The first light of morning filtered softly through the curtains, brushing Eren's pale skin with a gentle warmth. He stirred, his long red hair falling over his shoulders, and slowly opened his eyes. Despite the lingering heaviness from last night, he pushed himself upright, taking a deep breath.
The world outside might have been calm and ordinary, but inside him, the storm never truly slept. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his lean frame stretching as he tried to shake off the tension. A cold shower, a quick breakfast of fruit and tea, and a final check in the mirror—his crimson eyes met his own reflection, sharp and magnetic, belying the vulnerability he kept hidden.
Dressing neatly in his college uniform, he adjusted the collar and smoothed his hair, preparing the mask he would wear in public: confident, composed, untouchable.
Stepping into the dining hall, he immediately noticed the family gathered, already seated around the polished table.
"Good morning," Eren greeted, his soft voice carrying just enough warmth to seem genuine without betraying any of the tension inside.
His father, Darius, gave a measured nod, the sharpness in his gaze still lingering, while his mother, Selene, offered a calm, graceful smile, as though nothing unusual had occurred. The siblings, if present, acknowledged him briefly, their expressions ranging from polite to subtly competitive.
Eren took his seat, offering small, respectful gestures of greeting—little smiles, slight bows of his head. Outwardly, he was the perfect son, the image of composure. Inside, he felt the familiar coil of anxiety and the shadow of last night's encounter, reminding him that the world he faced outside the dark room required careful balance.
Every gesture, every word, was measured. Every glance, every smile, served a purpose. And beneath it all, Eren's hidden self—the sensitive, vulnerable core—waited quietly, a secret storm beneath the calm surface.
Eren took his seat at the long, polished table, keeping his movements smooth and calm. The sunlight from the tall windows glinted off the silverware, but he barely noticed. His attention was already caught by the subtle tension in the room.
Darius, his father, sat at the head of the table, his eyes tracking Eren like a hawk. There was a sharp intensity there—pride, expectation, and something more unsettling, an obsessive vigilance that made Eren's stomach tighten.
"You look… presentable this morning," Darius said softly, his gaze lingering too long. "Remember, Eren, appearances matter."
Eren nodded, lowering his eyes slightly to avoid the intensity of that stare.
His older brother, Ryker, leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Careful, little brother," he teased, "don't let Father's find faults on you.
Eren's lips twitched in a faint, controlled smile. "I'm fine," he said softly, keeping his voice calm. "Just focused on breakfast."
Ryker chuckled, shaking his head. "Focused, huh? You always take everything so seriously. Maybe lighten up once in a while."
Darius' gaze flicked between them both, a subtle warning in his eyes. "Lighten up? Focus is what keeps you in control. Remember that,
After breakfast, Darius stood. "I'll drive you to college today," he said, his tone casual but layered with expectation. "It's important to arrive properly, on time, and… composed."
In the Car
The car ride was silent at first, the hum of the engine filling the space. Eren sat upright, hands resting neatly in his lap, hiding the tension coiling beneath his calm exterior.
Darius finally spoke, his voice low, controlled, almost intimate in its precision. "Remember, Eren… behave. Don't speak unnecessarily to anyone. Especially Omegas, Betas, or other Alphas who might… interest you."
Eren's jaw tightened slightly. He nodded, keeping his eyes forward, pretending the words didn't sting.
"You know what happens when I become angry," Darius continued, his gaze fixed on the road, but the weight of his warning felt like ice pressing against Eren's chest. "Disobedience, mistakes… carelessness. You've seen it before. You must remember that your place is important. Always."
Eren remained silent, letting the words sink in, his heart tightening under the careful, obsessive control his father exerted. Every glance, every word, every subtle command reminded him: he had to maintain the mask, hide his vulnerabilities, and survive this world of scrutiny and manipulation