Alpha Trauma

“……Huh?”Garam opened her eyes wide in surprise. It was because Wooyeon had mentioned something she hadn’t dared to ask. Wooyeon added an explanation, as if it were nothing.“My mom is married.”* * *Drrring, the ringtone sounded. Wooyeon stood in front of the smoking area, scraping the ground with the tip of his shoes. Passersby glanced at him curiously.― The customer has not answered the call…Without hesitation, Wooyeon ended the call and dialed another number. After about three rings, a familiar voice came through.― Hello?It was Dohyeon.“Oh, Sunbae. Did you get your screen fixed?”Wooyeon adjusted his grip on the phone and leaned his back against the wooden panel. Inside the enclosure, Garam and Seonkyu were smoking. They had finished the cake and were having what they called a “post-meal smoke.”― Yeah, I’m on my way. Did you enjoy the lecture?Through the phone, Dohyeon’s voice sounded a bit different than usual. It was still soft and kind, but there was a slightly subdued tone. Wooyeon lowered his eyes and spoke slowly.“Yeah… I’m at the café waiting for Noona and Seonkyu to finish smoking.”― …The smoking area?“Yeah. Are you driving?”It was definitely supposed to be in a car, but there was a buzz of conversation on the other end. Instead of the sound of an engine or road noise, he could hear faint voices. As expected, Dohyeon took a brief pause before responding.― No, I’m walking.So he hasn’t gotten in the car yet. Wooyeon nodded without saying much. Although it wouldn’t have been visible over the phone, Dohyeon calmly continued speaking.― You should have stayed in the club room. It’s dangerous because of the reporters.“I’m not alone, you know.”― Still.In any case, reporters wouldn’t point cameras directly at him. At least if they had any sense, they wouldn’t swarm like that. Since his face hadn’t been officially revealed, it wasn’t too risky yet.“Um… Sunbae.”Wooyeon slowly began to speak, fiddling with his earlobe. He felt odd after their conversation at the café, as if he were in a gloomy mood. He thought he was fine, but it seemed the past still weighed on him.― Yeah, what’s up?“It’s nothing really…”Should I say this or not? Two thoughts weighed in his mind. They had only been apart for about three hours, so acting like a child might make him seem burdensome.But contrary to his thoughts, his lips moved on their own.“I… miss you.”― …There was no sound coming from the other side of the phone. The only evidence that the call hadn’t been disconnected was the occasional sound of breathing. Unable to bear the embarrassment, Wooyeon was about to say something when Dohyeon spoke softly.― Stay right there.“Huh?”Click, the call ended. Wooyeon looked at his phone in confusion. The numbers indicating the call time disappeared, replaced by the basic wallpaper he hadn’t set. He stared at the screen for a while, but nothing changed.“…Did he hang up?”He had said he missed him, and that was the response he received. His mind was blank before he could think of anything else, and a hollow laugh escaped him when he heard footsteps approaching.Wooyeon stepped away from the partition and slowly raised his head. The footsteps came closer, and his slowly racing heart quickened. Among the breeze, he caught the familiar scent of pheromones.“……”It was like a mirage. His tousled hair, the hurried pace that was unlike usual, and the expression that softened upon seeing Wooyeon.“Yeon-ah.”There exists something called a “fox star.” On a rainy day, it appears between the clouds, only to disappear at a moment’s notice. Like a captivating fox that steals one’s heart, it’s a mischievous presence that leaves one spellbound.“…Sunbae?”Dohyeon approached without hesitation and embraced Wooyeon. The overwhelming pheromones blended with his body heat, feeling intense. The faint scent of fabric softener and Dohyeon’s unique scent all calmed Wooyeon’s anxiety.“Ah… I’m tired.”Dohyeon took a deep breath and mumbled in a languid voice. He could feel the rhythmic thump of his heart in his chest. Taking another deep breath, he tightened his arms around Wooyeon.“It’s been a while since I ran so much.”“…You ran all the way here?”Wooyeon wrapped his arms around Dohyeon’s waist. When he buried his face, Dohyeon rubbed his cheek against Wooyeon’s hair. The soft laughter that escaped felt ticklish in Wooyeon’s ears.“I was on my way to the club room.”“…….”“I was just about to enter the building when I received the call and came this way.”Wooyeon pressed his lips tightly together and buried himself into Dohyeon’s embrace. A large hand gently patted his thin back. It was like soothing a child to sleep, slowly stroking from above downwards.“If you say you miss me, you should come quickly.”The low voice was like a fox star. The gentle, soft tone seemed to cast a spell on Wooyeon, making it so that if he sank in completely, he would never escape.“People will stare.”“…They looked even when I was alone.”Wooyeon replied in a barely audible voice while inhaling the pheromones. If they were going to stare anyway, he thought he might as well do what he wanted. Fortunately, it seemed Dohyeon had no intention of pushing him away.Garam and Seonkyu came out after quite a long time. Approaching with the smell of cigarettes, their eyes widened as soon as they saw Dohyeon.“Hey? Is that Dohyeon-hyung?”“What? Kim Dohyeon is here?”At the familiar voices, Wooyeon flinched and pulled away. It was one thing if they were strangers, but he had no intention of displaying affection in front of the two. However, Dohyeon caught Wooyeon again and pulled him back into his arms.