Chapter 174: Ownership And Office Arrest

"I won’t gamble with Rina’s life," Isabelle continued, her voice sharp with protective authority.

"This essence requires comprehensive molecular analysis, toxicity screening, and compatibility testing before it touches her system."

Kane’s jaw tightened, his fox instincts urging immediate action.

"How long will that take?"

"If we’re fortunate, by the end of the day," Isabelle replied, already calculating protocols in her head.

"More realistically, tomorrow morning."

Kane opened his mouth to protest, but Cyrus placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for your thoroughness, Isabelle," Cyrus said, his tone measured but appreciative.

"Rina’s safety takes precedence over our impatience."

Kane shot Cyrus a frustrated look, but the dragon’s steady gaze reminded him that rushing could prove catastrophic.

"We’ll be in my office waiting for the results," Cyrus informed Isabelle, guiding Kane toward the elevator.

Isabelle nodded, already turning toward the laboratory wing.

"I’ll contact you the moment we have conclusive data."

As the elevator doors closed, Kane slumped against the wall, the warded case still clutched in his arms.

"She’s right, you know," Cyrus said gently.

"I know," Kane muttered. "Doesn’t make waiting any easier."

Cyrus reached out and patted Kane’s head, careful to avoid his sensitive fox ears.

"Impatient fox," he murmured with fond exasperation.

Kane’s cheeks flushed at the gentle teasing, but he didn’t pull away from the comforting touch. The elevator chimed softly as they reached the fifty-ninth floor.

"I’ll order lunch to be delivered," Cyrus said as they walked toward his office, noting how Kane’s stomach had been growling intermittently.

"I know how hungry you must be after everything."

Kane’s enhanced metabolism demanded constant fuel, especially after his transformation and the night’s activities.

Cyrus pushed open his office door, surveying the stacks of documents that had accumulated on his desk.

"I need to settle some overdue work."

Guilt twisted in Kane’s chest as he took in the mountain of paperwork.

Cyrus had abandoned everything to rescue him from Elias, and now the consequences were piling up like an avalanche of corporate responsibility.

"This is my fault," Kane said quietly, setting the warded case on Cyrus’s desk. "You missed work because of me. Let me get lunch instead—I can grab something from that bistro you like."

Kane turned toward the door, but it slammed shut with a resonant thud before he could reach it. Crimson energy flickered around the frame, sealing it with dragon magic.

"You’re not going anywhere," Cyrus stated firmly, his protective instincts flaring.

Kane spun around, eyebrows raised.

"Cyrus—"

"Not after what happened." Cyrus interrupted, moving to his desk chair. "You’ll stay where I can see you."

Kane crossed his arms, torn between annoyance at being confined and warmth at Cyrus’s concern.

"So I’m under house arrest now?"

"Office arrest," Cyrus corrected, pulling out his phone to place their lunch order.

Kane flopped into the chair across from Cyrus’s desk, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"This feels familiar," he said, watching Cyrus scroll through his phone for restaurant options.

"Reminds me of when we couldn’t leave each other’s side without excruciating pain."

Cyrus glanced up from his documents, one eyebrow raised.

"At least now the choice is mine, not magical compulsion."

"Yeah, because I’m the one getting magically compulsed" Kane teased, but his hand automatically went to his throat where—

His fingers found nothing but bare skin.

The playful expression vanished from Kane’s face as he frantically patted his chest and neck.

The diamond pendant Cyrus had given him, the one with the tracking spell, was gone.

"The pendant," Kane breathed, panic creeping into his voice. "Cyrus, the pendant you gave me—it’s not here."

Cyrus’s attention snapped to Kane immediately, crimson eyes scanning Kane’s neck and chest.

"When did you last have it?"

Kane’s mind raced back through recent events. The laboratory. The restraints. Elias’s technicians strapping him to that table.

"Elias’s facility," Kane said quietly. "But I don’t remember where."

Cyrus shrugged, already returning to his paperwork.

"It’s nothing. I can get you ten more if you wish. Twenty, even."

Kane’s chest tightened with unexpected hurt.

"It’s not about the money, Cyrus."

The words came out sharper than intended, making Cyrus look up again with genuine surprise.

"It was the first gift you gave me," Kane continued, his voice softer now. "You put your energy into it. Made it part of you."

Understanding flickered across Cyrus’s features, followed by something that might have been guilt.

"Kane—"

"It had sentimental value," Kane interrupted, slumping back against the couch cushions. "But I guess that doesn’t mean much when you can just buy a replacement."

Cyrus set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, studying Kane with those penetrating red eyes.

"Next time," he said slowly, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice, "I’ll get you the diamond choker instead."

Kane’s face flamed instantly.

"Cyrus!"

"Much harder to lose," Cyrus continued with mock seriousness. "More secure, and makes a clearer statement of ownership."

"You’re impossible," Kane groaned, burying his face in his hands.

But despite his embarrassment, warmth spread through his chest.

Cyrus understood. The teasing was his way of acknowledging that the pendant had meant something—to both of them.

"The choker would look stunning on you," Cyrus added thoughtfully.

Kane peeked through his fingers, seeing the dragon’s lips curve into that subtle smirk he’d grown to love.

"Don’t even think about it."

"I’ll consider it a future investment," Cyrus said with that infuriating smirk, then gestured toward the phone in his hand.

"I’ve ordered from Laurent’s again. Wagyu sliders, truffle fries, and those chocolate croissants you seemed to enjoy"

Kane’s stomach responded with an audible growl, making Cyrus’s expression soften with satisfaction.

"You know me too well," Kane admitted, the tension in his shoulders easing.

"You can work in your office while we wait," Cyrus suggested, nodding toward the adjacent space.

Kane groaned, dramatically throwing his head back.

"Don’t remind me. I’ve been putting off those reports for weeks. Commander Qi’s going to have my tail if I don’t submit them soon."

"Then perhaps now would be an ideal time to address that particular problem," Cyrus said dryly, returning to his documents.

Kane stood, stretching his arms above his head, when his gaze fell on the warded case containing the dragon egg.

A sudden idea sparked in his mind.

"Actually," he said, carefully lifting the case and setting it on the coffee table between the couch and Cyrus’s desk, "maybe our little friend here could use some company while we work."