[Content warning: violence, gore]
"No! No! Please, let me go!"
The middle-aged Alpha screamed until his voice broke, his once-pristine black suit now torn and soaked with blood seeping from the stab wound in his abdomen. His legs were shackled by a long chain, the other end gripped lazily in Taeryn's hand as he dragged him across the office floor.
His usual warmth, those soft, boyish eyes that once lit up for Rihan was gone, replaced by a gleam of wild, murderous delight.
"I'll pay you anything! Just name your price! How much do you want?!" the Alpha begged, trembling, his face pale from blood loss.
Taeryn tilted his head, watching him with a grin that was almost tender. "You're still talking? That's impressive."
He stopped when they reached the center of the room, letting the chain clatter to the floor. The Alpha's shoulders sagged with fleeting relief... until Taeryn chuckled.
"Do you actually think you're going to live?" he asked lightly. "I was paid to kill you, you know that right?"
The color drained completely from the Alpha's face. "Please… please, I—"
"You didn't listen to the pleas of those Omegas you raped every night," Taeryn cut in, his smile fading, voice dropping into a dangerous calm. "So why should I show you mercy?"
The man stammered, choking on words that never came.
Taeryn sighed, almost bored. "Exactly."
He reached down, picked up the bloodied metal bat from the floor, and without hesitation, swung it hard. The crack echoed through the room once, twice, then over and over until the body beneath him stopped twitching, until the head was nothing but crimson pulp.
When he finally stopped, blood splattered across his face and neck, Taeryn exhaled shakily… then smiled, eyes half-lidded, a trace of pleasure curling at his lips.
"Now that," he murmured, "felt good."
Taeryn pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed it against his forehead, exhaling softly.
"I'm done."
Just then, the door burst open. Two Alphas stepped in.
The first, Jisoo, a lean man with chin-length brown hair and a snake tattoo curling along his neck, whistled low when he saw the corpse, the suitcase in his hand clinking against his knee.
"Ah! That's nasty," he said dramatically as he stepped past Taeryn, peering at the mangled head.
The second, Gihun, cigarette tucked between his lips and a similar suitcase in hand paused, studying Taeryn's blood-splattered face.
"You good?" he asked quietly.
Taeryn shrugged. "Do I look good?" He slung the bloodied bat over his shoulder.
Jisoo gasped. "Wait! did you cum when you did this?!"
Gihun groaned, rolling his eyes. "Dude, what the hell."
Taeryn actually laughed, a small, genuine sound. "No. Come on, just clean up." He turned toward the door, still chuckling, but Gihun called after him.
"Hey."
Tae stopped, glancing back. "Hmm?"
"Are you worried about the police thing? Is that what's bothering you?" Gihun asked, tone softer now.
Jisoo, who was now dragging the corpse toward the corner, glanced up. "Don't worry about it," he groaned. "Boss knows you messed up 'cause of the kid. He said it's a sloppy reason, but understandable. And it's not your fault you're catching attention 'cause of that same case they're chasing. Everything'll be cleaned up, it's that easy."
Taeryn smiled boyishly. "I know. Thanks. And no, I'm not worried about all that.. I just need some rest. I had chicken earlier, and I don't think it's digesting right."
He gave a lazy wave, stepped out of the office, and walked down the hall toward the elevator.
When he reached it, he pressed the button and leaned back against the wall. For a moment, he closed his eyes, letting out a long, steady breath.
Rihan's beautiful face flashed in his mind.... those cold, hazel eyes that refused to soften.
"Fuck! I don't have the patience for this," he groaned, opening his eyes just as the elevator doors slid open.
He stepped out of the tall building and walked toward his bike. With his helmet on and the engine growling, he sped down the road.
The edge of the rising sun bled across the horizon, and he frowned, its glare irritating him more than it should.
By the time he reached his apartment, exhaustion had set in. He kicked off his shoes, collapsed onto the couch, and exhaled heavily.
"I should've finished the job before visiting him," he muttered, rubbing his temples. Then, suddenly, his head snapped up, his grey eyes lighting with a manic spark.
"Maybe I should go see him again. Maybe make him think about it faster?"
He groaned, raking both hands through his hair. "No, no, Tae, be patient. You've waited five years... a few hours won't kill you."
Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his irritation melting instantly into warmth when he saw the message.
[Papa: Are you coming for my birthday party, my baby bear?]
He typed back: [Tae: Of course, Papa. I'll bring my partner too.]
The reply came almost instantly: [Papa: Your partner? Wow, this is such a perfect birthday gift.]
Taeryn laughed quietly. Talking to his Omega dad always warmed him in a way few things could. But the moment the thought of his Alpha father crossed his mind, the smile faded.
His fingers hesitated over the screen before he slowly typed: [Tae: Is Father going to be there?]
[Papa: I'm not sure yet. You know how unpredictable he is with overseas work.]
Tae's lips twitched. "Of course, I do."
His phone buzzed again but this time, it wasn't his dad.
[Boss: There's another job for you.]
[Tae: Who am I killing?]
The reply came with a picture and a file attached.
A middle-aged man stared blankly from the photo missing his left eye, the hollow socket uncovered.
Park Minsoo. 34. Alpha.
He had been killing his former sex workers from a once-famous brothel...one of whom was now the secret partner of a well-known politician.
Tae exhaled softly and texted back: [Tae: I'll take it.]
He tossed his phone aside, sinking into the couch. His eyelids fluttered shut, exhaustion pulling at him but his thoughts drifted, as always, to Seo Rihan.
His darling detective.