The car came to a stop in front of the residence.
The guard opened the door just as Bora stepped forward from the entrance.
Haru climbed out immediately, her lips pressed into a stubborn pout, shoulders stiff, eyes sharp with quiet anger.
She didn't look at anyone.
She didn't acknowledge Taekyun.
Bora's gaze lingered on Haru for a brief moment before shifting to Taekyun.
Taekyun stepped out of the car, holding Haneul carefully against his chest.
Haneul was swaddled tightly in a blanket, small and fragile, completely unaware of the world around him.
"Haneul"
Bora breathed softly.
"Take Haru inside,"
Taekyun said calmly, his eyes fixed on Bora.
"Sir, but?"
Bora blinked, surprised.
"For now,"
He repeated, his voice firm and restrained. "Go after her."
Bora nodded without another word.
She gently took Haru's hand and led her inside.
Haru went with her silently, without looking back even once not at Taekyun, not at the Haneul in his arms.
Taekyun watched them disappear through the doors.
A familiar tightness settled in his chest the same possessiveness he had once seen reflected in Haru herself.
Haneul's pheromones clung to him, sinking into his skin, pressing against his chest like fire trapped beneath bone.
Taekyun forced himself to breathe steadily, muscles burning as he held onto his control.
But the heat spreading inside him refused to fade.
He turned toward the guards.
"Any Alpha here leave."
They bowed immediately and retreated without question.
Taekyun carried Haneul inside, his body trembling under the intensity of the scent.
Haneul murmured weakly, his voice thick with need,
"Take me…...
to my room."
Taekyun didn't reply.
He carried Haneul upstairs.
As he reached the upper floor, Bora emerged from Haru's room.
Her eyes shifted to Taekyun his face was flushed, his control visibly strained.
"Sir…. It's "
She murmured.
"He's in heat,"
Taekyun said quietly.
His voice was steady, but the tension beneath it was unmistakable.
Bora watched him closely.
Sweat dotted his neck, his ears completely red.
She followed silently as Taekyun entered Haneul's room.
She closed the door behind them.
Taekyun gently laid Haneul on the bed.
"Get his suppressant,"
He said.
Bora nodded and went to the drawer.
Haneul's eyes opened slowly.
They were deep red, locking onto Taekyun instantly.
"Look after Haru"
He whispered weakly.
Taekyun nodded and straightened him on the bed, even though his own body was betraying him.
Haneul's pheromones had already dug deep into his chest.
Bora returned with the suppressant and stopped short.
Her breath caught when she looked at Taekyun his breathing was heavy, controlled, as if he were holding back something dangerous.
"Uhmm here Sir"
She began hesitantly.
"Look after Haneul for now,"
Taekyun said abruptly, stepping back.
"Don't go too close.
Give him his suppressant."
Then he turned and left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.
He walked straight across the floor to his own room and shut the door.
He removed his shirt and sat on the bed, pulling out his own suppressant.
[Inside Haneul's room]
Haneul pressed his face into the pillow.
Tears slipped silently down his cheeks.
He didn't want it to be like this.
Bora gave him the suppressant.
As she noticed the bandages on his hand and forehead, her chest tightened.
He never had a peaceful day here, she thought.
She covered him with the blanket.
"I'll bring cold patches,"
She said gently.
"It'll help reduce your temperature."
Haneul nodded weakly.
She looked at him once more, worry heavy in her eyes, then left quietly.
Her heart ached at the sight of his injuries, the sweat on his skin, and the fragile heat consuming him.
[In his own room]
Taekyun injected his suppressant without hesitation.
"I can't"
He muttered under his breath.
Haneul's pheromones had already clawed into him, igniting every nerve.
He went to the bathroom and let the water run, standing beneath it, hoping the steam would calm the fire burning in his chest and mind.
[By seven]
Haneul's heat worsened.
Bora sat beside him wearing a mask, administering another suppressant as
Taekyun had instructed.
She applied cold patches and wet towels, gently placing them on his head and hands.
His small body trembled as he sweated through the cold evening.
The scent thickened again, filling the room just like before, back when he had gone into heat at her house.
She wiped his hands, neck, and legs with the damp cloth, her fingers freezing from the cold air.
Still, she continued for his sake, changing the patches carefully to help him relax.
She realized then no suppressant here was truly working.
It was the same five years ago, with his brother.
Her heart sank.
How would he survive like this?
If he had to endure this kind of heat every time, his body wouldn't last.
She stayed beside him until exhaustion finally caught up to her.
Quietly, she placed a tray near the bed and left the room.
[Around eight]
Taekyun came downstairs, sleeves rolled up, expression composed though his heart still burned.
