evil prevails

Part 24

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Yuna stands leaning against the hood of her Mercedes, taking a drag from her cigarette and holding it between her fingers. Her gaze occasionally falls on the window hidden among a hundred similar high-rises. After finishing her cigarette, she throws the butt into a trash can, glances at the window one last time, and heads toward the entrance. She takes the elevator to the sixth floor and stops at the door, brushing her jet-black hair back. After ten seconds, the door opens, and a sweet aroma of baked goods and chocolate spills out of the apartment. On the threshold stands a disheveled Hanni, her large, shining eyes reflecting mild surprise. She wears her favorite baggy home pants and a long, loose peach-colored T-shirt that exposes her collarbones. Yuna opens her mouth to say something, breaking the prolonged silence, but Hanni rushes at her, hugging her and wrapping her thin arms around her waist. Yuna strokes the omega's soft hair and kisses the top of her head, immediately pulling her close.

"I'm sorry for disappearing like this," the alpha whispers, closing her eyes. Hanni lifts her head from Yuna's firm chest and looks into her eyes, shaking her head.

"Everything's fine," the omega whispers back, stroking Yuna's cheek with her thumb and kissing her chin. "I missed you."

When Hanni heard the doorbell, she was sure it was Minji. And now, as her anxiety and slight fear dissipate upon seeing Yuna at the door, Hanni feels a surge of relief.

"I missed you so much too, Han," the alpha exhales, tilting her head slightly and placing a kiss on the omega's partially open lips.

As they enter the apartment, Yuna immediately encounters a small brown bundle, its tiny pointed ears perked up, sitting in the gap between the living room and the hallway. Upon sensing the stranger, Dante starts barking and growling but doesn't dare approach. Hanni and Yuna both turn their attention to the puppy. Hanni has never seen Dante show aggression, and Yuna didn't expect to find such a creature in Hanni's apartment.

"Be quiet, little one," the omega says softly, kneeling to pick up the puppy and petting its short, soft fur.

"Where did he come from?" Yuna asks, her smile widening as she approaches Hanni. Dante is still quietly growling but doesn't try to attack, calming down in his owner's arms.

"Minji gave him to me," Hanni says, slightly embarrassed, looking at the puppy with particular interest, trying not to meet Yuna's gaze.

"Is that so?" the alpha chuckles. "Snakes are capable of such kind deeds too? I feel a flare of anger inside, but Yuna quickly suppresses it, stopping it from surfacing. Hanni is not to blame.

"Let's go to the kitchen," Hanni says, releasing the puppy from her arms and grabbing the colonel by the shoulder.

Yuna sits at the table, watching Hanni as she busies herself at the stove. For the alpha, it feels particularly cozy and family-like.

"I decided to bake chocolate cookies," the omega says, transferring the still-hot baked goods to a plate. "It's my first time doing this, so I hope you like them," Hanni says with a shy laugh, turning her head to Yuna and beaming warmly.

"I'm sure they'll turn out amazing," the alpha replies with a smile.

"Where have you been all this time?" Hanni asks, setting the kettle on and placing the plate of cookies on the table.

"General Kang has been overwhelming me," Yuna sighs wearily, rubbing her nose with her finger. Hanni sits down across from her, folding her hands on the table. "We're still dealing with the aftermath of the attack on the base. Weapons, ammunition, food, and medical supplies were all being sent there. It was all on me."