Chapter Text
“Oh no, here we go again…”
“I'm going out.”
The man sitting in the upholstered chair merely lifted his gaze to look at the black-haired omega with pale skin, like snow, speaking. They had just argued over the alpha's jealousy—something that left the smaller man fuming. He pushed his index finger up to adjust the glasses slipping down his defined nose and smirked slightly while continuing to read the book about the character he would be portraying in a major film industry series. Jiyong chose to interpret Soohyuk's silence as permission to cool his head off. He hated having to justify himself to his husband. The world wasn't what it used to be—once, omegas and betas could go out, do incredible work, and open businesses independently. But under the new government, that had become impossible. Everything had to be reported to the family's alpha, regardless of whether the omegas or even the betas were married or not. Every family unit had to have an alpha representative.
“Don't be late. Remember the curfew.”
Ah, yes. The damn curfew.
For some reason, not all alphas and omegas were considered “normal.” Some behaved far more instinctively than others and were labeled as ferals. They usually lived in packs deep within forests or remote areas, far from society and the public eye. They were called many things—primitives, beasts, even vampires due to their superhuman abilities. Just popular folklore to scare children. But recently, many omegas and betas had been disappearing, prompting the government to impose a curfew in an attempt to minimize the international media fallout. It was nothing more than a regime that didn’t care about its people. If they truly cared about the “subclass”—the term used for everyone who wasn’t an alpha—there would be answers to the many questions that kept Jiyong awake at night.
“Yes. I’m aware.”
Soohyuk, who had remained quiet reading his book, once again looked up at the slender and graceful figure now standing by the apartment door. The luxurious penthouse they lived in had only been attainable thanks to Soohyuk’s status—of course. He observed how the tight black shorts hugged Jiyong's toned thighs, revealing his “Inhale & Exhale” tattoos. Simple words, but on Jiyong's body, they became unique. The black sunglasses on his face—despite the moon being the only light in the night—hid his swollen eyes, puffy from recent tears, and the baby pink tank top did little to cover the marks left from sex the night before.
Soohyuk always chased his own pleasure. He never cared to satisfy his husband. But that was deemed acceptable for someone with such an important role in society. The alpha cleared his throat before questioning, “You're going out dressed like that?”
Jiyong flinched at the deeper tone in his husband's voice. He knew exactly what it meant—not a question, but a disguised command. His body gave a slight, involuntary shiver. He hadn’t expected Soohyuk to say anything like that after the fight and the insults. Truth be told, Jiyong was tired. Tired of people asking questions he didn’t have the answers to.
“I don’t see a problem with my outfit,” he replied, then grabbed the doorknob and stepped out. He already knew that when he came back, he’d be doused in Soohyuk’s scent. He shivered just thinking about the last jealous fit, which had left a handprint on his neck for weeks. Jiyong knew he was in an abusive relationship, but the light at the end of the tunnel seemed long gone. Every time he tried to open up to someone, all he ever heard was how well Soohyuk “disciplined” him. The praise was always “Soohyuk this, Soohyuk that.” For a while, Jiyong had even begun to believe that maybe he was the problem, not the alpha. He took one last look at himself in the elevator mirror before heading outside.
Large raindrops began falling over his hair. Just great—a storm, now of all times, was enough to drive him insane. The penthouse was located in an isolated area. A preserved forest stood beside it, and beyond, the ocean stretched into the horizon. At least the view helped distract Jiyong’s restless mind. The forest was surrounded by a high wall to prevent ferals from entering the urban zone. Jiyong didn’t understand. They were ostracized for being more primitive, sure—but wasn’t their ability to transform into wolves supposed to be good? For protecting the defenseless? Reports of attacks were rare, yet the disappearances only increased.
The ferals were granted limited access to certain areas of the city to shop—clothing, tools, construction supplies. These areas were heavily patrolled, and near Jiyong’s building, there had never been any attacks. But a certain rumor was spreading quickly through the neighborhood. One Jiyong couldn’t stop thinking about. The infamous Black Wolf, who saved a child and a pregnant woman from an assault. Society ignored the ferals, and the feeling was mutual. But why had that wolf risked exposing himself to protect two strangers? He had nearly torn the throat out of a high-ranking alpha, only to back off once the women were safe, telling them to hide before disappearing into the forest.
Jiyong hoped it was just a rumor. No child or woman deserved abuse or humiliation from those disgusting urban alphas. When he saw his favorite convenience store, a small smile tugged at his lips. That store was the only one in the area that carried his favorite sweets. If they were out of stock, he’d have to ask Soohyuk for a ride across town. And Soohyuk only agreed on one condition: Jiyong would do whatever he wanted when they got home—sexual or not. So, Jiyong always prayed they had what he needed. The rain was soaking through his baby pink tank top as he stepped inside, brushing wet hair from his face and bowing politely to the man behind the counter. “Good evening, Mr. Jung. Sorry, I’m all wet—I didn’t see the storm coming.”
