The elevator doors slid open to the tenth floor, revealing the dim glow of Seraphina's restaurant. The place was quiet—warm lights, soft jazz humming low through the air, and the usual faint scent of bread and spices hanging around.

Xavier walked in, hands shoved in his pockets, while Lyra followed close behind, tail swaying lazily with each step. They'd been here a hundred times before, but today something felt off. The waiters looked twice when Lyra leaned on his arm instead of keeping her usual few steps of distance.

They reached their usual corner table by the glass wall overlooking the city. Normally, Lyra would take the seat opposite him, but this time she slid right in beside him without hesitation. Her tail brushed against his leg under the table, completely unbothered.

Xavier gave her a side glance. "You do know there's a whole empty seat across from me, right?"

"I like this one better," she said, resting her chin on her hand.

"Right." He sighed and leaned back. "You're really not helping me understand what's going on with you."

Usually, Xavier would strike back immediately when someone flirted with him. But this time, it was Lyra and she was in an unusual state which made Xavier feel reluctant to even touch her. If this was how Lyra always acted, Xavier would have already shown her that he was a bigger beast than her. But this was different, and that made everything complicated.

Before Lyra could answer, Seraphina appeared, carrying two plates balanced perfectly on one arm. Her expression dropped the second she saw them—especially when she noticed how close Lyra was sitting.

"Oh, look who finally decided to show up together," Seraphina said flatly, setting the plates down with just a little too much force. "And… Lyra isn't sitting where she usually sits..."

Xavier raised a brow. "Don't start, Seraphina."

"Not starting," she said through a tight smile. "Just… observing." Her eyes darted from Lyra's tail brushing Xavier's leg to the faint smirk on Lyra's lips. "You two seem cozy today."

"Is that a problem?" she asked, her tone too calm to be genuine.

Seraphina's eyebrow twitched. "Not at all. Just surprised. Usually, you're on that side." She gestured toward the opposite chair.

Lyra's lips curved faintly. "Maybe I got bored of sitting alone."

Seraphina gave Xavier a glare that said you better explain this later, then turned on her heel and walked off.

Xavier exhaled and picked up his fork. "She's gonna kill me."

Lyra tilted her head. "Why?"

"Because you're acting differently and she thinks it's my fault."

Lyra stabbed a piece of steak and took a bite, chewing slowly before speaking. "It is your fault."

He blinked. "How the hell is it my fault?"

"You didn't notice sooner," she said with a straight face.

"Notice what?"

"That I like sitting close to you."

Xavier froze, halfway to raising his glass. "…You're not serious."

Lyra smiled, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not."

He leaned back, staring at her for a second before shaking his head. "You're impossible today."

She shrugged, sipping her drink. "You said I should eat and relax. I'm doing both."

The tension hung between them—half teasing, half something else entirely.

But as Lyra leaned closer again, her shoulder brushing his, he realized whatever was happening to her… it wasn't fading. It was getting stronger.

Xavier already knew this was going to be a pain. Every word, every look, even the most harmless conversation with Lyra was going to turn into a damn balancing act until her mating phase burned itself out. There was no winning against instinct.

After finishing the meal, he leaned back in his chair and said, "Alright, let's head back. You go to the apartment and rest or whatever."

Lyra looked up, licking the last drop of sauce off her thumb. "Where are you going?"

"Just some stuff," he said vaguely, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"I wanna come."

He looked at her, debating whether to say no. She stared right back—eyes steady, tail swaying lazily like she already knew what his answer would be.

Xavier could push off her and make some excuses but he wasn't going to put in so much effort, so he basically gave up on turning her down because he was getting late for whatever he had planned.

He sighed. "You're not gonna stay even if I tell you to, are you?"

She smiled faintly. "Nope."

He muttered something under his breath and waved her along. "Fine. Suit yourself. But don't blame me if you get bored."

Lyra just grinned, clearly pleased with herself.

Xavier swung a leg over his bike and said, "Get on."

Lyra climbed on behind him, arms sliding around his waist like it was the most natural thing in the world. He tensed for a second but didn't comment. The engine roared to life, echoing through the near-empty parking lot as they pulled out of the lot.

The city blurred past them in streaks of neon and shadow. Lyra leaned closer against his back, her warmth pressing through his shirt.

After a while, she asked, her voice almost lost in the wind, "So… where are we going?"

Xavier smirked beneath his breath. "To make some money."

Lyra tilted her head against his shoulder. "That sounds shady."

"Nah, I am going to make money as fast as possible in the most legal way."

After about forty minutes of slicing through traffic and city lights, Xavier rolled up in front of the Red Casino, its neon dragon sign glowing across the sky like a challenge. The place was alive—music pulsing, laughter echoing, and that sweet cocktail of money and sin floating in the air.

As soon as Xavier and Lyra stepped in, the atmosphere shifted. The guards at the door stiffened immediately, and within seconds, a couple of floor managers hurried over, all smiles but with that subtle panic in their eyes.

"Mr. Xavier! What an honor—didn't expect you this fine evening," one of them said, bowing slightly.

Xavier shoved his hands in his pockets, glancing around the room as the roulette wheels spun and chips clattered. "Relax. I'm just here to pass some time. Thought I'd play a few rounds."

The manager exchanged a quick look with one of the guards, tension tightening his jaw.

"What's with the faces?" Xavier asked, brow cocked. "Or am I not allowed to play now?"

The guard quickly shook his head. "No, sir, of course not—it's just… you're a five percent shareholder in the Red Family enterprise. Some of the tables might—well, there are certain internal rules regarding—"

"Regarding what?" Xavier cut in with a half-smirk. "Winning too much?"

The manager forced a nervous laugh. "No, sir, nothing of the sort! You're completely free to play. Anything you like. Any table. We'll arrange everything."

"Good," Xavier said, clapping the man's shoulder lightly before walking past him toward the main floor. "Then don't waste time standing around. Get me some chips."

Lyra trailed close behind, her eyes scanning the bright chaos with curiosity. Every gambler, dealer, and waitress that passed gave Xavier a quick bow or whispered greeting, their gazes careful to never linger too long on Lyra.

At the high-stakes table, Xavier sat down, loosened his collar, and rolled his wrist. The dealer dealt him in instantly.

"Let's see if luck still remembers my name," he said, his tone calm but sharp as his fingers flicked the first few chips across the table.

Lyra leaned close, resting her chin on his shoulder, whispering with a teasing tone, "Are you always this confident when gambling?"

"Confidence isn't a choice," Xavier said, eyes fixed on the spinning wheel. "It's a habit."

The ball clattered, bounced—and landed on his number. The dealer froze, then announced the result with forced composure. Xavier smirked, pulling the chips closer.

"Guess the habit still pays," he murmured, ready for the next round.

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