While walking through the dim, red-lit hallway, Soo-hyun's steps were slow and heavy. The air felt thick, almost suffocating, as the faint hum of low music vibrated from the bar rooms beyond the walls. The crimson glow that bathed the corridor gave everything an eerie, surreal hue—it was like walking inside a fever dream.
His vision was clear, yet his mind was hazy. His consciousness wavered between wakefulness and haze, drifting in and out of the moment. Kiyonari, who was firmly guiding him by the waist, had a face carved with worry—the kind of deep, sharp concern that twisted the heart of anyone who saw it.
It was the first time Soo-hyun had ever seen that expression on him. Has this happened before? He thought, even as his mind struggled to stay logical.
He remembered that look. It was the same expression Kiyonari wore back then—the incident with Jisung. But this time, it was worse.
Soo-hyun could still feel the suffocating atmosphere that filled the VIP room moments ago, the echo of that terrifying intensity lingering in his chest. The darkness in Kiyonari's eyes, the storm of rage, and that monstrous burst of pheromones... it wasn't something he could easily forget.
It was more than fury; it was pain, confusion, and fear all mixed into a single, overwhelming scent that clawed at the air.
He had never felt such a suffocating emotion coming from an Alpha before. If he hadn't spoke up and called out to Kiyonari's name, then something worse might've happened. He didn't even want to imagine.
A chill rippled down his spine at the memory. Even now, the ghost of that feeling clung to his skin.
Soo-hyun lifted his gaze to the man beside him. Kiyonari's hand was still steady on his waist, his touch gentle yet firm. His broad shoulders and tall frame made Soo-hyun feel—if only for a fleeting moment—that he was safe and protected.
The hallway seemed endless until they finally reached the heavy door that led to the bar's secret exit. Just as they were about to step outside, Soo-hyun's legs trembled. His body suddenly lost all strength, his knees giving out beneath him.
"Director Je!" Kiyonari exclaimed, quickly catching him before he could fall.
Soo-hyun tried to respond, but his throat burned. No sound came out. His lips parted, trembling, yet not a single word followed.
My voice... won't come out! He panicked inwardly.
Kiyonari leaned closer, his expression etched with alarm. "What's wrong? Are you in pain, sir?" His voice was controlled, but the slight tremor betrayed his growing fear.
Soo-hyun could barely focus. He raised his trembling arms and looped them around Kiyonari's neck, pulling him closer—enough that his lips brushed near the boy's ear.
"Soo... help me... Mr. Soo," he rasped, his voice weak and breathless. "... It... hurts."
His hand clutched his stomach, twisting as if something inside him were tearing apart. Heat surged through his body, flooding his veins, burning his skin from within. His pale face flushed crimson, the red trailing down to his neck and collarbones. His breathing quickened, shallow and almost desperate.
Kiyonari's eyes widened. He could feel the unnatural warmth radiating through Soo-hyun's body.
No... this scent...! He realized, panic flashing across his mind.
He clenched his jaw, trying to think fast. The scent around them was beginning to change—faint but unmistakable. If anyone nearby caught even a whiff of it, if any Alpha in this building noticed... it would sure cause them going into rut.
Kiyonari's expression hardened. I can't let that happen.
Without wasting another second, he bent down and lifted Soo-hyun into his arms. The young man's body felt alarmingly light, his head resting limply against Kiyonari's shoulder. Soo-hyun's breath was shallow, his face contorted in visible pain.
"Hang in there, Director," Kiyonari murmured, his voice trembling but resolute. As he tightened his hold, he could feel Soo-hyun's heat against his chest—searing and unrelenting. Kiyonari's pulse raced, but his steps didn't falter.
I have to get him out of here. Now. He moved swiftly through the hallway, every muscle in his body tense, his only focus on getting Soo-hyun to safety before the worst could happen.
*****
Inside the car, the silence was defeaning—only the faint hum of the engine, and the rhythmic squeak of tires against wet asphalt filled the air. Streetlights streaked through the windshield in blurs of gold and red as Kiyonari drove through the near-empty road, maintaining a steady but cautious speed.
