Chapter 4: Unwanted Warmth

As Taehyung closed the door behind him, he leaned against it, his chest tightening.

What should I do…? he thought. Why is he taking me for dinner all of a sudden…?

He sighed and slowly walked toward his closet. Picking out a simple yet elegant outfit, he changed quietly, brushing his hair in front of the mirror before heading down the stairs. When he reached the study room, he gently knocked on the door.

His father’s voice came from inside. “Come in, son.”

Taehyung pushed the door open and stepped in—and for the first time, he saw Bogum.

“Hello…” Taehyung said softly, eyes quickly observing the tall alpha sitting with his father.

Bogum stood up and gave him a smirk, his eyes trailing slowly from Taehyung’s face down to his toes.

“You look beautiful,” Bogum said, his voice calm but laced with something unreadable.

Taehyung glanced up, meeting his eyes briefly. “Thank you…” he whispered, forcing a small polite smile.

Johan smiled warmly. “Go now—and be good to each other.”

“Yes, Dad,” Taehyung replied.

“Yes, Uncle,” Bogum said with a respectful nod.

But Johan stopped him gently. “You can call me Dad, Bogum.”

Bogum gave a small nod. “Alright… Dad.”

Then they left the study. Bogum led Taehyung outside, where a sleek black car was waiting. As they approached, Bogum walked ahead, opening the passenger door for him.

“Sit carefully,” he said, voice soft but commanding.

Taehyung nodded, sliding into the seat. Bogum closed the door behind him, then got in on the driver’s side and started the car.

They drove in silence, the city lights flickering past until they reached the coast. When they arrived, Taehyung’s eyes widened in surprise.

A beautiful dinner setup waited for them by the sea—soft lighting, white flowers, a gentle breeze blowing through silk curtains surrounding the small private table.

Taehyung stood still, unsure what to say.

Without a word, Bogum reached for his hand and held it gently.

Taehyung tensed but allowed himself to be led toward the dinner table.

They ate together in silence, though Bogum’s eyes kept drifting toward Taehyung, watching his every move. Taehyung, meanwhile, kept his eyes on the plate, nervous and unsure what to say or do.

When dinner ended, Bogum suddenly spoke.

“So… do you want to dance with me?”

Taehyung’s eyes widened. “Dance…?”

His heart raced. I can’t reject him. I can’t disappoint Dad… not after everything Bogum is doing to pay our debts.

He forced a weak smile. “Yes… why not?”

Bogum stepped closer, gently taking Taehyung’s wrist and then placing a hand around his waist. He pulled him close—too close.

Their bodies aligned as the soft music played in the background, and they began to sway. Taehyung could feel Bogum’s breath near his ear, his grip firm but not aggressive.

Then… something changed.

Bogum released his pheromones.

Taehyung’s body reacted instantly—his omega instincts overwhelmed by the scent. He became dizzy, his stomach twisting, his skin crawling.

He pulled back slightly, struggling to breathe. “I… I’m not feeling well. Can we go home now?”

Bogum looked at him, eyes narrowing slightly, but then nodded.

“Oh… okay. No problem.”

The drive home was quiet. When they reached the house, Taehyung opened the car door quickly, stepping out.

Bogum leaned slightly out of his window and said in a low tone, “You’ll have to be prepared to take my pheromones after the marriage.”

Taehyung froze and looked at him, eyes wide.

“I… I can,” he said softly, then turned and walked away, hiding his clenched fists and trembling lips.

Once inside, he rushed to his room and locked the door.

His breath came in fast, shallow gasps.

He ran into the washroom.

And vomited.

Holding the sink, he whispered, “I can’t take his pheromones… I can’t…”

Tears streamed down his face.

He turned the shower on, peeled off his clothes, and stepped under the cold water. It ran down his body as he scrubbed at his skin roughly, again and again, trying to erase the scent, the feeling, the memory.

“I can’t take this anymore,” he cried, shaking under the water. “Why… why do I always face bad things in my life? Why…?”

After what felt like forever, he turned the water off and dried himself slowly. Dressed in fresh clothes, he walked to his bed, body and heart exhausted.

He sat down and hugged his teddy bear tightly to his chest.

The whole night played like a movie in his mind—the dinner, the dance, the pheromones, the pressure.

He bit his lip hard.

And then…

The tears came again.

He cried, hugging the teddy even tighter.

“Why… can’t I be loved… just once?”

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