to that.

"No, I'm sorry...I didn't know what was happening when I called yesterday. I thought you'd lost interest in me, and I was so upset, I just..." He trailed off, his sweet scent attacking her senses with guilt and distress. Ayako's alpha responded instantly, cinnamon wrapping around him like a blanket as she leaned closer. Her brow furrowed at the scent of paprika. Takigawa hadn't showered. It had saturated into his skin and clothes. Another alpha had touched her omega. Another alpha had caressed his naked skin and plundered his body. Her teeth sharpened at the thought.

"I shouldn't have dismissed you like that...Things were just so busy I didn't have time, and then..." She was unwilling to talk about it. Eri had been young, barely seventeen. She'd looked up to Ayako like an older sister of sorts. Sensing her distress, Takigawa slid his hands higher to rest on her hips, thumbs rubbing gentle circles. She leaned down, burying her face in Takigawa's shoulder where his scent was strongest. She didn't fight as his arms wrapped around her more securely. "Is it serious?" She could smell it. Iwakawa's scent. It was right on his bonding site.

"What?"

"You and Dr Iwakawa." Her heart pounded fearfully as she waited for his answer. Takigawa sighed as he ran a hand through Ayako's deep red hair, the strands gliding between his fingers like silk. This is what he wanted with every fibre of his being, but if she didn't share his interest, it would be unfair to put her in that position.

"I..." He should have prepared more before coming over, but when her father called and told him what happened, he couldn't think about anything else. He felt bad for having bothered her in the middle of all that. Worse that he'd sought comfort from someone else. The scent of cinnamon made his head spin as Ayako pushed herself up to look down at him. "Aya..." He couldn't think straight in the haze. There was something bitter and possessive about her spice as it wrapped around him, choking him, making him weak. Is she...dominating me? He didn't have the strength to move.

"You let another alpha touch you. I don't like it!" Takigawa's eyes widened as he watched Ayako's teeth lengthen, cheeks flushing as a hand laced in his hair and pulled. He winced as his head was pulled sideways, chest fluttering as Ayako leaned down to his bonding site. His breath caught in anticipation, heart fluttering as his apple scent seeped out, the sultana tempting her close. Please...Please, Aya...He shuddered as her sharp teeth dragged over the surface of his pale skin. Sharp pricks dragged along the surface, testing. A moan slipped out as her tongue lathered and teased the area, preparing him. He looked at her from the corner of his eye, but couldn't see her face. Is she really going to-A cry of pained surprise tore his throat as she snapped her jaws shut, roughly breaking the skin with a possessive bite.

Ayako screwed her eyes shut as she tasted his blood on her lips, allowing her pheromones to enter his bloodstream. Tears slid down her cheeks as she claimed the large omega beneath her. What have I done? She screwed her eyes shut, unsure Takigawa would ever forgive her as she kept hold and slid her teeth in further. A shuddering sigh fled his lips, along with a sense of bliss. He pushed up, muscular arms wrapping around her as he leaned against her shoulder.

"Finally." Ayako's dark eyes widened as she felt him close his teeth against her own bonding site. He's...mating me? She couldn't believe it as she tightened her grip and shuffled closer. Takigawa's large hands slid beneath the loose shirt, caressing the smooth skin of her back and urging her closer. She leaned into the touch as much as she could without loosening her jaws, still flooding him with possessive pheromones. He sighed and whimpered as he tasted her blood, feeling her shudder as he claimed her.

"I'm sorry," she murmured as she drew back. She was silenced as Takigawa turned their bodies and trapped her beneath him, purring as he trailed small kisses up and down her long neck to lick the bleeding wound on her shoulder. Everything felt better. A giddy feeling fluttered in his chest. It was almost like he was high. Warmth and adoration swelled in his chest every time he looked at her, far stronger than before.

"I'm only sorry you didn't do it sooner." He enjoyed the way Ayako's cheeks flushed at his words. He finally felt complete, barely able to mask his elation as he breathed in the seasonal scent of apple, sultana, and cinnamon that now flowed from Ayako's mating mark. Turning their bodies, he brought Ayako with him and looked across at her. She had an embarrassed, almost dreamy, look on her face as she stared across from her side of the bed. "Hey, Aya...How about we fill this house with a few pups?" Ending with a flirtatious wink, he enjoyed the stunned look of indignation on her face and the flush of her skin.

"H-Hou!" she snapped in embarrassment, wishing she could hide her face in the covers. Takigawa gave her a wolfish grin as he shuffled closer, resting his hand on the curve of her waist.

"You mated me. Now you have to marry me." He winced at the thud on his chest, though it was only half serious. He reached up his free hand to grasp the small fist on his chest. Despite her physical outburst, he could feel the approval of her alpha, along with its lustful promise that his heat wouldn't go to waste. Ayako's scent washed over him assuringly, telling him she secretly agreed, even if she didn't say it outright. "You will, right? Marry me?" He smirked into her red hair as she curled up against his chest.

"Sh-shut up!" Takigawa grinned and closed his arms around her, greedily nuzzling into her hair, careless of the blood that spilled between them. It didn't take long for her scent to soften and draw him in. Takigawa grinned as he eased her onto her back and settled between her thighs, returning to the bleeding marks on her shoulder. A proper mating should be thoroughly consummated after all.