4 Chapter 4

Six days after Akihito went into heat, he finally emerged from Sion's heat room. Ishida was there to report the situation and Kirishima notified Asami immediately. The omega was still fairly weak but he did his best to protest against being held in one of Sion's VVIP rooms while waiting for Asami to arrive.

It didn't take long for Asami to appear but the sight of T.A., who Asami now knew was really Takaba Akihito, shocked everyone. The young man was less vibrant than he looked back in the warehouse. He looked sick with that pale skin and dark eye bags beneath those blue eyes. Asami swore the photographer was thinner as well and it made his alpha instincts howl in agony at seeing their mate look so vulnerable.

"Asami-sama," Ishida greeted with a bow when he entered. Kirishima frowned when he saw the young man. He didn't look like those weak and fragile omegas before with his confidence and strength. Seeing the young man look so pale and sickly made the secretary uncomfortable.

"Kirishima, bring the car around and reschedule all my meetings for this week. I'll work from home. Also, call for the doctor."

Akihito could barely stand but he still protested when Asami carried him in his arms. Annoyed at the young man for putting up a front, Asami growled.

"Behave, kitten. Let me care for you. We can talk once you're better."

Akihito's heart stumbled when he heard the alpha assert his dominance. In any normal circumstances, he would bristle with rage and fight with everything he had. However, he was feeling worse than normal with this sudden heat. Knowing that Asami was a man of his word put Akihito at ease for now. He relaxed enough and allowed Asami to carry him in a bridal style all the way to the limousine.

The young man did not stir during the drive to Asami's penthouse even when the businessman had to answer multiple phone calls during the drive. He only curled into Asami's lap and buried himself deeper into the strong chest in his sleep.

Kirishima saw all that happen from the mirror as he drove. There was only one thought in his mind. The lab results must be true. His boss had found his fated mate from a twist of events. One part of Kirishima was happy for his boss and old friend but the other part of him was worried, very worried. Fated mates were very different from paired mates. They were able to share many things with each other including telepathic feelings and lifespan.

Yes, once the bond is finalised, both fated mates will share the same lifespan. If one dies, the other will follow as well. The secretary didn't know who he should be worried for more at this point. While his boss was a man who lived on the edge with many people trying to take him down on a daily basis, he was cautious enough not to charge into danger head-first unlike the young photographer. Thinking about the future security details he had to arrange for the reckless omega made Kirishima's head hurt. He'll need to discuss with Suoh about training a special group of guards for Takaba after settling Asami's schedule.

"Sir, we have arrived."

Asami nodded at his secretary and carried the exhausted photographer instead of waking him up. Kirishima noted how careful Asami was when it came to the young man. Asami had slept with many people but he had never shown such a tender expression or consideration to any of his bed partners. Kirishima was no fool. Even if the instincts of fated mates were strong, his boss would not let it affect his actions. The secretary silently celebrated. At the age of thirty-five, his boss has finally found love! Now if only his first love wasn't an adrenaline junkie who dashed towards his grave like a moth drawn to fire...

Dr Mashiro was waiting in the penthouse and bowed in respect when Asami arrived. He was Asami's trusted personal doctor for many years. The doctor sought the crime lord out for help when his daughter became a victim of human trafficking. Although he knew that Asami was a scary person even in the underworld, he wasn't afraid of the kingpin. Dr Mashiro would follow Asami even to hell, if required, in order to pay back the kindness shown to him. Time and again, Asami has helped Mashiro over the years be it debts, research opportunities or his family.

Seeing a blond man in Asami's arms was slightly surprising but Dr Mashiro didn't comment about it. Kirishima had told him earlier about this young man and Dr Mashiro remembered running the blood tests personally. While he ran a private hospital on the front, Dr Mashiro dabbled in some research about drugs on the side. Akihito's heat control drug was purchased from an illegal source and contained some harmful substances. Kirishima was already tracing the supplier but Asami had a different task for Dr Mashiro.

"Did you bring it?"

Dr Mashiro nodded. "Asami-sama, I'll have to remind you that this is a prototype. Although we have tested it on lab specimens, there may be some unknown side effects on humans. It might harm his health more, we don't know the results."

Asami frowned. He knew about the risks but he trusted the doctor. "I'll bear the consequences. Just get rid of that drug's effects."

Dr Mashiro bowed and prepared the syringe. Asami watched wordlessly as Akihito's breathing got heavier. The drug's effects were taking a toll on his mate and the alpha could only grit his teeth, watching his omega suffer in silence. The sense of helplessness didn't sit right with him. Asami swore to find the one responsible for that cheap drug at all costs.

He would make them pay. Painfully.