ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 43

Waking up next to the person you love deeply feels like the greatest gift—a steady stream of warmth that fuels your morning with energy and peace.

Jeno lay there, eyes tracing the delicate features of Harin's sleeping face. Her head rested on his chest, and her arms clung to him as if he were her lifeline. She was nestled against him like a koala, utterly at ease, breathing softly in a rhythm that calmed his restless thoughts.

It had been over an hour since he woke, but he hadn't moved an inch. Not that he wanted to. The warmth of her presence, the faint scent of her natural alpha pheromones, and the weight of her trust as she slept so soundly in his arms were enough to keep him anchored.

For Jeno, moments like this were everything. Especially now.

Leaving behind his life as a broadcast jockey had been a monumental shift, one that left an emptiness in his days he hadn't quite figured out how to fill. He had walked away from the camera, the audience, and the persona of "BJ Cris," trading it all for a quieter, more authentic life. The decision had been freeing, but it also meant he had no routine, no work, and nothing to occupy his restless mind.

The last thing he said during his final broadcast still lingered in his mind. "Thank you... and I'm happy."

He was happy, truly. Harin was his happiness. But happiness didn't pay the bills or give him a purpose beyond their shared world.

Last night, the two of them had spent hours talking about finances. Harin had suggested splitting the expenses fairly. Jeno hated the idea. Not because he couldn't afford it—he had savings that could last them for a while—but because he didn't want her to have to worry about money at all. He wanted her to live like a queen, carefree and comfortable.

Of course, Harin had other ideas. She wasn't the type to sit back and let someone else shoulder her burdens.

"Hi," Harin's groggy voice interrupted his thoughts. Her eyes fluttered open, squinting at the morning light, and she gave him a lazy smile. "I can feel your distress."

"Sorry," Jeno murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Morning. It's almost 10."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Gosh, we skipped breakfast again," she muttered, sitting up with a groan and stretching.

Jeno couldn't help but stare at her—her petite figure lost in one of his oversized shirts, her hair a messy halo, and her movements unguarded and natural. She was perfect to him, even in these small moments.

Without thinking, he scooted closer, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her lap. "Such a baby, you are," she teased, ruffling his hair affectionately.

"I'm hungry," he said with a pout, looking up at her with an exaggerated puppy-eyed expression.

"You could've eaten breakfast—or, I don't know, woken me up?" she quipped, raising a brow at him.

"I didn't want to wake you," he replied, nuzzling into her lap.

"And why not?"

"You look like an angel when you're asleep. I wanted to enjoy the peace while I could. You're a daredevil when you're awake," he teased, earning a playful smack on his shoulder.