Perfect Omega Chapter 9.1 - The Perfect Omega

Upon opening his eyes, Nick finds himself once again pressing his lips against the nape of Owen’s neck. Every time he momentarily loses consciousness and comes back to himself, he is always holding Owen tightly, doing this.

Was it yesterday morning or this morning that Nick had a brief phone call with Marge? It cannot have been any longer than that.

“Mr. Stockton, are you at home right now?”

Marge, usually so composed, sounded utterly terrified, which was unlike her.

Nick heard the sound of the door opening and closing on the first floor. The high-performance sensor named Nick, which Owen had upgraded for him, was not just effective for that one day. He will need to test it further to be sure, but it seems there really was a dormant ability within him all along. It appears that Nick Stockton’s potential has fully awakened.

Marge was lingering at the entrance, unable to come further inside. She must have come to work, only to be startled by the pheromones flooding the house and called Nick in a panic.

Oh, so it could not have been this morning, then.

Nick turned his head to check the clock, which showed it was still before Marge’s usual work hours. Normally, this would be the time Owen gets up to exercise.

Owen’s back, sleekly toned from exercise, is always sharp, but this morning it looks particularly slender. As if stirring from sleep, Owen’s back rose and fell.

…!

The moment Owen took a deep breath, Nick briefly felt Owen’s ribs.

It was not like this before.

Come to think of it, Owen has been expending energy nonstop since the early morning when he was kidnapped to the island. The stress must have pushed Owen’s mental and physical exhaustion to the extreme. It is the same for Nick, but his body feels fine. Nick is trained to endure extreme situations without food.

“….”

A fleeting memory flashed through Nick’s mind of making Owen drink water intermittently.

As if to fill in the gaps of Nick’s incomplete memory, there was a water bottle and glass on the table. Marge, frightened by the overwhelming pheromones flooding the house, must have left immediately, so there is no way she came up here.

“Nick….”

Nick knew Owen had woken up even before Owen called his name. Owen’s imprint pulled Nick in before Owen’s voice did.

The effort to organize Nick’s chaotic thoughts ended the moment Owen called out to him. Nick collapsed back onto Owen’s back. Nick’s lips, wandering over Owen’s neck, carried no will of their own. Nick was simply acting on instinct.

…!

The moment Nick’s lips touched Owen’s neck, a few more fragments of memory surfaced.

Last night, Nick and Owen spent most of their time like this.

“….”

It seems that way. Nick’s memories are not entirely clear, like someone suffering from a hangover, so Nick cannot be certain.

The moment Nick stepped into Rose Mansion with Owen in his arms, an indescribable sense of relief washed over Nick.

Nick could not show it in front of Victor, but while waiting tediously for the initial draft of the contract to be completed, Nick was anxiously worrying about a rut setting in.

Nick could have devised more detailed clauses to further torment Victor, who had been harassing Owen with the board of directors, but Nick could not trust the effectiveness of the suppressants he had swallowed, so Nick had no choice but to finalize the contract as quickly as possible.

Nick did not even get to enjoy Victor’s crumpled face or stay with the team until the end. Nick could hear the ticking of a bomb inside his body. Nick had to listen only to the signal urging him to get to a safe zone before it exploded.

“Nick… you’re still hot.”

When Owen first said that in the bathtub Nick carried him into, Nick cursed the damned acid pheromones, thinking they were done but lingering with such long-lasting effects.

But Nick soon realized that was not it. Owen’s heat was not due to acid pheromones.

Owen’s heat cycle had begun.

The heat of a newly imprinted omega touched the bomb that had been barely suppressed by the inhibitors. With their cycles colliding, there was no way Nick could stay sane. Nick thought they would lose themselves completely and frantically entangle in sex, but they spent more time entwined, intoxicated by each other’s scents. Just like now.

“Nick.”

Owen, barely able to open his eyes, called Nick’s name again.

The morning sunlight piercing through the thin curtains poured over Owen’s bare back. Each time Owen’s glossy black hair shimmered, the intense sunlight seemed to crash against Owen and shatter miserably. Even the sunlight could not overpower Owen.

“Did you just wake up, Owen?”

Nick pressed his lips close to Owen’s ear.

“Shall we go downstairs for a bit?”

Nick is sure Owen heard him, but Owen did not respond. Instead of words, Owen let out a wave of pheromones.

Nick cannot let himself get swept up in this again. Thinking he needs to give Owen some energy, Nick propped himself up on his elbows and peeled his body away from Owen’s.

…!

The space between Owen’s pale buttocks glistened. Is that spring ever going to dry up? It is both a concern and a marvel. If pheromones were liquid, Rose Mansion would already be a sea filled with them.

Owen seems to have forgotten the concept of pheromone control ever since realizing that no matter how much he releases, it cannot affect Nick. Or perhaps Owen’s mind has not fully returned yet.

“Ugh…!! Owen!”

If that were not the case, Owen could not do this. As if punishing the alpha pulling away from him, Owen poured a small bomb of pheromones over Nick’s head.

Just moments ago, Nick had been faintly thinking about tidying the bedroom, giving Owen proper nourishment, and making a list of people to contact. But the moment the pheromones hit, all those thoughts vanished.

Nick’s hands moved faster than his reason. He grabbed Owen’s writhing hips and lifted them.

“Ah…!”

Owen’s head sank into the mattress, letting out a single cry. Nick’s mind wanted to check if Owen was okay, but the hands gripping Owen did not budge an inch.

Nick lifted Owen’s hips and positioned them in front of his erect member. The act of rubbing himself between Owen’s wet, glistening buttocks was undoubtedly the work of Nick’s hands.

