ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 23

Harin's lashes fluttered as she slowly opened one eye, taking in her surroundings with groggy caution. The air was crisp from the cooling appliance humming in the corner, though she felt a noticeable warmth nearby, grounding her senses in the haze of her nap.

Blinking fully awake, her gaze landed on Jaemin, the male omega nestled against her lap. He lay peacefully, his chest rising and falling in gentle rhythm. His pastel pink curls spilled across her thighs, unruly but soft, framing his angelic face. His long lashes rested delicately against his cheeks, and his slightly parted lips released soft, rhythmic breaths that tickled her skin.

Her heartbeat stuttered as she took in the intimate sight. Something about his vulnerability held her captive, a strange mix of tenderness and unease settling in her chest. She let herself linger, but the weight of time eventually crept back into her awareness. Panic bubbled up as her eyes darted to the small, decorative clock on the wall. It was late—far too late for her to still be here.

Her thoughts raced. She couldn't just leave Jaemin like this. Not only was he still in the throes of heat, but it would also feel cruel—rejecting, even—after what had just transpired between them. The intimacy they had shared wasn't something she could brush off. And yet, she desperately longed to retreat to her own sanctuary, curl up in her bed, and escape the complexity of the moment.

With a conflicted sigh, Harin made her choice. She gently shifted Jaemin off her lap, careful not to wake him, and slipped out to fetch some refreshments from the breakroom. The hallways were eerily quiet, the emptiness amplifying the sound of her footsteps as she made her way back to the workroom, cola can in hand.

Her luck faltered as a nearby door creaked open, and a tall figure stepped out. Harin froze mid-step, her pulse quickening.

Emerging from the shadows was Jeno, his dark, hooded eyes locking onto her. His disheveled shirt hung loosely, the top buttons undone to reveal a chiseled chest. Leather pants clung perfectly to his lean frame, accentuating every powerful line of his body. He exuded a raw, effortless dominance that made her stomach twist in both dread and anticipation.

For a moment, their eyes met, and the intensity of his gaze held her captive.

"Breakroom issues?" Jeno asked smoothly, his low voice laced with curiosity. He gestured toward the cola can in her hand.

Harin swallowed hard, forcing herself to answer. "Ah, yeah. No coke on the third floor."

"Hmm," he hummed, his tone nonchalant, though his sharp eyes seemed to strip away her composure. "You're done for the day?"

"Yeah," she replied, trying to sound unaffected. "Finished a new choreography."

His lips curled into a slow, suggestive grin that sent a shiver down her spine. "Is that so?"

Before she could respond, he motioned for her to come closer. Harin hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to keep her distance. Yet something about Jeno's commanding presence made disobedience seem impossible. She stepped forward, her heart hammering in her chest.

Jeno's grin faded, replaced by a furrowed brow as he leaned in, his face dangerously close to hers. Harin's breath hitched as he inhaled deeply, his nose brushing against the exposed skin of her neck.

"Jeno, someone might—"

"Why do you smell like Jaemin?"