"Did Haru eat?"
He asked
Bora shook her head.
"She's been in her room since she returned. She isn't responding."
"And Haneul?"
Taekyun asked.
Bora shook her head again.
Taekyun exhaled slowly said
"Bring her meal to her room."
He turned to Bora.
"Look after Haneul."
She nodded, taking a deep breath.
Then Taekyun went upstairs.
[In Haru's room]
Haru sat on the bed, her tablet untouched.
A soft knock.
Taekyun entered and sat beside her.
The chef followed, placing the tray on the bed before leaving quietly.
Silence stretched between them.
"Haneul is just sick,"
Taekyun said.
"He didn't know you were there.
He wouldn't have"
Haru ignored him, eating slowly and deliberately.
"Aren't you the one who likes Haneul?" Taekyun asked.
She nodded.
"Do you hate me kissing Haneul?"
She nodded again.
"I won't do it again,"
Taekyun said firmly.
"Umma. Mine,"
Haru said quietly.
Taekyun froze.
It wasn't about him.
She was possessive over Haneul.
"It won't happen again,"
He repeated.
"Umma. Mine."
Taekyun nodded, murmured softly, and left the room, closing the door.
[Outside Haneul's room]
Bora stood quietly.
"He ate?"
Taekyun asked.
"He couldn't,"
Bora replied.
"His pheromones are still too strong.
He asked me to leave."
"Stay with Haru.
Don't let her come here,"
Taekyun said.
Then he stood before Haneul's door.
One long breath.
And he opened it.
Inside,
Haneul lay curled tightly beneath the blanket fragile, small, shivering.
Taekyun inhaled slowly.
He should leave.
Every warning screamed at him to step back.
But he didn't.
He reached out and gently pulled the blanket down.
Haneul's flushed, sweat-damp skin and his uneven breathing hit Taekyun like a wave.
He steadied Haneul, helping him sit up, one arm bracing his trembling body.
"Did you take your suppressant?"
His voice was soft.
Haneul nodded.
Then he looked up eyes burning, searching locking onto Taekyun's.
Heat flared instantly in Taekyun's chest, but he didn't move.
He picked up the untouched tray.
"Eat a little.
Then…... take a bath.
It'll help you relax."
Haneul's hand found his, heat transferring, pressing into him.
"I want you,"
He whispered.
Taekyun's jaw tightened.
He straightened, fighting for control.
"I'll fill the bath for you,"
He said, heart racing.
"It'll be better."
Haneul clung to him tighter arms wrapping around Taekyun's abdomen, legs securing him.
Desire and need pressed against every nerve in Taekyun's body.
He had never felt anything like this before.
Tears slipped from Haneul's eyes.
"I trust you…...
I can't hold it…...
help me with it."
Taekyun looked at him.
After Harin's death,
it wasn't that he hadn't been with anyone.
He had but it was always just one-night stands, only during his rut.
But Haneul wasn't a one-night stand.
He was someone Taekyun would have to face again.
Someone he would live with along with the weight of this choice.
Yet looking into Haneul's eyes, feeling the heat burning through his body
He couldn't hold back.
Taekyun exhaled slowly and leaned in, pressing a patient kiss to Haneul's lips.
Haneul eased back as Taekyun lay over him slowly,
Gripping Haneul's arm with one hand, the other settling at his waist, then sliding up to cradle his neck as he kissed him again slow, restrained, but filled with desire.
The heat, the scent, the need it all crashed into him, eroding his control.
Haru's voice drifted faintly from the next room.
"Nooo"
Then Bora's voice followed quickly.
"Okay, okay. Calm down."
Taekyun froze, pulling back slightly.
Haneul's hands clutched his face.
"No..... don't stop,"
He begged.
Taekyun stood abruptly, wrapping Haneul carefully in the blanket, one arm firm around his waist.
Slowly,
He lifted him and opened the door.
Haneul pressed his face into Taekyun's neck, arms looped around his shoulders, legs wrapped around his waist beneath the blanket.
His lips brushed Taekyun's neck.
Taekyun shivered but held him tighter.
He walked out, carrying Haneul straight to his own room.
At the same time,
Bora stepped out of Haru's room, a tray in her hands, muttering softly,
"You stubborn girl…."
She froze.
Her eyes landed on Taekyun
Haneul cradled firmly in his arms as he moved toward his room.
Bora stood there, unable to move.
Taekyun closed the door behind him without noticing her presence.
Bora lift her hands to cover her mouth, shock washing over her as her heart pounded violently in her chest.
She had expected this to happen.
Just not this soon.