It started with an Omega running in the rain.
His legs burned, lungs on fire. The forest felt endless, yet the footsteps chasing him never stopped.
"What do you want from me?!" he cried, but no one answered.
The steps only grew louder. Closer.
By the time he reached the city, his body gave up. He collapsed on the wet road, rain soaking through his clothes.
From the shadows, a deep voice spoke.
"What a beautiful Omega… fainting right in front of me."
A tall man stepped out, his eyes sharp. After one look, he bent down and lifted the boy into his arms.
Such a fragile Omega, the man thought. What should I do with you?
Far behind, the pursuer reached the city's edge. His face twisted with anger.
"Damn it… I lost him. But soon, little Omega… I'll catch you."
Later – A Hotel Room
Aiden woke with a groan. His head hurt. His body felt heavy.
"Where… am I?" he whispered.
"You're in my hotel, silly," a voice answered.
Aiden sat up quickly. A tall, broad man leaned against the wall, his gaze locked on him.
"You fainted in the street," the man said, stepping closer. "So I brought you here."
"Why?" Aiden asked, his voice shaking.
The man tilted his head. "You're even prettier up close. I could smell your pheromone from across the street… sweet, like honey."
Aiden pulled the blanket tight around him. "Who are you?"
The man leaned down, brushing a soft kiss across his cheek.
"Leo. And I saved you… because I like you."
"You don't even know me!" Aiden gasped.
"Then get to know me," Leo said calmly. "Be mine… or keep running until he finds you. Which do you choose?"
Aiden froze, trembling. "If I say yes… then what?"
Leo's eyes darkened. "Then you'll belong to me. And no one will ever hurt you again."
Aiden's lips trembled. "Please… help me."
Leo brushed a strand of wet hair from his face. "Then it's settled. You're mine now."
The Intruder
That night, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.
"I can smell it…" a cruel voice whispered outside. "That sweet honey scent. He's here."
The door opened.
Aiden's heart pounded. He clutched the blanket, shaking.
Leo stepped in front of him, calm and sharp. "Stay behind me."
In the doorway stood the man from the forest, grinning.
"There you are, little Omega. Your smell drives me crazy."
Aiden's eyes filled with tears. Fear made his scent grow even sweeter.
Leo's voice turned cold. "You won't touch him. He's mine."
The man laughed. "Yours? Don't be stupid. I've claimed hundreds of Omegas. One more won't matter."
"No!" Aiden cried. "Leo, please… don't let him!"
Leo glanced back and touched Aiden's hair gently.
"I promised to protect you."
Then his eyes sharpened. "Try to take him… and you'll regret it."
The two men glared at each other.
"You made a mistake coming here," Leo said flatly. "This Omega is mine."
The man growled but stepped back. Without another word, he vanished into the night.
Heat
Silence.
Aiden dropped to his knees, shaking. His sweet scent filled the room even more.
Leo froze, eyes narrowing. "Aiden… you're in heat, aren't you?"
Aiden's face turned red. His body felt hot and weak.
"I-I don't know… but it hurts… I feel strange…"
Without thinking, he grabbed Leo's shirt. "Leo… don't leave me… please…"
Leo held him close. "I won't. But your scent… if others smell it, they'll come. Stay with me."
"What should I do?" Aiden whispered. "I can't stop it…"
"Then stay close," Leo said, voice low. "No one will touch you but me."
Aiden buried his face in Leo's chest, trembling. "Leo… it's too much… I can't take it…"
"Shh." Leo stroked his hair. "I'm here. You don't have to fight it alone."
Their pheromones mixed, heavy in the air.
"Do you want me to stay with you through this?" Leo asked softly.
Tears filled Aiden's eyes. He nodded. "Yes… please."
Leo leaned down and kissed him, slow and gentle.
"Then it's our bond. When you're in heat, I'll be here. Always."
Aiden clung to him. "I… I trust you."
Leo laid him down carefully and pulled the blanket over him.
"You're safe," he whispered. "Sleep if you can. I'll guard you all night."
Aiden's eyes closed, his breathing slowing as he fell asleep in Leo's arms.
Leo brushed his hair softly.
"Sleep well, my Omega. I'll guard you tonight… and every night after."
The man stormed into his house, his face twisted with rage.
"Damn it," he growled, slamming the door. "I lost that Omega. If it wasn't for that Alpha, he'd already be mine."
Morning – The Hotel Room
Aiden woke slowly, blinking against the morning light. His body still felt weak, but the warmth beside him made him feel safe.
A soft voice came from behind him.
"Are you awake, my little Omega?"
Aiden turned his head, cheeks warming. "Yes… I'm awake."
Leo gave him a small smile before standing and walking to the kitchen. Moments later, he returned with a tray.
"Breakfast," he said, setting it on the table. "Eat and regain your strength."
Before Aiden could reply, a knock echoed at the door.
Leo leaned close, his breath brushing against Aiden's ear.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered. "I'll check."
Aiden nodded, clutching the blanket nervously.
Leo opened the door. Standing there was a young man with worried eyes.
"Hello," the man said quickly. "I'm Lucas, Aiden's friend. He didn't come home last night, so I got worried. I tracked his phone and… that's how I found this place. Is he here?"
Leo's expression stayed calm. "He's here. Would you like to come in?"
Lucas stepped inside, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Aiden.
Leo sat down beside Aiden, his arm draped casually over the back of the couch. He glanced at Lucas.
"Your friend looks young. Let me guess—he's a Beta, right?"
Aiden nodded. "Yes."
Lucas crossed his arms, frowning.
"Aiden, what happened? Why didn't you come home yesterday?"
Aiden's hands tightened on the blanket. "…I was attacked. By an Alpha."
"What?!" Lucas shouted. "Why didn't you call me?"
Leo smirked. "Because he's too stubborn to ask for help."
Lucas frowned. "And you didn't even tell me you were… dating someone?"
Aiden's eyes went wide. "No! It's not like that! He—Leo—he saved me yesterday… and helped me through my heat."
Lucas froze. Then a grin spread across his face.
"Oh. Ohhh. Well, I'm happy for you. You two look… really good together. What a cute couple."
Aiden flushed and looked away. Leo, though, didn't smile. His expression turned sharp, thoughtful.
Lucas noticed. "What are you thinking about, Leo?"
Leo's gaze stayed on Aiden. "That Alpha," he said flatly. "He's not done. He won't stop until he gets what he wants. That's why…" His voice dropped lower. "That's why I have to mark you, Aiden."
Aiden's heart jumped. Before he could answer, something clicked in his memory.
"…Wait," Aiden whispered.
Both Leo and Lucas turned to him. "What is it?"
Aiden swallowed hard. "I just remembered something. The Alpha who attacked me… Lucas, I think he was your friend."
Lucas blinked, confused. "What? No. That's impossible. My friend… he's dead. There's no way."
"Lucas," Aiden said quietly, "do you remember the black spot on his hand?"
Lucas froze. "…Yes. I remember it clearly."
His voice trailed off as his phone began to ring. He glanced at the screen—
and his face went pale.
To be continued…