Episode 10

Saije was more than content with all his new attire.

He had everything tucked away and neatly folded. He possessed so much that he could categorize it quite precisely into Chanel, Gucci, Christian Dior, Versace, and Prada. It was the same with the perfumes he had purchased; they were all organized by brands like Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, Versace, and Paco Rabanne. He preferred sweet scents, so with just a dash, he nearly saturated his room and, in truth, the entire house.

Feeling good, he made his way downstairs to start cooking something. Jaehan had left hours ago, and it was past midday.

His mind was on nothing but making something delicious to eat. He wanted to show a bit of kindness, as Jaehan had been good to him. He intended to demonstrate that he was not all that bad and began preparing food for the both of them. He wasn't sure whether the Alpha preferred sweet or savory. He had a fondness for sweets, particularly cherries, grapes, and blueberries, so he always included them in his diet.

Noticing meat available, he cooked some for Jaehan and for himself, he prepared a red berry cake.

Realizing it was still early, he took his phone to look up a number and dialed it upon finding it. He wanted to fetch some vegetables but didn't want to go alone, so he called Michael, one of the Betas who always patrolled the area.

"Hello, how can I assist?" answered the Beta kindly.

"Can you come over to the house?"

"Certainly, I'm on my way."

"But just you, nobody else," Saije instructed.

"Of course," confirmed the Beta.

He waited at the door since it was bolted from the inside. When it was knocked, he unlatched the lock and opened it to see Michael, his usual amiable self on display.

"Do you need anything?"

"Yes, I'd like you to accompany me there," he stated, pointing towards the greenhouse with his index finger, "I don't wish to go alone."

The Beta didn't quite grasp the request, seeing as it wasn't far and there was no particular obstacle in the path, but he just nodded with a smile because Jaehan had made it clear that he was to keep a close eye on him at all times.

They walked leisurely, while Saije took in the surroundings a bit more. Before reaching the greenhouse, he noticed a small house behind some trees. Uncertain of its purpose, it nonetheless captured his interest. It appeared to be just one room, and he wondered if there might be more neglected structures like the one he had discovered in the house a few days prior.

Michael, observing where Saije's gaze had settled, remarked:

"It was built a long time ago," he mentioned.

"For what purpose?"

"It's used when the boss goes into his heat cycle, the rut."

At that, Saije remembered he didn't have any inhibitors and his own heat was imminent. After a quick mental calculation, he realized that by month's end he would be in estrus, the last thing he wanted was to create trouble for Jaehan.

"Does he...?" he trailed off, contemplating his next question. He knew it wasn't his affair, but the words slipped out anyway: "Does he go through the rut alone?"

Michael wasn't privy to such details, yet he'd never observed any Omegas around the premises. He knew once Jaehan had been with someone, but that was the extent of his knowledge.

"I've never seen anyone around. He probably always endures it alone, but with you here, I believe that might change."

Saije swallowed hard and averted his gaze before starting into the greenhouse. Michael could sense the shift in Saije's demeanor but said nothing. He understood his place in these matters, knowing he should speak only when absolutely necessary, although he often preferred silence to avoid speaking too loosely.

Within the greenhouse, Saije admired the large green lettuces and ripe red tomatoes, though not knowing how they were to be harvested or picked.

"How does one harvest the lettuce?" he inquired of Michael.

"Well, it seems they should be cut with a knife."

They both glanced around, trying to locate such a blade, but to no avail. Uncertain who was more lost in the task, Saije finally spotted one embedded in the wall.

"There's one!"

It was high up, and Michael volunteered to retrieve it.

"I'll do it," said the Beta, pausing briefly as his earpiece crackled with a request for his location, to which he responded by touching his ear: "I'm with the boss's spouse in the greenhouse, I'll be back to my position shortly."

Saije watched as Michael adeptly grabbed the knife. Clearly, while he might not know about lettuce harvesting, he was quite skilled with a blade. Upon securing the lettuce, he handed it over to Saije, who grinned with joy at receiving the largest one.

"I'll also take some tomatoes," Saije added, though Michael was preoccupied with his radio and didn't quite hear him.

"Alright, I'll wait here," Michael gestured.

"Who's coming?" Saije asked, selecting some glossy red tomatoes.

"It's just Rex."

"What? No, I only asked for you. I don't want him coming here," Saije protested, rising to his feet.

"Why not? He's just checking on us."