“Why bring someone who doesn’t smoke to smoke? It’ll smell.”With one hand on Wooyeon’s neck and the other on his shoulder, he scolded Garam and Seonkyu. Seeing him complain about the smell of smoke, it seemed like he was trying to keep Wooyeon from noticing it.“Hey, Wooyeon said it’s fine.”“Still.”“Ugh, you clueless fool. My affection for you is dwindling every time you do this.”Garam grumbled all sorts of criticisms at Dohyeon. “Don’t be ridiculous, you just want to hug Wooyeon, right? You smoked yourself, so why are you complaining?” After a string of sharp insults, Dohyeon responded calmly.“If you know it’s ridiculous, just ignore it.”“……”With a shove, Wooyeon pushed Dohyeon away, his face turning bright red. A glance to the side showed Garam grinning widely, his eyes glinting with mischief.“Why? Aren’t you going to stay in my arms?”“…I’m fine.”Even Seonkyu, whom Wooyeon trusted, had a big grin on his face. Only Dohyeon looked somewhat disappointed as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Wooyeon turned away from them to cool his flushed cheeks. The teasing stares were undeniably embarrassing.As he washed his face with one hand, he saw a group approaching the smoking area.“What’s wrong with this guy today…”Most of them were unfamiliar, but two were acquaintances. The one with bright yellow hair was Kang Junseong, and next to him was his classmate from lectures. The moment Wooyeon cringed reflexively, the other party noticed him.“…Seon Wooyeon?”Junseong’s mouth fell open in shock. Junseong’s friends looked at Wooyeon in confusion. Wooyeon turned his gaze away irritably.“What? Isn’t that Ji Suhyang’s son?”“Who? Does Ji Suhyang have a son?”“Haven’t you seen the articles? There’s talk about him being an illegitimate child…”“What the hell, who are they?”Garam was the first to scowl. He glared at them, his eyes narrowed angrily. The gossiping group flinched and fell silent.“Seriously, who talks about others right in front of them!”Garam’s loud voice gave the group a warning. Wooyeon tried to calm him down without changing his expression.“You shouldn’t worry about stuff like that.”People whispering about him wasn’t new, and there was no need to react to each and every comment. Besides, seeing Junseong’s face turn pale confirmed his suspicions.“It’s not the first time… I’m fine.”However, the three of them looked even more affected by that statement. Even the normally friendly Seonkyu looked deeply troubled. Dohyeon wrapped his arm around Wooyeon’s shoulder and slowly turned his gaze.“Let’s go.”Although he seemed upset, he didn’t get angry like Garam did. He simply glanced once more at Junseong’s direction.It was at that moment, just as they were about to leave.“Wait, hold on! Wooyeon!”Suddenly, Dohyeon’s pheromones became sharp. Wooyeon reflexively looked up at his face. His expression was stiff, overly cold.“Hey, I want to talk to you…!”Junseong rushed toward Wooyeon, reaching out his hand.This time, Wooyeon was ready to twist Junseong’s arm behind him. But before he could, Dohyeon stepped in between them.“……”Junseong’s outstretched hand brushed through the air helplessly. Dohyeon, as if to protect Wooyeon, surrounded him and fixed his gaze steadily on Junseong.“It seems like it’s a habit for you to throw the first punch.”It was a gentle voice, but the gaze was anything but. The sharp pheromones were filled with suspicion. Garam and Seonkyu, who belatedly grasped the situation, whispered to each other so only they could hear.“What’s up? Isn’t that him from back then?”“I think it is. The one from the group project.”Junseong bit his lips as he alternately looked at Dohyeon and Wooyeon. He seemed thoroughly upset, but the overwhelming height difference appeared to intimidate him. Clenching his fist tightly, Junseong ignored Dohyeon and spoke to Wooyeon.“Talk to me. I have something to say.”“I don’t.”Wooyeon said this and pulled on Dohyeon’s arm. As he had said multiple times, he didn’t want to have any conversation with Junseong. Given Junseong’s haggard appearance and dark circles under his eyes, it seemed whatever he had to say would just be excuses.“Wait… Seon Wooyeon, hey!”Junseong, refusing to give up, called out to Wooyeon. He couldn’t grab his arm but stubbornly followed them. Just as Garam turned around, muttering, “Ah, crazy bastard,” Junseong shouted.“It’s not like that!”Wooyeon abruptly stopped walking. Dohyeon, who had been pulled along by Wooyeon, slowly turned to look at Junseong. With a face full of grievance, Junseong raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.“Ugh, damn it. I’m telling you it’s not like that!”A tense silence settled in. Garam exchanged glances with Seonkyu, puzzled. In the quiet atmosphere, Junseong stammered on.“I saw the article too. I did see it, but… it’s not like that. I tried to contact you to talk about it, but you didn’t answer…”“Contact?”Wooyeon’s expression changed. He frowned, trying to recall. Then, he replied in a calm voice.“I didn’t receive anything like that.”What was he talking about? He had checked his phone several times over the weekend, but there hadn’t been any contact from Junseong. Not a call, not even a message.“…What?”“No contact…”But as he spoke, it felt strange. Ever since that sudden apology, Junseong hadn’t reached out to him at all. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know the number, and they still had the group chat for the project.“What do you mean? I’ve reached out to you so many times…!”“‘So many times’?”Suddenly, Dohyeon interjected. He looked down at Junseong with a blank expression as he spoke.