In the passenger seat, Soo-hyun sat slumped against the window. His breathing was uneven, shallow gasps escaping his parted lips down to the side of a flushed face, tracing the edge of his jaw. His fingers trembled against the seatbelt that restrained him.
Kiyonari's grip tightened around the steering wheel—knuckles turning pale from the pressure. His brows furrowed, his sharp gaze flickering between the road and the rearview mirror. Each glance toward Soo-hyun only deepened the line of tension on his face.
He's getting worse... Kiyonari thought grimly.
The distance between them was only a few inches, yet the atmosphere felt suffocating. The temperature inside the car seemed to rise. That was when Kiyonari caught it—the faint, distinct aroma in the air.
A soft, sweet scent drifted toward him—delicate at first, like the faintest trace of bright, sugary, and sweet candy. But it wasn't just fragrance. It carried weight.
Kiyonari froze. His pupils dilated as realization struck him.
He's releasing so much pheromones...!
A jolt of alarm coursed through him, snapping him out of his daze. His body tensed, muscles coiling as his Alpha instincts roared awake.
The scent grew stronger by the second, wrapping around him like invisible tendrils. It was intoxicating and unbearably sweet, soft yet commanding, seeping into his every breath. It invaded his senses as though muddling reason with instinct.
Then, it hit him like a punch to the gut.
Wait... no... this scent... his heartbeat quickened. Is he... going into heat?!
Kiyonari's throat tightened. He could feel the primal stir within him, that dangerous pull threatening to override his self-control. He clenched his jaw, biting down hard on his lower lip until his sharp fangs grazed his skin. A thin line of blood trickled down his chin—a painful reminder to stay grounded.
His breathing grew heavy, but his focus didn't waver he forced his eyes back to the road, ignoring the pheromones that swirled around the confined space like invisible smoke.
Soo-hyun's soft whimper reached his ears, fragile and broken. The sound sent another chill down Kiyonari's spine—a dangerous one. His hands trembled slightly on the wheel, but he quickly steadied them.
"Just hang in there, Director Je..." He muttered under his breath, voice rough and strained.
The air thickened even more. The pheromones now saturated the entire car—a heady sweetness that clung to every breath they took. It was overwhelming.
He could feel his pulse hammering in his throat, the Alpha in him struggling against restraint. His body screamed to respond, to claim, and to mark his prey. But his mind—human self—fought back with every ounce of willpower left in him.
No, he thought harshly to himself. I can't... I won't let something happen, I know I would regret.
I don't want to hurt him.
Kiyonari took another deep breath, forcing control back into his veins. The scent lingered, but his will stood firm.
As the red traffic light reflected across his face, Kiyonari turned his head slightly toward Soo-hyun. The younger man was trembling, his half-lidded eyes glassy and unfocused, his lips parted as he tried to breathe through the pain.
Kiyonari's chest clenched.
I have to get him somewhere safe... no matter what.
He pressed his foot on the gas the moment the light turned green, the car speeding off through the dimly lit street—the weight of pheromones, heat, and unspoken tension filling the air like a storm about to break.
*****
When they finally arrived at the condominium, Kiyonari didn't waste a second. With the passcode Eunji had sent him still fresh on his mind, he keyed it in and hear the lock click open.
Relief flickered, briefly.
Because the moment he stepped inside, the air shifted.
In his arms, Soo-hyun's condition had deteriorated frighteningly fast. His pheromones were no longer faint wisps but even more thicker than before, it was as if a wave of heat that had clung to Kiyonari's skin.
The incredible scent swifted up his nostrils the instant they crossed the threshold... spreading through the living room.
Kiyonari's jaw clenched hard, every muscle in his body tightening. He could feel his Alpha instincts clawing up from the deepest part of him—growling, hungry, and urging him to devour what was trembling helplessly in his arms. His canines scraped against his lower lip once again. He bit down so hard small punctures formed, beads of blood rolling down the corner of his lips.
His temples throbbed. Veins threatened to pop. He swallowed hard, forcing his instincts back into their cage even as the scent soaked into him with each breath.
