Chapter 96: When Anger Turns To Truth

"Nothing." Cyrus returned his attention to the contract; his signature flowed across the page in perfect, controlled strokes.

"Forget I said anything."

But Kane’s fox ears twitched, picking up the tension threading through Cyrus’s carefully neutral tone.

"No, seriously. What was that about?"

Kane leaned forward in his chair, amber eyes studying Cyrus’s profile as the dragon continued signing documents with unnecessary force.

"You got weird when I mentioned caring about Rina."

Cyrus set down his pen harder than necessary.

The rational part of his mind recognized the absurdity—he had no claim on Kane’s concern, no right to feel this sharp twist in his chest when Kane’s voice softened with worry for someone else.

They weren’t in a relationship. They barely qualified as friends most days.

"Rina’s my closest friend at work," Kane continued, oblivious to Cyrus’s internal struggle. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"Of course I’m worried about her. She’s been there for me since day one at the Bureau."

His tone shifted, carrying a hint of accusation.

"Besides, you’re one to talk about trusting people. You just handed her off to Isabelle without a second thought."

Kane crossed his arms, fox tail swishing with irritation.

"What’s that about? You trust your ice queen more than me?"

"And don’t forget," Kane continued, his voice gaining heat, "you had me doing hours of spreadsheet analysis this morning while you attended ’sensitive corporate negotiations’ that I apparently don’t have clearance for."

Kane’s amber eyes flashed with frustration.

"Color-coding shipping manifests, Cyrus. Really? Is that what you think an undercover agent should be doing?"

Cyrus’s pen stilled on the contract, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.

"You’re my assistant. Assistants handle administrative tasks."

"Right, except I’m not actually your assistant." Kane leaned forward, fox ears twitching with irritation beneath his illusion.

Kane’s voice dropped low, sharp with accusation.

"You want to talk about trust? You don’t trust me with anything meaningful at Veyr Corp."

"Those reports serve a purpose—"

"To keep me busy and out of the way," Kane interrupted.

Cyrus set down his pen completely and looked at Kane with his red-gold eyes, which reflected a hint of surprise.

Kane crossed his arms, tail swishing with agitation.

"So yeah, I care about Rina. She’s my friend, and unlike some people, I don’t compartmentalize my emotions into neat little corporate boxes."

Cyrus’s expression darkened, something painful flickering behind his controlled facade.

"I tried showing you consideration. I tried feeding you, protecting you, and making sure you were comfortable and safe."

Kane opened his mouth to argue, but Cyrus continued, his voice carrying an edge Kane had never heard before.

"Every time I attempted to express... concern, you accused me of treating you like a child. Of being controlling."

Cyrus stood abruptly, the movement sharp and precise.

"So forgive me for concluding that my emotions are unwelcome."

Kane stared at him, recognizing the hurt beneath Cyrus’s carefully neutral tone.

"Cyrus, that’s not—"

"You just accused me of compartmentalizing my emotions into ’neat little corporate boxes.’ Meanwhile, every gesture I’ve made toward you has been criticized as overprotective or patronizing."

Kane’s fox ears would have drooped if they were visible.

"I didn’t mean it that way."

"Then how did you mean it?" Cyrus’s voice remained level, but Kane could sense the dragon’s restraint fraying.

"Because from where I stand, you seem to want me to care about you while simultaneously resenting every way I choose to show it."

Kane found himself caught between irritation and guilt, recognizing the truth in Cyrus’s words.

"I just... I want to be treated like an equal. Like a partner."

"Partners don’t usually sleep on each other’s couches or require constant protection from falling off buildings."

Kane’s amber eyes flashed, and the hurt in his voice became sharper.

"Fine. If that’s how you really feel, I can move out. Probably have one less annoyance to deal with, right?"

He stood abruptly, chair scraping against the polished floor.

"I’ll tell Commander Qi I’m proceeding with my investigations elsewhere. Maybe the Bureau can find me a safe house where I won’t inconvenience anyone."

Kane’s fox tail lashed beneath his illusion, betraying his wounded pride.

"At least then you won’t have to worry about me falling off any more buildings or cluttering up your pristine penthouse."

"Kane, stop."

Cyrus’s voice cut through Kane’s rising anger, carrying an urgency that made the fox pause mid-stride toward the door.

"This isn’t what this is about."

Cyrus moved around his desk, the controlled mask slipping enough to reveal something raw underneath.

His dragon aura was bleeding heat into the air around them. Kane felt the temperature spike, sweat beading at his temples.

"You don’t understand."

"I don’t want you to leave."

Kane turned back, confusion replacing anger in his expression.

"Then what—"

"I—" Cyrus continued, his voice dropping to something almost vulnerable.

"I just don’t know how to do this without everything I say coming out wrong."

Kane’s shoulders relaxed slightly, fox ears twitching beneath his glamour as he studied Cyrus’s face.

"You’re doing fine. We’re just... figuring it out."

Cyrus’s hands clenched at his sides, his carefully maintained control wavering.

"No, Kane. I’m not fine."

The admission came out rougher than intended.

Cyrus ran a hand through his dark hair, the carefully maintained composure finally cracking.

"I was jealous."

Kane’s amber eyes widened, fox ears twitching in surprise beneath his glamour.

"I don’t know what’s happened to me. I’ve become madly possessive when it comes to you, and I can’t control it."

Kane opened his mouth, but Cyrus continued, his voice gaining urgency.

"At first I thought it was just the karmic bond. The tethering is making me protective and territorial. Dragons are naturally possessive creatures."

Cyrus’s red-gold eyes met Kane’s directly, something desperate flickering in their depths.

"But the bond has changed since the cathedral. And these feelings... they’re stronger than ever."

Kane took a step closer, drawn by the raw honesty in Cyrus’s voice.

"When I saw you chase that hooded figure, when you fell from the building, when you worried about Rina—" Cyrus’s hands clenched at his sides.

"I realized it isn’t the bond at all."

Cyrus’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper.

"I think I might be in love with you."