Junghyun woke up with a jolt, his body drenched in cold sweat under the bright sunlight. It was just a dream. He knew it was a dream, but the sensation of falling was terrifying.
In reality, there was nothing he feared, but strangely, in his dreams, he was afraid.
“Damn it…”
He must have been thinking too much yesterday. As Seojun had said, thinking too much made his mind complicated. So, he had decided not to think and to pretend he didn’t know anything. But he had fallen into useless sentimentality again, a bad habit.
He knew he should cut off his thoughts, but he couldn’t. His body was still listless, and cold sweat soaked his clothes. He didn’t want to sleep anymore, so he struggled to get out of bed, but his body swayed. At the same time, he felt a sticky, unpleasant heat.
He had a slight fever, but it seemed to have gotten worse while he was sleeping. He regretted not taking a fever reducer before going to bed. Something was off. This wasn’t just a fever.
He felt a growing heat between his legs and a throbbing sensation inside his body. He couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t time for his heat cycle yet. He had taken his suppressant capsule accurately, and he had never experienced side effects before.
He had been using the capsule for over 10 years, injecting it directly into his bloodstream every six months. His hormones and heat cycles had been strictly managed, but now something was wrong.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. It was because of that man. He had been so busy and stressed that he hadn’t thought about it. He had assumed that continuing to use the suppressant would be fine. Until now, there had been no dominant Alphas in his life, and even when he was with Seojun, it hadn’t been a problem. He thought sharing a bed would be okay, but it wasn’t.
He had made a stupid mistake. No, it wasn’t a mistake; he had been too complacent. It was too late. He could feel the wetness spreading below.
He quickly grabbed his phone and closed the door, hoping that man would return as late as possible. He hurriedly called Yoonho.
The few seconds of ringing felt like years. Finally, the call connected.
– Yeah? What’s up?
“Do you know this area well?”
– This area? Ah… yeah. I lived there as soon as I came to Korea. And I have three shops there. Why?
“Are there any drug dealers here?”
– Drugs? …You mean narcotics?
“No, not that. Illegal medications.”
While narcotics and aphrodisiacs were available, this area was more known for the illegal distribution of suppressants, contraceptives, and antipsychotic drugs. Although not classified as narcotics, they could act as stimulants or hallucinogens.
– …Yeah, they’re everywhere. There should be some here too. Why?
“I need a strong suppressant.”
– A suppressant? Why? Didn’t you take your capsule?
Normally, suppressants were used to neutralize hormones before or during the heat cycle, but Junghyun’s medication was different. It was a tiny capsule inserted into the bloodstream that slowly dissolved, neutralizing hormones. While considered one of the safest options, long-term hormone use could lead to infertility and other issues, making it an illegal substance.
Junghyun used this medication for reasons other than suppressing his heat cycle. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Yoonho was the only person who knew this.
“My heat cycle started suddenly.”
– Suddenly?
“Yeah.”
– But… taking a suppressant while the capsule is still in your system is dangerous. It could mess up your body.
“It’s already messed up.”
– I don’t think so. Two years ago, when you stopped taking it, all your levels were normal. Remember? You said your body was ridiculously healthy.
He remembered. That’s what he had said.
“Ah… so…”
As Junghyun sat on the floor, muttering to himself, Yoonho asked, confused.
– What?
Yoonho realized something.
– That time… did stopping the medication mess up your balance?
“Maybe, or maybe it’s because I slept with Jaehyuk.
– Sharing a bed could do that. Especially if you’re asleep, your body is defenseless. Wait, does he know? That you manipulated your levels?
“I told him I have a heat cycle, but the timing is off.”
This could also be because of Jaehyuk’s influence, so he might understand. The problem was how to deal with this unpleasant state.
Because of the capsule, his heat cycles had never been severe. This situation was new to him.
– Wouldn’t it be better to just do it? Rather than taking medication…
“That’s the last resort. If there’s a delivery service here, send it to me as soon as possible. The strongest one.”
– …That’s too risky. Taking a suppressant while the capsule is still in your system could really mess up your hormones.
“…”
– You know what happens to an Omega whose hormones are messed up, right? Don’t take unnecessary risks. You’re on a trip, and you have a partner, so just ask him for help.
Junghyun knew that was the safest option. His body already had the suppressant, and if he was feeling this much heat, taking more medication would be dangerous. He should either endure it alone or have sex.
In theory, that made sense. But the risk was too high.
“Please send the medication. Put it in a surfing equipment box and leave it at the front desk. I’ll let them know to bring it to me. As soon as possible.”
– Hey, this is really dangerous.
“I know. But I don’t want to burden him.”
– That guy…
Yoonho was about to say that Jaehyuk wouldn’t feel burdened, but he realized that if they had sex, Jaehyuk might feel a sense of responsibility. And Junghyun hated feeling responsible for anyone.
– I don’t know. I’ll send the medication, but try not to take it. You could really mess yourself up.
“I’ll be careful.”
– Damn it. Why did I get involved with this Chihuahua…
“I’ll repay you.”
– Don’t get into more debt. Just hang up.
As Yoonho was about to end the call, Junghyun stopped him.
“Wait, Yoonho.”
– What now?
“I need contraceptives too.”
– Contraceptives? Why?
“Just in case.”
– You’re prepared for everything, even in this situation… But why don’t you carry emergency medication?
“Suppressants are dangerous, like you said. And I never needed contraceptives.”
– You’re still talking, so you must be okay. I’ll order it and let you know. Tell the front desk. I’ll make sure they deliver it as soon as possible.
“Thank you.”
– My bad karma… bad karma.
After the call ended, Junghyun slumped to the floor and immediately called the front desk. He asked them to bring the surfing equipment to his room and leave it there.
He felt a moment of relief mixed with exhaustion. He hoped Jaehyuk wouldn’t return to the room before the medication arrived. He leaned back against the bed, but the heat was already overwhelming.
He realized his heat cycle had started. His lower body was wet and throbbing. He hated this feeling—the loss of rational thought, the overwhelming desire, the animalistic urge.
He remembered his first heat cycle and how he had felt like insects were crawling all over his body. He had taken the capsule to avoid this feeling, even risking infertility.
He couldn’t handle it. Not this time. He was barely holding onto his sanity, but he knew that once it slipped, he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
He waited for the medication, curled up on the bed, when he heard the doorbell ring. It seemed too soon, but maybe more time had passed than he thought. His sense of time was distorted by the heat.
He struggled to his feet and made his way to the door. As he opened it, he was hit by a strong, familiar scent. It was the scent that made his body burn. A shiver ran down his spine, and he looked up.
Their eyes met.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
