“It ended earlier than you said it would. Did something happen? Are you not feeling well?”
“Ah. No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just… the CEO told me I could leave early.”
“Ethan did?”
“Yes.”
Alexander looked at Yeon Yiseo, who nodded as if it were nothing, his expression betraying how unexpected the answer was. But he simply replied in a low voice, “I see,” and turned his gaze away.
When they stepped outside into the parking lot, the car waiting for them was parked right in front, sparing them any extra trouble.
As soon as Yeon Yiseo got into the car, a wave of fatigue hit him—something he hadn’t felt back at the party. It must’ve been due to his depleted pheromones and generally poor condition. If he weren’t a trait-bearer and still just a Beta like before, he would’ve been completely out of it, his eyes half-shut and barely staying awake.
It didn’t take long to reach Alexander’s home. As they approached the elevator, Alexander held out his hand, as if prompting Yeon Yiseo to take it.
“CEO…?”
“It just reminded me that you used to be afraid of riding elevators.”
“Oh, I’m fine now. I was a bit of a mess back then, wasn’t I?”
Yeon Yiseo waved his hand with a sheepish smile. Alexander raised an eyebrow, watching him, and then slowly withdrew his hand.
“I never thought you were a mess. I’m glad to hear you’re better now.”
Just then, the elevator arrived. It ascended swiftly, taking them up to the penthouse where Alexander lived. It was a bit surprising how familiar it all felt, even though this was only his second time visiting. He hadn’t wandered through the whole place, but he could easily find the rooms he’d already used.
“I had your clothes cleaned and placed in the same room as before.”
When Alexander suggested that he change, Yeon Yiseo hesitated before replying.
“Should we… do that again today?”
“Considering what happened last time, a little precaution isn’t a bad idea. If you’re feeling okay after the pheromone supply, you’re free to go home.”
“Understood. Then I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”
“Come out when you’re done changing.”
Yeon Yiseo stepped into the room he’d used previously and shut the door.
This was already the second time using this room. Back when he first joined Dymine, he never imagined he’d be entangled with Alexander in this way. People really never know how things will turn out. Thinking that, he began to change clothes.
When he cracked the door open, he caught a faint whiff of Alexander’s pheromones. It seemed Alexander had released them in advance to help Yeon Yiseo acclimate. His guess was right—when he stepped out, Alexander, seated on the sofa reviewing documents, rose to his feet. The air around him rippled gently with pheromones.
As before, Alexander had only taken off his suit jacket, still wearing his vest. That emphasized his broad shoulders and comparatively slim waist. Even through the shirt, the contours of his muscles were faintly visible—he didn’t come off as skinny in the least.
Then again, it wasn’t just the clothes. Yeon Yiseo had seen his actual body before. Were all extreme-dominant Alphas as well-built as Alexander?
Yeon Yiseo caught himself mid-thought, silently scolding himself for the direction his mind had gone. Feeling awkward, he spoke first.
“You seem busy.”
Even as he said it, Yeon Yiseo felt a little foolish.
“Still, I can always make time to be with you, Yeon Yiseo. Come here.”
Yeon Yiseo sat beside Alexander. He could feel the man’s pheromones soaking into his skin. Just like before, they were warm and comforting—soothing to the point of addiction. The sensation dulled his mind and body, as if heat were slowly building up inside him. It was strange and a little intoxicating.
Before he realized it, his eyes had closed. When he finally let out a small sigh and opened them again, he met Alexander’s gaze.
“Are you still taking your pheromone stabilizers?”
“I stopped. I’ve been doing okay lately.”
It was partly true—his condition had improved—but the real reason was the cost of the medication. Still, he didn’t say that aloud.
“That must’ve been uncomfortable, though.”
“It was, a bit. But I figured you’d give me some pheromones, so I managed.”
“You must’ve had a rough time. Good work.”
Yeon Yiseo looked at Alexander quietly. He hadn’t expected to hear praise like that. If they were coworkers or peers in the same field, it might’ve made sense—but coming from someone like Alexander, it somehow made his chest tighten.