Mr. Jung smiled. He was a polite beta, known for social work helping fellow betas and omegas. Some even called him anti-alpha. His family volunteered every weekend, aiding abandoned families without an alpha. He knew about Jiyong’s situation and always asked how he was doing. “Don’t worry, my boy! Make yourself at home.” He sincerely hoped the young omega would find an alpha who truly loved and cared for him. And as if the gods had answered that very prayer, the person he had in mind walked through the door.
Jiyong didn’t take long—he grabbed his suppressants and a few essentials. But when he reached the final item on his sweets list, his heart nearly skipped a beat. There was only one watermelon popsicle left—and it was in the hand of a tall man dressed in a black T-shirt, worn black jeans, and equally battered Vans. White earbuds, a silver industrial piercing on his left ear. He was huge. Judging by the broad shoulders, definitely an alpha. The short hair and the feral tattoo on his left bicep made Jiyong’s knees weak. How could he explain this to Soohyuk? The tall man turned toward him, as if sensing the stare. Fuck. He was the most beautiful person Jiyong had ever seen. Chocolate-brown eyes studied him with quiet curiosity. He tilted his head, still watching him intently. Jiyong’s eyes trailed down to the red bracelet on his right hand.
The leader.
His cheeks flushed a deep ruby red. He bowed shakily, scrambling for an excuse to leave. He heard a soft chuckle. The alpha smiled, clearly amused, then asked in a deep, raspy voice, “Can I help you? Looking for something?”
Jiyong swallowed hard. “Actually… I was looking for that sweet treat.”
The alpha looked at the popsicle in his hand, brows furrowing in thought. His eyes returned to Jiyong, who was now approaching. That face—so familiar. It matched the drawing the tribe’s seer had shown him during the leadership ritual. A prophecy of his future mate. The tribe always whispered about “the sketched omega.” Now, here he was. And Mr. Jung had told him everything. About the abuse. The isolation. Jiyong was the perfect prey—but also the one he wanted to protect more than anyone.
“Too bad. It’s the last one.” Jiyong’s eyes widened. That forest scent—like wood and rain—wrapped around him. He looked back up. The size difference was intimidating, as was standing so close to Choi Seunghyun, the infamous Black Wolf of the ferals. Seunghyun leaned in slightly. “But... I’ll give it to you on one condition,” he murmured. “Let me walk you home. It’s dangerous out.”
Jiyong wanted to say no.
But he didn’t.
He had always promised his family to be an omega of principles—polite and faithful to his husband, just as he had vowed during his arranged marriage. The whole world watched him after marrying such an influential figure in the media. Everything he did became an example for other omegas and betas. He was the “traditional” type Soohyuk loved to parade around—submissive, delicate. At least in front of the cameras. Behind closed doors, in that penthouse, all those masks fell off. But with Seunghyun, it was different.
He was hopelessly in love with the alpha he kept meeting at the convenience store. Jiyong would always go out at the same time—usually after a fight or a night of sex where Soohyuk denied him any pleasure—and each time, before heading home, Seunghyun would pay for his groceries and walk him to his building. He was completely smitten with how Seunghyun knelt to tie his shoes, draped warm jackets over his shoulders when it was cold, picked flowers off the street to tuck behind his ear, and constantly praised how beautiful he looked. Seunghyun never hesitated to compliment him—even in front of others—and that made Jiyong's stomach flutter. Luckily, Soohyuk hadn’t noticed the scent of the forest that lingered on Jiyong after every encounter.
Soohyuk had asked about it once. Jiyong lied, saying the breeze from the forest must’ve clung to him. It wasn’t a complete lie. Seunghyun’s protective presence followed him every night. Like now. They walked side by side, Jiyong with a daisy tucked behind his ear, warming himself in the black jacket that belonged to the alpha. Seunghyun’s strong build was so alluring that just looking at him made Jiyong’s body heat up. They stopped at the edge of the building’s rear wall, where you could see both the forest and the sea from the hilltop—before the view disappeared behind the concrete blocks. It was also the entrance to the forest. Jiyong turned to Seunghyun, who lit a cigarette and watched the breathtaking view. Once again, he had paid for Jiyong's groceries. Just like always. Jiyong stood there silently, admiring the carved body of the alpha. Sensing the omega’s stare, Seunghyun met his eyes.
"Ji, if I asked you for something... would you give it to me?"