“What’s there to contact him about so many times?”At that moment, a possibility popped into Wooyeon’s mind. But before he could entertain his suspicions, a cold voice interrupted his thoughts.“You should have contacted him only when you were doing the group project.”The atmosphere felt tense. Dohyeon and Junseong glared at each other as if they were ready to devour one another. After briefly clenching his teeth, Junseong turned his gaze back to Wooyeon.“Hey, let’s talk just the two of us.”“…I have nothing to talk about with you.”“Damn it, Seon Wooyeon!”Terrifying pheromones burst forth, coming from Dohyeon, not Wooyeon. Startled, Junseong took a step back, his expression turning grim.“Ugh… this is seriously frustrating.”His eyes changed. Filled with malice, his gaze shifted from Dohyeon to Wooyeon.“Are you dating?”“What?”Wooyeon thought this was really out of the blue. Whether he was dating or not was none of Junseong’s business, especially not with that face full of betrayal.“Damn it, you pretended not to care all this time.”“What’s he talking about?”Garam’s small voice could be heard asking. Not stopping there, Junseong smirked slyly.“Doesn’t he know?”There was no need to ask what he didn’t know. “Well, he wouldn’t be acting like this if he did,” Junseong mumbled and let out a snicker as he tilted his chin.“You were a real piece of work back then.”The eyes of the three turned toward Wooyeon. The air, slightly thickened, carried a different atmosphere than before.“If you knew Seon Wooyeon from middle school, you wouldn’t be able to date him like this. Right?”With a triumphant expression, Junseong looked around at Wooyeon’s friends. After eyeing all four of them, he turned to Wooyeon and said,“Even if you fixed your face with money, you can’t fix that awful personality of yours with money.”“……”“Don’t your friends know? How you used to beat me up and then threw money at me to cover it up?”Wooyeon clenched his fist without saying a word. It wasn’t because Junseong’s words were true, but because he didn’t have the courage to turn around. Seemingly gaining confidence from this, Junseong stepped closer.“It looks like these people are just around you for the money…”But Junseong couldn’t continue his sentence. The moment he got closer, Dohyeon released a wave of pheromones. The pheromones that burst forth were directed solely at Junseong.“Why? Go on, keep talking.”Dohyeon spoke while releasing his cold pheromones. His eerie voice was colder than ever. When Wooyeon turned around, he saw a face devoid of emotion, cold as ice.“Kang Junseong?”“……”“Right… I think that was your name.”His pitch-black eyes flickered sharply. The usually gentle gaze was now overshadowed by intense rage. With a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth, Dohyeon started to speak softly.“I’m talking about you.”Junseong flinched, shaking his shoulders. Although he was standing on two feet, his complexion suggested that even that was a struggle. Thankfully, he wasn’t drooling like Wooyeon did when he released his pheromones.“If you want to say you didn’t do anything, you need to specify what you didn’t do.”“……”“If you mention middle school and say you didn’t do anything, who would believe you?”His calm voice was as steady as ever. The abundant pheromones also seemed rational in their own way. As Dohyeon confirmed that Junseong was gasping for breath, he continued in a flat tone.“If you’re going to clarify, just clarify, and if you’re going to start a fight, then just start one. Don’t bother people with all this back and forth.”Junseong bit down hard on his lower lip. With his jaw clenched enough to turn his lips white, he stared at Wooyeon with trembling eyes filled with grievance.“…I didn’t post the photo.”“……”“It’s true. Damn it… I wasn’t even able to sign up for that site…”Wooyeon thought it was surprising that he actually looked “wronged.” He had expected Junseong to be the culprit no matter what, but his earnestness made it seem too genuine to be a lie. Just as Wooyeon was about to say something, Dohyeon interjected dryly.“Then it must have been you who took it.”Junseong’s face went pale. His haggard appearance clearly showed that he had been struck at the core. Amid everyone’s shock, Dohyeon evaluated him nonchalantly.“What a stupid bastard.”As if there was no worth in saying more, he grabbed Wooyeon’s hand. He didn’t forget to intertwine their fingers while sealing off his pheromones. Just as he was about to turn away, Garam grabbed Junseong by the collar.“Damn it, was it you?”“Noona!”Seonkyu urgently grabbed Garam. Wooyeon also tried to intervene, but since Dohyeon wouldn’t let go, he couldn’t. Without looking back, Dohyeon moved forward, taking Wooyeon with him.“Sunbae, wait a minute. Sunbae!”Wooyeon, with a flustered expression, tried to regain his footing. The murmurs around them grew louder, yet Dohyeon showed no signs of releasing Wooyeon. Garam and Seonkyu, along with Junseong’s friends who had belatedly caught up, started to gather around.“Hey, let go of this! I’ll deal with this bastard today…!”“Noona, this isn’t right!”“Ah, why are you doing this! Hey, Gang Junseong, hey! Get a grip!”In the end, Wooyeon pulled on Dohyeon with all his strength. Dohyeon, momentarily pausing, slowly turned to look at Wooyeon. Wooyeon frowned as he glanced towards Garam.“What will happen if we keep going like this? We need to stop Garam Noona!”“Why stop her?”“Pardon?”Wooyeon replied as if questioning what he meant. Dohyeon looked down at Wooyeon with a blank expression.“Moon Garam fights well. If she hits, she hits; she won’t take a hit lying down.”