His heart pounded wildly. A chill ran down his spine as the heat that had consumed his body just moments ago cooled in an instant. It lasted only seconds, but for Josh, the moment stretched into eternity.
The strangest thing was Chase's reaction. Instead of looking shocked, he seemed puzzled. He brought a hand to Josh's ear, blinking in confusion rather than surprise.
Dazed, Josh soon realized why—Chase's warmth had seeped into the earpiece covering his ear.
"Why are you wearing these? Are you hurt?"
Relief flooded him, and his racing pulse began to slow. Quickly, he forced himself to lie with ease.
"No… It's just that when I wear headphones for too long, they start to hurt."
"Really?"
Chase's voice carried an odd, lingering doubt. Josh swallowed. It was too soon to let his guard down.
Before he could react, Chase shifted, flipping them over so that Josh lay beneath him once again. Their positions had changed in an instant. Josh thought he was going in for a kiss—but he was wrong. Instead, Chase buried his face against Josh's neck.
"…"
A deep inhale followed. Josh went rigid. His pulse pounded in his ears, loud enough that he was sure Chase could hear it. Unaware of his tension, Chase continued, breathing in slowly—his nose brushing along Josh's neck, collarbone, and up to his ear.
"Ah."
Josh exhaled shakily. When Chase finally pulled back with a sigh, his heart threatened to burst from his chest. His vision blurred for a moment, and then Chase's face came into view.
"You really are a Beta."
"Yes."
The word barely left his lips. It was sheer luck that Chase hadn't noticed anything unusual. Yet, something about the way Chase looked at him felt… off. Why did he seem disappointed?
Josh tried to lighten the mood, tilting his head with a teasing smile.
"What's wrong with me being a Beta? You don't like Omegas?"
Chase's expression darkened, as if lost in thought. An awkward silence stretched between them. Josh waited for an answer, but Chase simply shook his head.
"No, it's nothing."
Josh raised an eyebrow, still curious.
"Why do you hate Omegas so much?"
"What?"
Chase's brows furrowed at the unexpected question. Josh pressed on.
"You've always made it clear you dislike them. Why?"
Chase remained silent for a long moment. Just when Josh thought he wouldn't get an answer, Chase finally spoke.
"Omegas can't be trusted."
Josh frowned. "Why?"
Chase clicked his tongue in irritation.
"It's not real. It's never real." His voice was sharp, bitter. "It's not because you actually like someone—you're just reacting to pheromones."
Josh sucked in a breath. He hadn't expected that.
Chase continued coldly.
"If you smell their pheromones, it doesn't matter who it is. You'll feel the same way no matter what."
"…"
"I hate Omegas."
The words were unfiltered, blunt. Josh recalled a time when Chase had cynically compared Omegas to stray cats, saying they were drawn in by nothing more than instinct. This time was no different.
"That's the same for Alphas, though."
"Yes."
As expected, Chase agreed without hesitation. But what followed was unexpected. He smiled—a rare, genuine smile.
"I'm glad you're a Beta."
Then, he kissed him again.
The kiss was softer this time, affectionate in a way that made Josh's head spin. It deepened gradually, turning more insistent, but Josh found himself struggling to focus.
Does he mean he trusts me because I'm a Beta?
A cold sensation curled in his chest.
What happens when he finds out I'm an Omega?
There was no need to imagine the answer.
Chase's strong hands slid lower, cupping his backside with ease. His fingers kneaded the firm flesh, squeezing before pulling him up. In doing so, the sensitive area beneath was exposed, and Chase's long fingers brushed against it.
"…!"
Josh tensed, a shaky groan slipping from his lips before he could stop it.
Chase leaned in, pressing his teeth lightly against Josh's neck in a playful bite.
"Did that hurt?"
Josh candidly answered the question.
"No."
His entire body throbbed with anticipation. It shouldn't hurt. Chase narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. At the same time, Josh felt as if his heart were about to explode.
Contrary to his calm expression, Chase's movements were anything but gentle. His length pressed in deep, bottoming out inside Josh. Instinctively, Josh arched his back, but Chase ignored the weak resistance, pushing further.
"…Ah, ah."
A deep, shuddering breath escaped as Josh shook his head slightly. When Chase set his teeth on Josh's exposed earlobe, a strange mix of fear and thrill coursed through him—like prey caught in the jaws of a predator. Chase's shoulders stiffened, and Josh could feel his arousal swell even more inside him.
Then, hesitation struck. A long-forgotten feeling surged back to the surface, and without thinking, Josh tried to push Chase away. But just like before, Chase held him in place, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and slamming their bodies together, preventing any escape. Pressure and pain coiled deep in his stomach, a tearing sensation that made Josh gulp.
"W-What… are you doing?"
Through his ragged breaths, Josh gritted his teeth and forced out the question. The man who filled him so completely simply raised his head. And then, with that same infuriatingly soft smile, Chase looked down at him.
Josh momentarily lost his words.
Without giving him time to process, Chase bent his head and kissed him.
"Do you feel me?"
Josh barely managed to whisper, "You don't have to—ah…!"
His voice broke into another helpless groan. When his eyes watered, Chase leaned in, catching a tear with his lips, pressing gentle kisses against the damp skin.