Feeling the shift in tone, Jiyong blushed. His heart thumped as Seunghyun gently tucked a strand of hair behind his ear—where Hello Kitty earrings hung. He always noticed Jiyong's earrings, bracelets, necklaces. He complimented his clothes too—especially the ones Soohyuk hated. Soohyuk used to say Jiyong looked "too feminine" in the outfits he liked. Seunghyun told him he looked stunning no matter what. How could anyone not fall for someone like that?
"Yes. Of course," Jiyong replied softly.
Seunghyun exhaled smoke away from Jiyong’s face, a small gesture that didn’t go unnoticed. He felt his own body heating up at the thought that had been plaguing him for so long. He was nervous about the omega's reaction, but as his mother always said: you already have the 'no'—go chase the 'yes'. He breathed deeply, humming mentally the lullaby his mother used to sing when he was anxious, and then looked back into Jiyong’s warm, curious eyes.
“Can I ask for a kiss?”
"Tell me when you're lost, and I’ll find you. Lost, I’ll find you."
Jiyong smiled and closed his eyes, heart racing and cheeks burning. But even so, he raised his ring-covered hands to Seunghyun’s neck, lifted himself onto the tips of his toes in those stylish Vans, and pulled the alpha’s nape down to press their lips together. Seunghyun was momentarily surprised but quickly recovered, placing his hands on Jiyong’s narrow waist. The kiss was slow and tender at first, both of them relishing the feeling—until Seunghyun gently tugged at Jiyong’s bottom lip, drawing a soft, whimpering moan from the omega. That moan lit a fire. Their tongues tangled hungrily. Jiyong’s decorated nails scraped down the alpha’s nape as Seunghyun pressed him against the wall, lifting his thick thighs around his waist. Thank the heavens that streetlight was broken, leaving them in the dark. The wet kiss had Jiyong burning.
"You’ve set me on fire..."
When they finally pulled away to breathe, a thin string of saliva still connected their swollen lips. Seunghyun’s eyes were closed as he held Jiyong tightly by the thighs, their foreheads resting together, both panting heavily. Jiyong opened his eyes first—honey-brown irises filled with tenderness and lust. That soft look didn’t go unnoticed by the alpha, who cursed under his breath before attacking those lips again. It was hard to say goodbye after that.
But Seunghyun gave him one last kiss, whispering "see you soon," as Jiyong disappeared into the building. Inside the elevator, Jiyong tried to regulate his breathing. Thankfully, Soohyuk was out of the country for filming in the U.S., so he wouldn’t see the disheveled, tattooed little mess he had become. That night, for the first time, Seunghyun left Jiyong cold in his apartment. He missed the alpha's body heat like hell. No one had ever made him feel like this—not even Soohyuk the first time they were together, which Jiyong had once thought was "magical." Now, he longed for someone who could touch him the way Seunghyun did. Jiyong was the leader’s masterpiece. Seunghyun’s chocolate eyes always looked ablaze after their meetings at that wall. He shielded Jiyong from the world with his strong back and broad shoulders, always holding him against the wall, those thick thighs wrapped around his waist, kissing him like he’d die without it.
It was delicious.
To be honest, Jiyong no longer cared what anyone thought. The opinions of Soohyuk’s handpicked friends didn’t matter. He had once asked one of them—a "friend"—what she thought of a married omega getting involved with another alpha. She, a traditionalist in love with Soohyuk, said it was disgusting and sinful, and that Soohyuk would be disgusted if his husband ever did such a thing. Jiyong sipped his drink and stared at her with sarcasm.
If only she knew she was talking about Soohyuk’s husband.
That thought alone sparked a tiny flame of hope in his chest. He had to show these people that life had so much more to offer outside their archaic traditions. He found himself deep in thought when he met up with Seunghyun again. He told the alpha what had happened, and Seunghyun chuckled under his breath, his canines flashing through his smile—a smile laced with desire, as if itching to mark Jiyong then and there. Seunghyun looked back at the omega sitting on his lap. They were on freshly cut grass, hidden behind a large tree that shielded them from wandering eyes. Not that Seunghyun would’ve cared—but he respected Jiyong’s shyness. The omega straddled his lap, his favorite place in the world, while Seunghyun leaned comfortably against the tree trunk. The alpha brought a calloused hand to Jiyong’s face, and the omega leaned into the touch, closing his eyes as if soaking in the affection.
Then, in a voice thick with want, Seunghyun asked:
"What’s so wrong about having a little fun behind your husband's back, sweetheart?"
It was always like that. Jiyong felt like he could forget the world and all its chains when he was with Seunghyun. He adored the alpha’s surprise visits or when they casually ran into each other in broad daylight on the streets of the neighborhood. Every glance they exchanged was filled with longing. They’d sneak into a nearby restroom—preferably the one at the usual corner store, because at least it was clean—to kiss and touch each other before leaving like nothing happened.
