“Doji, I have plans today.”
“With who?”
“Kim Bo-jin.”
“…Where?”
“A club.”
“……”
His face crumpled like a crushed recycling can. Seeing that, I felt a little self-conscious.
“…I mean, it’s not like I wanted to meet at a club either. But Kim Bo-jin kept insisting we meet there and practically begged me….”
“Really?”
At a glance, Do Jihoon looked calm. He didn’t seem angry or anything. But I definitely saw it. The corner of his mouth was crooked upward.
“Wait, but now that I think about it, you’ve gone out partying plenty too….”
“I never went to clubs.”
“……”
He was right, so I had nothing to say.
“It’s not that I hate the idea of you going to a club. I’m just worried.”
“…I’ll message you every twenty minutes.”
I was grateful that Do Jihoon worried about me, and I felt a little guilty too. But only that much—I was also excited about the fact that I’d get to see Kim Bo-jin for the first time in a while. Just imagining going to a club for the first time in a couple months and partying while listening to loud music made my heart swell.
“I’ll head home before the day’s over. I’ll call you once I get in a taxi.”
“Okay. I really mean it when I say I’m worried. Keep messaging me too.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I went into the walk-in closet and spent an hour getting ready for the club like a peacock fussing over its feathers. Then, leaving behind Do Jihoon’s sharp gaze and worried expression, I headed out.
On the way to the club in a taxi, a KakaoTalk message came from Kim Bo-jin.
[Kim Bo-jin: Is the world’s most handsome omega, Yeon Yuri, currently making his way to the club?]
[Yes yes, hyung. I’m on my way, so prepare plenty of snacks.]
[Kim Bo-jin: Yes sir.]
It had been almost three months since I’d last seen him. We kept in touch regularly, but because Kim Bo-jin got himself a boyfriend, I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of his face. What a bastard. To this guy, an alpha ranked above friends.
How many times had I messaged him asking to meet up? By the time he finally said yes, I was already seriously sulking.
“Waaah, sorry. Don’t be so mad.”
“You know what this is called? Hypocrisy. You got upset because you couldn’t reach me after I got into a car accident. But you’re worse, aren’t you? At least I never said I couldn’t meet because of an alpha, you jerk.”
[Kim Bo-jin: Just bring yourself. The owner here is a noona I’m close with. Relax comfortably and head back afterward ^^777]
Kim Bo-jin was currently putting on a tearful performance to appease me. Of course, I had no intention of forgiving him easily.
[The KakaoTalk notifications are loud. Stop sending messages.]
[Kim Bo-jin: Yes, hyung.]
[I’ll message when I arrive.]
I had to squeeze everything I could out of him today. With the single-minded determination to empty Kim Bo-jin’s wallet tonight, I’d skipped lunch and left my stomach empty.
When I arrived at the club and contacted him, Kim Bo-jin told me where he was.
“Oh. Here, here.”
“Yeah, you bastard. Long time no see, huh?”
I’d expected the place to be crawling with omegas and alphas, but surprisingly Kim Bo-jin was alone. Feeling much more relaxed, I sat down beside him.
“What’s the occasion? Why are you alone?”
“I’m not alone. I came with my boyfriend.”
“…? Are you in your right mind?”
“Sorry. My baby said he couldn’t let me come to a club alone.”
“The hell> Anyone listening would think you’re the only one with a partner.”
“You don’t have one, though.”
“……”
I do too, Do Jihoon!
The words rose to the tip of my tongue but sank back down again.
My relationship with Do Jihoon had definitely changed since midterms. But we’d never clearly defined it either… so I couldn’t confidently say, This alpha is my alpha!
Honestly, if I thought about it, my relationship with Do Jihoon felt like… lovers who were also friends. No—more accurately, we were friends who felt like lovers. We’d never had any particularly intense skinship or anything. Somehow, that left a bitter taste in my mouth….
“Then you should’ve just met somewhere normal, like a café. What’s this?”
“My baby works part-time at a café. I go there every day—it’s boring. Just smelling coffee makes me sick now. Ugh.”
“You’re insane…. So where is your baby?”
“I told him to stay away for a bit so I could talk with you. He’s probably on the second floor?”
I’d definitely promised myself I wouldn’t forgive him that easily, but before I knew it, I was already laughing and joking around with him.
We chatted and laughed for quite a while. Then the bartender tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a drink.
“I didn’t order anything.”
“That alpha over there asked me to deliver it.”
I followed the bartender’s gesture and turned my gaze. The guy’s face wasn’t impressive enough for my taste. Watching Do Jihoon day and night had raised my standards. Of course, even if he had been ridiculously handsome, I would’ve refused. As someone who was technically taken, I needed to keep both my body and heart pure.