He readjusted his grip on Soo-hyun, holding the Omega closer just to keep him from slipping—yet that alone sent sparks of heat down his spine. He set one foot on the first stair.
Step by step, he forced himself forward, each movement deliberate, slow, careful. The scent grew thicker with altitude, like the stairwell was steeped in it.
By the time he reached the master bedroom door, he felt feverish himself.
He kicked it open.
The room's air offered little relief.
He lowered Soo-hyun into the massive bed—gentle, like laying something precious and fragile onto clouds. But the boy was far from peaceful. Soo-hyun's hair stuck to his forehead, damp from sweat his pupils were blown out, as if he couldn't focus on anything. His breathing came shallow, trembling. The sheets beneath him wrinkled as his body tensed and curled.
The pheromones flooded the room instantly—sweet, potent, irresistible. A scent that could pull am Alpha to his knees.
Kiyonari staggered back a step.
His chest ached with restraint. His instincts screamed, and clawed to touch him, hold him.
But he locked them down with iron control.
If he stayed too long, if he slipped even a little, it would be dangerous for the both of them.
He wet his lips, voice strained and low as he forced words out through gritted teeth. "Director Je... you're... tch... you're in heat.
Y-You need your suppressant. I'll call Ms. Do..."
He took another step back, gripping the doorframe as if it were the only thing keeping him sane.
"... Rest for now," he managed, breath shaky. "I'll handle things... with media and—"
But before he could turn—
A weak tug pulled at the cuff of his sleeve.
Kiyonari froze.
"Director?" He whispered, looking down.
Soo-hyun was staring up at him with hazy, desperate eyes—that trembled with longing, fear, and something else entirely.
"Kihyun..." Soo-hyun breathed, voice cracking.
Hearing his name from those lips like that, sent a shock through Kiyonari's spine.
"D-Don't go... please... h-help me....!" Soo-hyun whimpered, fingers clinging to him with the last of his strength.
Kiyonari's entire being screamed run. His rational mind shoved the words forward: I can't. I have to leave. If I stay here any longer, I'll lose control—
But the Omega's voice trembled again, wetter this time. "Please... Kihyun..."
And inside Soo-hyun—two voices battled violently.
I want this man to hold me...!
「No! I don't want this—!」
I want him to fill me, ruin me, empty everything he has into me...!
「Stop! Please stop! I don't want him, I'm scared—!」
I want to be devoured. I don't care what happens!
「Don't touch me... please... leave!"」
His body begged. His instincts screamed. And when he parted his lips, the word that escaped sealed everything.
"... Hold me."
The sound shattered whatever distance Kiyonari had managed to build between them. It echoed in his ears.
In his blood. An invitation, irresistible temptation. Those eyes that gives permission.
Kiyonari's fists tightened at his side, knuckles whitening. He made his decision.
From his pocket, he took out a small foil packet, tearing it open with sharp precision. A single pill slid into his palm—his last emergency suppressant.
He placed it on his tongue.
Then he leaned down.
His hand cupped Soo-hyun's head with careful gentleness, lifting him slightly. Their faced drew closer until their lips brushed.
And then pressed. Warm and soft.
Kiyonari's tongue moved with controlled grace, transferring the pill into Soo-hyun's mouth.
Soo-hyun swallowed. He tasted a metallic palate against his tongue.
Kiyonari pulled away slowly, breath ghosting over the Omega's lips. Soo-hyun's eyes lifted to meet his—and in that moment, time seemed to halt.
Oh... this look... Soo-hyun thought, recognizing the expression instantly.
Kiyonari's brows were drawn tight in conflict, yet his eyes were soft, filled with quiet and trembling guilt. His entire face looked as though he was apologizing for something he could not name.
The same expression he had worn that day.
Why is he making that face again?
Was it responsibility? Was he feeling guilty?
Maybe, Soo-hyun thought, lowering his gaze, eyes shimmering. Maybe he just feels sorry for me. After all... it's not easy living as an Omega.
His strength faded again, and he leaned forward, resting his head against Kiyonari's broad, solid chest.
The heat pulsed between them. The air thickened. And the last threads of restraint crumbled like they could snap at any moment.