What on earth is going on?
Nearly half a day had passed, but Yujin was still in a daze. During that time, he hadn’t once touched the ground. More precisely, Winston hadn’t once let him go. Even while moving by car, Winston held Yujin on his lap, so much so that Yujin finally complained.
“Isn’t this uncomfortable for you?”
There was no sarcasm intended, but the tone was far from pleasant. Besides, the car they were in wasn’t the usual sedan but an SUV, with a much larger interior space—yet the distance between them was excessively close.
“No, I’m fine.”
Yujin wasn’t surprised by the answer, as he had vaguely expected it. What surprised him was what came next.
“Are you in pain? We’ll arrive soon. Can you hold on?”
Yujin hesitated and looked up at Winston’s face, which was nothing like he expected. It was serious, without a trace of a smile, and Yujin was momentarily taken aback.
...Huh.
That was all he thought. Winston’s pale face showed clear signs of anxiety. The arms holding Yujin’s body were tense, and the strain was palpable.
“...If I say I’m in pain, will you believe me?”
Without realizing it, Yujin asked, watching as Winston’s lips stiffened. After a pause, Winston slowly spoke.
“Pain can’t be hidden.”
It sounded like there was more meaning packed into that sentence. Suddenly, Yujin felt conflicted. If he lied here and now, how would Winston react?
He was curious, but unfortunately, he didn’t have the energy. He sighed and muttered weakly,
“I’m not in pain. Just uncomfortable.”
Right before departure, he had received an injection. It was probably a painkiller. Even now, he was still numb not only to the pain but also mentally dull. Winston mumbled a quiet “Okay” in response, then exhaled sharply. Yujin felt him bury his nose in his hair, followed by the sound of a deep breath.
Only then did Yujin realize the scent of pheromones emanating from himself.
When did I take medicine...?
Thinking back, he remembered no medicine after the injury. Unless it was from the injection, the suppressant’s effect must have worn off long ago. The pheromone scent he now sensed was proof.
Maybe Winston’s rut was because of me.
He suddenly recalled someone covered in another omega’s scent. It was probably an accident caused by pheromone buildup. Winston certainly wouldn’t want that to happen again. So it made sense for Yujin to be cautious first. With that conclusion, Yujin spoke.
“...Je.”
He muttered softly, causing Winston to pause.
“What?”
Yujin hesitated before speaking.
“You need to take suppressants.”
“Why?”
Winston was momentarily surprised but answered calmly.
“Because you smell of pheromones. That’s not good for you either. This time it couldn’t be helped because of the rut, but you wouldn’t want it to happen again.”
Yujin spoke clearly and logically, yet Winston’s reaction was still unexpected. Why was he looking at me like that? Puzzled, Yujin tilted his head. Winston’s face was tightly furrowed, blinking slowly, then he finally spoke.
“...I wouldn’t want that? Me?”
“Yes.”
Yujin nodded easily and repeated what Winston had always said.
“Why would you want to sleep with me? A filthy slut who sleeps around with anyone, a bastard.”
Winston said nothing. Surprisingly, his expression looked even more stunned than Yujin’s, which only confused Yujin further.
“What’s wrong? That’s what you always said to me.”
This time, Yujin asked genuinely. Had Winston forgotten the harsh ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) words he’d always hurled at him? That couldn’t be. If so, that would mean Winston also forgot that Yujin had betrayed him and slept with other men.
“...That’s...”
After a long pause, Winston opened his mouth but stopped there, as if searching for words. Yujin watched with quiet interest, wondering what he would say. Waiting for the other’s response was a first. Finally, Winston spoke.
“Don’t take it.”
“What?”
Yujin unknowingly repeated the question, eyes wide. Winston slowly and deliberately muttered each word.
“Don’t take it. From now on.”
“No...”
Yujin tried to say that wasn’t what he meant, but Winston interrupted him.
“It’s not good for your body, especially since you’re pregnant.”
There were plenty of medicines safe for pregnant women. Didn’t Winston himself once say it didn’t matter if Yujin took any medicine and became infertile? Did he really not remember what he said?
“That’s not what I meant...”
“How was it with Angie? I heard that if the condition is stable, pheromones don’t come out and heat cycles don’t occur.”
Yujin tried to change the subject back, but Winston forcibly continued. Yujin felt a huge wall. Winston was deliberately avoiding that topic.
Did he not want to admit he lost to my pheromones?
He was an extreme alpha and Yujin a normal omega, so maybe his pride was wounded. But if that was so, it was an even more foolish choice. Yujin’s pheromones would keep tempting him, and as a result, he would keep falling into the same trap.
Maybe watching that wasn’t so bad.
It was ridiculous to see such an arrogant man brought down by pheromones. And if he had enough pride to run toward the fire himself, that would be even more interesting to watch.
“Fine.”
Yujin decided not to argue about the suppressants anymore and opened his mouth.
“I won’t take them, is that okay?”
His tone was sarcastic, but Winston seemed unbothered. Maybe he was relieved the uncomfortable topic was quietly dropped.
“Rest. We still have a way to go.”
With that, Winston adjusted his hold on Yujin. It would have been more comfortable for both if Winston simply let him sit, but he never did. Eventually, resigned, Yujin was held as he drifted to sleep.
He regained consciousness as the car slowed down. When he made a small sound, the body he was leaning on flinched. Only then did memories from before falling asleep come back, followed by the awareness of the strong arms holding him.
“We’re here.”
Suddenly, Winston whispered above him. Yujin jolted, his whole body twitching. As if expecting this, Winston held him closer, but the faint pain remained unavoidable. A small groan escaped, and Winston spoke.
“You’ll be able to rest comfortably soon.”
There was an oddly deep melancholy in Winston’s comforting words, as if this situation was unbearably hard.
But Yujin had no time to ponder that meaning deeply. The car came to a complete stop. Moments later, the door opened, and as before, Winston carried Yujin out of the car. Blinded by the sudden sunlight, Yujin closed his eyes tightly. When he slowly lifted his eyelids, his eyes grew several times larger than before.
A new sight unfolded before him. A white mansion stood tall in the middle of a land covered by a dense forest of towering conifers. A huge lake partially frozen lay nearby, and besides the guards including themselves, no one else was in sight. The scenery was completely different from the expected Delight estate. Yujin stood momentarily speechless, stunned.
“Where is this...?”
When he barely managed to ask, Winston answered casually.
“You can rest here until your body recovers.”
“What did you say?”
“Daddy!”
Before Yujin could ask again, an unexpected voice flew into his ears. Startled, he turned his head to see his beloved daughter beyond the wide-open mansion doors.
Angie.
Yujin, unable to make a sound, held his breath as Angela ran hurriedly toward him. Yujin wanted to embrace her at once, but Winston did not let him down.
“No, wait.”
Like a command to a dog, Yujin was about to protest, but a nearby guard quickly stepped forward and lifted Angela up.
