Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. Mina burst into view, nearly stumbling as she reached the doorway. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, eyes wide with desperation.
"Mr. Kwon!" She cried out, voice trembling.
All eyes snapped to her.
The suffocating air of pheromones weighed heavy on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She staggered slightly, clutching the doorframe for support.
Jisung's eyes widened in disbelief—then hardened into a glare laced with fury.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" He barked, his voice cracking like a whip.
Mina flinched under the oppressive aura, her knees nearly giving out. "I... I was just—" she stammered, words choking in her throat.
Kiyonari immediately stepped forward, shielding her just as he did with Soo-hyun. His voice rang sharp with defiance. "Please, Mr. Kwon. Don't you dare divert your anger to her just to cover up the fact that you violated the Association's rules."
Mina's eyes flicked toward him in shock. "Violated...?" She whispered faintly, "What? Mr. Kwon... did you—"
"Shut up!" Jisung roared, his voice booming. His face twisted with rage as he spun toward her. "It was you, wasn't it?! You told this bastard where to find me!"
Kiyonari stepped in again, firm. "I asked her. She did nothing wrong. Don't put the blame on her!"
"Shut your damn mouth!" Jisung snarled.
"I knew I should've never accepted you...! You only had one job, and you still couldn't do it right?!"
His hand shot up, ready to strike Mina across the face, "You useless bitch!"
Mina froze, eyes squeezing shut, bracing for the sting. She knew there was no way for her to run nor hide.
But the blow never came.
[?!]
A sharp snap of motion—Kiyonari's hand had caught Jisung's wrist mid-swing, halting the strike inches from Mina's face.
"What—!" Jisung's eyes widened in shock. "You fucking Beta—!"
Kiyonari's grip tightened, his glare burning. "Are you seriously about to hit a pregnant woman?" His voice was low, steady, but filled with unshakable authority.
The room froze.
Both Soo-hyun and Jisung's eyes widened. Mina's head jerked up in shock, her lips parting.
"W-What...?" Jisung's voice faltered.
Mina's hands flew instinctively to her stomach. "No... don't—" Her voice cracked, overwhelmed by the sudden exposure of her secret. Her wide, trembling eyes darted between the men.
Soo-hyun's gaze flickered with disbelief. Kiyonari's words echoed inside the room like thunder.
Pregnant.
The revelation struck harder than any slap to Jisung's face.
His brows furrowed so tightly his veins almost bulged. His voice cracked with fury and disbelief.
"What the hell are you talking about?! This useless Beta is carrying some bastard's child?"
The words hung heavy in the air—vile, dismissive, and cruel.
But before Mina could flinch further, another voice cut through.
"Would you really call yourself a bastard then?" Soo-hyun's tone was sharp, deliberate.
Jisung's head whipped around. "What?" His pupils narrowed, lips parting in confusion. "Wait a minute—"
Soo-hyun stepped closer, calm but menacing, like a predator circling its prey. From his pocket, he pulled out a folded paper and photo. With a flick of his wrist, he revealed them. The black-and-white image of the ultrasound glared back at everyone.
—It was the result from what Mina had.
Jisung froze. His breath hitched.
"Let me clear it up for you," Soo-hyun said coldly, holding the paper up between them. "Since it's obvious you're confused. That child she's carrying... is yours. You are that bastard."
Jisung's eyes widened, his face draining of color. "My... child...?" His gaze faltered, landing shakily on Mina.
Mina's breath quickened, her hands instinctively gripping her stomach. Her shoulders shook under the unbearable weight of his stare.
Jisung took a half-step back, shaking his head furiously. "No. No, there's no way—that can't be mine!" His voice cracked, denial laced with desperation.
"Oh?" Soo-hyun raised a brow, his tone dripping with mockery. "So what you're saying is... she's been with other men besides you?"
Jisung whipped his head back toward him, panic attacking in his eyes. "Of course not! No way I would ever want a Beta!" His fists trembled, knuckles whitening. " She might just be lying so she could get something from me."
[?!]
"That's what you people are—all you want is money!"
"Right..." Soo-hyun's voice softened into something cutting. His gaze sliced through the room. "Then perhaps we should ask her directly." He turned, locking eyes with Mina.
Jisung froze, his throat going dry. "What the hell do you think you're—"
"Tell me, Ms. Song." His voice carried a cold, quiet weight. "Who's the father of your child?"
Mina's lips trembled. Her heart thudded painfully against her chest. She could feel Jisung's glare—fury, warning, suffocating. Her knees quivered under it.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She bit down, nearly drawing blood.
Silence stretched until it became unbearable. Then, with tears pricking the corners of her eyes, she forced the words past her throat.
"M-Mr. Kwon... he's the father."
The air cracked like lightning.
