His Mark

09

Kim entered the party, his mind still clouded with thoughts of Vegas. The mark Vegas left on him was hidden beneath his shirt collar, but the bond was new, and the sensation lingered—a quiet reminder of their night together, the promises exchanged, and the leap of faith he’d taken.

The night had barely begun when Reth’s eyes caught him across the room. Kim’s shoulders tensed. He knew Reth would be here, but he’d thought he could avoid him, keep things cordial without the suffocating presence of Reth's probing gaze.

But as the night went on, avoiding Reth seemed impossible. Kim could feel him drawing closer, his scent heavy in the air—a reminder of Reth's alpha strength. Eventually, Reth approached, his eyes flickering to Kim’s collar as if he sensed something had changed.

“Kim,” Reth’s voice was low, but it held a sharp edge. “You look... different.”

Kim forced a smile. “Just the same as always, Reth.”

Reth tilted his head, his gaze narrowing as he moved closer, his eyes scanning Kim with unnerving precision. “Different, alright. There's a mark,” he murmured, barely concealing his surprise.

Kim froze, instinctively pulling his collar up, but it was too late. Reth’s smirk grew as he took in the sight. “Did someone finally claim you?”

Heat rose to Kim’s cheeks, a mix of anger and embarrassment. “That’s none of your business, Reth.”

“Oh, but it is. Knowing that the one pretending to be an alpha is marked by someone…” Reth leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “It’s amusing, don’t you think?”

Kim’s patience snapped, but he tried to keep his voice steady. “I’m still the same as I’ve always been.”

Reth laughed, shaking his head. “You can pretend all you want, Kim, but that mark says otherwise. Maybe next time, don’t be so careless.”

Kim clenched his fists, fighting to keep his composure. “Careful, Reth. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I think I do.” Reth’s gaze lingered on the mark one last time before he stepped back, a smug smile plastered on his face. “Good luck hiding it, Kim.”

As Reth walked away, Kim’s anger simmered, but deep down, a cold fear settled. The mark felt like a promise, a commitment he wanted to protect, but now it felt exposed, vulnerable to those who would use it against him.

Later that night, back in his apartment, Kim sat alone, fingers brushing over the mark. A pang of longing filled him as he thought of Vegas, the only one who understood, who made him feel whole. He wanted to call him, to hear his voice, to find some comfort after the unsettling encounter. But the mark was a reminder that he couldn’t stay hidden forever. If he wanted to protect what he had with Vegas, he’d have to face his fears—and those who would try to tear him down.

Three days after the party, whispers were spreading like wildfire throughout the business world. What started as an auspicious deal had now turned into a standoff. Reth had declined the partnership, sending shockwaves through the major families and their affiliates. But it wasn’t the deal itself that left people talking—it was the accusation that followed.

Kinn sat in silence, looking through the contract Reth had torn apart in the meeting. The words echoed in his head: “I will never deal with an omega family.” Confusion spread quickly after those words, and no one in the room had understood what Reth meant. There were no omegas in the major family—or so they thought.

That evening, in the Major mansion, Kinn, Khun, and their father, Korn, sat around the dining table, waiting for Kim. The air was thick with tension. No one had spoken much since the meeting ended. Korn’s gaze was fixed on the table, deep in thought, while Kinn’s fingers drummed against his chair impatiently.