Owen ignored Nick’s suggestion to go downstairs and instead struggled to lift his upper body. Even in his languid state, Owen raised his hips further, pushing closer.

“Put it in… Nick, put it in.”

Nick knows how Owen’s flushed interior looks. He knows it so well that the tip of his member tingled, ready to release just from the thought.

Half by his own will and half, Nick swears to the heavens, driven by the omega’s pheromones commanding him, Nick gripped his member. He aligned the tip with the entrance of Owen’s slick, gaping hole. Hesitating to push in, Owen thrust his hips back.

“Ha… Owen.”

Nick knew Owen could take him so sensually.

Truly, Owen devours elegantly. To avoid swallowing too quickly before savoring the taste, Owen’s tight inner walls envelop Nick’s penis, bending his hips to consume it deliciously. Whatever strength lies in those hips, they pull Nick in deeply, holding him fast.

Whether something displeased Owen or he wanted to taste it again because it pleased him, Owen pulled back that much and then thrust his hips back with a smack.

“Hot! Owen!”

Satisfied with the depth this time, Owen did not pull back further and instead rotated his hips. When Owen feels sufficiently filled, he sways his hips gently, chewing on the member inside him.

Like biting into a buttered croissant, Owen savors the inserted flesh bite by bite. Chewing, spitting out a little, then pulling it back in to chew again. Owen eats Nick, trembling his eyelashes until Nick wants to beg to be allowed to release.

“Ugh…! O…wen.”

But one crucial difference from a croissant is that it is not just the first bite that overwhelms with ecstasy.

“Ha… Nick. It feels good… move for me.”

Owen is the young chairman of Rose Pharmaceuticals. He was born, educated, and lives in that role. Giving orders with a single finger is second nature to him.

But Nick is not the kind of man who trembles with joy at commands given by a single finger. Nick never knew there was another self within him eager to submit. When Owen says move, Nick’s hips start swaying.

“Here? Hmm? Owen, here?!”

Nick’s voice turned rough.

Even when Nick thrusts in completely, Owen cries for more, leaving Nick with no choice. Nick plunges deep into Owen, stirring every shallow and deep part of Owen’s inner walls with his swollen member until Owen says it is enough, until Owen permits Nick to release his seed. Nick must pound until Owen’s screams echo.

Owen’s whimpering hips were so dizzying that Nick gripped them hard enough to make a slapping sound, and Owen’s inner walls rippled, pulling Nick in.

“Ah…! It’s… good!!”

As the pleasure peaked, Owen’s inner walls began to convulse. Hot fluids burst forth. Nick’s nostrils flared. His clenched jaw turned ruthless.

A fierce desire to bury himself in this lovable omega surged within Nick. Amid the longing and frustration that piston-like thrusts could not reach, the tip of Nick’s penis inside Owen began to tingle.

“Nick…! Wait, just a moment.”

After releasing a wave of heat, Owen’s reason seemed to return slightly. His voice shifted a little. But Nick had not yet finished.

“Owen. Not now. You can say anything else, but don’t tell me to stop now!”

Gritting his teeth, Nick managed to slow his movements with superhuman willpower.

“There’s… something.”

Nick stopped moving completely.

“Just a moment, Nick.”

As Nick halted, Owen turned his head to the side. Nick soothingly held Owen’s waist and stroked it.

“What do you mean something?”

“….”

Owen’s inner walls, still hot with excitement, continued to twitch.

“Are you talking about this? This is you, Owen.”

Nick whispered in Owen’s ear, slowly rolling his hips inside.

“Hng….”

Owen’s lean back trembled.

“Stop… Nick, please stop for a moment.”

As Nick kept moving, Owen clutched his stomach and pleaded.

“It’s strange….”

As long as Owen says it is strange, Nick cannot reveal the truth. He cannot speak because it is indeed strange. How could Nick show it? Even Nick was shocked.

“What’s strange, Owen? Explain it to me.”

“…Don’t you feel anything?”

“Nothing but how good you feel inside.”

It feels so good, getting better and better. Nick could die happily with himself buried inside, but other than that, no, nothing. The tip of his member tingles again.

“This… this. Hng! Right now, this!”

Owen’s hands gripped the sheets as if to tear them.

“Owen, I’m not trying to hide anything.”

Nick is just trying to delay the moment of truth a little.

“How about you explain what you mean by ‘this’ so I can understand?”

Nick lowered his body again, whispering in Owen’s ear. Owen, flushed up to his neck, shook his head vigorously.

“Owen, I can’t know if you don’t tell me. What does it feel like?”

Urging again close to Owen’s ear, Owen twisted his flushed face to look at Nick.

Owen’s gaze landed on Nick’s lips.

“Lips?”

A puzzled look, as if that was not it.

“Tongue?”

Owen shook his head vigorously again.

“I don’t know… I don’t know.”

Now even Owen’s back was turning red.

“Then feel it a bit more, Owen.”

The tip of Nick’s glans inside Owen began to swell.

“Hng… Ahh… This… not this. This.”

As knotting began, Owen started to thrash. He tried to escape, saying something was wrong with his stomach. Nick wanted to listen, but from this point, Nick could not heed Owen’s words.

“Nick…!”

No omega can escape knotting. That is the purpose of the transformed organ.

Nick pulled Owen’s back into his arms and pressed his weight down. Like a snake swallowing large prey, Nick slowly but surely consumed Owen’s struggling body bit by bit.

“Shh, Owen. It’s okay. Once this is over, I’ll let you rest.”

The two joined bodies no longer swayed. The bed’s rocking stopped. Only the penis inside Owen’s body transformed, tightening the bond further.

Owen, pinned beneath, panted and minimized his movements. His inner walls still trembled with spasms. And each time, fragrant fluids seeped through the joined seam.