“No, that’s not the issue. Even if she hits, I should be the one to hit back.”If this went to court, it would be quite troublesome. Wooyeon could pay the settlement, but causing trouble at school was a different matter altogether.Only then did Dohyeon nod in understanding.“Ah… yeah, that’s a fair point.”Dohyeon left Wooyeon behind and walked away. His steps were so fast that a flustered Wooyeon was left staring blankly at his back.Dohyeon quickly approached Garam and effortlessly pried her away from Junseong.“Hey, damn it, Kim Dohyeon, even you…!”Then, something unbelievable happened. Dohyeon, still gripping Junseong by the collar, swung his fist with all his strength. With a thud, Junseong’s head snapped to the right.“……”“……”It was as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over everyone; the surroundings fell silent. Wooyeon, along with a visibly excited Garam, gaped in shock.In the midst of the silence, Dohyeon released the unconscious Junseong and looked at his friends.“Remember this instead.”“……What?”“If you can’t remember, take out your phone and write it down.”Starting with 010, the number continued for a total of eleven digits before it ended. The friend who received the number, following Dohyeon’s instructions, looked up in a daze. Dohyeon shook his right hand and squinted one eye.“Tell him to contact you when he wakes up.”“……”“Whether he’s filing a lawsuit or asking for a settlement, if Wooyeon contacts him, he won’t stay quiet.”Well, he probably wouldn’t receive anything anyway. Murmuring that to himself, Dohyeon looked at Garam and Seonkyu. Then, seeing Garam lost in thought, he casually said,“If you’re going to hit him, I should be the one to do it.”* * *Wooyeon had never imagined “a teacher hitting someone.” The always gentle and kind Dohyeon was someone who wouldn’t even say anything unpleasant to Wooyeon, let alone get angry. So it was only natural to think he would stop Garam and resolve the situation.“But what if you hit him, Sunbae?!”In the car heading home, Wooyeon relentlessly nagged Dohyeon. To be precise, it was out of concern, but seeing his nonchalant face only made Wooyeon angrier. It was upsetting to see his slightly tired expression and the faint redness in his right hand.“What are you going to do if you really get sued? Are you going to pay a settlement? Sunbae, do you have a lot of money at home?”“Well… if it doesn’t work out, I’ll just tutor for money.”“Ah, Sunbae!”Dohyeon simply smiled at Wooyeon as he usually did. Even when he was told he was crazy, he laughed, and when Wooyeon worried about rumors spreading, he still smiled.The only time he couldn’t smile was when Wooyeon said something in a deeply upset tone.“What’s this because of me?”“……”With his brow furrowed, Dohyeon drove into the apartment complex. This was where he had been living for the past few days. Wooyeon let out a deep sigh as he scanned Dohyeon’s right hand with his eyes.“I told you I’m fine. It’s not like he does this just once or twice…”“Yeon-ah.”His gentle voice was warmer than ever. The sweet tone that tinged his throat gradually calmed Wooyeon’s anxious heart. Dohyeon parked the car in the spacious parking lot and turned his body towards Wooyeon.“Do you want to stay at my place for a while?”Dohyeon smiled softly. His gentle eyes seemed to beckon Wooyeon. Wooyeon felt his ears flush with color and replied with a sulky voice.“…Are you trying to seduce me right now?”“If it looked like I was seducing you, then that’s fortunate.”After unbuckling his seatbelt, he reached out to Wooyeon. He gently caressed the back of his head and ear, leisurely rubbing his smooth cheek. Every time Dohyeon’s hand touched him, Wooyeon felt goosebumps rising.“How persistent he is…”Wooyeon mumbled, but he rubbed his face against Dohyeon’s hand. Dohyeon chuckled at the well-trained puppy-like behavior.“If it’s about persistence, I can compete.”That was quite a bold statement. Wooyeon looked up at Dohyeon, seemingly incredulous. Eventually, a sigh escaped his lips, followed by a low voice.“Right, I never thought you’d be like that.”Dohyeon’s eyes reflected Wooyeon’s figure. His clear, dark gaze carefully scanned Wooyeon’s fair face. As he gently rubbed Wooyeon’s earlobe, he asked with a gentle tone,“What about?”“The number for Kang Junseong.”Wooyeon lightly replied while making eye contact with Dohyeon. Although he wasn’t sure, he had a feeling it might be right.“Didn’t you block him, Sunbae?”Junseong said that Wooyeon hadn’t answered his call. He didn’t seem to be lying, nor did he need to exaggerate about it. If he really had contacted Wooyeon and it hadn’t gone through, that was another story.“Yeah, I did that.”It was a clean answer without any unnecessary details. Wooyeon widened his eyes in surprise, his lips moving slightly.Dohyeon tilted his head and pulled his chin slightly.“Is that not okay?”“……”“He was being a nuisance, right?”It seemed like he was trying to be cute. The way his eyes slanted downwards felt like they were teasing Wooyeon. With Wooyeon unable to say it wasn’t okay, Dohyeon spoke with a subtle tone.“He’ll keep contacting you; you wouldn’t want to see that, right?”As he said this, he reached out towards Wooyeon’s leg. He slightly lifted up his T-shirt and put his hand into the pocket where his phone was. It was just to take something out, but the sensation of his hand brushing against the fabric felt quite strange.“Anyway, you can ignore him, but if he calls, it’ll be a hassle in various ways.”His hands were deft as he manipulated the phone. As if it were his own, Dohyeon touched the screen and entered the “Spam Messages” folder, deleting all the messages inside. It was an event that occurred in the blink of an eye for Wooyeon.“……Did you delete it?”