Haneul stood behind Taekyun, clutching his shirt with trembling fingers.
His small frame pressed against the Alpha's back as if that was the only place in the world he could still breathe.
Taekyun froze. His shoulders stiffened; the muscles in his jaw locked tight.
He could feel the Omega's uneven breathing against him, and for the first time in years, his entire body reacted before his mind could catch up.
His chest tightened, not from warmth but from something darker anger, confusion, and a sharp, unfamiliar ache that he refused to name.
The heavy sound of boots echoed from behind.
The old Alpha burst into the hall, face red with fury.
Guards followed right after him, struggling to calm the situation.
"There he is!" the man barked, pointing at Haneul.
"Give him to me!"
Haneul froze completely, fingers gripping
Taekyun tighter, eyes wide with terror.
His whole body trembled as the old Alpha's pheromones leaked through the room rough, dominating, disgusting.
The female servants instantly covered their noses and mouths, some even stepping back.
The thick scent of dominance clashed with the cold calmness that Taekyun radiated.
Taekyun's gaze slowly lifted to the intruder, eyes sharp, cold as steel.
He didn't speak at first just observed.
Every second of silence was heavier than the last.
The old man smirked, walking closer as if unaware of the danger he was stepping into.
"Ah, so you're an Alpha too,"
He said in a tone too casual, too friendly. "Good, then you'll understand me. We're both Alphas here."
He glanced at Haneul over Taekyun's shoulder, the corner of his mouth curling into something ugly.
"I bought that little doll for fifty thousand won," he said proudly.
"Pretty, isn't he? But he's been giving me trouble. Hand him over, and I'll buy you a drink. We'll call it even."
The words were enough to make the room temperature drop.
Taekyun didn't move.
His face gave nothing away, but the tension in his hands told another story veins pressed against his skin, his knuckles white from restraint.
The old Alpha took a step closer, smirking wider.
"Come on, don't glare like that. I know how tempting he looks. Let's go fifty-fifty. Tonight he's mine, tomorrow yours"
He never finished.
Taekyun's hand shot forward, gripping the man's wrist and twisting it so hard that a loud crack echoed through the hall.
The old Alpha screamed, stumbling back.
"Get him out of here,"
Taekyun said coldly. His voice was low, calm, but every syllable carried authority that could slice through bone.
"Or send him straight to the police."
The man shouted, clutching his wrist.
"You'll regret this! You think you're untouchable? You don't know who I am!"
Taekyun didn't reply. He just stared, eyes so dark that even the guards hesitated to breathe until they dragged the old Alpha out of the residence.
The doors slammed shut. Silence followed.
Taekyun turned.
Haneul still stood behind him, small hands clutching his arm weakly now.
The tears on his cheeks had dried, but the fear hadn't left his eyes.
He looked fragile too fragile.
Taekyun opened his mouth to speak, anger still burning inside him. "You....."
But before he could finish, Haneul swayed. His lips parted slightly, breath shallow.
The bruised hand pressed against his stomach slipped, and before Taekyun realized it, the boy's legs gave out.
"Haneul....."
Instinct took over.
Taekyun's arm wrapped around him just before his head hit the floor.
Haneul's body was burning cold, trembling. The faint scent of his pheromones lingered in the air soft, trembling, and painfully familiar.
Taekyun looked down at him, heart pounding too fast for his own liking.
The Omega's lashes fluttered against pale skin, his expression peaceful yet heartbreakingly exhausted.
For a second, Taekyun forgot to breathe.
The servants hurried over, but he didn't let go. He couldn't. His fingers stayed pressed against Haneul's shoulder, as if making sure he was real.
"Take him inside,"
Taekyun ordered finally, his tone sharper than before to hide the sudden unease in his chest.
"Guest room. Now."
The servants hesitated, looking between the two, unsure.
Taekyun's gaze hardened.
"Move."
"Yes, sir!"
They answered quickly, but before anyone could reach him, Taekyun stood.
His hands moved with quiet precision one under Haneul's knees, the other behind his back.
He lifted him with ease, ignoring how his chest tightened with every breath the Omega took against him.
As he carried Haneul through the hall, his mind ran wild, but his expression stayed blank.
He laid Haneul gently on the guest bed, eyes lingering on the faint bruise forming near his stomach.
"Call the doctor," he told Bora, who had rushed in.
"Make sure he's treated properly. Also i don't want him here in morning. Make sure he left before i woke up."
Bora nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir."
Taekyun turned to leave but paused at the doorway. For a moment, he looked back.
Haneul's face was peaceful in sleep, framed by soft hair, lips slightly parted as if still whispering for help.
Taekyun's jaw tightened. He forced himself to look away.
In his room, he splashed cold water on his face, but the image wouldn't fade.
That boy. That voice. That scent.
"Why did he come back?" he muttered under his breath, gripping the sink.
The reflection staring back at him looked furious not just at Haneul, but at himself.
"What is going on with me…" he whispered, his voice low, uncertain.
The house fell silent again, except for the faint sound of the rain outside and somewhere down the hall, the quiet heartbeat of an Omega who had once again stepped into the life of the Alpha he shouldn't have.