Jisung staggered back a step, his face twisting into horror. "What—"
"Of course," Soo-hyun said firmly, "there was really no point of asking. The result already had the answer."
He picked the paper result and showed it to him.
[99.999% positive.]
Jisung muttered. "No... way... there's no way..."
Mina's voice quavered as she pressed on, unable to stop now. "I thought... it was fine. As long as I could stay by his side. I admired him for so long... so I told myself it was enough, even if he only saw me as convenient. I offered myself to him... and I thought I could live with it." Her fists clenched against her skirt.
"But... I never expected this. I never thought I'd end up this way."
She finally raised her head, tears glimmering in her eyes, and bowed slightly toward Soo-hyun. "I'm sorry, Mr. Je."
A heavy silence followed.
"I see," Soo-hyun said flatly. His expression was unreadable, though his eyes carried some sharp—like judgment passed down.
He let out a sharp scoff, his lips curling in disdain.
"This is all so ridiculous." His voice dripped venom, each word like ice.
He turned his piercing gaze on Jisung. "How do you expect me to even consider being with you... knowing that you're such an irresponsible man, and can't keep your hands off others?"
Jisung's expression twisted, his brows furrowing deeper. "Huh? What the hell do you know?!" His voice rose, desperate to claw back authority. "It's an Alpha's instinct to breed! To let their dominance control over their surroundings—"
"No." Soo-hyun's interruption cut like a blade. His voice didn't rise, but the weight behind it made the air heavier.
Jisung blinked, thrown off.
"That's not what a true Alpha is." Soo-hyun's tone was calm, measured—yet each word carried the sting of judgment. "Don't make it sound like Alphas are nothing more than animals, unable to survive without trampling those beneath them."
He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "It's true that Alphas have instincts. But those instincts aren't only about breeding just anyone or making territory. They're meant to protect what's precious to them. To take responsibility. Not to be an arrogant asshole like you."
Kiyonari's eyes flickered from those remark.
The room went silent for a moment, the truth of those words hanging in the air like verdict.
Jisung's face contorted, shame colliding with rage his fists trembled, veins bulging on his neck. "Damn you...!" He spat, his voice cracking with fury.
Soo-hyun only tilted his head, unshaken.
"You can't even treat a Beta woman right, let alone shoulder the bond of an Omega. I don't think you deserve to have any partner at all." His words final, merciless. "This trial is over, Mr. Kwon."
Without sparing another glance, Soo-hyun pivoted on his heels, his coat swaying sharply with his motion.
"We're leaving, Mr. Soo."
Kiyonari stiffened, his heart pounding. He cast one fleeting glance at Mina, whose face was pale and distraught, her hands trembling over her stomach. For a moment, guilt and pity welled up inside him—he wanted to say something, anything.
But Soo-hyun's shadow moved past him, unyielding.
Kiyonari whipped his head back and followed quickly, his footsteps echoing behind his boss as they left the suite, leaving Jisung and Mina in their shattered silence.
*****
Inside the car, Soo-hyun slammed his hand against the passenger seat with a sharp thud. "Shit...!" His breath hitched, his chest heaving. Not a second later, a sudden dizziness washed over him, his vision blurring at the edges.
A memory flickered across his mind—the glass of red wine Jisung had poured for him, the sly grin on his lips, the taste just faintly off. Soo-hyun's fists clenched.
"That bastard... he must have put something in my drink..." He hissed under his breath, his voice low with fury.
Kiyonari, focused on the road, glanced at the rearview mirror. His brows furrowed. "Are you alright, sir?"
"I'm fine," Soo-hyun muttered, though his voice lacked its usual sharpness. His hand gripped his temple as if to steady himself.
"Just... keep driving."
"..."
Kiyonari obeyed, but his eyes flicked back again and again, unease twisting in his chest.
Finally, the car pulled up to the condo building. Soo-hyun pushed the door open hastily, desperate for fresh air, but the moment his feet touched the ground, his knees buckled.
"Director!" Kiyonari rushed out, catching him just before he could stumble onto the pavement. He steadied him by the arm, trying to help him stand properly.
It was then that something faint drifted into Kiyonari's nose. A sweet scent. Soft, yet strangely intoxicating. It clung to him, lingered, and with each breath, it seemed to curl deeper inside his chest, setting off a peculiar warmth that made his heartbeat quicken.
What is this....? Perfume? Kiyonari thought, his grip tightening unconsciously around Soo-hyun's arm.
"I said I'm fine... no need to carry me." He muttered.
But it's clear you're not.
He draped Soo-hyun's arm over his shoulder, guiding him toward the entrance. Step by step, the scent grew stronger—though not overwhelming. It was thin, delicate, yet it seeped into his senses, lingering stubbornly, stirring something unfamiliar within him.
The door opened, and the maid gasped at the sight of her employer slumped against Kiyonari.