“Yeah, I deleted it.”It’s not even recoverable. The addition felt as light as a feather. After putting his phone back in his pocket, Dohyeon unbuckled Wooyeon’s seatbelt.“You shouldn’t be watching this.”“Ugh…”A laugh escaped involuntarily. He had used Wooyeon’s phone without permission, completely shameless. What was even more absurd was that, instead of getting angry, he found himself oddly indifferent.“When did you block him, anyway?”“Wasn’t it the day we decided to date?”“Did you even have time to do that then…?”“Sure, we were together the whole time.”The two got out of the car and headed home together. After spending a few days there, Dohyeon’s house felt familiar to Wooyeon, as if it were his own. As they entered the house, Wooyeon, who had been asking various questions, was suddenly caught by Dohyeon, who pressed his lips against Wooyeon’s before he even took off his shoes.“Wait, Sun—… mmm!”The front door rattled. Dohyeon’s hand held Wooyeon’s chin firmly as their lips sealed together perfectly. With his other hand bracing against the door, Dohyeon squinted as he pushed his tongue inside.Wooyeon shut his eyes tight and grabbed Dohyeon’s collar. They had kissed several times, but he still couldn’t adapt to such sudden intimacy. The mingling of breaths with pheromones, the soft caress of Dohyeon’s tongue—all of it felt strange and embarrassing.Whether Dohyeon noticed Wooyeon’s discomfort or not, he persistently explored Wooyeon’s mouth. His tongue danced along Wooyeon’s teeth, occasionally blowing pheromones into him. The mixture of pheromones with their breaths sweetly melted away Wooyeon’s rationality.“…Hah.”With a pop, their lips parted, and hot breaths escaped from Wooyeon’s mouth. Despite being quite aggressive, Dohyeon had an incredibly tender look in his eyes.“Why so suddenly…?”“What do you mean suddenly?”Dohyeon softly replied as he caressed Wooyeon’s nape. His long fingers lingered over the pulse point, stopping at the ambiguous area where his ear and jaw met.“I wanted to do this since earlier.”Every time he spoke, his lips brushed against Wooyeon’s in a teasing way. Though it was a brief kiss, the slickness of Dohyeon’s lips was alluring. With slow blinks, Dohyeon whispered gently.“I missed you too.”* * *“Ah… ugh, heh…”A wet sound echoed in Wooyeon’s ear. He buried his face in the pillow and clutched the duvet with his hands. Lying face down with only his butt raised was excessively embarrassing and shameful.“Stop… ugh…”Wooyeon shook his head, but Dohyeon didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping. His middle finger dug deep, gradually rubbing against the inner walls. With a twist, Dohyeon used his other hand to grasp Wooyeon’s soft butt.“Are you telling me to stop when it’s this tight?”His finger, deeply inserted, pressed firmly against Wooyeon’s prostate. Pre-cum was already dripping from his erect member. As Dohyeon kneaded Wooyeon’s buttocks hard enough to leave marks, he inserted another finger.“If I put it in like this, it’ll just hurt.”“Ugh, mmm…”The wrinkled entrance gaped open tight. Even though it was just two fingers, it already looked overwhelmed. As Dohyeon licked his lips, Wooyeon gazed at him with teary eyes, as if about to cry.“Then… ugh, can I not look?”The position was embarrassing enough, but even lying down, he could feel Dohyeon’s gaze on him. While it was one thing to look at his neck, back, or waist, he couldn’t stand being scrutinized between his cheeks.“Of course not.”Dohyeon didn’t even think about looking away as he continued moving his hand. The lewd sounds echoed explicitly.“You didn’t want it done with your mouth, so we’re using hands instead. How could I do it without looking, right?”Just a moment ago, the two had exchanged passionate kisses before heading to the bed without knowing who led. Dohyeon skillfully stripped Wooyeon bare and, unusually impatient today, began to press his lips against Wooyeon’s body.As Dohyeon leaned down to lick Wooyeon’s lower body, Wooyeon desperately shook his head.“Still, ugh… ah, ahh…!”Dohyeon’s thick fingers precisely traced the spots that made Wooyeon feel good. They moved in a scissor-like fashion, skillfully adding another finger. After barely managing to insert three fingers, Dohyeon began a gentle thrusting motion.“Ah… ahh, ugh…”Wooyeon’s lower abdomen twitched with tension. Every time Wooyeon tensed up, the area above his butt sank in. Dohyeon let out a thin breath as he flexibly turned his right hand.“…Hah.”“I think I can put it in now…”Dohyeon murmured softly as he slowly pulled his fingers out. The now-empty entrance gaped open, moving as if it were breathing. As Dohyeon watched, he suddenly bit down hard on Wooyeon’s left buttock.“Ah!”Wooyeon jumped in surprise and looked up. The sharp sensation left a bite mark on his pale flesh. Dohyeon playfully winked at Wooyeon, his eyes wide with mischief.“No, you just look so biteable.”“Teacher, seriously…”Wooyeon buried his face in the pillow and grumbled. “You’re such a pervert.” At that remark, a broad smile spread across Dohyeon’s face. He casually put on a condom, propped himself up on his knees, and positioned himself.“I’ll show you what real perversion looks like.”His large hands gripped Wooyeon’s waist firmly. Instinctively, Wooyeon stiffened and tensed up. Dohyeon aligned his tip with Wooyeon’s entrance and poured pheromones into him.“Relax.”“…!”At the same moment, his member invaded. Pushing all the way to the root, he filled Wooyeon’s insides completely. With a sensation of being scraped along the inner walls, Wooyeon’s own member spasmed and released its load.