Eric had just stepped out of the house, still feeling dizzy and slightly disoriented. He walked slowly, eyes trying to adjust to the morning light. The fresh air touched his nose, but there was something strange in his body—a feeling of unease he couldn't quite place. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
By the side of the street, Eric spotted Clara. His heart skipped a beat. It had been a while since they last met; they exchanged brief glances, shared small smiles, and for a moment, the world felt calm. They started walking together, chatting lightly, trying to relax even though tension still lingered in Eric's mind.
Suddenly, before they could even sit down and talk, a black van appeared from afar and stopped nearby. The rear doors swung open, and several armed men stepped out, guns in hand.
Eric immediately sensed something was wrong. "Clara, follow me!" he shouted, pulling her to the side. Clara followed calmly, without rushing. Eric was sure they were trying to kidnap her, but his own worry heightened as he prepared for whatever might happen.
Suddenly, a tall, muscular man approached Eric, attempting to restrain him. Eric took a step back, dodging and countering as the fight broke out. Clara looked on, stunned but unharmed. Eric blocked, kicked, and moved to evade the attacks.
Amid the chaos, a speeding car appeared from the side—Carl driving with Kim Ji-yoon and several bodyguards. Kim Ji-yoon, a confident and strong Korean man, quickly got out to help secure the area, preventing the attackers from reaching Eric and Clara. Eric realized that they had actually come for him, not Clara. His adrenaline surged, and the fight intensified.
Carl made a quick decision. "Eric! Get on this bike, now!" It was Kim Ji-yoon's bike, but Carl didn't care—he grabbed it and told Eric to hop on. Despite his panic, Eric obeyed, holding tightly to Carl's shoulders. As the bike sped off, Eric leaned slightly against Carl's back, his head almost brushing Carl's shoulder. Carl noticed but remained focused, offering a small smile.
"Eric? You're quiet… are you okay?" Carl called over his shoulder. Eric just gave a small, nervous smile. The bike slowed near the roadside to give him a moment to catch his breath. The surroundings were still tense, but there was a subtle sense of comfort—the cool night wind, the engine hum, the adrenaline-fueled tension mixed with fleeting calm.
They paused briefly at the side of the road. Eric took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. Carl remained vigilant, scanning the area. Eric's strange feelings grew stronger, but he still couldn't figure out the source.
---
Eric was still breathing slowly, his head resting on Carl's shoulder. The adrenaline was still pulsing through his body, but he felt a moment of safety with Carl beside him. He turned slightly to look at Carl and spoke in a half-tired, half-playful voice.
"Why… do you help me so much?"
Carl gave a small smile, lightly patting Eric's shoulder. "Why can't I help you?"
Eric shook his head slowly, trying to look serious, but his tone remained playful. "It's not because you like me or something, right?"
Carl chuckled softly, gently brushing Eric's head aside. "I don't like you. I don't like Alphas," he said casually, though a hint of teasing lingered. "I… I only like Omegas."
Eric raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised. Carl gave a thin smile. "I know. I don't like stubborn, headstrong Alphas… like you," he said, half-serious, half-joking. "You go looking for trouble on your own. Facing big guys solo."
Carl laughed louder this time, taking a deep breath. "Hey, don't… are you trying to put me down or something?"
Eric pretended to bow, wearing an innocent expression. "No… just joking."
They were quiet for a moment, the wind rustling and a few people passing through the park. The tension from before had eased, replaced by light laughter and relief. Eric leaned back, his body relaxing slightly.
"Hmm… that ring… where did you get it?" Eric suddenly asked, noticing the ring on Carl's finger. "It's beautiful."
Carl smiled slightly, looking down for a moment. "My brother gave it to me," he replied simply.
Eric raised an eyebrow again, curious. "Your brother…?"
Carl smiled again, his tone calm but slightly serious. "Not an Omega… my older brother. He's gone now. He just asked me to take care of this ring. That's all."
Eric nodded slowly, feeling warmth in his chest—at least Carl had something precious, something important, and he trusted Carl to protect it. He gave a small smile and glanced at Carl.
Carl chuckled softly. "Don't look so surprised. I just wanted you to know."
They sat in silence for a moment, a calm settling after all the action. Eric drew a deep breath, feeling relieved. Though still tired, he felt lighter inside, enjoying the company of Carl, chatting, and laughing without the need to be serious.
Eric had never had close friends like Carl, Noah, Jay, and Liam before.
---
Eric had just opened the door to his home, his steps slow after a chaotic day. His breathing was still heavy, but a sense of relief emerged as he finally reached home. But what he saw made his heart almost stop.
In the living room, Jay was bent over, supporting Liam, who was unconscious. Liam's clothes were torn and stained with blood on his skin. His limbs were sprawled awkwardly, his body tilted slightly, as if he had fallen in haste. Eric's eyes widened, his chest pounding, a chill running through his body.
Noah suddenly appeared from the kitchen, his face pale, his voice raised. "Eric! Where have you been? I called you so many times! Look at what happened to Liam!" His voice was a mix of anger and panic, heightening the tension. Noah ran to Liam, checking his injuries, his movements fast but anxious.
Eric stepped closer, a mix of fear and guilt swirling in his chest. He looked at Liam's weak body, feeling his pain without being able to do much. Jay bowed slightly, holding Liam, his eyes saying it all: fear, worry, and heavy pressure.
In the midst of the chaos, Eric's gaze fell on something on the floor near Liam's feet. A small card, folded, showing a symbol of a snake and a wolf. The dim living room light reflected faintly on the card, casting a haunting shadow.
Eric picked up the card carefully, his heart racing. "What does this mean…?" he whispered almost inaudibly amidst the tension. Noah, still panicked but angry, glanced over. His eyes widened briefly, staring at the symbol with disbelief and a hint of fear.
Jay continued supporting Liam, but his attention was also on the card. A shiver ran down all three of their spines. Everyone was silent for a few seconds, only the wind outside and their heavy footsteps breaking the quiet. Liam's bloodstained floor made the scene feel even more tense under the dim light, freezing the moment.
Eric swallowed hard, suppressing his own fear, but he knew one thing: the night was far from over. The snake and wolf card seemed like a warning—something much bigger was waiting. All eyes remained on Liam, lying there weak and wounded, yet still breathing. Their hearts were heavy, but their focus had to stay on the reality before them.
The tense silence lasted a few moments, broken only by Noah's exasperated, worried sigh. Eric gripped the card tightly, his eyes fixed on the mysterious symbol etched in every curve of the design.
An ambulance was on its way. Eric sat, thinking over what had happened in the past few days. Did they already know?
But how?