(Woo-jin's pov)
Age: 14
I'm a dominant Omega, born into a wealthy family.
People say that makes me lucky. That I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
But luck is the last word I'd use for my life.
My family doesn't see me as a person. I am a symbol — a perfect little trophy they polish and display to the world. I was taught to smile when I wanted to cry, to bow when I wanted to run, to keep my voice soft and my back straight even when my whole body was screaming for freedom.
If I stepped out of line, even for a moment, I was punished. Words sharper than knives, cold silence that lasted for days, a grip on my arm that left bruises hidden beneath designer sleeves.
I think I forgot how to breathe a long time ago.
That's why I ran tonight. Not far — I'm not allowed to. Just far enough to pretend, even for a few minutes, that I'm not trapped in that gilded cage they call home.
The streets were quiet, my breath coming out in small, white clouds as I pulled my coat tighter around myself. The air was sharp and cold, but it was better than the suffocating warmth of the mansion.
I just wanted to exist without anyone watching me. Just for a little while.
But the world doesn't give me peace — not for long.
"Well, well… look what we have here."
The voice sent a chill down my spine.
No. Not tonight.
I froze, my heart leaping painfully into my throat as I turned.
Saebri.
He leaned against the wall with that cruel smirk, like a predator amused that his prey walked right into his trap. His shadow stretched toward me in the dim streetlight, long and crooked, like claws reaching for me.
"You're out late, little Omega," he said, stepping closer. His voice was low and mocking, every word dripping with malice. "And all alone. How careless."
My stomach twisted violently. I stumbled back, shaking my head. "S-Stay away, Saebri."
"Oh?" His grin widened. "That's not how you used to talk to me. What happened? Lose that fire in you?"
"I mean it. Don't touch me." My voice trembled, but I tried to sound firm, even though my legs already felt weak.
But he just laughed, a sound that sent cold fear down my spine.
Before I could move, his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. The force of it made me wince.
"Let go!" I gasped, struggling against his grip, panic clawing up my throat.
He yanked me closer until I could smell the bitter alcohol on his breath. "You think you can tell me what to do? Huh?"
My heart pounded so hard it hurt. Every muscle in my body screamed to run, but I couldn't. His grip was iron.
"You should be grateful," he hissed, brushing my hair back roughly. "I'm giving you attention. Isn't that what your kind always wants?"
"No—please…" My voice cracked. I felt that familiar helplessness wash over me — the same one I had felt too many times before when my family told me to be quiet, to endure, to obey.
He chuckled darkly. "Still the same trembling Omega I remember. Pathetic."
Tears pricked my eyes, hot and unwanted. "Stop…"
And then—
"Let him go."
The voice came out of nowhere, sharp as a blade cutting through the night.
Saebri stiffened, and I turned my head slowly, heart hammering, hope and fear colliding in my chest.
He was standing just a few feet away.
An Alpha. Tall, broad-shouldered, his presence so cold and commanding it made the air feel heavier.
"And who the hell are you?" Saebri spat.
"I said, let him go."
The Alpha stepped closer, eyes like ice. Saebri hesitated, grip tightening on me before he finally shoved me hard against the wall.
"This isn't over," he hissed, pointing at me as he backed away. "I'll get what's mine one day. Count on it."
And then he was gone.
My knees gave out, and I slid down the wall, clutching my wrist. I was shaking so hard I could barely breathe.
The Alpha turned to me, his expression unreadable.
"Can you stand?" His voice was cold, almost impatient, but something in me still clung to it — to him.
Because in that moment, even through the fear, even through the pain, I felt something strange bloom in my chest.
I think… I fell in love with him right then.
My breathing was uneven as I tried to pull myself together. The Alpha stood there, silent, his presence filling the narrow street like a wall.
He repeated, sharper this time, "Can you stand?"
I swallowed hard and nodded, even though my legs felt like jelly. I pressed against the wall and slowly pushed myself up. My wrist throbbed where Saebri had grabbed me, but I didn't want to look weak in front of this stranger.
He glanced at me once, his expression flat, then turned as if to leave.
"H–Wait!" The word slipped out before I could stop it.
He paused and looked over his shoulder, one brow slightly raised.
I didn't even know what I wanted to say. My chest was tight, my voice small. "T-Thank you. For… helping me."
He said nothing at first. Just studied me, his cold eyes scanning me like he was measuring something I couldn't name.
"You shouldn't be out here alone," he said finally, his tone clipped.
"I…" I looked down, feeling that familiar shame creep in. "I just wanted to get some air."
He let out a quiet, almost annoyed sound — not quite a sigh, not quite a scoff. "Then choose safer streets next time."
Something in me flinched. His words weren't kind, but they weren't cruel either. Just… sharp. Distant.
But still — he had saved me. When no one else was there, when my family would have turned away, when Saebri could have—
My throat tightened.
"Do you… do you know him?" I asked quietly, gripping my coat tighter.
"Saebri?" His jaw tensed slightly. "I know his type."
The way he said it made me shiver. He sounded so certain, so unafraid.
I hesitated, then whispered, "He said he'll come back for me."
The Alpha's gaze flicked to mine, colder than before. "Then don't make it easy for him."
I blinked. "What?"
He stepped closer, towering over me now, his shadow falling across me like a shield. "Next time, scream. Run. Fight. Do something. Don't just stand there and wait to be saved."
My lips parted, stunned. "I… I tried…"
"Try harder," he said simply.
Tears welled in my eyes again, but not just from fear this time. From frustration. From anger. From how much I wanted someone to tell me it wasn't my fault — that I wasn't weak or pathetic.
But instead, he turned slightly as if to leave again.
Before I could stop myself, I whispered, "What's your name?"
He glanced at me over his shoulder, silent for a long moment before saying flatly:
"Jung Dae-hyun."
The name lingered in the cold air long after he walked away, leaving me standing there with my wrist throbbing, my chest tight, and my heart beating far too fast for someone I'd just met.
I sank down again once he was gone, hugging my knees, tears running silently down my cheeks.
It was stupid. I knew it was.
But my heart wouldn't stop whispering his name.
Dae-hyun.
And that was the night I fell in love with the man who would one day break me.