Because they were the same, after all.

With memories or not, they were still the same person. The only difference was how we value Neville in our own way.

A soft chime indicated an incoming communication.

’Grayson’ glanced at the ID and flashed a small smile to cross his face before accepting the call. Bryan Stewart’s face appeared on the screen, clearly wondering why he hadn’t turned on the camera on his side, but still smiling politely.

[Sir. I apologize for the late hour, but the system flagged some unusual activity in the penthouse network.] Bryan Stewart asked.

Bryan was still as thorough as always.

"I was doing some routine maintenance," ’Grayson’ replied smoothly, pitching his voice to match Grayson’s usual tone. "The surveillance systems were due for an upgrade anyway."

Bryan Stewart’s eyes flickered for a second, but he didn’t press on the subject. [Understood, sir. Is there anything else you need? I can have staff on standby if—]

"No." The word came out sharper than intended. ’Grayson’ quickly eased his tone. "I’m doing fine. In fact, no one should enter the penthouse until I say otherwise."

Bryan Stewart paused for a second, clearly holding back a question based on his expression. But ’Grayson’ had no intention of divulging any more information than that. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

[Sir, if your condition worsens—]

"No." ’Grayson’ let a hint of authority seep into his voice. "I have everything I need here. Anyone who attempts to enter will be considered a security threat. Am I understood?"

[Understood, sir.] Bryan Stewart responded immediately, even though the curiosity in his eyes just intensified. [I’ll add more security around the parameters of the building and handle all external matters until you’re ready to resume normal operations."

"Good." ’Grayson’ allowed himself a brief nod, and the call ended.

’Grayson’ sat in silence for a moment, looking at his handiwork.

Everything was in order.

Time to return.

He rose from the chair and made his way back. As he passed through the path that overlooked the living area from the second floor, his silver eyes lingered on the mess that they had yet to clean up.

In the living area, the couch pillows and clothes were still all over the floor. Their dried-up body fluids stained the couch. Just the sight of it made ’Grayson’ recall their sultry atmosphere.

He unconsciously licked his lips as his body started to heat up again.

No can do. He thought as he turned his head to the kitchen.

There were still dirty dishes in the sink, and the used chopping board and knives were still sitting out on the counter. It made him recall when Neville was in his arms, savoring the memory of his tempting pheromones.

’Grayson’ restrained himself from those thoughts again.

He couldn’t possibly wake up Neville to tend to him when they weren’t even in an official relationship, right?

With renewed resolve, he looked at the chaos in the kitchen. This time, every instinct in his body urged him to clean it up. To put everything in order so that Neville wouldn’t have to deal with it when he woke. To make things easier for him and take care of him.

But ’Grayson’ forced himself to turn away.

If he cleaned everything now, Neville would notice. Neville would wonder what he did while he was asleep. The moment he began to suspect him, his smart and clever Neville would start to piece everything together.

And he couldn’t afford that to happen right now.

So, it was better to leave things as they were.

It was better to let Grayson wake up confused like always and let Neville believe that his alpha had simply slept through the night. The secret of his existence would remain exactly that—a secret, like he promised when he made that deal.

’Grayson’ made his way back to the bedroom. At the doorway, he paused, drinking in the sight before him.

Neville had moved in his sleep, rolling onto his back with one arm thrown above his head. The sheets had slipped down to reveal the pale skin on his throat, the small red mole under the corner of his right eye, and the gentle part of his lips.

’Grayson’ carefully removed the bathrobe so as not to create any rustling sounds and hung it back in the cabinet exactly where it had been before. Then he turned his attention to his tail and wings, which had been causing him so much trouble earlier.

Smelling that intoxicating blend of their pheromones eased the tension on his body almost immediately. Neville’s pheromones were working their magic to assure him unknowingly.

His tail began to retract, the black scales folding in on themselves until they somewhat disappeared. His wings followed suit, shrinking and vanishing until his back was smooth again.

He had never been able to do that before without significant effort and pain. But with Neville here, with his pheromones surrounding him, it was seamlessly easy.

"How long will I have to wait?" he murmured again, the question as much a wonder as an accusation.

He approached the bed, moving around to Neville’s side silently. For a long moment, he simply stood there, watching Neville sleep.

Then, ’Grayson’ gently leaned down and pressed a kiss to Neville’s cheek. Neville’s skin was soft and warm beneath his lips. He lingered there for a heartbeat before pulling away.

Soon, his kiss landed on Neville’s nape, that sensitive spot where his pheromone glands were located. ’Grayson’ breathed deeply, imprinting the scent on his memory.

"Mine," he said as he breathed against Neville’s skin. It was barely audible even in the silent room. "You will be mine...soon."

Then he slipped into the bed behind Neville, wrapping his arm around Neville’s waist and pulling him close. Neville sighed in his sleep, unconsciously pressing his back into the warmth.

’Grayson’ chuckled a little, pleased, and thought that his body still remembered its mate even when he was unconscious.

’Grayson’ embraced him into an even more comfortable position, allowing his eyes to close. He slept deeply and peacefully with his treasure safe in his arms.