Saije didn't buy it for a second. Speeding up, he clutched the five tomatoes and Michael held the lettuce as they headed back to the house. Saije seemed almost desperate and that became apparent when they halted, confronted by the other Alpha. The two guards conversed briefly, and while the Beta answered inquiries, the Alpha's eyes remained fixed on Saije.

"Fine, I'll head over shortly."

"Go now, I'll escort him home," Rex ordered.

The Beta attempted to hand the vegetable to the Alpha, obliged to follow commands, until he heard Saije's retort.

"No, I called him for assistance, so he's escorting me home. Let's go or I'll report to your boss your insubordination."

Faced with that, the Beta simply adhered, knowing that while Rex might issue orders, it was Jaehan who employed and paid him. They tread carefully, finally stopping at the door.

"Come in, place the lettuce here," Saije directed.

Michael peeked inside, setting foot in the house for the first time. He wiped his feet thoroughly and stepped in hesitantly.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink? I've prepared too much for just two people."

Seeing what was on offer and the tantalizing aromas, Michael's hunger surged, not scheduled for a meal just yet. He imagined having someone to come home to, with a meal waiting but had no one as of now.

"You can take some if you like."

"No, thank you. It's for your spouse."

"That idiot... I mean, he won't mind," Saije amended with a smile.

Hesitant at first, Michael eventually helped himself to some strawberry pancakes that rejuvenated him; Saije's cooking rivaled that of a professional chef. He indulged and didn't realize he had seated himself until it was too late.

Saije busied himself washing the vegetables meticulously to ensure cleanliness for salad preparation.

"Your cooking is exceptional," Michael voiced.

"Thank you, but feel free to call me Saije."

"No, the boss might disapprove," murmured Michael, slightly wary.

"Don't worry, it's fine, really."

He observed Saije efficiently slicing tomatoes.

"Won't you join me for a meal?" Saije asked, plating some rice for himself. He wasn't partial to meat, so he'd only prepared a little for Jaehan.

Michael was at a loss for words when the door flung open. He halted midway with a forkful of food as his eyes turned to see Jaehan enter.

The Alpha observed the scene, noting how comfortable they appeared, with Saije almost serving Michael like royalty, while he had nearly been poisoned. Jaehan's grip on the door handle tightened, nearly creaking, and Michael noticed his darkening gaze. He stood awkwardly, hastily swallowing his food.

"Boss, good afternoon," Michael greeted.

"What are you doing at my table?" Jaehan demanded.

The Beta sensed his imminent dismissal.

"I invited him," Saije chimed in.

"And who gave you permission?" Jaehan interrogated. "Who told you could bring anyone you want into my house? It seems you still haven't grasped who's in charge here."

Saije watched, taken aback by the change in tone. He was unsure of what to say and began to feel incensed, having cooked to express gratitude, only for Jaehan to return with such hostility.

"Hey..."

"If you think you can let anyone in my house, then you clearly haven't learned a thing," Jaehan seethed, shooting a pointed glare at the Beta, saying, "Get out and remember, next time you step foot in here without permission, you're fired."

"What are you doing?!"

"And you, get to your damned room now!" Jaehan bellowed.

Saije recoiled, as this was the first time he'd been yelled at and didn't know what to do. He watched Michael leave and the door shut behind him.

"If you yell at me again—"

"If you leave, do it willingly," Jaehan bellowed, his anger spewing pheromones that caused the Omega to stagger back, dizzy and filled with fear, "or it'll be the hard way!"

The sheer volume of pheromones left Saije defenseless. Tripping over his feet, he fell, letting out a pained cry. It was as if a furious dragon were before him, bellowing and spitting fire endlessly. His whole body quaked; he felt diminutive and vulnerable.

"I have been patient with you, but my tolerance has run out. One more lurid trick or smart move from you, and the consequences will be a thousand times worse."

Jaehan stormed off, disregarding Saije's state. The Omega remained on the floor, quivering as tears streamed down his cheeks. Jaehan's pheromones were so terrifying that Saije dared not even raise his eyes for fear of what might happen.

It took minutes for him to stand, his body weakened, and he shut himself in his room to weep. He regretted every attempt at cordiality.

Never before had he encountered such frightening pheromones as Jaehan's, their power enough to subdue any Alpha with the slightest effort. The sensation was pure dread that only Jaehan commanded, and no one else.

What he'd witnessed was an Alpha who until then had seemed temperate; Saije realized he had finally fully met him.

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