The room began to spin around Kael. His legs shook so badly it felt like all his strength had disappeared. His breathing turned uneven, and the air was filled with the sweet, heavy smell of cherry blossoms — his pheromones, out of control.
Before he could steady himself, his knees gave out.
"Kael!" Zayden's voice broke through the haze as he rushed forward, catching Kael before he fell. But the moment Zayden's hand touched him, Kael flinched as if it hurt.
"Don't—!" Kael's voice cracked as he pushed Zayden's hand away. "Please… just go. Don't come close to me, Zayden."
Zayden froze. Hurt flashed across his face, quick but clear enough that even Kael saw it through his blurred vision. Then his expression softened, becoming something real and gentle — something Kael hadn't seen from him in years.
"I would never touch you with bad intentions, Kael," Zayden said quietly, his voice rough. "I only want to help you."
For a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them felt heavy with emotions they couldn't say out loud. Kael's tears slid down his red cheeks as he struggled to breathe properly.
Zayden slowly stepped closer. This time, Kael didn't fight. His weak, trembling body leaned slightly toward Zayden — not out of trust, but because he was too tired to stand. Zayden carefully guided him to the bed, making sure not to touch his skin directly, as if he was scared Kael might break.
When Kael's head touched the pillow, he turned his face away and bit his lip to hold back more tears. Zayden quickly went to the dresser, found the small bottle of suppressants, and placed it next to him.
The cherry-blossom scent grew even stronger. Zayden's alpha instincts pushed hard inside him, telling him to react. His heart raced, his mind blurred. With a tight growl, he bit down on his own hand, the sharp pain and taste of blood helping him stay in control.
"Kael…" he whispered, but Kael didn't respond. His shoulders shook, and his fingers clutched the bedsheets like he was trying not to break apart completely.
Zayden forced himself to step back. One step. Then another. Finally, he turned and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.
The moment the sound faded, Kael buried his face into the pillow, his whole body trembling.
"Just when I was finally ready to forget you…" he whispered, voice shaking. "Why are you making this so hard, Zayden…?"
Outside the room, Zayden leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. His hand was still bleeding from his bite, but he didn't even care. His heart pounded wildly as he muttered to himself, confused and shocked.
"Kael… is an omega?"
The truth hit him hard — sharp, clear, and impossible to push away.
And deep inside him, something he had ignored for years slowly began to wake up.