NAME 19

“Yes, Team Leader.”

I answered, but I did not move toward Baek Kanghyun. Baek Kanghyun stared sharply at Seowon, who was hesitating in his spot. Since he had been called, he had to go, but he did not want to go near the man while his pheromones were leaking.

“Your pheromones are leaking. A lot, too.”

Seowon wrapped both hands around his neck. Even though he couldn’t block leaking pheromones that way, his hands instinctively went there. While he was at a loss, his cheeks stained bright red, Baek Kanghyun stood up abruptly. Seeing him put on his coat and gather his belongings, it seemed he was also intending to leave.

“I… I will be heading out now.”

Seowon spoke mumble-mouthed, unable to even open his mouth wide. Resenting the sweet scent that was spreading helplessly, he tried holding his breath. However, his body was faithfully heating up, and he could sense the strength gradually draining from his limbs. He tried to endure by putting as much strength as possible into his legs and standing firm. He had to make sure there was no repeat of hanging onto Baek Kanghyun like last time.

“Can you even get home?”

“O-Of course. That goes without saying…!”

As if using a step-shortening technique, Baek Kanghyun closed the distance rapidly. Alpha pheromones—whether intended or naturally occurring—stimulated Seowon. Goosebumps erupted on the skin beneath his clothes, and the tip of his nose twitched involuntarily.

Damn pheromones…

Seowon gathered all his focus to steady his staggering body and turned toward the office door.

“I’ll… be going first.”

“I’m going now, too.”

Baek Kanghyun followed him out. The thought of taking the elevator with him already made Seowon feel dizzy. Should he just take the stairs instead? But Seowon’s condition was in too much of a mess to descend all the way to the first floor. Honestly, right now, just standing upright was his limit; he would likely have to take a taxi to get home. He hoped the suppressant he took earlier would show at least a little effect… He grit his teeth.

Ding!

“Team Leader, please go down first. I realized I left something in the office…?!”

Since he had absolutely no confidence in being in the same space as Baek Kanghyun, he tried to go down later, but his arm was caught. The man grabbed Seowon’s wrist and pushed him into the elevator. Eyes that seemed to know perfectly well that there was nothing left behind stared at Seowon. Ah, a sweet breath leaked through his slightly parted lips.

“Team Leader, I really! Just a moment!”

“Just stay still. I know it’s an excuse.”

His staggering body was pinned against the wall. Baek Kanghyun cornered Seowon in the nook and stood blocking him. The man, who looked stylish even with his brow furrowed, looked down at Seowon.

Seowon bit his lower lip hard and hung his head low. Baek Kanghyun grabbed the tip of Seowon’s chin with his hand and forced it up. The Alpha pheromones, which the man was clearly releasing intentionally, were so tantalizing that Seowon panted like someone who had just come out from underwater.

“You have quite a talent for grating on people.”

“What… do you mean… Pheromones, please don’t.”

“Why? You need them.”

Hearing his voice sound soft made Seowon realize he was out of his mind because of the fever. The refreshing scent—sometimes appearing as if it would be given, sometimes receding—made Seowon frantic. It felt like trying to breathe in a space lacking oxygen. Seowon clutched his chest and pressed the back of his head firmly against the wall. He felt that if he moved even slightly, he might bury his face in the man’s chest. And he felt he might end up begging and pleading for him to please release the pheromones.

“Haah, haah, hng…”

Seeing the elevator arrive at the first floor, Seowon bolted outside. He moved his legs with all his might as if he were a herbivore being chased by a predator. However, while he wanted to run nimbly like a rabbit or a deer, things didn’t go as he wished. With legs as limp as a mollusk, walking was the best he could manage.

In this state, a bus was out of the question, so he had to take a taxi… First, let’s call a taxi. I’ll request a Beta driver. If I just wait about 10 minutes, the taxi will…

“Honestly, that stubbornness.”

Being lifted up happened in a single instant. Without even being able to grasp the specific situation, Seowon was heading back the way he had struggled to come. He was loaded into the elevator and soon got off at the parking lot. Recognizing that the one holding him was Baek Kanghyun, Seowon struggled briefly before stopping.

