I need to get out of here as quickly as possible. If I make a wrong move and get excited, I'll end up clinging to Douglass, driven purely by instinct without any emotion.Mitch abandoned his bag completely and rushed toward the entrance."Let go, you crazy bastard!"Or rather, he tried to rush.But Douglass grabbed his shoulder in an instant and wouldn't let go. As their separated bodies came into contact, the pheromones penetrated deeper into his body.It was hard to breathe due to the alpha pheromones pouring out. The ridiculously overwhelming amount of pheromones being released was clearly meant to excite him. The familiar sensation starting from his lower back was stimulating his sensuality."Stop it. What's wrong with you, Douglass Brady?""Mitch Forbes, you're the one who needs to calm down.""Let go and then we'll talk! Let go!"Somehow finding strength, Mitch pushed Douglass away and escaped from his embrace.From wildly flailing his arms and legs, Mitch caught a glimpse of Do
In the end, after lingering with Laurence in the park, they parted ways at dawn. After putting the staggering Laurence in a taxi, saying it was time to go home, Mitch moved to a bar and drank until the sun was completely up. Some alphas approached him flirtatiously, but when he showed no reaction at all, they stopped bothering him.Strangely, no matter how much he drank, he didn't feel drunk.With his mind becoming increasingly clear, Mitch left the bar and had breakfast at a nearby restaurant.As soon as it turned 9 AM, he called a real estate agent, saying he wanted to put his officetel up for sale. Having decided to break up, he felt he should systematically clean up everything related to Douglass.After a brief call with the real estate agent, Mitch, having nowhere else to go, headed to the officetel he had just put up for sale.It was where Mitch had lived alone before moving in together, but since Douglass had purchased it and transferred ownership to Mitch, even this place was
Mitch woke up to the sound of his alarm. Checking the time, it was 2 PM. Having slept only three hours since arriving in the morning, he was still tired.But he needed to get up. He had to go to the café in the afternoon.He'd probably face Douglass again when he went to work, but he couldn't just not do his job. At least he wasn't in charge of opening today.While washing his face, Mitch mentally checked what needed to be done at the café. It was the day the ordered coffee beans and disposables were coming in, so he needed to organize them first and dispose of expired ingredients.After finishing urgent tasks, he planned to contact the building manager. To dispose of the café.It might be difficult to close the café immediately, but he couldn't continue seeing Douglass every day in the same building."I need to sort this out."Mitch muttered to himself as he got dressed.Having finished his preparations quickly, he put on his shoes. Thinking he needed to call a taxi since he didn't h
"Even if there's no pain right now, you might experience muscle soreness later. I'll prescribe some medication, and it would be good to apply warm compresses whenever you have time.""Will he be able to perform daily activities without issues?""It would be best to refrain from excessive outdoor activities for the time being. If you experience pain or swelling, come to the hospital immediately.""Understood. Thank you, Doctor.""No need for thanks. When the Director calls, I naturally have to come."The two of them finished the examination after a lengthy conversation, with Mitch sitting between them like a doll.Like the skilled physician he was, the doctor didn't ask for details about how he got hurt or why he hadn't come to the hospital despite not being in severe pain.He simply examined Mitch as instructed by Douglass, prescribed medication, and left.Douglass, who had trapped someone in an officetel, preventing them from moving, yet could calmly discuss aftereffects and pain wit
"...So that's why?"Mitch opened his eyes as if he had realized something. Alphas had longer rut cycles than omegas. And depending on the person and situation, alphas with partners could become more possessive.Some alphas developed pathologically strong possessiveness. There were even treatments available to reduce aggression related to this condition.Could this be why Douglass had gone to such extremes?Even so, imprisoning someone like today was going too far. During previous ruts, he had been persistent about sex or reluctant to leave the bed, but that was within an expected range for anyone.However, even if there had been no unusual behavior before, this was a special situation. An unwanted, sudden breakup was a completely different matter. It was enough to stimulate an alpha's possessiveness that intensified during the rut period.Looking at it that way, Douglass's abnormal behavior since yesterday became somewhat understandable. But..."He's acting like this even before his r