"Oh, my! Mr. Je!" She exclaimed, rushing forward.
Kiyonari adjusted Soo-hyun carefully, his voice steady despite the unease in his chest.
"I'll take it here," she said quickly, reaching for Soo-hyun. "Thank you, Mr. Soo."
For a moment, Kiyonari hesitated. His arms resisted, reluctant to let go. Something in him screamed against it, though he couldn't explain why. Still, after a beat, he forced himself to pass Soo-hyun over.
"Alright," he said quietly, his jaw tightening. "Please make sure he rest well."
The maid nodded, gently leading Soo-hyun inside. "I will, sir."
Kiyonari stood in the doorway longer than he should have, his hand still tingling with the warmth of Soo-hyun's weight. Finally, he turned and walked out into the night.
But his footsteps were heavy. The moment he loosened his tie, a strange heat coursed through his body, but the air left him ragged, unsatisfied.
What's happening to me?
The sweet scent still lingered in his memory, haunting his nose. It was something that stirred a part of him he wasn't aware of.
His brows furrowed as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
... I think I should go see Dr. Lee.
But as he walked down the empty street, the thought gnawed at him. When was the last time I got myself checked? He searched his memory but came up blank.
I can't remember.
And for the first time in years, a sense of unease clawed at him—not just for his boss's condition, but for himself.
*****
The next morning, the sterile white walls of the clinic seemed unusually heavy. The faint hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the room until Dr. Lee exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair. In his hand were the test results—pages filled with lines of data and charts that made little sense to the untrained eyes, but to him, they spelled an unsettling truth.
"Mr. Soo," Dr. Lee began carefully, adjusting his glasses. His tone carried the weight of both caution and concern. "I reviewed your results thoroughly. According to the analysis, there's an abnormality in your pheromone glands."
Kiyonari blinked, his brows furrowing. "Abnormality...? What does that mean, Doc?"
Dr. Lee hesitated, then cleared his throat, as if choosing his words with deliberate care.
"It means your cycle isn't functioning the way a typical Alpha's would. There's evidence that your rut may come irregular.
Kiyonari's eyes widened slightly. "Irregular...?"
Dr. Lee nodded. "Yes. Normally, Alpha cycles are stable once they've matured. But in your case... the data suggested that being on inhibitors for a prolonged period—especially since awakening—means there's a risk."
"..."
"Those suppressants don't just mute your pheromones. They tamper with the natural rhythm of your glands, sometimes altering the entire system. Over time, the suppression can cause instability—in your body, your pheromones, and even your instincts."
The words sank like stones in Kiyonari's chest. He'd taken inhibitors for years, ever since his first rut. They had been his safety net, his wall. To think they might have twisted something inside him—
Dr. Lee broke his silence again, his gaze sharp. "Have you been in close contact with an Omega recently?"
The question hit Kiyonari like a sudden jolt. He froze, his mind racing. Omega... Did I?
He replayed the last few weeks—faces at the company, brief interactions. Then, a memory flickered.
Yiseo-sshi. The coworker from sales department. Their encounters had been casual, nothing remarkable. Just passing greetings, small talk in the break room, but still—he was an Omega.
"... I did," Kiyonari admitted slowly. "A few times. He's a coworker, so it couldn't be helped."
"I see." Dr. Lee tapped the corner of the results sheet, his gaze thoughtful, almost calculating. "That might explain part of it. Even small interactions can sometimes trigger fluctuations if your glands are unstable. Your response system is... sensitive right now."
He folded the papers neatly, setting them aside. "For now, I'll continue to observe your condition closely. But I will also prescribe you a strong inhibitor—something more potent than your current dosage. It should suppress the possibility of rut irregularities interfering with your work."
Kiyonari tried to smile faintly. "That's... reassuring. Thank you, Doctor."
Dr. Lee's eyes, however, remained stern. "But Mr. Soo," his voice dropped into a warning. "Stronger inhibitors come with their own price. They can strain your glands, disturb the balance even further, and over time... make natural regulation nearly impossible if you overuse them, you may lose control of your cycle entirely."
The words sank heavy in Kiyonari's gut.
"So," Dr. Lee continued, "you must be cautious. Avoid situations where you're forced to interact too closely with Omegas. Physical proximity, even the slightest release of pheromones, could provoke a reaction from your glands. If that happens, suppression may fail altogether."
"And only take the inhibitors once a week. Taking a lot in one day could be dangerous to your body and health."
Kiyonari's jaw tightened, his fists curling on his knees. "Understood. I'll be careful."
But deep inside, unease gnawed at him.
Because last night, the scent that had clung to him was different.
And if Dr. Lee was right, that meant his body had already crossed into dangerous possibility.
.... If that happens, it'll be a big trouble.