Episode 1

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Noah felt the stabbing pain in his stomach, and a part of his mind went into shock, unable to understand what was happening. The burning sensation worsened when the man backed away in fear, as in his carelessness, he had pulled out the knife, causing the deep cut to widen. He felt the world stop and everything lose its meaning.

Clenching his jaw, he steeled his courage and looked down at the wound. He wanted to laugh when he saw the hot blood gushing down his belly, soaking his expensive designer clothes. It was a shame that the pain caused his face to contort into ugly grimaces and he couldn't smile.

At that same moment, the scent of roses filled the place. Any alpha could be tempted if they smelled that pheromone on a normal day, but now the essence of roses was accompanied by the intense metallic smell of blood. No living being would be attracted to such an intense smell of death.

Noah, unable to hold on for another second, collapsed to the ground. But he didn't hit it, for strong arms caught him before he did. Checking, he realized that somehow, he had fallen on top of a man.

Surprised, he glanced to the side. A strong jawline entered his vision. He lifted his head and found himself facing the most attractive face he had ever seen in his life, and twenty-seven years was not such a short life. Almost hypnotized, he studied the long hair, gathered in a casual ponytail; the defined, linear features; even the intense aroma of liquor enveloped him, almost completely obscuring his bloody scent. Without thinking, he reached out and uninhibitedly touched the other man's thick eyebrows. After running his hand over them, he noticed that he had left a slight trace of blood.

"I'm sorry Jerome, I've gotten you dirty," he apologized.

The man didn't answer, just tried to put pressure on his wound. It was a shame that despite his efforts, Noah didn't stop feeling the blood running down his belly. With each drop that flowed, a second of life escaped him.

"Don't worry, it doesn't hurt as much as it looks," he stammered. The truth was, he was lying, this could easily make it into his top five most painful things and occupy one of the top spots, but he had never seen Jerome with such a heavy aura since they met, not even when he had been so bold with the other; and he was a little scared that he was acting that way. He wanted the alpha to remain the same indifferent character he always was. For at least in that indifference, there was something familiar.

At that moment, his gaze met Jerome's. For the first time, the black eyes seemed to be looking at him. At him. Only him. His soul couldn't help but tremble despite himself.

Besides, he noticed that this was the first time the alpha had hugged him in their four years of marriage. Noah had the urge to pull away, knowing how unpleasant his touch was to the man, but the latter prevented him from doing so.

"Even...the great Jerome has moments..." he muttered with a weak smile, which only made the man's gaze devour him. Whenever that happened, he used to shut up. But this time, perhaps it was his last day alive, he deserved to speak up and complain a little more. "...Where he feels moved...I can hardly believe it...are you sure you're my husband?"

"Just shut up," the man said hoarsely as he tried to stop the bleeding. For this, he had let Noah lean against the hard wall, and he, despite the impediment of his legs, dragged himself across the floor and positioned himself in a way that made it easier to put pressure on the bleeding wound and try to make a tourniquet with his black shirt.

Noah allowed himself to see the other without any restrictions for the first time in a long time. The alpha had always loved his clean, neat appearance, almost to the point of misophobia, but now his clothes were stained with dirt, sweat, and a few spots of his own blood.

Seeing him trying so hard to stop the bleeding, Noah was touched; although he knew it wasn't for himself, but for the one who had stabbed him. For that omega, the proud and stoic Jerome, had even crawled down the dirt hallway, losing his usual composure.

His heart ached, but he was used to that kind of dull pain.

"I thought the mighty Jerome hated getting into pointless fights."

That being the case, Noah couldn't figure out why Jerome was trying to save him, and not continuing to crawl over to the other omega, who still had the bloody knife in his hands and was crying in a corner, looking as pitiful as if he was the one who had been stabbed.

"Don't worry. Even if I die, the Balleros won't do anything to your omega. You know I'm not their biological son. They don't care what happens to me. They were even the ones who arranged all of this."

Long ago, Noah had lost the desire to be loved by Victor, or his family, much less Jerome, and had resigned himself to his fate, so it was no problem for him to say such harsh words. He might be married to the man, but they were as close to falling in love with each other as heaven was to hell.

Noah knew that, boy did he know that...but there was the alpha, giving him that kind of look. A discomfort arose in his heart and complaints choked him. Although he wanted to cry, he gritted his teeth and forced a smile.

"You won't have to pretend anymore, Jerome. You'll finally be rid of me," the omega said with some cynicism as he looked away.

"You're giving up that easily? Why didn't I ever know you were such a coward?" the alpha snapped. Noah wanted to pull away, but he couldn't.

"It's just that you've never really known me," he whispered, bearing the intense pain in his belly. Cold sweat ran down his forehead, and the heat was leaving his body by the second.

His vision was turning black and his consciousness was fading. The icy breath of death whispered at the back of his neck.

Jerome seemed to realize his predicament, and had no choice but to stop his futile efforts to save his life. The overwhelming truth that nothing he could do would make a difference shattered him in a way he never imagined.

All his life, he had felt like someone capable of facing every challenge that came his way, so when he lost the mobility of his legs because of his own pride, he did not complain and moved on. That was nothing to the powerful son of the Barloventos. Only now did he understand his smallness and powerlessness in not getting the desired results from his efforts.

Almost in a trance, he took Noah back into his arms and held him to his chest.

An alpha and an omega. It almost seemed like there was no one else in the dusty place.

"Why did you do it?" he asked hoarsely. "Why did you intervene?" Noah managed to listen and tried to answer.

"...Because..."

As soon as the words left his bloodied lips, Jerome's eyes flew open in astonishment. Unconsciously, he tightened his embrace, but the body in his arms was no longer giving off any heat. Noah's body was inert, lifeless.

Thus, precisely on the day of their fourth wedding anniversary, Noah Ballestero died in the arms of Jerome Barlovento.

It was almost a cruel twist of fate that five minutes after Noah's breathing had ceased, the police arrived to rescue them, along with his private security team.

Jerome looked down and saw the terrifyingly pale face of the person he had never accepted. The same one who had given his life in the last second and rescued him.

Yes... This omega was his husband. And he had died in his arms. Perhaps this was the destiny that heaven had in store for corrupt people like him.

So he didn't cry. He didn't allow himself to.

...

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