"I should've taken more suppressants. My heat is getting worse. It feels like I'm dying… and I still have to stay in this damn office doing overtime."
"I hate this heat cycle. I hate this body. And I hate that cold Alpha boss who thinks he can control everything with just a glance."
"What a weird guy... always giving orders like a machine. Doesn't he realize I'm barely holding myself together?"
Areum (thinking):
Should I run?
God... my head...
Areum held his head in both hands, rubbing his temples, trying to push away the burning inside.
I can't focus. It's too hard to work during heat.
It feels like I'm burning alive.
His fingers trembled slightly over the keyboard.
I hate this. I hate being born an Omega. I freaking hate—
"Mr. Han, are you okay?"
A sudden voice broke through his thoughts. Areum flinched and quickly looked up.
It was Minjae, his sweet co-worker.
Minjae tilted his head. "Your face is completely red…"
Areum forced an awkward smile, trying to act normal.
Areum: "Oh… yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
Minjae was an Omega too, but he didn't know Areum's secret.
In fact, he thought Areum was an Alpha, and often seemed a little too impressed by him.
Minjae: "It's already so late. Have you finished the reports?"
Areum: "Not yet."
Minjae: "Want me to help?"
Areum (shaking his head): "No, it's okay. You should go home."
Minjae hesitated, then gave a polite smile and grabbed his bag.
Minjae: "Alright… see you tomorrow then. Bye!"
Areum: "Bye…"
As the office door closed behind him, silence fell again.
Areum leaned back in his chair and exhaled deeply.
Areum (thinking):
I need to finish this work and get out of here fast.
I can't even apply for heat cycle leave because everyone thinks I'm an Alpha.
God… I feel so hot… I need cold water…
He stood up, wobbling slightly as another wave of heat crawled up his spine. His scent was slipping—faint, but enough to alert someone soon.
And the worst part?
He was the only one left in the office.
Areum gulped down cold water, the chill barely helping as the fire in his chest refused to fade. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand and glanced at his reflection in the office glass door.
Areum (whispering):
My face is completely red…
Why didn't the suppressants work today?
He touched his flushed cheeks, heart pounding.
Areum (thinking):
Is it the stress? Am I too worn out?
I need to cool down more... I should wash my face.
He stumbled toward the restroom, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
The door creaked open.
And then—he froze.
Inside, standing calmly at the sink, was none other than Yoon Taekho, his cold, commanding boss.
A dominant Alpha.
Areum's eyes widened.
No. Not now. I can't… I can't be near an Alpha during heat cycle.
His entire body tensed as the air filled with something terrifyingly sweet—Taekho's pheromones.
They smelled like fresh cherry blossoms drifting through spring rain. Gentle, but dangerously powerful.
Areum (panicking internally):
Shit… why does he smell so good? My cheeks… they're burning. I need to run.
Taekho turned slightly, casually washing his hands, but his sharp eyes flicked to Areum's reflection in the mirror.
Areum took a shaky step back.
Another step—until his heel caught the floor.
Slip—
"Ah—!"
Before he could hit the ground, strong arms caught him.
Taekho moved in an instant.
Now Areum found himself trapped in the arms of the very Alpha he was trying to escape. His body went still, his scent leaking, dizzy with heat and shame.
Areum (murmuring faintly):
His pheromones… so strong… Why… do I feel… dizzy…? Oh shit… I can't…
Taekho's voice was calm but low, breath brushing against Areum's ear.
Taekho (softly):
"You smell like rain… and cherry…"
"So sweet."
"…Mr. Han. You're an Omega."
Areum's eyes widened. His face flushed with heat and humiliation.
He had lost control.
And now—he was in the arms of a dominant Alpha who knew his secret.
The soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow across the room.
Areum stirred slowly beneath the thick blankets, his body still tingling with a strange warmth. A soft, dreamy smile curved on his lips as he whispered to himself.
Areum (half-asleep):
"Why… do I feel so good?"
"It's the first time… I've felt this fresh in the morning…"
He blinked lazily, letting his body stretch against the soft sheets.
But then—his eyes opened fully.
The smile disappeared.
Areum (panicked):
"…Wait. Where am I?"
He shot up with a gasp, only to realize—
He was completely naked under the blanket.
Clothes were scattered across the floor. His shirt, his pants… and a familiar expensive suit—Taekho's suit.
His heart skipped a beat.
And then—the memories of last night hit him like a truck.
Flashes of his lips crushed against Taekho's…
The Alpha's strong hands gripping his waist…
Their bodies tangled, their breaths hot, their instincts burning…
His heat.
His surrender.
His mistake.
Areum (whispering in horror):
"N-No… no… how could I…?"
He buried his face in his hands, voice cracking.
Areum:
I kissed him. I clung to him like I needed him. I… I let him hold me.
What the hell did I do?
His heart raced wildly.
Areum (whispers):
"I wish I could just disappear right now…"
He couldn't let Taekho see him like this.
Not again. Not after what happened.
Without another thought, Areum scrambled to the floor, grabbing his clothes and getting dressed in a rush. His fingers fumbled with the buttons, his face burning red.
He didn't even stop to look back.
With silent steps, he slipped out of the luxurious penthouse—
running away like he had done something unforgivable.
The bathroom door creaked open with a soft click.
Taekho stepped out, a white bathrobe loosely tied around his waist.
His damp black hair clung slightly to his forehead, still glistening from the shower. Drops of water trailed slowly down his collarbone, disappearing beneath the soft robe fabric.
His dark eyes scanned the room casually at first—
But then, they narrowed.
The bed was empty.
The space beside him, where Areum had been moments ago, was cold.
His gaze dropped to the floor. The clothes that had been thrown around the night before… were gone.
The air hung heavy in silence.
Taekho stood still for a moment, his brows twitching faintly.
Then, with a low breath, he muttered to himself—
Taekho (coldly):
"…He ran?"