Eric reached the third floor with determined strides, his polished shoes echoing against the wooden steps.
To enter the third floor, one must pass through the main door, which requires a password to open. Eric approached the main door and, with ease, typed in the password. A faint click sounded, and the heavy door unlocked with a quiet hiss.
There was a faint scent in the air. Eric goes directly to Rin's room and pushes open the door.
The moment the door opened, a wave of scent rushed out, thick and cloying. Even as a beta, Eric's nose wrinkled at the intensity of it—sweet yet sharp, heavy with desire and suffering.
Pheromones. So much of it.
If even he could smell it so strongly, he dreaded to think what the alphas downstairs would do if they caught a whiff.
Inside the room, Rin lay slumped on the bed, sheets twisted around him, sweat clinging to his pale skin. His breathing was uneven, chest rising and falling too quickly. His normally sharp eyes were glazed with heat.
He was curled up, trying to ease the discomfort in his stomach.
Eric crossed the room swiftly, dropping his briefcase on the bedside table. "Rin," he said firmly, kneeling beside him. "How are you holding up?"
Rin's lips parted, voice raw and shaky. "...It hurts. So much." His body trembled, hands gripping the sheets so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Eric's jaw tightened, but he didn't waste time. "Bear with it for just a moment." He pulled out a fresh syringe from his case, flicked it expertly, and without hesitation pressed it on Rin's neck, right where the gland pulsed beneath fragile skin.
Rin hissed faintly at the prick of the needle, but within moments the medication began to dull the sharpest edges of his agony. His breathing slowed, though his body was still tense.
"How does it feel now?" Eric asked, watching him closely.
Rin swallowed hard, his voice steadier than before. "...It's bearable now. But... It's still there."
Eric let out a slow breath, shoulders easing slightly. "Good. Bearable is better than unbearable." He dug through his case again, pulling out a small vial. After attaching it to a second injector, he pressed it gently to Rin's arm. "This is a diluted pheromone serum. From one of my patients—an alpha who agreed to donate. It should help stabilize you."
The serum spread through Rin's bloodstream, and a faint sigh escaped his lips as the torment settled to a duller throb. Eric watched carefully, tension in his posture relaxing only when Rin's grip on the sheets loosened.
"I'm glad it worked," Eric said, almost to himself. Then, his tone shifted, firmer, more clinical. "It's fortunate the third floor has complete pheromone separation barriers. If not, the entire house would know you're in heat." His eyes darkened. "They would know you're an omega."
Rin closed his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "I didn't expect this. Suppressants were supposed to be enough. My heat... it came early."
Eric snapped the injector case shut with a sharp click, his expression hard. "Of course, they didn't work. Did you really think you could keep pushing your body like this forever?" His voice rose, scolding now. "Everything has a limit, Rin. And you've crossed it—again and again. You rely on suppressants too frequently. Your body is fighting back now. It's rejecting them. That's why the injections failed."
Rin turned his head slightly. "So what am I supposed to do? You know I can't let anyone know that I'm an Omega."
Eric's gaze softened, but his tone stayed firm. "I know, but you also can't go on like this. Your body can't handle any more damage, Rin. Do you hear me? If you keep forcing suppressants into your system, you'll destroy yourself from the inside out."
The silence stretched for a beat before Eric continued, gentler this time, "You need a full check-up. Come with me to the hospital. We'll conduct detailed tests to assess the extent of the damage and determine the next steps. I won't let you keep breaking yourself like this."
Rin's hand tightened weakly around the edge of his blanket. His lips parted, but no words came out—only the faint sound of his uneven breathing.
Eric sat quietly for a moment, observing Rin's slowed breathing, the faint tension still visible in his jaw despite the suppressants and pheromone serum easing him. Finally, he broke the silence.
"The ones downstairs," Eric said, his voice low, "those were Wolf Marks, weren't they?"
Rin opened his eyes. "Yes. We discover that Ash Fang's going to hold an auction. I invite them to discuss the details. But I didn't know this would happen."
Eric's lips curled in disgust at the mention of Ash Fang. "Tch. Damn bastards." He muttered a curse under his breath, shaking his head before refocusing on Rin.
Rin exhaled slowly and pushed against the mattress, trying to sit up. His movements were unsteady, his body still heavy from the heat. When he finally managed to stand, his knees buckled, and he wobbled dangerously.
"Rin!" Eric caught him instantly, an arm wrapping firmly around his waist before he could hit the ground.
