"YAH, Cho Euntak. I understand that you’re a late bloomer. But the fact that you can barely smell pheromones is worrying. I’ve already contacted my doctor, so make sure your schedule tomorrow is clear. I’m bringing you to Dr. Seong Kyungmin."

Haaah.

Cho Euntak had just been discharged from the hospital.

The person who picked him up was Baek Jeho, of course.

But, as soon as they got in the car, his childhood friend started nagging at him.

"Plus, how could you get beaten by another Alpha’s pheromones?" Baek Jeho continued scolding Cho Euntak. "That tattooed bastard isn’t even a Dominant Alpha— he’s just average. And, yet, his pheromones are enough to knock you out?"

"Yah, Baek Jeho. I’m a Recessive Alpha, remember?" Cho Euntak reminded his friend. "I’m weaker than average Alphas. I think I’m closer to a Beta than an Alpha."

"That’s all in your head. You have strong pheromones— you just don’t know how to use them."

"It’s strange for me. I’ve lived almost twenty years of my life as a Beta. Do you expect me to suddenly know how to use my pheromones to attack other Alphas?"

"No, that’s why we’re going to consult an expert. Fighting with your pheromones is an important life skill. You have to learn it. Alphas often get into a fight with each other, after all."

"Can’t I just call the police if ever I find myself in trouble?"

"Well, what if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t ask for help? You need to learn how to protect yourself, Cho Euntak. Plus, as an Alpha, you should be able to protect your future Omega."

"My future what?"

"Well, you’re an Alpha. So, the chances of you ending up with an Omega are high."

"The idea that only an Alpha and Omega belong together is so outdated, Baek Jeho."

Baek Jeho flinched. "I know. I’m sorry. Of course, you can also be with a Beta."

"Why is the choice for an Alpha is only between an Omega and a Beta?" Cho Euntak asked, frustrated. "Two Alphas can be together, too."

"Just like your classmate and his violent lover?" Baek Jeho sighed while shaking his head. "Cho Euntak, there’s a reason why a relationship between two Alphas is frowned upon."

"That mindset is annoying, Baek Jeho," Cho Euntak said, clenching his hands. "What does your Secondary Gender have to do with love? You can fall for anyone, regardless of their Secondary Gender. Who cares about what society thinks? It’s not like it’s a crime to fall in love with someone with the same Secondary Gender."

"You really have a strong opinion about this case, huh? Cho Euntak, are you in love with an Alpha?"

"What?"

"Come to think of it, you got mad at my high school friends before because they made fun of the Alpha who confessed to me. And now you’re upset because I criticized your Alpha classmate’s relationship with another Alpha."

Aigoo.

Baek Jeho was usually slow, so it was surprising when his childhood friend suddenly caught on.

No, maybe it’s about time Baek Jeho finds out.

"Cho Euntak, who is it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Who’s the Alpha you’re in love with?"

"Excuse me?"

"As your friend, I won’t stop you from dating a fellow Alpha," Baek Jeho said, frowning and glaring at the road as if he were looking at an unseen enemy or something. "But I need to meet that person first and see if he’s good for you or not."

Aigoo.

Cho Euntak couldn’t do anything but let out a frustrated sigh.

This unrequited love of mine is really hopeless.

***

"EUNTAK-AH."

Oh?

Cho Euntak was pretty surprised when Choi Seungmin showed up at class that day.

The two of them were the first ones to arrive since their class wouldn’t start in half an hour.

"You’re already here? I woke up early and had nothing else to do at home, so I’m here now," Cho Euntak said, making small talk. But he was actually observing Choi Seungmin’s face. As expected, his face was still looking bad. "Hey, are you alright?"

"I already broke up with that hyung. For real, this time."

"Oh."

"And I’m taking a leave of absence."

Cho Euntak’s eyes widened in shock. "But why... oh. I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me."

"No, it’s alright. You helped me, so you have the right to know," Choi Seungmin said, smiling. "I need money to pay back my debt to that hyung. And, luckily, I got a new job that pays well. But in the countryside, so I need to move."

"Seungmin-ah, will you be fine?"

"Of course. Don’t worry too much, Euntak-ah. Plus, I’m planning to return. I just need this break."

"Then promise me you’ll keep in touch."

"Are you sure you want to keep in touch with me, after knowing what kind of person I associate myself with?"

"I don’t care about that person," Cho Euntak said. "You’re my friend, Seungmin-ah."

Choi Seungmin smiled, and then he suddenly teased him. "Was that the person you’re in love with? The Alpha who saved you that night?"

"Yes. But he thinks Alphas shouldn’t be together."

"Aigoo. You really need a friend like me," Choi Seungmin said, wrapping an arm around Cho Euntak’s shoulders. "If you need advice on how to seduce a fellow Alpha, just let me know."

"That’s not the only problem I have," Cho Euntak said, sighing. "Baek Jeho prefers women over men."

***

IN JUST a few months, Cho Euntak’s life changed drastically.

First Baek Jeho got himself a girlfriend.

A beautiful female Omega, at that.

After that heartbreak, he was forced to confess to his childhood friend.

He still remembered that embarrassing moment...

"Yes, none of this was your fault. It was me who misunderstood," Cho Euntak said in a cracked voice. He didn’t want to cry, but he couldn’t stop his tears from falling. "But now that you know that I’m in love with you, can you please stop clinging to me?"

"Cha Euntak..."

"I can’t be your best friend anymore."

"Let’s talk again once you’ve calmed down," Baek Jeho said softly, offering a handkerchief to Cho Euntak. "You’re just confused, Euntak-ah."

Haaah.

Even until the end, Baek Jeho refuses to acknowledge my feelings.

That hurt even more.

"I’m not confused, Baek Jeho," Cho Euntak said, smiling bitterly— refusing to accept the handkerchief that Baek Jeho offered. "I’m in love with you, so this friendship is over."

Cho Euntak wanted to forget that moment, so here he was now: an Alpha bar.

It was a bar meant for Alphas who were looking for another Alpha as a partner.

"Let’s do this," Cho Euntak whispered to himself. "A new love is what I need right now."

***

Please ADD <MARRIED FOR NOW> to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :>