The Unwritten Chapter

The morning sun streamed through the thin curtains, bathing Cael's room in a soft golden glow. He groggily sat up, his body still heavy with the lingering exhaustion of the night before. As his mind cleared, memories of the previous night flooded back in vivid detail.

The man.

The overwhelming pheromones.

The way his body betrayed him in the heat of the moment.

Shame crawled over his skin like an unwelcome guest. He clenched the blanket in his fists, as if holding onto something solid would keep the memories at bay. How could I let that happen? he thought bitterly. As a dominant omega, he was supposed to have control, to resist. And yet, the man's pheromones—so potent, so intoxicating—had ensnared him completely.

Despite the embarrassment that burned in his chest, Cael couldn't deny the truth: the man had been devastatingly attractive. His striking features, his commanding presence—it all came together in a way that made it impossible for anyone, let alone Cael, to remain unaffected. But beneath the allure was something else entirely.

Danger.

Even now, Cael could feel it in his bones—a primal instinct that warned him to stay far, far away. Yet, a small part of him, the part still muddled by the remnants of the man's pheromones, whispered a different story.

A sudden, gentle pat on his back jolted Cael out of his spiraling thoughts. He flinched, looking up to see Jade standing beside him, his expression a mix of worry and frustration.

"Are you alright?" Jade asked softly, though his tone carried a hint of reproach. "You had me worried sick. I knocked and called for you so many times earlier. You always answer after five knocks, but this time… nothing."

Cael's heart sank. He hadn't realized how deeply lost in his own mind he'd been. Forcing a weak smile, he shook his head, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

"I'm fine," he said quickly, his voice a touch too sharp. He softened it immediately. "Really, I was just… groggy and lost in my thoughts. Nothing's wrong. I'm sorry for worrying you."

Jade frowned, unconvinced. His sharp gaze lingered on Cael's face, searching for something. "Are you sure?" he pressed. "You've been acting strange lately. If something's wrong, you know you can tell me, right?"

Cael forced a chuckle, though it sounded hollow even to his own ears. "I know, Jade. Thanks, but I'm fine. Really."

Jade let out a sigh, his shoulders relaxing slightly, though the worry didn't entirely leave his face. He reached out to ruffle Cael's hair, a gesture that was equal parts affectionate and exasperated.

"Alright," Jade said at last. "But if you're hiding something, I'll find out eventually. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Breakfast is ready. Don't take too long."

With one last pat on Cael's shoulder, Jade left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

As soon as he was alone, Cael exhaled shakily, running a hand through his messy hair. How much did he notice? he wondered anxiously. He couldn't afford to let anyone find out about what had happened the night before—not about the man, not about the overwhelming pheromones, and definitely not about the way his body had responded in private afterward.

I should have stayed home, he scolded himself bitterly. I should've called Mrs. Chang and asked for a suppressant instead of wandering out and meeting that… that man.

Pushing the thought aside, Cael got out of bed and began his morning routine. Every movement felt stiff and mechanical, his mind racing to ensure he didn't slip up and reveal his inner turmoil. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and dressed quickly, all the while avoiding his reflection in the mirror.

As he reached for the door handle, ready to head downstairs, he paused for a moment. A dazed expression crossed his face as he remembered the man's scent—a tantalizing blend of power and allure that still lingered in the back of his mind.

He smelled so nice though…

The thought came unbidden, and Cael immediately snapped out of it, shaking his head vigorously. "Stop it," he muttered to himself, his voice low and sharp. "This isn't like you. Get a grip."

With a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped into the hallway, determined to face the day as though nothing had happened. But deep down, he knew that night—and the man—had left an indelible mark on him, one he couldn't easily erase.