Nick slipped his hand through the tightly bound gap to touch Owen’s stomach. Perhaps because of the position from behind, it felt like Nick could feel it if he pressed hard today. As Nick stroked the slightly protruding belly, the tip of his glans, deeply embedded in Owen’s body, responded with movement.

“Hng… Don’t… don’t do that.”

Unable to move while tightly gripped, the transformed glans caressed Owen’s lovely inner walls instead. It kissed and nudged, creating soft vibrations.

Normally hidden, that grotesque reproductive organ was, despite its appearance, the most vulnerable part of Nick’s body. It was also the most sensitive. Nick felt as much as Owen did.

“Does it hurt?”

Speaking was difficult as the overwhelming pleasure surged. Nick clenched his jaw and checked Owen’s condition with effort.

Owen shook his head vigorously.

“Do you dislike the knotting?”

“No… no… it’s good.”

As if it heard Owen’s praise, the hideous thing vibrated wildly inside Owen. Owen hunched his shoulders tightly, letting out a groaning sound.

“Is my seed as delicious as the butter you love?”

Even then, Owen nodded.

“Good, then. I’ll fill this belly until it’s full, so don’t let a single drop spill, Owen.”

With that, Nick embraced Owen’s back with ease. Inside, Nick’s swollen glans was doing its work. The highly sensitive tip, engorged, began licking Owen’s inflamed inner walls. It tapped and probed, searching for spots that would make Owen react. When Owen showed even the slightest response, it attacked that spot relentlessly.

“Hng… Ngh… Ugh.”

Owen drooled, his eyelashes trembling.

To think this hideous thing could bring Owen such joy—Nick was starting to grow fond of it.

“Ha… Owen… your inside is truly.”

Pressing lightly on Owen’s lower belly made Owen cry out. But Nick knew it was not a cry of pain. No matter how long the knotting lasted, Owen never complained of pain. Though Nick’s member reached places unreachable otherwise, it was just spongy tissue, not something that would pierce through Owen’s skin. Owen had no need to fear.

Nick cautiously tilted his head to lick Owen’s neck with his tongue. It felt like the same motion was happening inside.

“Nick….”

Nick could feel Owen’s belly roiling under his palm. No matter how much Owen pleaded, it was not something Nick could release by will. Owen knew this too and would soon give up.

“Shh, Owen. Just feel it.”

Whatever Owen feared, instead of answering, Owen fumbled for Nick’s hand. Nick, squinting at the electrifying sensation from his sensory nerves, gripped Owen’s hand tightly.

Slowly, the swollen tip of the reproductive organ returned to its original size.

ꕥ

“Does it hurt?”

Nick does not know what he did overnight, but the color of Owen’s nape has changed. It must have been like this earlier, but swept up in the heat, Nick saw it without seeing. At any rate, Nick noticed it now.

When Nick carefully pressed with his fingertips, Owen’s hand followed.

“No. Is there a wound?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Searching through his foggy memories, Nick recalls kissing Owen’s neck. Nick swears he did not use his teeth. Tilting his head to examine closely, there are, thankfully, no bite marks. Even in his loss of reason, Nick must have remembered not to tear into Owen’s neck.

Then… could a kiss alone cause bruising?

The red marks began to turn mottled as time passed.

“Don’t be shocked when you look in the mirror. It seems when rut and heat cycles overlap, we turn into beasts.”

Owen looked puzzled as Nick walked him to the bathroom door but gestured for Owen to go in alone.

“It’s better if we bathe separately.”

The excuse of overlapping rut and heat cycles only works once. Doing more here would be too much.

Even now, Nick’s body is still hot. The unresolved heat lingers in his core. Though fainter, pheromones continue to emanate from Owen. If they started rubbing their soapy bodies together, Owen would waste away.

“We need to pause for a bit… whatever this is.”

Even before entering the hot water, Owen’s cheeks flushed. He nodded slightly to show he understood, then turned and shed his robe. Nick’s brows furrowed as he watched Owen’s now-slender waist. Nick feels like a vile exploiter or abuser.

Hearing the sound of the shower, Nick turned but stopped in front of the bed. With both hands on his hips, Nick glared at the bed.

There was nothing more to do here anyway. The bed was soaked. In his rational state, Nick could not find a single dry spot to rest a hand.

How does such a delicate body produce so much fluid? Nick should be grateful Owen has not collapsed from dehydration.

Nick reached for his phone to make the embarrassing call about replacing the mattress again.

Several messages had arrived on Nick’s phone. Fittingly, they were from Marge. Nick tapped to open the unread messages.

[It looks like I can’t come in. I’ll have Ted drop off food. Let me know if you need anything.]

Nick thought Marge came to the house yesterday morning, but the message was dated three days ago.

“….”

It is not a mistake. No matter how hard Nick stares, the date and time the message was received do not change.

If Nick had been clinging to Owen in a rut for three days, it would explain why Owen’s pale neck had turned such a ghastly color.

[They say the food was left untouched. I’m a bit worried… I’m leaving Dr. O’Riley’s contact information in case you need it.]

Nick already knows Dr. O’Riley’s contact information. Come to think of it, Nick seems to recall sensing Ted’s presence instead of Marge’s.

Yes… that’s right.

While pressed against Owen’s back, Nick remembers feeling irritated by Ted’s presence entering the house. Even Ted had come and gone at the speed of light.

Nick returned to the first message.

He had no idea three days had passed. Nick scrolled down the message inbox and moved to the recent call history.

Most of the long list of missed calls were from team members and the company lawyer. They were mostly messages saying they tried to get Nick’s input on follow-up matters but, unable to reach him, proceeded according to Nick’s usual methods. Over a dozen completed work reports followed, with the last message stating they were returning to Mississippi.

