You Are Hot Then You Are Cold

Vol 1: National Portrait Gallery (2)

Before entering the exhibition hall, Ash meets with gallery officials and talks with them. After making the donation, Karlyle waits for Ash with an expressionless face.

Meanwhile, by an overly bizarre coincidence, Karlyle has picked up passerby's belongings for the fourth time today. Strangely, someone keeps dropping things in front of him. They are all Omega, two men and two women.

In modern times, the word "noble" is quite awkward and somewhat ridiculous. The aristocratic ritual also changes depending on the situation. In Karlyle's case, wherever he goes, he always shows himself a gentleman.

Caring for the person behind by holding the door for them, or helping someone when necessary, are all actions he has been taught since childhood. So when he sees a wallet or a hat fall, he'd pick it up as a habit and hand it over to the owner.

When he slightly bends his upper body down to pick up the item with his long arm at a proper angle, everyone around all glues their eyes to him. All those he helps would try to have a talk with him.

But Karlyle doesn't have time to talk to them. Even if he has time, he won't care. Because now, he's staring at the Alpha woman who's talking to Ash. That woman clearly has a thing for Ash. Her whole body is attached to him, and her arms keep touching his biceps.

Ash talks to her for about 10 more minutes. The Alpha woman hugs Ash, and lets him go after putting a soft kiss on his cheek. When Ash comes back, there is a different Alpha scent on his body. It makes Karlyle feel uneasy, that discomfort spreads in his body as if there are ants crawling on his skin. His jaw clenches.

"I'm sorry for the long wait."

Karlyle tilts his head. The thirst to monopolize is shimmering in him. But Karlyle is a rational man. He can't show this feeling to Ash. They're just partners for the time being.

"It's alright."

Karlyle gives him the ticket. Looking at it, Ash says "Thank you," and then approaches him. Before his lips can touch his cheek, Karlyle backs off. The smell on Ash's body is unpleasant. He hates it when other people leave a smell on Ash.

In the past month, this is the first time Karlyle has refused a kiss cheek from Ash. And Ash is quick to notice the weak resistance from him.

"Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing."

But Ash doesn't believe him. Seeing the pair of eyes still staring at him, Karlyle explains with a dry voice.

"I'm just not very comfortable with the smell of another Alpha on you, I hope you don't mind."

"Another Alpha?"

Ash blinks. He gets closer. Karlyle misses his chance to back off this time. Ash narrows his eyes. His expression is full of laughter, Ash whispers.

"Do you hate that?"

That's Alpha's normal reaction, isn't it? In the case of a dominant Alpha like Kyle, he hates every strange smell of Omega on him.

"It's just uncomfortable."

"Then cover it with your scent, Karlyle."

Ash whispers softly. Their fingers intertwine. The feeling of Ash's palm on his hand, the hand that he failed to hold earlier, makes the lump in his heart melt without a trace. He looks at Ash. His pheromones have thickened as if to seduce him. His scent has a deep layer to it.

"Karlyle has the smell of other Omegas on you."

It must be the four people who passed by earlier. Pulling his hand up, Ash puts a kiss on the back of his hand.