HANEUL wanted to pull Taeyang closer to him at that moment. Why was he just standing there? He should be coming closer. He should be making this ache inside him stop. Another wave of heat crashed through him, and a loud groan tore from his throat before he could hold it back.
The sound Haneul made went straight to Taeyang’s core, settling low and hot in his body. He swayed as he tried to move towards the bed, his legs feeling unsteady beneath him. But the doctor was in the way, blocking his path. A low growl rumbled from deep in Taeyang’s chest, more animal than human, as he bared his teeth at the man who stood between him and Haneul.
Doctor Kim almost sighed. The suppressant he’d given the young Alpha earlier clearly hadn’t been strong enough. He’d known the pheromones of an Omega in heat could trigger a rut in an Alpha, especially one with a high match rate. He’d prepared for that. But the dose he’d administered was clearly insufficient. This was going to be a problem.
He glanced at Haneul’s mother, who looked like she was about to break from the tension. "Excuse me," he said to her. "I need to take Jung Taeyang-ssi out for a moment. We’ll be back as soon as we can."
He smiled politely and didn’t wait for her answer before pulling Jung Taeyang out of the room. He’d have to give himself credit for managing it despite his age. It seemed the young Alpha also knew he was losing control, because he let himself be pushed out, even if he kept growling the whole way.
Kyungho, who had been waiting outside, felt a jolt of alarm when he saw Doctor Kim pulling Taeyang out of the room. The Alpha’s eyes were too bright, his pupils blown wide. His breathing was heavy and uneven. A low growl rumbled from his chest. He looked like he was about to snap. "What happened?" Kyungho asked. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything’s fine," the doctor said before pulling out his phone.
Doctor Kim brought the phone to his ear and spoke in a calm, measured tone. "This is Doctor Kim. Please bring a dose of strong suppressants to the fifth floor corridor, just outside Room 502. Stat." He paused, listening for a moment before adding, "Yes, the same as earlier. Just a stronger dose."
Then he ended the call and slipped the phone back into his coat pocket.
Kyungho didn’t know how to react after hearing that. He decided to just keep his eyes on Taeyang, making sure he wouldn’t lose control. The way the younger Alpha looked right now, it seemed like he could snap any second.
Taeyang was trying his hardest to pull himself together. But it was nearly impossible. All he could think about was walking back into that room, grabbing Haneul, and sinking his teeth into his skin. Marking him. Claiming him. Making him his. He gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached, and bit down on his lower lip until he tasted blood. The sting cleared his head for just a second. He couldn’t lose it now. It wouldn’t help Haneul if both of them were not in their proper minds.
So, he forced himself to breathe.
~~~
"W-why did Taeyang leave...?" Haneul asked, his voice confused and strained. His eyes remained fixed on the door for a moment before drifting back to his mother. His expression was lost, like he didn’t understand why the one person he needed had just walked out.
Eunji’s chest tightened as she watched her usually level-headed son fall apart like this. She knew most of it was the pheromones driving him out of his mind, but that didn’t make it any easier to see. She moved closer to the bed and took his hand in hers, holding it as gently as she could.
"He’ll come back, baby," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "He just needs a moment."
She’d also seen how Taeyang had reacted when he walked in. He’d looked almost feral, barely holding himself together. For a split second, she’d even felt a flicker of fear for Haneul. The doctor must have pulled him out to give him a chance to calm down. And she agreed it was the right call. She didn’t want Taeyang losing control when he was supposed to be helping Haneul.
Haneul let out another low groan, his body curling tighter as another wave of heat rolled through him. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his breathing turned shallow and uneven. Eunji reached for the small stack of tissues on the bedside table and gently pressed one against his skin, dabbing at the moisture.
She lost track of how many minutes passed, but finally, the door opened. She turned to see the doctor and Taeyang stepped back inside. This time, Taeyang looked different. Calmer. More in control. She didn’t know what the doctor had done, but she was glad for it.
"I apologize for the delay," the doctor said to her. "But I think we can proceed with Jung Taeyang-ssi marking Kang Haneul-ssi now." He turned to Taeyang. "I realize I forgot to ask earlier, but do you know how to do it?"
Taeyang nodded with a grim expression. He knew the doctor and Haneul’s mother would be watching while he did it. Even though he hadn’t grown up in this world, he understood that this act should be intimate, something that should be shared between only the two people involved. But he also knew why they needed to be here. It was a necessary precaution. He didn’t like it, but he understood.
"Good," the doctor said with a nod of approval. "Now remember, no matter how Kang Haneul-ssi reacts, don’t do anything more than bite him. Just the bite. Nothing else."
That comment annoyed Taeyang. What else could he possibly do with both the doctor and Haneul’s mother standing right there? Did the old man really think he’d try something with Haneul’s mother watching? He wasn’t that stupid. This whole situation already looked bad, having to give Haneul a temporary mark in front of his mother because of something that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. If he did anything beyond that, it would seem like he was taking advantage. And Haneul’s mother would hate him for it. That was the last thing he wanted. Not if he still hoped for a future with Haneul.
"I know," Taeyang grumbled under his breath.
"Then please," the doctor said, gesturing toward the hospital bed.
Taeyang took a deep breath, which turned out to be a mistake. The air was thick with Haneul’s caramel scent, and it hit him hard. But with the suppressants running through his system, the effect was dulled compared to before. The urge to devour Haneul was still there, simmering beneath the surface. But he had it under control now. Just barely. The leash he had on himself was thin and brittle, but it was there. Holding his control as best it could.
He reached the bed just as Haneul’s eyes fluttered open and locked onto him.
"Taeyang..."
Haneul weakly lifted his hand, and Taeyang unhesitatingly took it. The heat radiating from Haneul’s skin was startling, almost burning, but Taeyang didn’t let go. He forced a small smile and softened his voice as much as he could.
"Everything’s going to be okay, Haneul-ah."