“Hah…”Wooyeon’s slender thighs trembled. Although he was about to collapse, Dohyeon held his waist with both hands without a care. A low chuckle, laced with excitement, rumbled from him.“Does it feel good just going in now?”“Too, ugh, deep, ah…”With a slow motion, he withdrew, only to reenter almost immediately, pushing in deeper than before.“Ah…!”“…Ugh.”A shadow appeared between Dohyeon’s brows, as the tightness around him seemed to bring him tension as well. Pulling Wooyeon close, Dohyeon ran his hand over his smooth torso.“Relax a little.”At those words, Dohyeon began to move in earnest, holding Wooyeon close as he nudged deeper within. His hand drifted upward, pinching one of the small nipples lightly.“Ah, hng… too fast—uh!”Wooyeon instinctively tried to shift away on his knees, though Dohyeon wasn’t about to let him go. Pressed close like a clinging vine, he leaned in and bit down on Wooyeon’s exposed nape.“Please… slowly, please… ngh!”“I am going slow.”With steady thrusts, he reached deep within. Each movement released a faint trail of Wooyeon’s scent. Dohyeon brushed his tongue over the mark left by his teeth, enveloping Wooyeon in a haze of pheromones.“Teacher… no, please, teacher… hng…”“What exactly can’t you handle? You’ll have to tell me, so I can know.”This time, there was no correction in his title, just a soft answer as he moved his hips in a slow circle, pressing into every sensitive place inside.“Hmm? What’s too much, Yeon-ah?”It was only their second time, but today, he was unusually relentless. While it was hard to pinpoint, Wooyeon couldn’t shake a feeling of unease.“Hyung, please… hyung…!”Wooyeon instinctively adjusted the title without being asked, shaking his head as he struggled to keep up with the intense sensations. Dohyeon lightly traced his lips near Wooyeon’s temple as he clung to his upper body.“You’re really something,” Dohyeon murmured, as he took hold of Wooyeon’s length with one hand, stroking it slowly from top to bottom, causing his hips to tremble. Leaning in, he buried his nose against the back of Wooyeon’s neck and resumed his movements.“Ah… ah…!”Everything was a blur. Between the thick scent filling the air and the overwhelming sensations, Dohyeon continued without pause, while Wooyeon held onto him in a daze.As it turned out, Wooyeon’s sense of danger was justified—their night together stretched on and on.* * *As the season edged closer to summer, the daytime air became warmer, almost uncomfortably so, though it wasn’t hot enough to deter short sleeves.Among everyone now dressed for the season, Wooyeon sat slouched on the couch, wrapped in an oversized shirt that almost swallowed him up.“The chairman will be here shortly,” said the assistant.“You can wait outside.”After the assistant bowed and left, Wooyeon let himself sink more comfortably into the couch. He sighed deeply, feeling a lingering ache in his lower back.“You’re going to see your mother tomorrow?”Just last night, after everything had settled, Dohyeon had cleaned Wooyeon up and laid him down to sleep. Wooyeon had ended up staying another night, though that wasn’t the main issue.“Yeah, it’s odd she hasn’t reached out.”A call that would normally have come by now had been conspicuously absent. Even if she hadn’t dealt with the chauffeur, she should have at least called to check in. The silence felt strangely off.“I’ll try to reach Mr. Yoon.”“Oh… really?”At that point, Wooyeon still wasn’t aware of the state he was in. Dohyeon, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, seemed only to be feeling the aftermath of the night before. But in the morning, Wooyeon looked in the mirror and froze.“What… is all this?”His neck was marked all over with red spots, like he’d contracted an illness. They didn’t hurt, but it would be impossible to hide them.“It didn’t look like this last time…”“Well, that’s…”Dohyeon had calmly buttoned up Wooyeon’s shirt to the very top and rolled up the cuffs a couple of times. Wooyeon could still picture his wry expression as he did it.“Last time, I kept them where they wouldn’t show.”Wooyeon didn’t need to ask where those spots were. As soon as Dohyeon said it, several places came to mind, like the insides of his thighs or his back.And so, Wooyeon ended up wearing a cream-colored shirt to school. It was large and faintly carried Dohyeon’s scent, but it was wearable enough.The issue arose as soon as his lecture ended, when he received a call from Mr. Yoon.“The chairman has summoned you.”Mr. Yoon had arrived to pick him up with impeccable timing, waiting for him right at the front gate as if expecting him. With no other option, Wooyeon climbed into the limousine, feeling all eyes on him.“Couldn’t he have called me a little more subtly…?”Already drawing attention, he found himself under an even brighter spotlight. As Yoon opened the car door, flashes from reporters’ cameras went off relentlessly. But what he remembered most was the wide-eyed stares from Garam and Seonkyu.“Hoo…”Taking a deep breath, Wooyeon adjusted his collar, feeling the rough patches left along his neck. The marks were vivid, but hidden as long as he kept his buttons fastened.“Ten minutes…”Estimating the time, Wooyeon looked around the office. The classic wooden interior hadn’t changed much since he’d gone to the U.S.—the same wall full of plaques, a chandelier, and even the sofa, which was the only thing that seemed to have been swapped out.As expected, exactly ten minutes later, the office door opened. Instead of standing, Wooyeon merely turned his head toward it. A tall woman with a stern expression entered, her sharp, short haircut and perfectly fitted suit exuding a flawless aura.She looked almost predatory. The crisp sound of her heels striking the marble floor seemed as carefully curated as her appearance.