ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 25

The future is something that Lee Jeno thinks about, but it's always a bit hazy. He associates it with the things people are supposed to want: a stable career, a family, maybe a house with a picket fence. If asked what future he would want for himself, Jeno's thoughts often hesitate, as though the answer is just beyond his grasp.

It always narrows down to a few simple desires—maybe a shift to a more prestigious role in his professional life. Then, he'd pause. A family of his own.

And, inevitably, an omega.

It's not a secret that Jeno has dated many omegas over the years. Yet, each time, the relationships have ended in disappointment, often leaving him questioning his choices. Still, he tries again, searching for someone who might be the right fit. But despite the revolving door of faces, there's a distinct emptiness. No one has ever quite sparked the kind of fire he's searching for.

Then, there's Jaemin.

Jaemin is a breath of fresh air—bubbly, down-to-earth, and full of a warmth that seems to light up every room. His smile is brighter than the sun, and his kindness is unparalleled. He treats Jeno with a tenderness that he rarely gives to anyone else, always reminding him to eat, rest, and reach out if something is bothering him. Jaemin listens in a way that no one else does, offering Jeno a safe haven from the chaos of his world.

Jeno has considered taking their friendship further, moving beyond the invisible line that divides them. But every time, he pulls back at the last second. Jaemin is too good for him. Too pure. In the innocence of Jaemin's heart, Jeno sees a level of goodness that he fears to taint. Jaemin is an angel in disguise, and Jeno doesn't want to be the one to ruin that.

And so, their relationship remains where it is—caught in a delicate balance between friendship, sexual attraction, and unspoken love. It's an invisible barrier, one that neither dares to cross.

After Jaemin, Jeno's standards have changed. No other omega even comes close to measuring up. Jaemin set the bar too high, and no one else can quite reach it. Jeno feels hopeless, wondering if he'll ever find someone who can match the kindness and warmth Jaemin has brought into his life. Sometimes, he considers pulling Jaemin closer, wondering if there's still a chance for them. But as time goes on, Jaemin is swept away by his own career, becoming a full-time BJ, and their lives physically separate.

Jeno resigns himself to the fact that fate doesn't seem to want them together. So, he lets go.

The future stretches out before him—long and uncertain. But Jeno has always been impatient. His work as a BJ brings comfort, yes, and a lot of money. It's a game he knows well, hiding behind a black mask and performing for an audience. But deep down, he knows he's capable of more. He's smart, versatile, and not made to just entertain. He needs more than this. He just needs a push—a push that could change everything.

Jeno has always been focused on finding the right omega, but when he encounters an alpha, everything shifts.

At first, it feels wrong. It doesn't align with what he's been taught, what he's expected to want. But the moment his eyes meet hers, Jeno feels something unexpected stir within him. There's something about her—a darkness in her gaze, the sharpness of her features, the way her lips curve just enough to tempt him. Her body is lean, yet soft in all the right places, and when her touch meets his skin, a warmth spreads through him, heating him in a way no omega ever has.