The hall seethed like a living beast.
Music lashed at his temples with heavy blows, neon lights tore the crowd into red and blue shards. People shouted, laughed, pressed against each other. The air was sticky with sweat, alcohol, and pheromones.
Do-yun slid through the chaos. The tray was light, his movements precise. His face - stone, cold, controlled. Once more he was part of the crowd, nothing to stand out. A beta. Just a waiter.
But after what had happened in the corridor, the mask weighed heavier. Each breath reminded him of the slip. And among the hundreds of faces, he felt too keenly the gaze that sought him.
- Hey! - a voice snapped him out of thought.
A hand grabbed his wrist, rough and sudden.
Do-yun turned. A drunk customer. His face flushed, eyes glazed, breath stinking of alcohol. The grip was harsh, painful.
- Pour more! - he growled.
Do-yun pulled back, calm, restrained.
- Let go.
But the man only grinned, squeezing tighter, tugging him closer.
- Or maybe stay with me? Hey, pretty boy…
And then the grip vanished. Another hand had seized his wrist, tearing him free. The force sent the drunk stumbling, nearly falling.
Yoon Seung-ho.
He stood beside him. Tall. Calm. But there was no trace of lazy amusement in his eyes now. Only cold, predatory anger.
- Learn to keep your hands to yourself, - he said.
The drunk muttered something and vanished into the crowd.
Seung-ho did not release him. His fingers still clamped tightly around Do-yun's wrist. There was no protection in that hold - only control.
- Come, - he said shortly.
The crowd parted on its own as they walked. Seung-ho led him through the hall as if he were not a man but something taken - claimed. Every step echoed like the beat of a heart.
The door shut.
Music remained outside, muffled. Here it was half-light, the air thick with smoke and liquor. Silence sharpened every breath.
Seung-ho released his wrist - but didn't step back. They stood too close.
- You react too calmly, - the alpha's voice was low, heavy. - Even when someone grabs you. Even when you're humiliated.
Do-yun raised his eyes. Ice.
- It's part of the job.
- Job? - Seung-ho stepped closer. His shadow covered him. - No. It's your habit of hiding everything.
Do-yun opened his mouth to reply. But words broke off when the alpha seized his wrist again, yanking him forward. Their bodies collided, breaths mingling.
And it ignited.
The kiss was sharp. Sudden. There was no tenderness. Only anger. Hunger. A surge of force that tore masks away.
Do-yun braced a hand against his chest, tried to push back. But his body shuddered. Heat surged, breaking his control. For a heartbeat, he allowed himself to yield. And that heartbeat terrified him more than anything.
He broke free. His lips burned, his breath came harsh. His heart pounded so loudly it seemed it must be heard in the silence.
- Don't ever do that again, - he said. His voice shook.
Seung-ho smirked. Not amused - dangerous.
- Never? - his voice dropped to a near whisper. - We'll see.
Silence stretched taut as a string. And in that silence, it was clear: things would only grow more dangerous from here.