But Jiyong was tired.
Tired of hiding who he truly was. Tired of sneaking around at night just to see an alpha who made him feel alive. Tired of pretending to be the perfect little submissive for Soohyuk, when the man didn’t even care about his pleasure. He was drained from upholding a facade for a world that didn’t care if he was dying inside. And that exhaustion finally reached its limit when he decided to divorce Lee Soohyuk.
Thanks to an incredible lawyer, recommended by Mr. Jung, he managed to do it without even needing Soohyuk’s signature. He only asked his true best friend—Chaerin—to announce the divorce at a press conference. Chaerin, the only one who’d survived Soohyuk’s efforts to erase Jiyong’s inner circle, had remained as his publicist and closest ally. Soohyuk had forced every other friend out of Jiyong’s life, replacing them with his own carefully selected companions.
Of course, Jiyong hated it.
So, after sleepless nights and countless mental breakdowns over Soohyuk’s obsessive control, Jiyong fought hard to keep Chaerin close. She was the one person he trusted, and when he finally told her about Seunghyun, she took the reins. “Let me handle it,” she said, “just sign the papers.” She was one of the guardian angels that saved him. The news sent shockwaves through the media.
Soohyuk found out mid-shoot and completely lost it—throwing a full-blown tantrum on set. He caught the first flight back to Korea, practically ran to their apartment… only to find it almost empty. Jiyong’s beloved plants were gone. The paintings he’d made had vanished. His belongings, erased. Furious, Soohyuk trashed the place before bolting to the end of the famous wall, following the faintest trace of Jiyong’s scent. Only to be met with a massive black wolf circling the omega’s body—protectively—while Jiyong stood, calm and unbothered. Seunghyun, in his beast form, growled low—a warning. "Don’t come near Jiyong."
It was over.
It didn’t take long for Jiyong to adapt to life with Seunghyun’s pack. They were engaged, and the children adored him. Everyone was grateful to Jiyong for “falling from the heavens” to help their leader. The way he cared for the children and supported his partner made him beloved by all. And to Jiyong’s surprise, the homes in the forest were huge. Modern. Cozy. Completely unlike the barbaric image society had painted of ferals. They lived just like city folk—just deeper in the woods, in harmony with nature, with a more grounded culture. Now, Jiyong’s head rested on Seunghyun’s shoulder, the alpha’s arm wrapped tightly around his waist, leaving gentle kisses on his cheek as they watched the children play in a flower-filled clearing. Jiyong smiled dreamily, finally feeling free from the prison of tradition. He had a real man by his side now.
Speaking of which… the wedding had been magnificent.
Daisies everywhere—Jiyong’s favorite. A rustic style. Pure. Beautiful. The exchange of rings had been met with cheers, petals thrown in the air like blessings. The children ran to hug him, the women shook his hand with gratitude for standing with their leader, and even the other alphas bowed in respect. It was a pack built on unity, love, and harmony—Jiyong’s dream finally realized. It didn’t take long for the couple to leave for Seunghyun’s home—a bit farther from the others, at the mountain’s peak. Seunghyun explained that from there, he could oversee the whole pack and respond to any threat before it reached the village. He was the first line of defense. Anyone invading would have to go through him.
The moment Jiyong stepped inside the rustic-modern home, his body was lifted in one swift motion, his thighs instinctively wrapping around the alpha’s waist as he laughed and tugged at Seunghyun’s nape, surprised. His back hit the living room wall, and without wasting time, Seunghyun devoured his mouth with primal hunger. Jiyong’s hands tangled in the alpha’s hair, scratching, while Seunghyun’s hands roamed and scratched his tattooed thighs shamelessly. He was carried to the massive kitchen island, where the cold marble met his bare legs—at some point, his cute white shorts had been ripped off by an overly excited alpha.
“On the kitchen counter, babe?”
Seunghyun growled, turned on by the nickname. He’d been starving for Jiyong—since their first kiss, since the moment Jiyong almost gave in completely but held back because of his wedding ring. That first night, Seunghyun had wanted to mark him, claim him right there against that wall. Now, he had him. Seunghyun smiled, a dark, hungry grin, before grabbing the collar of Jiyong’s soft white shirt and tearing it open, exposing his perked nipples to the cold air. He nipped at the omega’s throat while Jiyong gasped and raked his nails down the alpha’s muscular back, trembling with heat and need. Seunghyun brought his lips close again, brushing them over Jiyong’s swollen ones before whispering:
“On the kitchen, in the bedroom, in the bathroom—I’m going to fuck you so good, sweetheart, you’ll be whining just trying to walk tomorrow.”