" Where do you think you're going?"
Rin leaned against him, breathing unevenly, and muttered, "...I just want to take a shower." He really needs to take a shower; his whole body smells, and it's all sticky because of the sweat, especially the wetness between his thighs. It's uncomfortable.
Eric's expression softened, though his voice stayed practical. "You're in no condition to be moving around. Wait here—I'll run a bath."
Rin hesitated but finally nodded, sinking back onto the bed.
A few minutes later, Eric returned. "It's ready." Without giving Rin much chance to argue, he slipped an arm beneath Rin's knees and another around his back, lifting him smoothly.
Rin's eyes widened. "I can walk," he protested weakly.
Eric shot him a sharp look. "With those wobbling legs that can't even hold you up straight? Don't kid yourself."
Rin bit back a retort and turned his face away, lips pressed tight. He didn't argue further.
In the bathroom, Eric set him down carefully by the edge of the tub. The warm water steamed gently. He crouched down, helping Rin tug off his sweat-soaked clothes, movements efficient but not unkind.
Rin lowered himself into the water with a soft sigh, the heat soothing the lingering ache in his muscles. His body slowly uncoiled, tension draining into the bathwater.
Eric straightened, wiping his hands with a towel. "I'll be in the room. Call me when you're finished."
Rin glanced at him briefly and gave a small nod. "...Alright."
Eric paused at the door, then deliberately left it half-open before stepping out.
Rin leaned back, letting the water lap over his shoulders, finally allowing himself to breathe without the constant burn in his veins. The weight of heat dulled, just enough for his mind to clear.
Time slipped by, and eventually Rin's quiet voice carried out of the bathroom. "...Eric."
Almost instantly, Eric was there again, stepping inside and offering his hand. Rin let himself be pulled up, the warmth of the bath still clinging to his skin. Eric wrapped a towel around him before lifting him once more.
Back in the bedroom, Eric set him gently on the bed and retrieved the fresh clothes he had laid out earlier. "Arms up," he instructed simply.
Rin obeyed without protest this time, letting Eric guide his arms through the sleeves, then pull the soft fabric into place.
When Rin was finally dressed and settled back against the pillows, Eric exhaled quietly. "Better."
Rin leaned back against the pillows, freshly dressed, his damp hair clinging slightly to his temple. For a moment, he simply breathed, but then his sharp voice cut through the quiet.
"We shouldn't let the guests wait any longer."
Eric, who had been watching him closely, raised an eyebrow. "Guests, huh? Do you even think you can walk down there on your own, or should I just carry you?"
Rin turned his head sharply, narrowing his eyes in a glare. "I can walk."
"Uh-huh." Eric didn't look convinced.
Rin pushed himself up from the bed and stood. For a few moments, he managed to hold his weight—but then his knees gave a faint tremor, and his balance wavered.
Eric, already standing at his side, caught him smoothly before he could stumble. His tone held no mockery this time, only quiet firmness. "Stop being stubborn. Just lean on me."
Rin clenched his jaw but didn't argue. He allowed Eric's arm to circle firmly around his waist, steadying him as they moved toward the door. Rin's pace faltered slightly, and Eric immediately tightened his grip on his waist and held Rin's hand with his other hand.
By the time they reached the staircase, Rin's pale face and Eric's unyielding support painted a picture that didn't escape notice.
The low hum of voices in the lounge died instantly. Every pair of eyes turned to them—Rin descending carefully with Eric at his side, Eric's hand firm at his waist, their joined hands obvious for anyone to see.
Ari's earlier speculation crackled in everyone's mind. His words—about how Rin never avoided Eric's touch, about their closeness—suddenly made sense.
Kael's eyes tracked them slowly. First, to Rin—his pale face and the tiredness written all over him. Then down to their clasped hands.Then where Eric's hand gripped Rin's waist. His brows drew together in a deep frown.
Eric's gaze swept across the room. "Why do you all have such stupid looks on your faces?"
Everyone was just looking at them with wide eyes.
Rin ignored the looks he was receiving and looked at Kael. His voice carried the weight of control, even if faintly strained. "I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Kael also stood up and said. "It's alright. If you're not well, we can always reschedule this meeting for another time." His eyes lingered on Rin's pale, sickly face..
"I'm fine," Rin said firmly, though the pallor in his skin betrayed him. "Let's move to the meeting room."
His words allowed no room for argument.
Everyone stood up and followed Eric and Rin to the meeting room.