Twilight of Shadows

Chapter 10: The Honeymoon Heat

The engagement party had been an extravagant affair, leaving both Mingyu and Jeonghan exhausted from the forced smiles and endless congratulations. Taehyung, however, wasn’t satisfied with just the party.

“You need a honeymoon,” she insisted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Some time alone to bond as newlyweds.”

Mingyu had tried to protest, but Taehyung wouldn’t hear of it. Before he knew it, she’d booked a week-long stay at a secluded beach resort, and Jeonghan found himself dragged along for the ride.

---

Arrival at the Resort

The resort was breathtaking—white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious villas. Their private villa was perched on a cliffside, complete with a plunge pool and panoramic views of the ocean.

Jeonghan stood on the balcony, his arms crossed as he watched the waves crash against the rocks below.

“This is ridiculous,” he muttered.

Mingyu set their bags down, shrugging. “Could be worse. At least the view’s nice.”

Jeonghan glared at him. “The view doesn’t make up for the fact that we’re stuck here together for a week, pretending to be in love.”

Mingyu smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “Pretending seems to come naturally to you.”

Jeonghan’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t push me, Mingyu.”

Mingyu raised his hands in mock surrender, but his smirk didn’t waver.

---

The First Night

Jeonghan tried to keep his distance, retreating to the bedroom while Mingyu stayed in the living area. But as the night wore on, he began to feel a familiar, unsettling warmth creeping through his body.

No. Not now.

He curled up on the bed, his breathing shallow as he tried to suppress the onset of his heat. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

When Mingyu finally came to check on him, he found Jeonghan trembling under the covers, his face flushed.

“Jeonghan?” Mingyu’s voice was low, tinged with concern.

“Stay away,” Jeonghan whispered, his voice strained. “I’m... fine.”

Mingyu frowned, stepping closer despite the warning. “You don’t look fine.”

Jeonghan glared at him, but his resolve was crumbling. The heat was intensifying, and his omega instincts were clawing at him, urging him to seek comfort from the Alpha standing far too close.

“Just go,” he pleaded, his voice cracking.

Mingyu hesitated, his Alpha instincts at war with his logic. He could feel the subtle pull of Jeonghan’s scent, sweet and intoxicating despite Jeonghan’s attempts to suppress it.

“Jeonghan,” Mingyu said quietly, his tone gentler now. “You’re in heat, aren’t you?”

Jeonghan squeezed his eyes shut, his pride preventing him from answering.

Mingyu exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll stay in the living room. Just... let me know if you need anything.”

Jeonghan nodded faintly, grateful for the small mercy.

---

The Breaking Point

By the third day, Jeonghan’s heat had reached its peak. He tried to endure it on his own, but his body refused to cooperate. He was weak, his skin burning, and his mind clouded by the overwhelming need for relief.

Mingyu had kept his distance, but Jeonghan’s scent had permeated every corner of the villa, driving him to the edge of his self-control.

When Jeonghan finally stumbled out of the bedroom, his knees buckling, Mingyu caught him instinctively.

“Jeonghan,” Mingyu murmured, his voice strained. “You should’ve called me.”

Jeonghan clung to him weakly, his pride shattered. “I can’t... do this alone,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mingyu’s jaw tightened. Every instinct told him to take care of Jeonghan, to ease his suffering, but he knew the consequences of crossing that line.

“You’re asking for something dangerous,” Mingyu said, his voice low.

Jeonghan looked up at him, his eyes glassy with tears. “I don’t care. I need... you.”

For a moment, Mingyu hesitated, torn between duty and desire. But as Jeonghan’s trembling hands gripped his shirt, something inside him snapped.

“Fine,” Mingyu said, his voice rough. “But don’t blame me for what happens next.”

---

Aftermath

When Jeonghan woke the next morning, the room was quiet, the air heavy with the remnants of their shared heat. Mingyu sat on the edge of the bed, his back to Jeonghan, his shoulders tense.

Neither of them spoke at first, the weight of what had happened hanging between them.

“You should’ve told me sooner,” Mingyu said finally, his voice unreadable.

Jeonghan sat up slowly, pulling the blanket around himself. “Would it have made a difference?”

Mingyu turned to look at him, his dark eyes unreadable. “Maybe.”

Jeonghan’s chest tightened at the implication, but he didn’t press further. There was no point in dwelling on what couldn’t be undone.

For now, they were bound by necessity and circumstance, their fragile truce even more complicated than before.