“Stay quiet. Before I throw you.”

It was because he heard that cold, sharp voice. Baek Kanghyun roughly shoved Seowon into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.

Seowon sat buried in the passenger seat, huffing and puffing. Fever caused by pheromones is much more painful than fever from a cold. It is accompanied by chills, headaches, and an indescribable thirst. And what his parched throat wanted was not water, but Alpha pheromones.

“Hng…”

Seowon took a deep breath. It was an instinctive movement to inhale the Alpha pheromones spreading faintly inside the car. He felt the pheromone molecules sticking to every single alveolus. Ahhh, a trilling sound spilled out and his waist twisted.

“I… don’t want to.”

His body was dying of pleasure, but his mouth spoke a lie. It was the result of the few remaining strands of reason and pride. However, the sound was too small and pathetic.

Tsk, Baek Kanghyun clicked his tongue and started the car. He fastened Seowon’s seatbelt as if it were a chore and set the car in motion.

“You don’t… need to do this.”

“Just shut up for a bit.”

Baek Kanghyun growled. He had raised his voice in anger before, but this was the first time he had been quietly furious in that way.

Seowon turned his head toward the window and closed his eyes. He couldn’t tell if he was falling asleep or just losing his mind. It felt heavy and unpleasant, as if he were cradling hot coals in his lower abdomen.

Ugh, why is this happening all of a sudden. It’ll be a real disaster if a Heat breaks out now.

He bit his lip and pinched his thigh hard, trying to hold onto the few remaining strands of his sanity.

‘But, where are we going?’

Since he had been forced into the car, there was no way he knew the destination. Seowon quickly turned his gaze to the navigation screen. However, it was only showing the current location; no destination appeared. Seowon half-opened his eyes and stared out the window.

“Where are we go…”

“We’re going home. Did you think we were going to a hotel?”

“Crazy…”

Seowon muttered softly. His body, sensing an Alpha within arm’s reach, heated up rapidly.

I feel like I’m going to die like this, so is Baek Kanghyun okay? Even if my pheromones are a bit lacking, I’m still an Omega, is the guy really not having any reaction at all?

He didn’t have even the slightest intention of seducing him, but a sense of injustice arose for no reason. Since the man said I wasn’t his taste, he probably wouldn’t react. Then why did he ask to be partners if I’m not even his taste…

“Is this the place?”

After a while, the car came to a stop. Seowon, consumed by fever, didn’t even have the energy to answer and managed only to nod his head. In truth, he couldn’t even confirm if it was his house or not. However, the instinct left in Seowon now was that he had to get out of this car as soon as possible.

“Assistant Manager Jeong? Jeong Seowon!”

Baek Kanghyun grabbed Seowon and shook him. His face was in Seowon’s swaying vision. Jeong Seowon—his name, called by Baek Kanghyun, felt unfamiliar. It was likely because it was the first time the man had called his name directly.

“Damn it, this is why you should have listened to me!”

“Baek… Kanghyun.”

I called him quietly. The word resting on the tip of my tongue tasted sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. As if responding to Seowon’s call, his face drew closer. His body, having reached its ultimate limit, tore Seowon’s reason to shreds.

“Pheromones… please…”

Yes, I had to admit what needed to be admitted. I hate this man, I really dislike him, but it is true that I am attracted to his pheromones. I never wanted to say these words, but Seowon’s will was too weak to overcome the instinct for survival.

Heh, the sound of his chuckle was heard. He felt as if he would tremble even at the man’s faint pheromones mixed in the air. Seowon hunched his shoulders and hugged his upper body with his arms. His insides were boiling and his teeth clattered.

“I thought you said you hated it.”

“Ugh…”

Baek Kanghyun mocked him. I blame my naive self for believing he would release them immediately if I begged. Seowon, filled with extreme shame, pulled the car door handle.

Thud.

But the door did not open, making only an unpleasant sound. It sounded exactly like the sound of his own heart dropping.