‘Tight’ wasn’t the perfect word for it, but there was no better way to describe the way his heart felt squeezed. If he were in his normal state, maybe it wouldn’t have hit him so hard. But under the influence of pheromones, it was like his emotional armor had softened—tender and vulnerable.
Not confident in what expression he was making, Yeon Yiseo lowered his head. Perhaps mistaking the gesture for fatigue, Alexander’s hand gently wrapped around his back. The unspoken suggestion to lean on him stirred hesitation in Yeon Yiseo—but in the end, he gave in.
He didn’t want to explain everything. Sure, his mind was fuzzy, and words didn’t come easily, but more than anything… he just didn’t want to talk.
Yeon Yiseo rested his forehead lightly on Alexander’s shoulder. He took a deep breath, wanting to feel more of the man’s pheromones. It felt like they were filling his lungs, coursing through his blood.
Adjusting his posture to make Yeon Yiseo more comfortable, Alexander cupped his cheek, almost as if checking for a fever. The cool touch of his hand suggested Yeon Yiseo’s body temperature had risen.
“It might be better if you just rest like this for a while.”
“This is perfect, actually.”
Eyes still lightly closed, Yeon Yiseo mumbled the words. Even though it was his own voice, it sounded distant—like it passed through a layer of haze. His whole body felt like it was floating three centimeters above the ground.
Maybe that’s why he rubbed his forehead lightly against Alexander’s shoulder. At the same time, Alexander’s hand—caressing his cheek—paused.
“…Mmh.”
A small sound escaped Yeon Yiseo, and he immediately clamped his mouth shut. The whimper, almost like a plea, felt so unfamiliar—even to himself.
“It’s okay. Just relax.”
When Yeon Yiseo stirred, looking like he might pull away, Alexander gently patted his lower back and reassured him. His hand returned to softly stroking Yeon Yiseo’s cheek, and indeed, it felt so comfortable he didn’t want to move at all.
“But won’t this make you uncomfortable, CEO?”
“If I were uncomfortable, you’d know. My pheromones would’ve given it away.”
“Ah…”
It was true. Alexander’s pheromones were calm and steady, like the ebb and flow of water. People could lie, but pheromones never could. Realizing that again, Yeon Yiseo relaxed further.
“If your pheromones were this unstable, you really should’ve been taking the meds. Are you sure you were okay?”
“It was a little tough… but I managed.”
He spoke in a small voice, like someone half-asleep. Alexander’s low, soothing voice reverberated not just through his ears but through his entire body. Combined with the long-absent presence of an extreme-dominant Alpha’s pheromones, Yeon Yiseo felt like he was floating.
If he were a cat, he’d be purring like a little engine.
“Were you too busy to pick up a new prescription?”
The way Alexander’s hand gently stroked his cheek had a huge impact—it felt incredible. It made him hazy, almost like he was drunk.
Maybe that’s why… the locked-up part of his heart finally loosened.
“…That too, but… well, I didn’t have any money.”
Alexander’s hand, which had been patting him, froze instantly at Yeon Yiseo’s words.
Still drowsy and basking in the warmth, Yeon Yiseo was a beat late to notice the change.
“Wait… What did I just say?”
He pulled away and looked up, but instead of answering, Alexander pulled him right back into his arms.
Yeon Yiseo’s nose brushed against Alexander’s neck—the spot where pheromones were the strongest.
Alexander stroked his temple and ran his fingers through his hair.
“You didn’t say anything important. More importantly, just relax.”
As Alexander’s pheromones thickened, Yeon Yiseo felt like he was wrapped in sun-dried blankets. There was no resisting it. It was warm, cozy, comforting. He closed his eyes again.
Following Alexander’s words felt like the right thing to do—like everything would be okay.
But could Alexander really be okay with this, just sitting here like this?
Yeon Yiseo recalled how cool Alexander’s hand had felt against his cheek. Which meant his own body was hot. Wouldn’t that be unpleasant?
He parted his lips with effort.
“I must feel really warm… it’s probably unpleasant for you…”
“Not at all. It’s very pleasant—like the perfect kind of warmth.”