“Chairman, the tea is…”“Leave us.”She crossed the office and sat behind the desk bearing the nameplate “Ji Suhyang.” Her gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, passed over the assistant and landed on Wooyeon. With a bow, the assistant exited the room, leaving them alone.“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”The thick aura of her pheromones filled the room. With just one sentence, the weight of her presence bore down on him. Wooyeon instinctively straightened his back, meeting her gaze directly.“Your call came rather late.”This was his first time seeing his mother in four years. Known to almost everyone in the country, Ji Suhyang was the one person Wooyeon could call “mom,” representing the archetypal elite of society.“Let’s get to the point. I know you’re busy, so I’ll just listen to what you need and leave.”Though four years might have left room for nostalgia, Wooyeon only felt uncomfortable in her presence. Seated on the guest sofa, with Suhyang behind her desk, the physical distance mirrored the emotional gap between them.“Yes… as we’re both busy.”Unfazed, she casually replied and picked up a tablet from her desk. It was just like her not to linger on small talk.“We found the person who posted on the community board. He’s twenty and went to the same middle school as you. His name’s Lee Youngbin. Does that ring a bell?”The abruptness of her words didn’t startle Wooyeon, but he frowned slightly, unable to recall anyone by that name. Then again, apart from Kang Junseong, he’d never bothered to remember his classmates’ names.“He was the one who made the post, but it seems he isn’t enrolled in college. Since there were photos taken in a classroom, there must be another culprit behind those.”“I know who.”Suhyang’s gaze fixed on him. With her light-colored eyes, she had a particularly piercing stare that occasionally gave him chills.“But before that, there’s something I need to tell you.”Wooyeon slowly began, lowering his gaze.“There’s… someone I’m seeing.”He briefly wondered what to call him, but then the most appropriate title slipped out.“Someone I’m dating.”It felt strange to use that term, and Suhyang narrowed her eyes.“He’s the one who hit the person who took the photos.”This was, after all, his reason for wanting to meet his mother. The moment Dohyeon hit Junseong, Wooyeon’s mind had come to one clear decision: that under no circumstances should Dohyeon face any repercussions because of him.“It was on my behalf, and it might lead to a lawsuit.”Though his explanation was brief, it was essentially a request for her to handle it. Unlike him, his mother would have already understood the implications.“…He hit someone?”Uncharacteristically, Suhyang looked startled, furrowing her brows and pressing her lips together. After a brief silence, she nodded.“Yes, I’ll handle it.”Silently, Wooyeon sighed in relief. Though she only said she’d “handle it,” he knew that she wouldn’t leave it at that. He could relax for the moment.“And this.”Suhyang handed the tablet to Wooyeon, who stood up and approached her without a word.“It’s an article set to be published by the end of the week. I’m circulating it to the top three media outlets, so review it.”On the screen was a neatly prepared article—an official statement from Ji Suhyang, chair of the Seonjeong Group, and the truth about her son, “Seon Wooyeon.” It mostly stayed close to the facts. Wooyeon asked in a flat voice.“If I asked you not to publish it, would you bury it?”“Why even ask that?”She added as if it wasn’t worth an answer.“You don’t have that authority.”“I didn’t expect you’d call me just to show me something like this.”Was it disappointment? No, it was closer to a sense of loss. Wooyeon set the tablet down and spoke slowly.“So, you didn’t withdraw the article.”“…”“Since you intended to make it public anyway.”“I can’t hide you forever.”“It’s not like you ever intended to hide me.”The article stated that Wooyeon was her legitimate child and not an illegitimate one. His identity might not be known to the public yet, but it would soon be impossible to go about unnoticed.“It’s for your protection.”Her calm tone sounded almost indifferent. Hearing this, Wooyeon let out a bitter laugh.“I figured you’d say that.”There were plenty of things he wanted to say, but he didn’t have the energy to argue further. While others might feel comforted by their family’s pheromones, he felt nothing but drained. No matter how he experienced it, it always felt suffocating.“I don’t know why you bothered calling me here when everything’s already decided… Next time, just have Yoon pass the message. No need for the big show of calling me in.”Tomorrow at school, he’d inevitably be at the center of gossip again. The thought of mingling with those who would be whispering about him already made his head ache.Suhyang watched him quietly, then spoke in a low voice.“If I told you I called you because I wanted to see you…”Wooyeon looked up, feeling unsettled by her gaze meeting his in the air.“Would you believe it?”“You’re asking an obvious question.”It was the same response Suhyang had just given him—a way of saying, “Of course not.” As if she’d expected it, she blinked slowly.“I won’t waste words. Move back home.”“No.”He didn’t need to think it over. Wooyeon refused immediately and even gave her a reason.“We agreed you wouldn’t do that until after I graduated.”Upon entering university, Wooyeon had made a deal with Suhyang. He promised to undergo succession training after graduation in exchange for her not interfering in his life until he finished school. Without that promise, he would likely still be in the U.S.