“Yes.”
—I have something to discuss in person. When are you available?
“I’m free anytime.”
—Then, can I send you a message after checking my schedule?
“Yes, please do that.”
He nodded coolly and then hung up. Seunghyun, who had been listening nearby, looked at Suhwan as he put down his phone and said:
“The CEO seems to care a lot about you.”
“Hmm? I guess so.”
“Cousins are practically strangers.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I don’t even know most of my cousins’ names.”
“That much?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
He was certainly aware that his relationship with Hwalyeon wasn’t typical. But Jin Suhwan’s only family were Chairman Jin and Hwalyeon, and it didn’t feel bad to be looked after by Hwalyeon, with whom he had a good relationship.
“We grew up almost like siblings, that’s why.”
It was more like Hwalyeon had practically raised him, but… As Suhwan recalled the content of the novel, he tilted his head at a certain memory that quickly passed through his mind. He remembered a young Hwalyeon and Jin Suhwan wearing modest clothes, which seemed at odds with Jin Suhwan’s supposed past.
“What is this?”
“What is it?”
“Hmm?”
When he turned to look at Seunghyun, the memory that had briefly surfaced ebbed away like the tide. With an awkward expression, he looked at Seunghyun and replied:
“No, it’s nothing. Just thinking about the past.”
“About the past?”
“Yeah. After my parents passed away, my noona practically took care of me.”
At these casual words, Seunghyun’s face darkened. For Suhwan, they weren’t even his real parents, so there was nothing to be hurt about, but Seunghyun seemed to think differently.
“I’m sorry for making you recall unpleasant memories.”
“Huh? No, it’s fine. It doesn’t bother me anymore.”
If he showed signs of sadness, it would be deceptive. And he didn’t want to make Seunghyun feel guilty. Suhwan repeated:
“I’m really fine.”
But still, Seunghyun’s serious expression didn’t soften. After thinking for a moment, Suhwan spoke again, partly to make a light joke:
“Well, I think I’d feel better if you gave me a kiss.”
“Alright.”
As if he had been waiting for this, Seunghyun placed his lips on Suhwan’s cheek. The kisses, which started with light touches on the cheek, gradually moved toward his lips. He pressed his own lips against Suhwan’s full ones, kissing him.
“Mmm.”
Even though they were just pressing lips together without using tongue, it somehow felt erotic. Suhwan let out a pleasurable moan as he felt a tightening in his lower abdomen.
He wrapped his arms around Seunghyun’s neck and pulled him closer. He was becoming impatient with Seunghyun, who was only kissing his lips when he wanted a deeper kiss. Sighing, Suhwan spoke with his lips still against Seunghyun’s:
“Seunghyun, why…”
Then, with a mischievous look in his eyes, Seunghyun playfully replied:
“You only asked for a kiss.”
“Ugh.”
That wasn’t what he meant. It was clear Seunghyun was teasing him. Suhwan frowned.
“Are you really… just going to kiss me?”
Looking down at the eyes that were starting to show intense heat, Seunghyun frowned. Even though he thought they had released enough tension, seeing Suhwan’s reddened eyes made him feel an uncontrollable desire.
Barely suppressing the urge to pin him down and rip off his clothes, Seunghyun lowered his lips. He kissed the wet corners of Suhwan’s eyes, which were moist with excitement, and smiled.
“I don’t think I can hold back, is that okay?”
“…”
Suhwan fell silent at the explicit question. It wasn’t long ago that he had suffered at the hands of Seunghyun, who was out of his mind due to his heat cycle. The memory was still quite vivid. Seunghyun had been so persistent, never stopping no matter how much he cried, pleaded, or climaxed, that even now there was a sharp pain in his abdomen.
Seunghyun raised his hand and stroked the cheek of Suhwan, who looked terrified. The cheeks that had been plump from good feeding had sunken in alarmingly. It was the result of the week-long heat cycle he had endured with Seunghyun. Feeling guilty, Seunghyun’s touch was extremely careful.
“I’ll never do it if you don’t want to.”
“Ah…”
It’s not that he didn’t want to. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to…
His trembling lips couldn’t utter the words that weren’t quite organized in his mind. And Seunghyun patiently waited for Suhwan. Now, he should never suppress him with pheromones or force him into a relationship again. That was the only way to keep him by his side forever.
“Ah.”
Suhwan’s eyes widened as he felt Seunghyun’s gentle pheromones enveloping him. His stiff body began to loosen gradually. The pain that had only been aching started to change direction slightly.
“It’s not that I don’t want to.”
“Then what?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, but I’m still a bit scared.”
It was frightening. The raw, unfiltered desire was terrifying and overwhelming. He had truly realized then that he could actually die during the act. Seunghyun caressed Suhwan’s pale face and spoke with a guilt-ridden expression.
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt next time.”
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry, hyung.”
“…You don’t need to apologize.”
Suhwan shook his head and pulled on his arms wrapped around Seunghyun’s neck. Looking at the face that came close to his, he said in a small voice:
“Instead, give me a kiss this time. …Not just a peck.”
“Heh.”
At his lover’s cute protest, Seunghyun finally burst into laughter.
“Alright.”
And he gently pressed his lips against Suhwan’s.
***
“Welcome, noona.”
“Suhwan.”
Suhwan smiled brightly as he watched Hwalyeon approaching him. He had been waiting for her at the place where they first met. Hwalyeon entered the private room of the hotel restaurant and stood in front of Suhwan, who had risen to greet her.
“You’ve lost weight.”
“Have I?”
Hwalyeon raised her hand and stroked Suhwan’s cheek. He definitely seemed to have had more flesh before, but now Suhwan’s cheeks had become gaunt after spending his heat with an omega.
As a fellow alpha, she understood the feeling, so Hwalyeon couldn’t say anything more. She just lowered her hand and said one thing with a stern face.
“Take it easy.”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
Seeing his face burning red, Hwalyeon inwardly clicked her tongue. The heat of a dominant omega must have been quite something. She could sense an unusual aura from Suhwan, perceptible even to Hwalyeon who had already imprinted on someone else. It was probably because he was thoroughly covered in the dominant’s pheromones.
They leisurely had dinner first. Hwalyeon gracefully wiped her mouth with a napkin, then raised her head to look at Suhwan.
“Suhwan.”
“Yes, noona.”
Looking at Suhwan who was gazing at her with gentle eyes, Hwalyeon took a moment to organize her thoughts.
A week ago, Hwalyeon had gone to confront the enraged Chairman Jin after letting Seunghyun, who was in heat, into Suhwan’s home instead of sending him to the hospital. And quite a lot had happened. All while Suhwan was spending a mindless week with an omega in heat.
Anyway, in conclusion, Hwalyeon had one crucial thing to tell Suhwan.
“Don’t be surprised by what you’re about to hear. Soon, I’ll become the chairman of Hwamyeong.”
“…What?”
“If you agree, I’d like you to help me.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