ꕥ

“Ted, the chairman will be at home this week.”

The soft-spoken but meticulous butler of Rose Mansion called.

“Marge, is something going on? The secretarial office hasn’t received any notice yet.”

It was humiliating, but there were times when the butler of Rose Mansion knew more than the chairman’s secretarial office. Ted believes it’s because he hasn’t been serving Chairman Rose for long, and it’s something that will normalize with time.

In any case, it was rare for Marge to call directly, so Ted stopped walking, stepped to the side of the road, and focused on the phone conversation.

“It’s a trait leave.”

“Oh…”

The term “trait leave” required no further explanation. It’s a government-guaranteed leave for when an omega’s heat cycle or an alpha’s rut makes external activities difficult. Though Chairman Rose had rarely used it before… well.

“I’m calling because there’s something I need you to do in my place.”

Impatient with Ted’s foolish reaction, Marge got to the point. Ted quickly shifted into work mode.

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Due to circumstances, I won’t be able to enter Rose Mansion for a while either.”

“What? Why not?”

“It’s not something to worry about. It’s only temporary. Since both of them won’t be able to go out, someone needs to take care of their meals. I can’t go in, so I’ll have to ask you to handle it, Ted.”

“Oh, yes. Of course.”

That’s hardly a task.

“Have you received any direct contact from the chairman?”

“Uh… no. Not yet.”

“…I see.”

“Should I try contacting him?”

Ted offered, noticing Marge’s hesitant tone.

“No. Don’t contact him.”

Surprisingly, Marge’s voice was firm. Since Ted, a beta, wouldn’t understand trait-related matters, Marge was probably right.

“I’ve prepared today’s meals. You’ll need to come to my house to pick them up. Jimmy knows the address.”

“Yes, I’ll head out now.”

That call came three days ago on Ted’s way to work. Now, twice a day, Ted goes to Rose Mansion instead of the office. Calling it “going to work” feels a bit odd, but it’s undeniably part of his duties as an executive assistant.

“You must not disturb them. The alpha is likely very sensitive right now, so just leave the food on the dining table and go.”

The thought of that arrogant-looking alpha being sensitive made Ted want to avoid him altogether. Ted resolved to place the basket Marge provided and leave before being noticed.

On the first day, when Ted opened the door with the spare key from Marge, he was a bit nervous. He hadn’t experienced a situation heightened by traits, but he’d read plenty of novels and seen movies. In fiction, they were often depicted as near-beasts, but thankfully, no one rushed out to bite his neck the moment he opened the door.

Fiction is just that.

Rose Mansion, entered with the borrowed key, was as usual. The air felt slightly heavy, but nothing else stood out.

As Marge instructed, Ted went straight to the kitchen without detouring anywhere else.

He placed a large basket on the first-floor dining table and was about to leave when a sudden sensation made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. His scalp prickled slightly.

Thinking the alpha might have come down, Ted glanced at the stairs, but no one was there. As he walked toward the entrance, he distinctly felt a chilling gaze.

Perhaps the morning shower hadn’t fully dried, as a cold shiver ran from the crown of his head, and his feet briefly stumbled. Ted stood frozen at the landing for at least two seconds. As he stood bewildered, feeling like he’d been doused in an ice shower, the cold air vanished as if it had never been.

Then, a different sound reached his ears.

A sound of exertion.

…Like the kind heard in judo or Jiu-Jitsu?

Truthfully, Ted isn’t a man who exerts himself in sports. He can’t even distinguish between judo and Jiu-Jitsu uniforms. He only knows such sports exist but has never watched videos to hear the sounds of actual sparring.

But that was definitely… a moaning sound?

The voice making suppressed moans began to form something resembling words. It took Ted another three seconds to realize it was speech.

Was it even modern language? Perhaps it was how extinct ancestors of modern humans, like early hominids, used their vocal cords for primitive communication. It was closer to the growling of a beast.

Contrary to his resolve to leave the basket and vanish quickly, Ted stood there for a while, analyzing the sounds.

He quickly skipped wondering who was making them. Even the voice screaming sounded exactly like that barbarian.

Since they were on trait leave, Ted, a beta, could guess what the two were doing upstairs at this early—or late—hour.

Unable to listen any longer, Ted hurried toward the entrance. Thankfully, his tangled feet moved freely.

Just before grabbing the doorknob, Ted thought he heard the chairman’s voice and paused. Then he shook his head.

No way. That refined person couldn’t make such a sound.

His head felt heavy. He needed fresh air. The air in the house seemed to grow heavier, almost like an illusion.

Ted quickly left Rose Mansion and handed the key to Jimmy, who was waiting.

The key was only borrowed temporarily. Since Ted was making two delivery trips a day, it might make sense for him to keep it, but Marge gave it to Jimmy, who waited at the door and retrieved it without delay once Ted exited.

It felt a bit humiliating to think about, but a professional shouldn’t dwell on such things. After all, both of them had more seniority than Ted, even if their employers differed.

If it bothered him, Ted could lean on that reasoning to cope.

“Here, Jimmy.”

Ted handed over the borrowed key.

“Ride, I’ll take you.”

“No, I’ll walk.”

Despite only visiting Rose Mansion twice a day, Ted felt strangely heavy-headed and fatigued.

“By the way, I think the air purifier filter is broken. The air feels a bit stale. And the air conditioner might need checking too.”

At first, Ted thought it was his imagination, but it’s the third day. Now he’s certain. Every time he nears the landing where the stairs lead to the second floor, an oddly cold air hits the crown of his head, freezing him. There must be an error in the house’s management system.