“I’m not asking you to drop out.”“I already said no.”“Seon Wooyeon.”He flinched and clamped his mouth shut. With her light-colored eyes, Suhyang’s gaze could be piercingly cold.She lowered her pheromones, speaking in a firm tone.“Stop acting like a child. Think about your status and position.”It was something Wooyeon had heard endlessly since he was young. He’d heard it so often it was impossible to forget.“Once the article’s out, you’ll find it difficult to attend school without security. Do you really think you can keep living there?”“If you don’t publish the article—”“You know I don’t like repeating myself.”Her pale eyes glinted sharply, her expression unreadable. Wooyeon bit his lip, and Suhyang continued.“Even if you move, no place will be as secure as the main house. You’ll ride with Driver Yoon morning and evening, and have security with you in class. I’ll soon dispose of your old home.”Well, he wouldn’t be able to go back there with all the reporters around, anyway. At those words, Wooyeon’s eyes widened. Suhyang spoke as if it were nothing.“Did you think I wouldn’t?”Actually, he hadn’t thought about it. Staying at Dohyeon’s house this whole time, Wooyeon hadn’t even cared to wonder what had become of his own place. He had only assumed, vaguely, that there wouldn’t be any reporters there.“If you’re planning on rendering that boy’s place useless, I won’t stop you.”Suhyang’s calm voice cut deep. She looked Wooyeon up and down, nodding her chin slightly.“He can’t protect you.”“…”“At best, he’s just giving you a place to sleep for a few days and a shirt to wear.”Yes, she couldn’t have missed it. With her dominant pheromones, there was no way Suhyang wouldn’t notice it. She must have realized from the start that his shirt was someone else’s.“I’m not telling you to break up with him. I have no intention of forcibly separating you from someone you’ve liked for four years.”“…”“But the circumstances—”“Mother.”Wooyeon abruptly interrupted, staring at her blankly. Amid his muddled thoughts, only one question surfaced.“Do you know who I’m seeing?”For a split second, surprise flickered across Suhyang’s face. It was a brief change, but Wooyeon saw it clearly. Her normally unshaken gaze faltered, and she averted her eyes.But soon, she answered as if nothing had happened.“…Of course.”Suhyang looked back at Wooyeon, her expression calm and unwavering, her voice just as composed.“After four years, pheromones don’t change.”It was a logical response. Wooyeon might not have been able to sense pheromones in the past, but Suhyang could certainly detect Dohyeon’s. Recognizing it right away wasn’t a stretch.“But there’s something else.”Wooyeon wasn’t quick to let go of his suspicions. That wasn’t the only strange thing.“How did you know I was staying at his house?”It had been four years since Wooyeon last saw Suhyang. They hadn’t exchanged even a simple greeting during that time, let alone kept up with each other’s lives. She might have heard from the staff that he wasn’t home, but she shouldn’t have known where he was staying.Still, Suhyang had singled out “that boy’s house,” clearly referring to Dohyeon. She had skipped far too many steps for it to be a simple guess based on a shirt. Inevitably, everything pointed to one conclusion.“…Did you have someone watching me?”She didn’t answer, but silence was its own answer. Wooyeon let out a bitter chuckle and muttered in a self-deprecating voice.“Well, of course, you’re not the kind of person to leave things alone.”It was foolish of him to get his hopes up. Deep down, he had known Suhyang wouldn’t just stand by, but he had pretended not to notice. He’d entered university, thrilled to be reunited with his teacher, and hadn’t bothered to look around at what was going on around him.“Aren’t you tired of it by now?”His doctor, the staff managing the house, the chef who prepared his meals, even the private tutors he’d had as a child. Wooyeon had always lived within the confines of Suhyang’s influence. His every move reported, a life he’d long grown weary of.He had thought that would end with Daniel…Suhyang looked up at him. Her silence was, again, an affirmation. After a long pause, she spoke calmly.“Come home. There’s nothing more to say.”With that, she rose, adjusting her clothes to signal the end of the conversation. Wooyeon clenched his fists and ground his teeth.“…I’m not going back.”“Seon Wooyeon.”“Nothing you say will make me go back.”He had no intention of giving in to her wishes. No matter how many reporters swarmed or how unsafe it became, he’d rather live on his own terms than be trapped in that stifling house. He’d rather face danger head-on than imprison himself within those towering walls.“Every day in that house was like hell.”Wooyeon glared at Suhyang with defiant eyes, looking as if he were about to cry, though no tears fell.“Until I left for America, I never once lived like a real person.”“…”“And even there, I did everything you wanted.”Wooyeon had discovered that Daniel was Suhyang’s person through small details. Daniel, whom he had met with no prior connection, paid far too much attention to him. He knew Wooyeon’s tastes, always brought him suppressant meds when his heat cycle approached.Wooyeon was sensitive to manufactured kindness. His life had always been surrounded by insincerity, and he had learned to sense what others wanted from him, the motives behind their actions.“Danny, tell your mother. The suppressant she sent last time was too weak. Send something stronger.”