Seth pov
"I'm sorry if I scared you earlier."
I stood before him, my voice dropping low.
I forced myself to keep calm, to not make him afraid like before.
"I'm sure Burton told you—I'm the Alpha of the Red Moon pack, so I have to be cautious around outsiders."
I paused, my gaze settling on his quiet figure, throat suddenly tightening.
"But… no matter what, I shouldn't have used my Alpha voice to force you to talk about your past. That was my fault."
I pressed my lips together, eyes softening without meaning to.
"In any case… I'm sorry, Kk."
"Kk?" He tilted his head, confused.
I chuckled lightly, trying to sound casual as I blinked at him.
"Hey, you don't mind if I call you that, do you?"
He smiled—barely, but it brushed over my chest like a feather.
He shook his head. "You can call me Kk."
An unexpected relief bloomed inside me.
"Good, Kk."
I scratched at the stubble on my chin, shifting the subject.
"My cabin is just across from here, but I'm usually out patrolling, rarely inside. If you need anything, just call my name loud enough. You can also ask Burton or Samantha—they'll be happy to help."
"Thank you." He looked up at me, and that glance tightened something in my chest.
His blue eyes were clear and pure—like ice-cold lake water without a single impurity.
My Alpha instincts told me he meant it.
And me… I wasn't sure if I was grateful for his trust or craving more.
I cleared my throat and looked away.
"W-well, I should go. Drink that broth while it's hot. If you need anything, just call."
I'd just reached the door when his voice called after me.
"Seth."
I turned, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for saving me." His voice was serious, tinged with something… soft.
I laughed, couldn't help it—my eyes crinkling with genuine amusement.
"No one can let a fallen beauty die helpless, so it's my honor."
I winked at him, then swiftly turned away. If I stayed any longer, I was afraid I'd lose all self-control and run my fingers through his hair.
Outside the cabin, I took a deep breath, trying to cool the restless Alpha pheromones simmering inside me.
I've smelled many Omegas in my life, but none like Kyle.
At first, in the forest, his scent was overwhelmed by fear, masking his true essence. But when he collapsed into my arms, I caught a faint trace of honey—sweet, but not cloying—just like him.
And just now, inside that cabin, I finally smelled the full, unfiltered scent that belonged to him—
A fresh, clean honey aroma, gentle and soothing. Not as overpowering as wolf pheromones, but strangely… intoxicating.
My Alpha instincts flared like a wildfire, my tail nearly wagging uncontrollably.
It screamed inside me: Get closer! Get closer!
Gods…
What am I thinking?!
I am the Alpha of the Red Moon pack, responsible for the safety of every single one of our kind.
He is a human Omega with a mysterious background—someone we know very little about. Even if he's telling the truth, I can't afford to lower my guard so easily.
…But I admit, using my Alpha voice on him was an impulse.
Maybe it was that very moment of dominance that confirmed he wasn't lying.
An Omega's reaction to the Alpha voice cannot be faked, and the fear and struggle I sensed in him… stirred something protective inside me.
If he's willing, I can let him stay with the pack—just like the other lost wolves or humans we've taken in before.
Then I could look after him like I do the rest of my people—
Protect him.
Yes, purely out of responsibility.
Just as my thoughts spiraled deeper, a fiery red figure suddenly jumped right in front of me.
"Hey, Seth! What are you spacing out for? Thinking about that adorable human Omega, huh?" Duncan grinned mischievously.
"Duncan!" I jumped, slapping my chest. "Why'd you sneak up on me like that?"
She smirked, punching my arm.
"If I didn't call you out, you'd have walked right into a wall. What's that cutie's name? Is he staying with us? He's way too cute!"
I sighed, rubbing my temple.
"He goes by Kk… Kyle. He'll be staying for now, but as for the future, I can't say."
"He'll definitely stay!" Duncan smiled conspiratorially.
"I'll find a way to make it happen."
"Find a way?" I looked at her, confused.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I heard everything. Hero saves the beauty!" Duncan winked, eyes sparkling with gossip.
"I bet that human cutie's already got a crush on you. If you just make a move, you two could…"
"Duncan!" I cut her off, feeling my face flame up.
"I haven't thought about any of that!"
"Oh really?" She gave me a skeptical look.
"But you're blushing. Seth Red Moon blushing? Oh my god, I'm telling everyone you fell in love at first sight!"
She laughed, dodging my reaching hand, and dashed away.
I pretended to glare at her retreating back, but a smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
I'm not falling in love. I just…
I just think his scent smells good.
And his blue eyes are beautiful.
That's all.
…That's all, right?
Over the next few days, Fiona and Samantha took turns checking Kk's injuries, while Burton and I kept bringing him food.
At first, Burton and I alternated visits, but somehow after three days, it became just me going.
Burton never said anything, but I could feel his strange looks—like he was watching an Alpha fool about to fall.
Honestly? I don't regret it at all.
As long as I get to see Kk and he smiles at me, even making extra trips is a joy.
One day, he suddenly asked me why none of the cabins here had locks.
I froze, completely baffled by what he was saying.
"We're all family here. Why would anyone lock their door?"
Kk looked at me as if I'd just said something unbelievable.
He told me about city habits—something about "privacy" and "security." I was utterly lost.
When he finished, I couldn't help but laugh and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. We're casual around here, but we still have basic manners. Nobody's gonna just barge into your cabin."
He nodded, half-believing, then took the bowl of broth I handed him.
When his fingers brushed mine, he hesitated for a moment—
But I felt like I'd been burned. My heart skipped a beat.
A week later, his wounds were almost healed.
I encouraged him to move around more, but barely had I stepped away from his cabin when that wild girl Duncan dragged him off.
I didn't want her to take him, but I knew I couldn't stop her.
Duncan was born to be enthusiastic and loved making friends—especially if they were pretty and quiet types.
I watched from afar as Kk let himself be pulled around the village by her without protest. Honestly, I felt a twinge of jealousy.
That night, I went to find him, and we went to the mess hall together.
The moment he stepped inside, he froze.
I led him to our usual table and motioned for him to sit—but he just stood there.
Puzzled, I stared at him as he lowered his head and whispered about his family's "rules."
The Silver Bloods… Omegas can't sit at the table when eating? They have to wait for Alphas and Betas to finish and eat the leftovers?
I was stunned, staring at him for several seconds.
Honestly, I never expected city folks to hold onto such archaic traditions. I thought those old customs were only in the countryside.
I gently nudged him, laughing as I tossed a few pieces of meat onto his plate.
"There aren't that many rules here. Everyone's equal. Eat whatever you want—don't hold back."
Then I grabbed a chicken leg and bit into it loudly in front of him, giving him a thumbs-up while chewing.
"It's really good."
He accepted another chicken leg I offered, quietly saying thanks before taking a cautious bite.
He bit carefully, like he was trying something new, but when his eyes lit up, I knew he liked the taste.
In that moment, my pheromones spilled out involuntarily—a scent of pine mixed with a hint of… happiness.
He noticed, looked up, smiled at me, and gave me a thumbs-up too.
My heart jolted, like something soft just poked it.
God, his smile was so beautiful—like sunshine melting the winter snow.
I kept my head down, continuing to eat, not daring to look at him again.
If I looked too long, I feared I'd lose control—reach out to touch his hair, pull him close into my arms…
No, I wasn't thinking like that because I liked him.
I just thought he was too thin, too quiet, too fragile not to protect.
…Yeah, that's definitely all it was.