“…Marge will handle it.”

Jimmy seemed to gauge the basket’s weight by lifting it before putting it in the trunk.

“They didn’t eat. Marge was worried.”

“Hmm. You really walking?”

“Yes, I need fresh air.”

Thanks to his boss’s sudden leave, Ted felt half on vacation. How often does one get to stroll down Fifth Avenue on a weekday morning?

Ted slipped his lightened hands into his pockets and began his walk.

“Sir?”

This neighborhood is great.

“Sir, please stop for a moment.”

The streets are clean. There’s little exhaust. People passing by look relaxed.

With frequent patrols, the area’s security is good.

“Sir!”

No one litters, so Ted wondered who the officer was calling so politely and looked around. The serious-faced officer was walking straight toward Ted.

“Me… you mean me?”

“Yes, I called several times, but you didn’t seem to hear.”

“No… I heard, but I didn’t think it was me… What’s the matter?”

Ted mentally reviewed his recent actions but found nothing illegal.

“Are you in need of suppressants or assistance right now? You can’t walk around like this.”

“What?”

“It’s okay. If you need it, I’ll take you to a nearby hospital.”

The officer who stopped Ted seemed to be an alpha or omega. Definitely not a beta. He was saying Ted smelled of pheromones.

“Oh… that’s, haha… this is awkward.”

Embarrassed, Ted’s hand naturally went to the back of his head. It was awkward but not a big deal.

“It’s not mine. You’ve misunderstood. I got nervous thinking something was wrong.”

But unlike Ted, who felt relieved, the officer’s expression hardened.

“Sir, this is a big deal. Are you really not an omega?”

“Yes, of course.”

“If you’ve been following the news, you’d know pheromone-related felonies have been rising lately. If you’re having trouble controlling your pheromones, I can’t let you go like this.”

“I’m really not. I’m a beta.”

“Then, for verification, could you provide your social security number? Under Article 8, Section 13 of the Trait Management Protection Act, the information you provide won’t be logged, so you can rest assured. I just need to confirm your statement.”

“….”

The officer phrased it as a question, but Ted had no choice. To leave, proving himself was the quickest and quietest way.

Ted quietly recited the memorized numbers. The officer immediately pulled out a small device and began the check. After comparing the photo and Ted for a while, the officer quietly put the device away. He seemed satisfied that Ted hadn’t given a fake number.

“Then, any guesses about where you picked up this level of pheromones? As a beta, you might not realize, but this is serious. It could be linked to a crime, so please cooperate.”

…Jimmy didn’t say anything.

Then Ted realized Jimmy is also a beta.

“Uh… it’s really a misunderstanding. There’s no problem. So, here’s what happened…”

Ted tried to explain without sounding strange. He has acquaintances on trait leave, a couple, and he was just coming from their house. The pheromones probably rubbed off there.

It couldn’t be clearer.

“Is their house nearby?”

Ted thought there was nothing to doubt, but the officer seemed to see it differently. What, does Ted not look like someone who’d have friends in this affluent area? A pointless sense of inferiority started to surface.

“Sir? Where’s their house?”

“….”

The street is great, but one downside is that, with many celebrities living here, freelance paparazzi roam year-round.

Across the street, Ted spotted a paparazzo instinctively drawn to the police car. Even in an era of high-quality phone cameras, the paparazzo held a large professional camera, sniffing around for something juicy.

As Ted hesitated, the officer’s gaze sharpened.

“Sir, if your acquaintance couple, or multiple couples, are hosting a party involving drugs, it’s best to cooperate now. Otherwise, you could be treated as an accomplice.”

The officer acted ready to radio for backup.

“Couples! There’s no such thing.”

“Then tell me.”

“….”

Ted quickly ran through several possible responses in his head, wondering how much to say.

He thought it was overblown to make a fuss over some pheromones, but you don’t defy the police. Even if it doesn’t make sense now, cooperating and filing a complaint later is the proper way. He couldn’t just walk away. After considering a few scenarios, Ted decided letting them verify the facts was the quietest option.

Making his decision, Ted stepped closer and whispered the address as quietly as possible.

“…!”

The officer, jotting down the address, looked up.

“Rose Mansion? Are you sure?”

A house that hasn’t been sold in over a century is so well-known that locals recognize it by address alone.

“Yes, here’s my card.”

To avoid misunderstanding, Ted pulled out his wallet and handed over a business card with the Rose Bio-Pharmaceuticals logo. While handing it, Ted briefly explained his errands at Rose Mansion.

“How many days has this been going on?”

The officer’s gaze grew sharp as he asked pointedly.

“Uh… today’s the fourth day.”

To avoid seeming inconsistent, Ted double-checked the dates before answering slowly.

“Have you seen Chairman Rose during that time?”

“No, I haven’t seen…”

Ted kept hearing sounds, but there was no need to mention that.

“Let’s go.”

“What?”

When Ted handed over the card with the Rose Pharmaceuticals logo, he couldn’t help but act a bit smug. Who doesn’t know Rose Pharmaceuticals? He could picture the officer’s attitude changing.

But instead of “you’re free to go,” it was “let’s go.” Where?

“It’s right ahead. I won’t keep you long. Just a quick check, and you can go.”

Before Ted could resist, the officer grabbed his elbow and pulled.

“Will you open it?”

The tone was impeccably polite, but the eyes were not.

“The key…”

“You don’t have it?”

The tone suggested the officer expected as much.

“No, Jimmy, the driver, has it.”

“I don’t see a car.”

The road in front of Rose Mansion was clear. Obviously. A car with wheels moves much faster than a person. Too tired to explain further, Ted just shrugged.

“Let me confirm again. Answer carefully, Ted. Is the place you just came from Rose Mansion?”

