[EDITING] ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 7

It was undeniably obvious that there was something between the two alphas—not in a romantic sense, but in a deadly, unspoken rivalry. Both continued to thrive in their respective fields.

Jeno was always warm and engaging, his words soft yet assertive, with a charisma that left his fans captivated as BJ Cris. The persona reminded him he had a different life to lead, one that kept his audience enthralled by his allure.

Meanwhile, Harin moved effortlessly through her work, transitioning between classes as she crafted choreography for an idol group, bringing the whole routine to completion.

Their encounters were mostly coincidental, meeting by chance in the hallway where the stairs intersected. Sometimes they'd be heading down together, or he would be heading up while she descended, crossing paths in the middle.

The one person who seemed to navigate their thin connection was Jaemin.

The male omega often found himself between the two. He could feel the tension between them, yet no one knew if he was simply ignoring it or if he had his own motives at play.

"I finally watched your choreography with Jisung!" Jaemin exclaimed, having just seen the clip last night after a busy week. "It already hit 5 million views, and I'm surprised!"

"You sound happy about that," Harin chuckled, taking a sip of her milk tea. "So, what did you think of it? The dance?"

"You really have to ask?" he scoffed. "Why do you think it got so many views?"

"I could use a bit of feedback, Nana. Not everyone sees the dance or the song the same way, so I want a few different opinions."

"Opinions, huh?" Jaemin hummed thoughtfully. "Let's just say it's intense."

"Oh, god."

Jaemin burst out laughing, the soft curls near his eyes crinkling like misplaced whiskers, his whole face brightening with his big smile.

He really was quite pretty, Harin thought, and she could praise him all day without skipping a beat. But she worried he'd find it odd—she was still an alpha, after all.

"Seriously, you could laugh a bit more," Jaemin said, frowning slightly at her usual serious expression.

Harin could only chuckle, nudging a plate of sliced cake toward him.

"Here, finish that."

"No, you haven't eaten any yet."

"Eat, Jaemin."

"Oh... okay."

Had he always been so submissive? Harin can't stop to think. She understands that he's an omega, and omegas are naturally submissive. But maybe because he is a broadcast jockey?

"You know, you don't always have to say yes, Jaemin," she added gently. "You can stand firm on your own decisions."

"Hmm? Oh, sorry, was I not supposed to eat this? Is this a test?"

"No, I'm just saying you don't need to agree with everything. You can say no if that's how you feel. Don't backtrack."

"Isn't that just... what omegas do?"

Harin's ears perked up.

"We're supposed to avoid disappointing alphas or anyone with more authority," Jaemin continued softly. "We're just here to please people, that's all."

"Nana..."

"I'm done!" Jaemin said cheerfully, finishing his drink. "The cake was delicious, no regrets!"

"Are you ready to go?" A familiar voice behind them cut in.

Harin could feel his presence before she saw him, and Jaemin turned to him with a smile.

"Yes. Are we going somewhere?"

"I am, but I can't bring you," Jeno replied firmly. "Just dropping by to say that. And to remind your friend here that you need to be back by 5 p.m."

"Jeno, I'm not a child!"

"I know, and your friend here is quite capable of giving you orders."

"Just say my name, won't you?" Harin scoffed, glancing over her shoulder with a forced smile. "I may be an alpha, but I'm not some manipulative type who's collecting omegas wherever I go. I couldn't care less about your opinion of me, but keep it to yourself until you're absolutely certain it's justified."

"Can you both stop? You're ruining a nice day," Jaemin sighed.

Jeno bit back a retort, and Harin turned to face the omega instead.

"Take care, Jeno. I'll be fine," Jaemin said calmly.

"Yeah, you too."

When Jeno was finally at a distance, Jaemin let out a breath, piquing Harin's interest.

"Your pheromones are like weapons. Can't you two just keep your cool?"

"Sorry," Harin chuckled. "But to be fair, I don't like people snooping into my business."

"That's such a Jeno thing."

Harin raised an eyebrow.

Jaemin sighed. "I know Jeno pretty well. Even though I only got close to you recently, I can already see how similar you two are."

"Sure."

"I mean it," he said seriously. "Not just because you're alphas and always ready for a fight, but there's just... something between you."

"Hatred?"

"Shared similarities," Jaemin corrected. "Ever since I saw you two that night, vying for dominance, I was pretty sure I'd finally found Jeno's match."

"Alright, this conversation is getting weird."

Jaemin shrugged. "Only you two can work things out between you."