“I’m married, so please tell him I’m sorry.”
I lied while waving my left hand. On it was the engagement ring I’d been made to wear in exchange for being allowed to come to the club.
“Oh. Yeon Yuri.”
“See? That’s how popular I am.”
It would’ve been nice if Do Jihoon could’ve seen it—how popular the omega he’d snagged actually was. A bit of a shame.
….
Then again, thinking about it, Do Jihoon was probably even more popular than I was. If anything, he’d be more in demand, not less.
It was a blessing he hadn’t come along.
“Ah. I’m going to the bathroom for a sec.”
“I told you to stop drinking so many non-alcoholic cocktails. Bo-jin, do you have prostate problems or something?”
“How could you say something so horrible…. This time it’s number two.”
“I absolutely didn’t need to know that. Just go already. Hyung will stay right here.”
“Okay.”
Kim Bo-jin headed toward the restroom.
While he was gone, I picked up my phone and messaged Do Jihoon.
[Ding dong ding dong, it’s Yuri~ An alpha tried to hit on me but I rejected him~]
[Do Jihoon: Good. You did well.]
The reply came instantly. Did he stare at his phone all day? This was already the fourth message I’d sent today, and he’d responded right away every time.
“Cute bastard.”
I was grinning down at my phone when—
A damn pheromone scent suddenly spread through the air.
“Who’s so cute?”
When I looked up, an alpha was sitting there. Where did he get off speaking casually like that? Rude bastard.
My face twisted into a scowl as I snapped at him.
“Why are you talking down to me? Do you know me?”
“I know you well. Of course. Yeon Yuri.”
The unexpected answer made me pause. The flashing lights made it hard to see his face clearly.
But the scent hitting my nose was extremely familiar.
Avocado.
“Hey. You’re that alpha from the beginning of the year, right?”
The guy burst into laughter.
It really was him—the perverted alpha bastard I’d met at a club the day I first ended up owing Do Jihoon a favor. The lunatic who went into heat after getting hit by pheromones.
Did this guy wander through every club in existence? Of all days, he had to cause trouble when I came to meet Kim Bo-jin.
“Hey. Get lost. I don’t have time to deal with you.”
“Why, Yuri? Let’s have fun together. What are two omegas planning to do here? Didn’t you come because your back hole was itchy and needed scratching?”
“Did you stuff a rag in your mouth? Your breath stinks, so shut it.”
It felt like my ears were rotting just listening to him. I aggressively released my pheromones toward him. But instead of suffering, he slumped over the bar table, panting.
Right. I’d forgotten. This bastard was a freak.
I stared at him in disgust and spoke.
“Get lost. Your pheromones don’t even affect me— …ugh.”
Suddenly, my body jerked.
An alluring pheromone drifted from behind me. It was a seductive scent I’d never smelled before.
I couldn’t finish my sentence. My trembling head turned to check who it was. The flashing lights made it hard to see clearly, but it was definitely a face I’d never seen before.
“Fuck… what is this?”
“Him?”
The guy tilted his chin toward me arrogantly.
“Yeah. Him. A dominant omega.”
The pervert seemed to have regained his senses.
Damn it. Because of the new guy’s pheromones, the scent I’d been releasing must’ve faded. Strength gradually drained from my body. My head felt hazy, and my vision swam.
“…He’s pretty.”
“Right? His temper’s no joke though.”
“You bastard…. Who the hell are you?”
“And he’s charming.”
Damn it. That guy was definitely a dominant alpha. If he were an ordinary alpha, Yeon Yuri wouldn’t be losing control of his body like this.
A ragged pant escaped my throat.
“Yuri. Look at me.”
“Who told you to call me like that? I never told you my name.”
Kim Bo-jin. Where was Kim Bo-jin?
He needed to stay in the bathroom as long as possible. If he got dragged into this because of me, it would be a disaster.
The dominant alpha grabbed my face and forced it toward him.
It was unpleasant. I shook my head with all my strength, but it was useless.
The lights refracted across his face. It was definitely someone I’d never seen before.
“We’re meeting for the first time, Yuri.”
“You squid-looking bastard… don’t act like we’re close.”
“Squid? Wow. That’s the first time I’ve ever been called that.”
He let out a dry laugh. Dimples appeared in his cheeks. His face was decent, but his personality was seriously defective.
Seeing him smile made goosebumps spread all over my body.
“Ah—ngh….”
“Even your moans are pretty.”
The pheromones covering my body grew even stronger. The man ran his tongue over his lips.
Uneven breaths spilled from my mouth.