“Of course.”

Now feeling annoyed, Ted responded with an unrefined attitude. Before he could stop him, the officer climbed the steps. Reaching the heavy door in one stride, the officer pressed the ornate doorbell without hesitation.

“…!”

Naturally, no one answered.

The officer twisted his upper body to look at Ted, pointing at the door as if to say, “See?”

Seeing the officer reach for the bell again, Ted rushed forward. Better to be arrested for obstructing official duties than let this happen twice.

But the officer’s hand was faster than Ted’s, and before the echo of the second ring faded, the door of Rose Mansion opened.

“…!”

“…?”

“Who’s there?”

The person who opened the door was the homeowner.

“….”

“Uh… Hello, Chairman Rose.”

Anyone living in New York would recognize Owen Rose’s face. Without Ted needing to intervene, the officer greeted first.

“Yes, hello, Officer. Ted, what’s going on?”

After exchanging greetings with the unfamiliar officer, Owen Rose looked at Ted.

“Hello, Chairman. Sorry for disturbing you.”

Ted was about to explain the situation, but seeing Owen Rose’s face, he was struck speechless.

Having served the chairman for nearly two years, Ted felt an odd sense of unfamiliarity. Something had changed. This wasn’t the same person from last week. The vibe was… languid? No, that’s not it. What was it?

“Uh, it’s just… Are you okay?”

Instead of Ted, who was momentarily stunned, the officer stepped in.

“….”

Chairman Rose didn’t answer immediately, waiting for further explanation about what was being asked.

That reaction confirmed it was indeed Owen Rose.

One of the most common questions Ted got after joining the Rose Bio-Pharmaceuticals secretarial office was whether Owen Rose looked the same in person and what his personality was like. Ted always cited the contract prohibiting even minor disclosures about company matters and stayed silent.

But personally, Ted thinks he’s a decent person. He may seem a bit cold, but he’s never been rude, and the slight distance felt is natural for someone in his position, Ted reasoned.

If one were to point out something peculiar, it would be precisely that kind of gaze or demeanor.

Owen Rose sometimes exerts pressure with a look rather than probing further with words. Whether he does it intentionally is unclear, but in those moments, the vivid blue rim encircling his dark pupils feels particularly piercing. Being subjected to such a gaze makes one tense even when they were not before.

“Well… I mean no disrespect, but according to this, this person’s statement.”

See? It makes one tense.

The officer, who had confidently pressed the doorbell moments ago, now stammered with a completely different attitude.

“It’s Ted.”

Ted interjected, as it seemed the officer had even forgotten his name in the interim.

“Yes, have you seen Ted this morning, by any chance?”

“Ted?”

It was as good as a denial. The officer’s shoulders seemed to straighten slightly in that brief moment.

Chairman Rose was not lying. In the past three days, they had not once met face-to-face or spoken.

“Chairman, if I may explain briefly, I’ve been stopping by in Marge’s place. With… with Jimmy. Jimmy left already, but if needed, I can contact him now to verify.”

To end the awkward three-way confrontation quickly, Ted pulled out his phone from his pocket. He scrolled through his contacts, ready to call Jimmy immediately.

“I see. Thank you, Ted.”

Fortunately, there was no need to call Jimmy.

The explanation was insufficient, but Owen Rose turned toward the officer instead of interrogating Ted further on the spot.

“So it seems. Is there a problem, Officer?”

Perhaps it’s because someone in the chairman’s position receives speech consulting, but even in casual loungewear, Owen Rose exuded an air of authority. He did not use an arrogant tone, yet there was a strange strength in his words. It’s peculiar. Distant. These people are so far removed…

“I mean no disrespect, Chairman Rose, but are you saying you were unaware of people coming and going for days until just now? Pardon me, but have you been alone this whole time?”

The officer, who had been stumbling over his words, suddenly quickened his actions. He pulled out a notebook and scribbled hastily. A glance over his shoulder revealed something like “Do you need help?” It seemed the officer suspected involvement in a crime.

At this point, Ted thought it might be better to call the company lawyer. His experience was likely insufficient to make this person back off. He could guess what misunderstanding had occurred, but he doubted he could clear it up.

As Ted reopened his half-closed phone to search the contacts, the door of Rose Mansion, which had been open only a third of the way behind Chairman Rose, swung wide open.

“…!”

“…!”

A caveman appeared behind Chairman Rose.

“I’ve been with him.”

He even spoke.

Chairman Rose was never particularly large in stature, but standing in front of the bearded Neanderthal, he could not have looked more delicate. Ted had seen that beard before, but it still felt unfamiliar. To make matters worse, the brown robe the man wore made it look like he was entirely covered in fur.

“What’s going on?”

Could words strike a person? It was clearly English, yet it somehow sounded like German or just growling. Either way, it felt like it would hurt if it hit.

Just moments ago, Ted had thought Owen Rose’s posture was dignified regardless of his attire. But the man standing beside him was even more imposing. The open collar of his robe, spread wide as he wrapped an arm around Chairman Rose’s shoulder, revealed a bare chest. Even though the robe was generously sized, a slight shift of his shoulders seemed like it would expose his entire upper body.

Surely this barbarian wasn’t standing there completely naked under that robe, right? He must be wearing underwear, at least.

But why was the officer acting like this now?

The officer standing beside Ted suddenly began sweating profusely.

“Uh, hello?”

He was stammering again. Judging by his expression, he seemed unaware that he had just stepped back. Ted wondered if he should position himself to catch the officer in case he tripped and fell down the stairs. If he rolled off the landing, it could lead to a workplace injury lawsuit, and the ensuing gossip would be troublesome. Preventing such incidents seemed to fall under the duties of an executive assistant.