***The third day of restricted outings. When Mitch tried to call the police again, this time the men guarding the door confiscated his phone."Give me back my phone.""We cannot return it at this time.""I said give it back!""..."There was no response. Although he banged on the closed door and shouted, he could no longer open the door freely, and his means of contacting anyone had disappeared.Mitch was thus easily isolated in the officetel.At this point, the seriousness of the situation hit home. He could no longer maintain the complacent attitude that he could leave with a bit of luck. It seemed Douglass truly intended to keep him here until his heat cycle ended.After hours of confrontation at the front door, an exhausted Mitch gave up trying to open it and returned to the living room. On his wrist was a faint wound where he had been scratched by the doorknob during a physical struggle with one of the men. Mitch absentmindedly rubbed the spot.After having his phone taken away,
Douglass personally carried Mitch on his back, put him in the car, and headed to the hospital. Since there was nothing wrong with his ankle, it was a bit embarrassing to pretend it hurt and be carried by him.Douglass kept asking detailed questions about the symptoms while driving, making it difficult for Mitch to fabricate answers. Except for when his ankle was actually injured in the past, he had rarely experienced serious pain, so he couldn't describe the pain in detail.Wondering if Douglass had noticed his lie and was interrogating him more persistently, Mitch observed his expression. He was gripping the steering wheel with an anxious face, focusing on what Mitch was saying. Fortunately, he seemed to believe him unconditionally.Upon arriving at the emergency room, they were instructed to wait for a while. With Douglass's help, Mitch sat on a chair, and Douglass sat next to him."Don't skip rehabilitation from now on. Make sure to go.""I got it.""And if there are days I can't g
Mitch opened his eyes at the presence he felt beside him. Douglass, who had woken up first, was taking out clothes."...Going to work?" Mitch asked in a voice still husky from sleep. Douglass turned his gaze to the bed where he was lying and nodded."Have to. Ugh, I don't want to go.""...""How's your ankle? Still hurts?"Only then did Mitch look at his ankle. Douglass must have replaced it during the night, as the hot compress wrapped over the protective brace was still warm."A little.""Someone will come this afternoon to take you to the hospital. For physical therapy.""What about you?""I have work, so I can't go with you."Mitch looked up at Douglass with eyes still heavy with sleep. He was holding a necktie. For some reason, Douglass always had a serious expression when tying his tie. Sometimes he even looked solemn.Despite Mitch's inner turmoil these past few days, Douglass was the same as usual. He acted as if nothing was wrong, even after confiscating his phone and confini
"..."It was a bit embarrassing, but since Mitch had already agreed to do whatever Douglass wanted, it wasn't surprising that he would make such a request. It wasn't an unreasonable demand either.If anything, since pregnancy had prevented him from properly fulfilling their contract, Mitch had no right to complain even if Douglass got angry."I think that should be fine... I'll do it."And though somewhat pathetic, Mitch desperately needed Douglass's goodwill right now. As long as there was hope that he might accept the child as his own, Mitch didn't want to go against his wishes."Good. Well, we need to go for a checkup soon anyway, so we can confirm it again then."Pleased with Mitch's answer, Douglass wrapped his hand around Mitch's thin, long nape and rubbed it subtly."Ah. And change your phone number."Just as Mitch thought he might kiss him again, Douglass spoke as if something had suddenly occurred to him. Mitch looked up."Why?""Cut off contact with all those other alphas. I
And the questions about who Mitch Forbes was began to fit together like puzzle pieces."So he was supposed to receive various things from my mother. Simply in exchange for breaking up with me."Then coincidentally, he lost his memories in an accident and there was even a child whose father was unknown. All the promised compensation must have vanished, and it would've been too much to let go.It seems Mitch judged that claiming the child was Douglass Brady's would yield more benefits."So this is what he wants."With a cigarette in his mouth, Douglass's lips curved into a distinct arc.It was so obvious that it was actually fortunate. This was something he could easily provide, except for arranging an alpha.Tossing his now-shortened cigarette out the window, Douglass gestured for his secretary to leave.As he crumpled the documents in his hand, the image of Mitch at the funeral lingered in his mind.His swollen eyes from crying and his frighteningly thin appearance. The shock he felt
"No, I meant you don't need to eat this too. Just eat your regular food.""How can I eat something nice in front of someone who can't even smell? Forget it."Douglass snapped as if he'd heard something absurd. Then he turned his attention to the food set in front of Mitch.A thick soup was served alongside freshly toasted, warm rye bread. There was also an appetizing cold noodle dish in a medium-sized bowl."Please try it," the housekeeper said.Mitch picked up his spoon. At least there was almost no smell, which seemed fine, but he was nervous about how it would taste."..."He already felt pressured, worried that spitting out food that had been specially prepared would be impolite.The potato soup he carefully tasted under the watchful eyes of Douglass and the housekeeper was just the right lukewarm temperature. It had no strong spice flavors and was mild. Though ordinary people might find it bland, it suited Mitch's current palate."How is it, sir?""It's delicious."Mitch smiled a
