[EDITING] ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 3

It was painfully obvious that Harin and Jeno were both carefully avoiding each other's gaze, as if even the smallest glance might spark an unspoken tension between them. The weight of their unspoken resentment hung heavy in the air—a tension neither quite understood but keenly felt since their less-than-pleasant first encounter.

Harin observed Jaemin, or "Nana" as his friends called him, who seemed unbothered by Jeno's aloofness. Jaemin clung to Jeno's arm, leaning in close whenever he spoke, his face mere inches away. Oddly enough, Jeno didn't seem to mind; in fact, he didn't even flinch, which said more about their bond than any words could. They must be close, Harin thought.

She wasn't jealous, not even slightly. She just found it curious that the sweet, cheerful omega could so comfortably latch onto Jeno—a pureblooded alpha whose default expression seemed to be a perpetual scowl. And as they'd come down the stairs together, she wondered if Jeno was a BJ (Broadcast Jockey) too.

When they finally settled around a table, Aiki's voice cut through the awkward silence.

"Do you know each other?" she asked then pointed to Jeno and Jaemin's table.

"Who, Nana?" Harin replied.

"Yeah, you two look kind of cozy already."

"Uh, no, we just happened to take the stairs together, and he started talking since I looked new."

Aiki snorted. "Oh, please. That kid was definitely hitting on you. I saw the way he was fluttering his eyes and grinning like a lovesick puppy. He totally wants you to dominate him."

Harin's face flushed, and she leaned in to whisper, "Eonnie! Not so loud—others might hear you!"

Aiki only laughed. "Relax. This restaurant is strictly for Maze's talents. No one here is eavesdropping. Besides, whatever happens in Maze stays in Maze. Honestly, half the people in here are BJs."

Harin's eyes widened, and she subtly glanced around at the other tables, noticing the range of expressions and personalities around them.

"How do you know that?" she asked.

"Oh, child," Aiki chuckled. "I've been with Maze long enough to recognize them, with or without the masks. The BJs wear them during their streams, but outside, they roam the streets looking like everyone else. Around here, they're free to leave the masks off, as long as they keep a low profile so no outsiders catch on. They're experts at living two lives by now."

"Wow," Harin murmured, taking it all in. "I'm not too familiar with the BJs, so... thanks for filling me in."

Aiki grinned and leaned forward, a mischievous look in her eye. "So, back to this 'Nana' situation... does he smile at you a lot?"

Harin thought about it, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, he's always sparkling whenever he talks to me."

"Then he's definitely interested."

"What? I thought he was just friendly to everyone."

"Oh, he is," Aiki said with a knowing smirk. "But not quite like he is with you and Cris."

Harin glanced across the table where Jeno sat, who was currently preoccupied with his drink, seemingly unaware of the conversation. It wasn't just the usual alpha-omega dynamics at play here; there was something more going on beneath the surface, and she was starting to feel drawn into it herself.