“You two may not know, but it seems the air purifier in Rose Mansion is malfunctioning right now.”

He had asked Ted if he needed suppressants, yet here he was speaking so indirectly.

Ted felt a twinge of offense.

“That’s… a troublesome issue.”

Only then did Nick Stockton’s pronunciation sound a bit more like English as he nearly closed the wide-open door.

“We’re in the process of creating the next generation of the Rose family.”

“…!”

“…!”

He said something shocking.

Did it really have to be this man? Ted wanted to ask, but Chairman Rose’s face was obscured by a burly forearm.

“It’s uncontrollable. Perhaps… the purifier is turned off. We’ll check as soon as you leave.”

In other words, get lost.

It was a bit embarrassing, but all alphas and omegas take this kind of leave, and his boss was simply doing the same. To avoid further disturbance, Ted decided to step in and wrap things up.

“Well, I assume everything’s been confirmed now. Let’s go. I’ll take my leave, Chairman. Sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll stop by again this evening.”

Ted turned to leave first, but the officer stood firm.

“Uh… are you okay?”

The officer pointed at Chairman Rose’s nape.

The Neanderthal’s embrace had stretched the clothing, exposing the nape. Before Ted could look closer, Chairman Rose’s hand adjusted the garment back into place.

“If you need any help—”

The officer was brave.

“What kind of help?”

The barbarian, who had maintained a rough demeanor throughout, now completely shielded Chairman Rose behind his body.

“No, it’s nothing. Nick, hold on a moment.”

A refined hand rested on the barbarian’s arm, revealing a bit of the face that had been hidden.

“As Mr. Stockton said, we’re just spending our trait leave together.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Nick Stockton stepped in front of Chairman Rose again.

“If you’re going to keep being a nuisance, why don’t you come in and check for yourself?”

Stockton angled his body, seemingly making way as if to say, “Come in.”

Ted, not being an alpha, doesn’t understand pheromones, power struggles, or the flow of the air. Still, he could read the tension in the narrow passage Stockton offered. No one would make it through that door. The moment someone tried to pass through the small space Stockton had “cleared,” their neck would be snapped.

Ted wasn’t the only one who felt it. The officer stepped back another step, waving his hand.

“No, it’s… I understand.”

Without even time to exchange pleasantries, the door slammed shut with a bang, extremely rudely.

ꕥ

“What’s wrong?”

When Owen looked at him, Nick asked. His eyes were innocent.

“Did you come down in the middle of a shower?”

He wasn’t dripping wet, but it felt like it.

“Oh, I was just about to shave.”

Nick said, rubbing his chin with his palm. All the while, his hand pressed against the slammed door, ensuring it wouldn’t reopen.

“Does it look bad? Should I finish now?”

“It has a unique charm. Do it later. Come on, I’m hungry.”

Owen took Nick’s hand and led him to the kitchen.

“By the way, Nick, Ted said he came in Marge’s place. Do you know what that’s about? I think there might be a message on my phone, but I don’t have the energy to go upstairs to find it right now. Why am I so junge? Are you okay, Nick?”

“I’m about to collapse.”

While Nick was showering, Owen thought he should at least check the kitchen. It had been years since he’d taken the elevator from the second floor to the first.

Owen had felt a bit dizzy stepping out of the elevator.

The hunger was so overwhelming that he wanted to ignore the doorbell on his way to the kitchen.

“It’s despairing that Marge isn’t coming. I don’t think I can wait for food to be prepared.”

Uncharacteristically for Owen, he grumbled about his hunger.

“I read a message saying they put soup in for this morning.”

Nick seemed to know information Owen didn’t. Soup was urgent, but Owen stopped and turned back.

“I spoke with Marge. Come on, let’s talk while we eat.”

This time, Nick grabbed Owen’s arm and pulled.

ꕥ

“How many days did you say?”

Owen stopped unpacking food from the basket. His movements were already slow. Nick, who had been setting the table, came over, took Owen’s hands out of the basket, and sat him down. Then he took the basket and quickly checked its contents.

According to Nick, Marge, realizing the two hadn’t eaten properly for days, had started including soft foods since yesterday. Last night, it was a meaty stew, but this morning, she sent a message saying she switched to soup. Judging by what Nick had just carried out and transferred to a bowl, it was indeed soup.

“Why don’t I know any of this?”

Could this be a side effect of drugs?

“Don’t make that face. It’s because of me.”

A finger tapped Owen’s cheek to get his attention. Following the wiggling finger, Nick smiled boyishly, saying it was his fault.

“…What?”

“You went into a heat cycle, and I went into a rut. The acid pheromones you’re worried about were already out of your system before we boarded the helicopter. Calculated by half-life, that’s how it works. We’d need to go to a hospital to confirm exactly, but.”

A bowl of soup was placed in front of Owen, who listened blankly. The aroma of warm food wafted up. Owen’s hand, as if with a will of its own, picked up a spoon.

“Eat, Owen. Let’s eat. Ted did come by diligently. So diligently, I didn’t expect him to bring a police officer.”

Nick’s voice turned sour, as if the earlier incident still annoyed him.

“Ted’s a bit inexperienced.”

It was a mistake a more seasoned predecessor wouldn’t have made. Owen laughed and agreed.

Owen had been tasked with choosing a replacement for the retired predecessor. After several interviews, Owen picked Ted. Everyone was surprised by his choice.

But after a few years, it became clear that the role of chairman’s executive assistant required more stamina than expertise. It involved handling menial errands and, as the term “executive” implied, had no fixed hours.

