TAEYANG rolled his neck from side to side, a series of cracks echoing in the quiet hallway. His body ached from sleeping in the chair, not that he’d gotten much sleep anyway. But he didn’t care. He’d take a sore neck and a restless night over a comfortable bed on the ship any day, if it meant he could stay close to Haneul.
He’d already eaten breakfast at the hospital cafeteria. Barely anyone paid him any attention. He wasn’t sure if it was because people were too caught up in their own worries, or if the cap he’d pulled low over his face was doing its job. But honestly, it wasn’t like his popularity now came anywhere close to what it had been in his past life. Why would anyone spare a second glance at an Alpha in wrinkled sweats?
After breakfast, he went back to the floor where the Omega Ward was located. He couldn’t go inside, so he stayed near the nurses’ station. The only way in or out of the ward was past that area, so anyone leaving or entering would have to walk by. That way, he wouldn’t miss Haneul when he was discharged. He just had to wait.
He hadn’t been sitting long when the same doctor who’d been in the room yesterday passed by. The doctor spotted him, looking visibly surprised, and came to a stop right in front of him.
"Did you spend the night here, young man?" the doctor asked, raising an eyebrow.
Taeyang just shrugged. "I couldn’t leave."
The doctor seemed to understand why he’d stayed without needing an explanation from him. He gave a short nod. "Well, since you’re already here, you might as well come with me." He turned and started walking toward the ward. When Taeyang didn’t move, he glanced back. "Well?"
"Can I go there?" Taeyang asked, unsure.
He hadn’t gone to the ward on his own because he was an Alpha. Yesterday, he had a valid reason to be there, an emergency that allowed him entry. But after that, there was no excuse. Even though he’d wanted nothing more than to check on Haneul last night, he’d stayed away.
"It’s fine. Your young Omega is the only patient in the ward right now. And since his pheromone levels are back to normal, your presence won’t cause any problems. It might have a different effect, actually, but that’s what I need to discuss with both of you." The doctor paused, then gestured for him to follow. "So come on."
Taeyang blinked, then fell into step behind the doctor. If he’d known that was the case, he would have just slept in Haneul’s room last night.
"I’ll go in first," the doctor said, stopping in front of Haneul’s room. He turned to Taeyang. "Wait here for a moment."
Before Taeyang could even nod, the doctor had already slipped inside. So he was left standing outside, waiting. As he stood there, it hit him that he’d be seeing Haneul in just a few minutes. His heart started pounding harder. Suddenly, he didn’t know how to act when they came face to face. Was there some kind of rule for how an Alpha and Omega were supposed to behave after a temporary mark?
He had no idea. He wanted to act normal, as much as possible, but he wasn’t sure if that was even possible. A temporary mark probably affected the Alpha just as much as the Omega. Unfortunately, he’d never bothered to read up on it. It hadn’t interested him before. Who would have thought he’d actually end up biting an Omega in the middle of a survival show?
Not that he regretted it. He never would. He just felt awkward. And maybe a little shy. Wasn’t a bite almost like a kiss? And they’d done that without even confirming what they were to each other. Yes, he’d confessed his feelings, but Haneul hadn’t exactly said he felt the same. At least not out loud. But he hadn’t been outright rejected either. They were still in that in-between stage, getting to know each other. Then this happened. He just hoped whatever progress he’d made with Haneul wouldn’t be ruined by it.
That was another reason why Taeyang wanted to beat Jeon Hyunsik to a pulp. Speaking of that bastard, when the PD had returned to the hospital last night, he’d filled him in on what had happened. Apparently, Taesung Group had sent a lawyer to handle the case. If his cousin were here, Taeyang would have clapped him on the back for a job well done. He had no idea how Lee Jaehyun had pulled it off, and frankly, he didn’t care. As long as Jeon Hyunsik was being held accountable, that was enough. Knowing that made his anger simmer down, just a little.
While he was stewing in his anger, the door opened. The doctor looked at him with a raised brow. "Please fix your expression before you come in. You look like you’re about to commit murder."
Taeyang blinked, caught off guard, but quickly schooled his features into something more neutral. Or at least he hoped it looked neutral. When the doctor gestured for him to enter, he stepped inside.
The moment he stepped inside, the familiar scent of caramel hit him. It wasn’t as overwhelming as yesterday, but it was still stronger than usual. His eyes instinctively found Haneul, and their gazes locked.
His breath caught at the sight of Haneul. He looked so much better than yesterday. The flush on his cheeks was different now—softer, more from shyness than fever. A wave of relief washed over Taeyang, followed closely by a flutter of nervousness he couldn’t quite shake. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. His pulse quickened, and he found himself just standing there, unable to look away.
Haneul felt it too. Taeyang’s scent filled the room, rich and woody with a hint of something sweet and spicy underneath. His heart started to race, and the longer Taeyang held his gaze, the faster it pounded against his ribs. He could feel the heat creeping up his neck and spreading across his cheeks.
And suddenly, he was very, very aware of the mark on his nape.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter