16 - Sensation

An inexplicable phantom sensation mirrored the touch, a tingling warmth blossoming in the same forbidden zone on Maximillian's own body.

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At 27, Federal Agent Maximillian Grant, a division chief with an impeccable record at the National Bureau of Security, was the epitome of a successful alpha male whom all junior agents in the bureau, regardless of divisions, looked up to.

Throughout his stellar career, he had never encountered a situation that fazed him and made him feel inadequately prepared. But now, for the first time, Maximillian found himself in uncharted territory.

He had to force himself to remain inconspicuous and indifferent, as if he were not there to prevent Julian from embarking on a clandestine affair with Frank Eisenhart.

He also had to remind himself several times, that he was only there to protect Julian, an important witness in the Eichwald psychiatric hospital's explosion case, from an alpha scum who sought to harm him.

He was definitely not acting like a jealous husband who wanted to punch the light out of his young wife's secret lover just now.

....

Lacking the motivation to justify himself, Maximillian had nothing to say but a simple, "Likewise."

Julian's sharp gaze drilled holes in the alpha, threatening to crumble his hastily constructed facade within seconds. Maximillian was endlessly grateful when Julian's gaze dipped for the briefest moment, giving him a chance to regain his composure.

"I am about to order something to eat," Julian said. "Agent Grant, if you don't mind, why don't we enjoy a meal together?"

"..."

Maximillian swallowed hard.

The thought of being alone with Julian in a hotel room sent alarm bells clanging in his head. Yet, it presented the perfect opportunity to uncover what happened there before Maximillian arrived.

"Sure."

Julian shot him a grateful smile.

"Please enter then, Agent Grant."

Maximillian went back to Room 5062 and packed away all his spying equipment. He then put on his suit jacket and heaved a long sigh in front of a mirror before heading to the adjacent room.

The door to Room 5061 was left slightly ajar. Upon pushing it open, Maximillian found Julian sitting at a small dining table, staring at him with a slight smile hanging on his lips.

"Please take a seat, Agent Grant," he said while gesturing toward the other empty chair at the table.

"I am in the mood for some grilled cheese sandwich," Julian said. "What about you, Agent Grant?"

In 2045, five-star, luxurious hotels had taken room service to a whole new level.

Gone were the days when guests had to adjust their craving to a fixed list of cuisines and beverages.

Today's discerning guest were allowed to indulge in anything their heart desired from the comfort of their plush suite. From the humble graham cracker to the extravagant shark flesh lasagna adorned with gold leaf, the hotel's culinary team stood ready to fulfill even the most outlandish requests.

That being said, a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches was a very amicable option.

"You can order for me," Maximillian said as he pulled the chair. "I want black coffee, no sugar."

"Well then, I hope my selection will satisfy your taste buds."

Julian strode to the panoramic window to place a room service order through the hotel's sleek interface.

Maximillian, meanwhile, took a meticulous sweep of the room, searching for any sign of the expected encounter.

The air held a faint musk, a blend of pheromones and Julian's personal scent, but nothing more suggestive. The pristine queen-sized bed, not a wrinkle out of place, mocked his assumptions of a passionate affair.

The gleaming bathroom, untouched by the dampness of a recent shower, echoed the lack of activity.

Even the neatly folded bathrobes and unopened toiletries -- no telltale spills of soap, shower gel, or body liquids -- told a story of undisturbed solitude.

Maximillian tugged at his lapels and watched Julian's slender form from behind.

The young omega's clothes were impeccably arranged, devoid of any hint of recent disarray.

Julian's satchel hung at the opposite chair, its content undisclosed.

"Baked Sockeye salmon with a side of steamed broccoli and honey mustard sauce..."

A shiver, not entirely from the air-conditioned room, danced down Maximillian's spine as Julian's hand drifted down his own torso, brushing against his waist and hip. An inexplicable phantom sensation mirrored the touch, a tingling warmth blossoming in the same forbidden zone on Maximillian's own body.

With a disdainful scoff, the alpha retrieved a bottle of perfume from his pocket and sprayed it into the air.

Julian finished his order and ended the call.

He gave the bottle of perfume in Maximilian's hand a bewildered look.

"What was that for, Agent Grant?"

"Nothing special, just a neutralizer."

A neutralizer is a fragrance-free perfume designed to eliminate lingering pheromones and scents in the air.

Julian's lips tugged up in a smile.

"Is your nose particularly sensitive, Agent Grant?"

"A little."

Julian returned to his seat and placed both elbows on the table surface, propping his chin up with both hands and beaming at Maximillian.

The alpha arched a brow at him.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?" He asked, prompting Julian to chuckle.

"That's my line, Agent Grant. You have been investigating me everywhere. Is there anything you want to say to me?"

Maximillian leaned closer to Julian.

"You are one of our two survivors of the explosion incident, with the other one still being comatose to this second. Naturally, we are all very interested in you."

"Oh? And has your interest generated anything useful so far?"

"Not yet," Maximillian narrowed his eyes at Julian. "Meanwhile, I do hope that you take good care of yourself and not put yourself in unnecessary danger."

Amusement danced in Julian's eyes as he defied Maximilian's sharp gaze.

"What danger, Agent?"

"Danger of meeting with elder alphas in private, for example."

Another chuckle escaped Julian.

"Agent Grant, I am 21 years old. I know omegas my age, who are married with two kids."