To Owen, the required qualities were simple: someone young enough to endure excessive workloads and without the ambition to wield power from the information they’d access by the chairman’s side. That was Owen’s judgment. Ted, still young and needing more experience, was exactly the person Owen was looking for.

“I should stop by the hospital and then go to the office.”

Owen had been absent unusually long. There was no need to stay in the chairman’s office, but being unreachable was an issue. Uncle Victor would likely rally the board for a fight. The memories weren’t clear, but something extremely chaotic had definitely happened. The last scene Owen saw from the helicopter was certainly the aftermath of an explosion.

With damage to facilities, Victor wouldn’t stay quiet.

“I’ll talk to Uncle Victor. It won’t affect you. For one thing, Locke caused the incident first.”

Nick listened silently, chewing and swallowing his food. Owen tried to reassure him.

“I’ve already spoken with Victor. Of course, it won’t affect us. You’re the victim, after all. A victim of a serious crime committed over a long period.”

“…Me?”

“Yes, you.”

Having finished eating, Nick wiped his mouth with a neatly folded linen napkin and stood up. Owen followed with a nod, wondering where he was going. Nick walked around the table, sat next to Owen, and pulled his chair closer. He took the fork from Owen’s hand.

“Eat, Owen. If you don’t eat, I won’t explain.”

“Nick, I’m not a child.”

Owen pushed away the fork brought to his mouth.

“Maybe not, but you’re as weak as one right now.”

Nick showed no sign of backing down.

“…I’ll do it.”

Owen took the fork back from Nick’s hand. As he started putting small portions of the allocated food into his mouth, Nick finally leaned back slightly.

“Owen, before I explain, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

Owen asked, spearing a small piece with his fork and putting it in his mouth.

“Are you planning to keep seeing Victor and Sarah?”

“Of course. They’re family.”

“Hm.”

At the odd response, Owen stopped chewing and turned his head.

As if to say not to do that, Nick turned Owen’s head back and tapped the fork. It was a signal to keep eating. The claim of starving for days wasn’t an exaggeration; even without Nick’s urging, Owen’s hand sought food on its own. It just couldn’t handle too much too quickly. Sighing briefly, Owen found another small piece and put it in his mouth.

“I don’t like it, but family’s like that. Fine, then. I’ll keep it brief.”

Owen nodded, putting another piece from the now-half-empty plate into his mouth.

“Locke was a psychopath who tormented multiple omegas, including you. Oh, and he’s also guilty of developing and distributing a new drug. It’s not just a charge; it’s a confirmed fact. I secured evidence of the crimes I just mentioned, and Victor knows I have it.”

“…Nick, that feels too summarized.”

Owen’s head moved away from the plate.

“Which part don’t you understand? Point it out, and I’ll explain that part in detail. Meanwhile, keep eating diligently. We have things to finish once you’re done. What’s lacking? The part about your cousin being insane?”

That part was clear without further explanation.

“No, that’s fine. …So where’s Locke now? Is he on the run?”

Before Nick could treat him like a child again, Owen dipped bread into the warm soup.

“He’s dead.”

The moistened bread stopped midair on its way to Owen’s mouth.

“…How?”

“I killed him. Honestly, I don’t know exactly how. I was just extremely angry. Maybe… you could say Locke woke the monster inside me?”

“Nick!!”

Owen kicked back his chair and stood up.

“How could you…?! No, I’m not blaming you. Absolutely not! Not at all.”

Standing abruptly, Owen gestured for Nick, who was calmly seated, to stay calm.

“…Good job. No, that’s not it. But still, good job! What’s important now!”

Owen raised a hand to his lips to stop more nonsense from spilling out. He paced in place, hand on his hip.

Let’s organize thoughts. First, find a lawyer. To do that, I need my phone. Where’s my phone?

Owen looked up at the ceiling. He remembered where it was. Upstairs. As he pondered how to get up there, one hand warmed. Owen lowered his gaze from the ceiling. Nick was holding Owen’s hand, tugging gently. It seemed like a signal to look at him, so Owen gripped Nick’s hand firmly in return.

“Nick, I’ll get you the best lawyer. Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility for you. I’ll make sure no one can blame you, ever. What’s important now—”

“What’s important, Owen.”

Nick interrupted.

“….”

“Is getting proper food into your stomach, which has been empty for days. Sit.”

With another gentle tug, Nick seated Owen.

“Calm down, Owen. Victor knows. Of course, he doesn’t know exactly why Locke died. If you really want to do something for me, just keep the confession I just made a secret.”

“…Uncle knows?”

“He knows.”

Nick answered curtly.

“Locke committed serious crimes, Owen. To summarize again, Victor chose a comfortable retirement with dignity.”

“…But what about the lab? Didn’t it get blown up that day?”

“That was also Victor’s doing. Legally speaking, Security Solutions provided building demolition services at Victor’s request.”

“…You’re making less and less sense.”

“I can’t disclose the contract details with a client, even to you. You understand, Owen?”

“….”

Nick smiled softly, as if it were just business.

“But it’s all fine since it was a formal contract signed with lawyers present. In one word, what happened on that island stays buried there. Forever.”

“….”

Was it because Owen was still in shock that Nick’s hand, lazily picking up a polished butter knife, seemed languid?

A piece of bread, torn to a chewable size, was held up to Owen’s dazed mouth.

“Don’t say you can’t see me anxiously waiting for you to empty that plate in front of you, Owen.”

“….”

Feeling like he should protest or at least ask for clarification, Owen’s opened mouth was soon filled with food. To avoid the disgrace of spitting it out, he had to chew slowly and swallow. It wasn’t easy because Nick didn’t take his eyes off Owen’s face for a single moment.

“Does it hurt, Owen?”

A morning at the breakfast table that started like this came to mind.