What was his intention in asking? He probably wanted Mitch to terminate the pregnancy, right?Mitch stared at Douglass with fear in his eyes. Contrary to his expectations of a cold, sharp expression, Douglass's face was surprisingly calm. It might be a crazy thought, but it seemed as if he was waiting for Mitch to say he wanted to keep the baby.After a moment of silence, Mitch carefully nodded."Yes.""Good."Douglass accepted calmly. Unlike before, he wasn't ignoring what Mitch said."And you? Did you get tested?"Mitch asked about the vasectomy test."I will. Soon.""...""Are you still certain I'm the father?"Despite having already argued about this question once, Mitch wasn't flustered. Perhaps because he had experienced even more miserable situations, he felt no particular agitation."I'm certain."Douglass silently stared at Mitch for a moment. His lips opened slowly."Alright. We'll find out with a paternity test later."Mitch swallowed dryly while gauging Douglass's mood. Th
I didn't want to become a stranger to Mitch. Even though I had foolishly offered to pay off his debt because I liked his body, now that I couldn't embrace him, I still didn't want to leave him.Despite knowing that Mitch had tried to deceive me, all I wanted right now was to make him comfortable."Come here."As I entered the funeral hall, Mitch was placing new incense before the old ones burned out. I put the envelope down on the table and called to him."You're here? I'm not really hungry right now.""Just pretend to eat something. You can't keep starving yourself."Mitch didn't argue further and did as I said.My gaze followed Mitch as he approached with somewhat sluggish steps, then shifted to his right foot. That leg seemed to have less strength, causing a subtle imbalance in his gait."What's wrong with your foot?""Just twisted it a bit.""When?""...Why did you buy so much? I won't be able to eat it all anyway."Mitch changed the subject. Though I noticed and was about to poin
"When does the funeral procession start?""Later at 6 PM."As much as he wanted to tell him to lie down and rest, it would be difficult for Mitch to leave his position as chief mourner for long."If you don't eat this, I'm throwing it away."Douglass began clearing the food in front of Mitch. He knew keeping it there would only make Mitch feel worse."No, I'll do it.""Just sit down, I've got this."He seated Mitch in a chair and quickly cleaned up the table. But Mitch seemed quite uncomfortable with Douglass's actions."You must be busy, you can go back now."In the end, without properly sitting to rest even for a minute, Mitch got up and approached him. He threw away some trash that had fallen on the floor and then handed Douglass his jacket that he had taken off. It was practically asking him to leave.You're in this state and you're telling me to go?Though Mitch probably said it out of consideration, Douglass felt fiery anger rise within him. At the same time, he was greatly dist
Mitch briefly stared at his profile before awkwardly approaching. He hadn't expected to come this far, so he wasn't sure how to interact with him. Feelings of gratitude, embarrassment, and the desire to avoid the situation were all tangled together."Where's your mom?""She said she felt stuffy and went out for some fresh air.""I see."Mitch nodded. Douglass surveyed the modest and inadequate funeral hall. The whole facility was disorderly. The memorial portrait of Mitch's father was poor quality, somehow blurry and faint. And in the midst of it all stood Mitch."You should have told me about this."Douglass spoke with a surge of emotion that he didn't bother to hide. Mitch lowered his head."It was chaotic. I had to leave right after I got the call..."Thick fatigue had seeped into Mitch's voice. Hearing this excuse made Douglass's anger rise even more, though he knew this wasn't the time or place."Even so, does it make sense to be absent for more than three days without saying any
How many times had he come here? More than one hundred and fifty visits. Douglass found his past self pathetic. It was also ridiculous that he had accumulated coupons without using them.What a fool he'd been. No wonder someone would take advantage of him and make up absurd lies about being pregnant with his child. Douglass clicked his tongue in disapproval."I'll just pay."Despite saying this, he simply handed over his card. It wasn't like he was trying to squeeze every last penny out of someone. Remembering how the other had scurried around the kitchen so diligently, he didn't particularly want to get free coffee."Yes. I'll prepare it right away."Douglass watched the part-timer head to the kitchen, then leaned forward slightly to peek inside. But Mitch didn't appear until his coffee was ready."One iced Americano."Douglass immediately picked up the coffee from the pickup counter."Excuse me, customer. Is there anything else you need?"The part-timer cautiously addressed Douglass
"Ugh... What about your father? What are we going to do...?" Mother's crying grew louder as she also noticed what was inside the envelope.Mitch touched the faded old banknotes with his hand and stared at his father lying covered with a white cloth.Why did he still keep this?Even while gambling, cutting off contact with family, being chased by loan sharks, and accumulating countless debts—why did he still have this?It was frustrating that he couldn't ask anymore. Mitch put the money back into the tattered envelope.'Look, Mitch. " Mitch" means to help. Your name means to help people.''That's difficult.''I'll teach you every day until you memorize it.'He resented his father. He was angry at him for dying so absurdly in the end.Why was he selfish until his dying moment? It would have been better if he could just feel nothing, only a sense of liberation. He torments people to the very end."What's the procedure for the funeral?"Only after a long while was Mitch able to clear his