L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 106

Ashley didn’t immediately understand what he’d just heard.

Gasping for breath, his chest heaving, he finally managed to lift his head—only to lock eyes with the secretary looming above him. Her expression was as cold as ever as she spoke.

“You remember getting a blood test, right?”

All Ashley could do was pant, listening. The secretary continued.

“Your pheromones have accumulated to dangerous levels. You’ve never properly dealt with them, have you? Of course you're going into rut.”

“Then, this... what the hell...”

His mind was spinning. The air was thick with pheromones, some similar to his own but laced with unfamiliar scents that made it impossible to think straight. That unfamiliar scent in particular was unbearable. His chest felt like it was burning, his lower abdomen throbbed. Gasping again and again, Ashley barely managed to speak.

“It’s a pheromone party. For extreme alphas.”

At first, he didn’t even understand what that meant. As Ashley just stared at her, the secretary went on.

“I’ll relay Mr. Miller’s message.”

Ashley stared blankly at her slowly moving lips. Like a slow-motion reel, her red lips parted.

“Junior.”

Junior.

The man’s cold voice echoed in his ears. The secretary, her tone rigid, continued speaking.

“Drain all the built-up pheromones.”

He had smiled at Ashley when he said that. With the acrid scent of cigars came an unbearably sweet aroma that hit his nose.

A New Year’s gift.

“Bullshit... Don’t give me that crap.”

Ashley cursed and tried to walk away. But the moment he pushed himself up with all his strength, his body gave out, and he collapsed again. Two guards standing in the hallway approached, one to each side. As they stood ready to restrain him if needed, the secretary spoke again.

“You know how extreme alphas’ pheromones affect the brain, right? And what happens when they accumulate. That’s why this event exists—regularly, to help release them in advance.”

She was clearly speaking, but Ashley couldn’t understand a word. Pheromones? What? His face was blank with confusion, but the secretary had already expected that. She kept going, sticking to her script.

“There are a few ways to release pheromones, but nothing more effective or reliable than this—sex.”

She deliberately glanced around the hall. Ashley, as if in a trance, followed her gaze. The secretary looked toward the entangled mass of people and continued.

“There are plenty of omegas, so go take care of it. That’s what this gathering is for. Don’t worry, Mr. Miller. Soon enough, you won’t be able to think straight because of the pheromones. Your body will move on instinct.”

Panting. Ashley couldn’t do anything but pant. She kept talking, but none of it was making sense. Every breath filled his lungs with that maddeningly strong scent, driving him to the edge. Looking down at him, the secretary added casually,

“There’s even an extreme omega here. You know how rare those are, don’t you? Make good use of the opportunity.”

“Wait, I...”

Ashley tried to reach out for her, desperate. But his body was limp—he couldn’t even lift a hand. All he could do was fight to stay conscious. The secretary looked down at him one last time and added,

“I hope you enjoy yourself.”

She turned /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ and walked away. As if that were the signal, the guards grabbed Ashley from both sides and shoved him into the hall.

“No...!”

Ashley screamed, but the door shut tight. And he was left inside, surrounded by the overpowering scent of pheromones.

*

“Mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm-mmm~”

Koi hummed as he cheerfully cleaned. The new year was just around the corner. He’d told his father that he wouldn’t be home because of a part-time job. His dad clearly didn’t like it, but didn’t bother pushing the issue.

If only things could stay like this forever.

Koi thought to himself as he smacked the cushions to shake out the dust. Everything was peaceful. His part-time income had gone up, and his college entrance prep was going smoothly. He was having the most satisfying days of his life. Except for one thing.

Ash wasn’t here.

As soon as the thought hit, his excitement deflated like a popped balloon. He had lied to his father, waiting at the estate just in case Ash showed up today—but of course, that hope was foolish.

You said you’d come after New Year’s, idiot.

He’d even talked to Ash on the phone, so expecting otherwise was just pathetic. Once he stopped moving, the massive estate fell into an eerie silence. It was his first time being here alone at a time like this, and it felt... strange.

So this place really is this quiet, huh?

Thinking about how he used to leave Ashley here alone made his chest ache. Ash had always been alone here.

He must have been so lonely...

The ache in his chest deepened, and Koi let out a sigh. Still, it was probably better now—Ash was with his family. Ashley never had good things to say about them, but it had to be better than being alone here. Sure, if he’d stayed, they could have spent Christmas and New Year’s together... but all the other days, he’d have been alone.

At least over there, he’s with someone every day...

On the other hand, Koi had been completely alone since Ash left. He still kept in touch with the hockey team guys and the cheer squad girls, but they always spent the holidays with their families. So Koi had no choice but to spend his time alone.

Ash and I are the same...

Realizing that only made him feel lonelier. Eventually, he whispered softly under his breath.

“I miss you, Ash.”

The sound of his own voice startled him, and he quickly shut his mouth. That was when his phone suddenly rang loudly.

Startled, he fumbled to pick it up. His eyes widened.

“Ash?”

*

Hearing that beloved voice shout with such joy, Ashley shut his eyes.

He couldn’t think straight—his ragged breaths were part of it, but not the whole reason.

He’d gone into rut from being exposed to omega pheromones while already overloaded with his own. His stomach burned, his breathing was erratic, and he couldn’t think clearly. Crouched in a cramped space, he gasped and finally managed to speak.

“Koi.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Just whispering the name made Koi light up on the other end.

– Ash! What happened? Did you call to say Happy New Year?

...What?

Ashley pulled the phone away from his ear to check the time. Koi’s voice came again.

– You must be exhausted. Did you time this for me? It’s 3 a.m. over there, isn’t it?

Ahh... Finally understanding, Ashley caught his breath and replied.

“Yeah... you’re right.”

He murmured between shaky breaths.

“Happy New Year, Koi.”

– Happy New Year.

Koi’s voice was full of joy. Hearing it made Ashley feel happy, too. His mind was soaked in pheromones and screaming for release, but more than anything, he wanted to hear Koi’s voice.

“...I’m glad... you’re not here.”

– Huh?

Koi asked in confusion, clearly unsure if he’d heard correctly. Ashley wanted to smile, but he didn’t have the strength.

“I bought a ring, Koi.”

His voice was barely audible between gasps. Koi asked hesitantly,

– A ring?

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“Yeah.”

Haaah... His trembling breath made the mic buzz.

“My last proposal... was a total mess, wasn’t it?”

Through his haze, Ashley tried to remember. When was that again? It felt so long ago. Had it really been that long?

“This time, when I see you... I was going to kneel and do it properly.”

– Ash...?

Koi said his name, hesitating. At this point, even someone dense would realize something was wrong. Koi was clearly getting worried. He wanted to ask what was happening, but Ashley spoke first.

“Koi.”

– Yeah?

The reply came quickly. Ashley took another shaky breath and said,

“Marry me, Koi.”

His voice trembled uncontrollably. Koi, swallowing hard at the sound of Ashley’s broken breath, replied.

– Yeah.

“...I love you, Koi.”

– I love you, too.

Koi spoke with conviction.

– No—I love you, Ashley Miller.

Finally, Ashley let out a weak chuckle. Koi couldn’t hold it in anymore—he was about to ask what was going on, but Ashley ended the call before he could.

He couldn’t take it any longer.

Haaah, haaah.

Staggering, Ashley forced himself upright. He reached out blindly, hands searching until they found the toilet. He leaned over and vomited into it.

About thirty minutes later, the secretary found him unconscious, crumpled in a filthy stall in the bathroom of an abandoned gas station in the middle of nowhere.