NB | Chapter 16

“Is it good?”

Woohyun nodded several times, genuinely. It seemed like the alcohol content was low since he could barely taste it.

Woohyun never refused drinks bought by others, though he was too frugal to buy them himself. He was more interested in snacks than drinks that just filled his stomach.

Hanging out with the guys at the labor office had built up his tolerance. With youthful vigor, he’d always stayed conscious till the end, never having blacked out, so even he didn’t know his true limit.

His eyes sparkled with transparency, revealing his thoughts, making Park Sejin chuckle.

“You can have more.”

He whispered to a nearby waiter to order a few more cocktails. While waiting, he watched Woohyun eat cake. Just using a fork to take big bites was somehow fascinating. Despite his playful fork movements, he chewed with a calm and neat demeanor.

His prominent jawline, protruding Adam’s apple, broad shoulders, and arms were those of a male Alpha, yet his delicate features gave him a youthful vibe, a unique trait of Seo Woohyun.

At first, he thought Woohyun was a Beta, and even if he were an Omega like him, it wouldn’t have mattered. But knowing he was an Alpha made him want him more. He seemed shy and wary, but surprisingly, he was kind and had a weakness for food…

Since he’d fed him before, it was his turn now. Sejin hoped Woohyun would get drunk quickly, hiding his sly intentions behind a gentle smile as he handed over a new drink.

“But, hyung, is it okay for you to stay with me? You’re the main character, and I feel like I’m hogging you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already greeted everyone else.”

Oh, I see. Woohyun nodded slowly. Though it wasn’t obvious yet, his speech had noticeably slowed, indicating he was getting tipsy.

“Did I come too late?”

“No, some people haven’t even arrived yet.”

He wasn’t sure when Woohyun arrived, but it was definitely after the birthday cake candles were blown out. It was a bit annoying that he missed the main event, but since Kang Jiwon didn’t show up at all, he could let it slide. Sejin offered another drink.

By the fourth cocktail, Woohyun’s cheeks were flushed like ripe peaches, and his sweet smile was a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor.

“Hyung… this drink…”

I think I’m getting drunk faster than I thought. He believed he was speaking clearly, but to others, his words were slurred.

“You’re not good with alcohol, huh? This barely has any alcohol.”

Sejin chuckled, pushing the empty glass aside. It was true there was little alcohol. Instead, he’d added a pheromone enhancer. Originally for medical use, it had other effects depending on the purpose.

From Woohyun, whose eyes were unfocused, came a fresh, crisp scent, hard to distinguish between cocktail and Alpha pheromones. Sejin leaned in cautiously, finally recognizing the scent as Woohyun’s Alpha pheromones.

Normally, Woohyun would pull away at this proximity, but now he calmly met Sejin’s gaze, his eyes narrowing as if his vision was blurring. Despite this, his focus was hazy. Woohyun’s breath tickled his skin, and the Omega’s body quickly sensed the Alpha’s change.

Ah, thank goodness. The drug seems to be working.

Though he used a weaker dose this time, most people would start leaking pheromones after just one or two drinks. Woohyun seemed fine even after three, making Sejin anxious. He was ready to add more enhancer if there was no reaction.

“Are you hot? Your face is red.”

Woohyun’s head wobbled ambiguously, neither nodding nor shaking. Sejin hadn’t asked expecting an answer.

“Woohyun.”

Hearing his name, Woohyun blinked instead of responding. Sejin bit his lower lip at the innocent look and placed his hand on Woohyun’s thigh. Despite appearances, the muscles were firm. Surprised by the texture, his hand boldly slid inward, revealing his desire.

Woohyun, who had been slow to respond to conversation, reacted instantly to the touch. He flinched, eventually hitting his elbow on the bar table’s edge.

“Hyung, your hand…”

He wanted to ask him to move his hand, but even forming that short sentence was exhausting. For some reason, he’d been feeling hot. Drinking usually raised body temperature, but his cheeks felt unusually warm. His blood circulated quickly, loosening the tight hold on his pheromones.

It didn’t take long to realize he’d misjudged, thinking he wouldn’t get drunk on such low-alcohol cocktails. Even if he wasn’t used to being drunk, he couldn’t ignore the changes in his body.

“Huh, ugh…”

Trying to steady his breath, Woohyun inhaled sharply, then held his breath in shock. Sejin’s Omega pheromones were overwhelming. Not only that, but the countless pheromones he’d grown accustomed to suddenly hit him all at once.

The fork slipped from his fingers with a clang, but he couldn’t even register that simple fact.

“Haa…”

Unable to calm his breathing, Woohyun covered his mouth with both hands. Yet, his breath escaped. He felt dizzy. Trying to regain his senses only seemed to release more pheromones, and trying to stop them left him unable to move.

Why, why is this happening… Woohyun bit the inside of his mouth, trying to hold onto his slipping sanity. He felt a slight fever and struggled to control his pheromones, like the onset of a rut cycle.

But there was still a month until his cycle. Was it the sudden exposure to so many pheromones after entering the party? He questioned himself but found no answer. The only conclusion he could draw was that staying here might lead to trouble.

“Sorry… I have work tomorrow, and I drank too much…”

I should go.

Before he could finish, Sejin leaned in closer.

“Woohyun, your pheromones are showing.”

It felt like a confirmation shot. Startled, Woohyun tried to stand but stumbled, his strength failing him.

“You seem to have trouble walking. I’ll take you home.”

“No… Please don’t come closer.”

Sejin was an Omega. He shouldn’t approach an Alpha showing rut symptoms. Woohyun worried more about Sejin’s safety than his own.

His eyes were red from the heat, and his eyes were already moist. Sejin interpreted Woohyun’s pitiful gaze as a plea for help.

“Why say something so sad?”

Instead, he smiled and moved closer. The Omega pheromones grew stronger, and Woohyun’s instincts began to react. Unwanted and unintended desire pooled within him, making him frown, almost on the verge of tears.

He blinked, and suddenly he was leaning entirely on Sejin, leaving the party. Woohyun wanted to distance himself from the Omega pheromones, but without Sejin, he couldn’t take a step.

Unable to push Sejin away, he clung to the hem of his shirt, feeling something was terribly wrong.

“…Woohyun.”

Sejin, pressed close, couldn’t miss Woohyun’s attempt to hide his lower body.

“I’m sorry… My body, ugh, it was fine earlier…”

Woohyun’s face and neck were flushed with intoxication, excitement, and shame. He felt guilty for burdening Sejin, who was helping him. He kept muttering apologies, trying to stand on his own, but his body wouldn’t cooperate.

“It’s okay.”

Sejin, likely just as flustered, spoke calmly, trying to soothe Woohyun. But Woohyun felt increasingly unwell.

“Please, call someone else. If you stay with me, you’ll be in danger.”

Breathing was hard, and speaking was harder. Every part of him touching Sejin felt hot. Blood rushed to his lower abdomen, and his vision blurred. He wished Sejin would leave him, but the Omega’s presence was irritating.

“Hyung, please…”

Though he was holding on with all his mental strength, continued stimulation might break his control. As his senses dulled and sharpened repeatedly, the flickering switch heightened his sensitivity, scratching at Woohyun’s nerves.

“Wow… I’ve never seen a guy act so innocent and actually be a virgin…”

“Huh, ugh…”

“Is Woohyun really a virgin? Good thing I gave him a weak dose, just in case.”

His vision blurred first, followed by his hearing. Woohyun couldn’t understand what Sejin was saying. As his fever spiked, his consciousness began to fade.

“Still an Alpha. Damn… you’re really heavy.”

As Woohyun’s strength waned, Sejin had to bear more of his weight. Sejin grunted, adjusting Woohyun’s arm over his shoulder.

He thought things were going smoothly since Woohyun drank the cocktails without issue. But of course, things didn’t go as planned. If he’d known Woohyun would be this out of it, he would’ve called him to a room separately. Even in this state, Woohyun was struggling to maintain his sanity.

Once they reached the room, it would be over, so he wanted to tell Woohyun to stop resisting. But supporting Woohyun was exhausting, leaving him with no energy to speak.

As Woohyun lost his grip on reality, his Alpha pheromones grew stronger, the only consolation. His mouth felt dry, while between his legs felt damp, stirring a strange sensation of impatience.

The elevator was finally in sight.

As he struggled to press the button to go down to the room floor from the top-floor lounge, a hand appeared to press it for him. Sejin turned his head, surprised to see who it was.

“Did I just catch my fiancé cheating?”

Someone he never expected to see at this moment stood there. Kang Jiwon, who had been staring at the elevator’s number display, turned his shoe towards them.