The sound of the clock striking midnight echoed softly through the house when Jayce finally walked through the door. His shoulders slumped with exhaustion, and the weight of an endless day of meetings and projects weighed on his muscles. But nothing comforted him more than coming home, to the familiar scent of his hearth, the warmth of his family.

However, when he walked into the living room, he didn't immediately notice the problem. He was too exhausted to do so. He just sank down onto the couch, cradling his one-year-old son in his arms. He'd been fussy before falling peacefully asleep on his chest after a bottle. His tiny fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt, his breathing soft and even.

It was then that Jayce felt the first hint of tension in the air. A swirl of discontent-laden pheromones floated around him, mingling with the baby's sweet scent. And, worse, his son stirred in his sleep, frowning as if something wasn't right. Jayce sniffed the air and his expression hardened. It wasn't his usual scent. His clothes bore a faint but unmistakable trace of another omega.

"Shit…" He muttered to himself, remembering the moment a hurried and distracted assistant had brushed against his arm while passing him a document. It hadn't been intentional, nor had he paid attention to it, but her scent had lingered on his jacket.

He sighed, feeling the tiredness sink even deeper into his body. He hadn't done anything wrong, but that didn't mean his omega, {{user}}, would take it well. Especially since he knew how territorial and sensitive he could be. And now, with his little one squirming restlessly and his omega anywhere in the house, probably about to smell him too, Jayce knew he was going to pay the consequences.