"I wish you could get pregnant."
A chill shot down Josh's spine. The words sent goosebumps over his skin.
They were too close for him to pretend otherwise. But Chase misunderstood the sudden paleness of his face.
"I know," he murmured. "You're a Beta. That can't happen."
Josh swallowed hard. "You said you didn't like Omegas."
"Yeah."
A complicated look crossed Chase's face, but before Josh could decipher it, he smiled bitterly and kissed him again. Then, without hesitation, he came—still buried deep inside.
Josh shuddered as he felt Chase's warmth spread inside him, a mix of pleasure and dread twisting in his stomach.
"You," Chase whispered between kisses, "can be trusted."
Josh returned the kiss without saying anything. Their breaths mingled, and as Chase began moving again, Josh surrendered, spreading his legs wider.
✤✤✤✤✤✤
The faint sound of waves filled the quiet space.
Josh lay still, eyes closed, listening. The soft crashing of water against the shore was ever-present in the mansion. But mixed in with the natural sounds was something else. A subtle noise. A breath? A rustle of sheets?
What is that…?
"…!"
His eyes snapped open.
He wasn't alone.
Slowly, warmth registered against his bare skin. Arms curled around his waist. Their naked bodies were tangled together, limbs entwined.
Cautiously, he tilted his head up—only to find Chase, still fast asleep.
In an instant, memories of the night before came rushing back.
What did I do…?
His entire face burned.
Chase, sleeping soundly, was devastatingly beautiful. Josh slapped himself lightly on the cheek, then glanced down. Chase's lips were swollen and red—kissed raw. They looked like ripe cherries.
Josh swallowed. He wanted to bite them.
What would happen if I did?
The thought sent a spark of heat through his body. But the moment he shifted, a dull ache flared in his lower half. His breath hitched.
Soreness crept in—the lingering aftermath of the night before.
Josh tensed instinctively. And that was when he realized—Chase was still inside him.
"…Ugh."
A muffled groan left Chase's lips, his delicate brows furrowing slightly in his sleep. Josh, momentarily stunned, stared in disbelief.
How…?
They had done it countless times last night, yet he had somehow fallen asleep with Chase still buried deep inside him. His body had adjusted so completely that he hadn't even noticed.
The realization sent another flush of heat through him.
This is insane.
He should move. He needed to move.
Carefully, he tried to pull away—but Chase's long limbs had him completely wrapped up. His arms. His legs. Why is he so strong?
Josh exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath as he worked to disentangle himself. Dane would've laughed if he were here. No—Dane would probably suggest cutting off Chase's leg just to free him.
But Josh…
Josh liked those legs.
Not just the legs. Every inch of Chase's body was too perfect to ignore.
Focus.
After a few careful shifts, Josh finally managed to slide free.
"Uh…"
The moment Chase slipped out of him, Josh let out a soft, involuntary moan. Warm liquid trickled from his sore entrance, and his stomach clenched at the feeling of emptiness. His gaze flicked downward—and his breath caught.
Chase's cock, thick and hard, was slick with their fluids.
Josh clenched his fists. His body throbbed at the sight.
Not now.
He needed to clear his head.
That was when he spotted it.
A CCTV camera.
His entire body went cold.
Shit.
His blood ran ice-cold as he realized—he had completely forgotten about the cameras.
He needed to check the footage. Now.
With urgency overtaking his hesitation, Josh carefully slipped out of bed, grabbed the nearest clothes, and made his way to the monitor room.
As soon as he opened the door, relief flooded him.
"Seth."
The man in question blinked groggily, clearly having dozed off. Josh scanned the monitors immediately, his chest loosening when he saw the bedroom feed was off.
"…What's going on?" Seth asked, rubbing his eyes.
Josh feigned casual curiosity. "Oh, nothing. Just… came to check. Did you guys turn off the cameras in C's room?"
Seth yawned. "Yeah. Laura wanted them off. None of us really want to see C naked, you know? It's been a few days since we cut the feed."
"…Seriously?"
Josh fought to keep his relief hidden. That was too close.
I need to be more careful next time.
…Next time?
He froze. The words had come so naturally. Was he really considering doing this again?
His lower body twitched at the mere thought. Just remembering last night had him half-hard.
But… Chase.
Would Chase want this again?
Would he even think about it at all?
Josh swallowed down the mix of emotions twisting in his gut.
No. He couldn't get caught up in this.
His eyes drifted to the hallway camera. There was no one there now—but a few hours ago…
His spine stiffened.
Seth suddenly spoke. "Dude, what happened to your arm?"
Josh followed his gaze—his bandages were a mess.
"Did you roll down a hill or something?" Seth muttered, standing up.
Josh's irritation flared. He vaguely recalled stumbling back from the beach last night. Damn it.
Seth grabbed the first aid kit. "Sit. Let me fix that before you lose an arm."
Josh sighed.
As Seth wrapped the wound, he made a silent vow.
Never again.
He wouldn't sleep with Chase again.
The pleasure terrified him. The idea of getting addicted to it scared him even more.
It must be the pheromones.
Touching his ear—where his torn earpiece once was—he thought, I wouldn't feel this way without the mark.
But then, another thought crept in.
Without the mark…
How did Chase feel about me?