Chapter 37 - Running Away 2

Wonho is stunned motionless at what just happened. The strong pheromones of the two alphas threatening each other, so intense he almost shook in fear. For the first time in his life, he finally understands why alphas stare at each other before using their fist, unlike betas who just get to it right away. They are measuring each others' strengths.

And seeing how unaffected the two betas are while his heart was beating violently, he finally understands why the omegas turned away from him that night; they were as scared as he was.

But the one thing that scared him the most about what just happened is how much stronger and dominating Minwoo's pheromones are compared to Sangcheol's. It was heavy and suffocating, he felt weak and helpless just being there. It is clear that the alpha could do anything to him if he wanted to and he would be powerless to stop it.

And to think that he had been near the alpha alone, just the thought of it sends shivers down his spine.

'What the hell happened with you two?' Junjie asks, his face still red with anger. He is looking directly at Wonho, demanding answer. The few seconds of tension is eased by Mengyao's voice, apologizing to the people around them for the ruckus before sitting back down. Junjie still keeps his gaze, not giving up, and Mengyao asks the same question, only, gentler.

'N-nothing happened.'

'Bullshit. You did something to him.' Junjie calls out and Wonho sighs inwardly, wondering why Junjie defended him if he knew Wonho was the offender. It never ceases to amaze him though, how the man always knows when to trust his words, and when not to, making him all the more thankful for the biased support. That being said, sometimes Wonho just wish Junjie would let him go with the obvious lie, if only to comfort him.

'I… slapped him.'

'That bastard! The fuck did he do to you?! Did he tried t-'

'Yaah! Calm down. Everyone can hear you.' Mengyao hushes the aggravated man for which Wonho is thankful for. He doesn't want people around them to get the wrong idea.

'Nothing. I just… he didn't…'

'Wono.' Sangcheol interrupts, wanting him to tell the truth. Wonho looks down and bites his lower lip, ashamed to admit it. 'Tell us.'

'He's an alpha. I… just noticed.' Wonho complies hesitantly. It wasn't the forceful, hungry kisses that scared him. Well, that too. But the real reason was because he realized he was kissed by an alpha. The very kind that destroyed him that night. The kind that he hates the most. He let another alpha take him, willingly, making him feel disgusted with himself.

The thing is, he never wants to admit it to his friends because two of them are alphas. And though he hates the alphas, he loves his friends dearly. He keeps his eyes locked at the table, too ashamed to cross eyes with his senior, 'I'm sorry Ryuu-hyung. I'm trying but I'm... still afraid…'

He feels the familiar strong hand placed behind his neck, the thumb rubbing his skin like a father would a son. Sangcheol shakes him lightly before moving firmly grip around his shoulder. 'I know. It takes time. At least you know Chansol and I won't hurt you. That's enough. Other alphas can wait.'

Wonho nods and sighs. It shouldn't matter if he will never be able to accept alphas. Nothing will change. He will still be able to have a normal life, a normal family with another beta. But, he doesn't want to keep avoiding them forever either.

'If he ever come close to you again, I'll kill him.' Junjie is still irritated with Minwoo's rude behaviour. The man looks at Wonho, silently telling him not to have anything to do with the alpha which makes the latter feel a bit guilty.

Aside from the sudden aggressive kissing, which he initially enjoyed before his normal panic attack, the only thing Minwoo did wrong was being an alpha. And though he knows there is nothing the man could've done to change what he is, Wonho still couldn't help being scared, angry and acting defensive towards him.

'Wono, let's get something to eat.' Sangcheol drags him up and he follows, knowing his senior wants to talk privately. After asking what the other two want, they make their way towards the convenient store but stop right at the corner and enter a quite road. Wonho plays with the hem of his shirt, still feeling slightly uncomfortable after saying that he hates alphas. He knows they are going to talk about it.

'Wono.'

'Hrm?'

'Did you sense it? When Minwoo asked you to explain?'

'What?' Wonho wonders what he should notice. How persistent Minwoo was?

'Did you feel like you have to comply?' Now that he think about it, he did feel like something is going to happen if he didn't but that was because he was feeling guilty. 'That's the tone alphas use to control omegas. Remember that tone, the low voice with slight growl. You should know what is happening so you won't be manipulated easily.'

'What…?'

Sangcheol sighs. There are so much more to their world that a simple beta would not understand. Omegas learned it at the omega schools but Wonho has no one to guide him and that worries the older. Of course he can trust Haneul to teach his junior, but important things might be forgotten unless they are experienced first hand, such as the commanding tone used against Wonho just now. Though he knows Minwoo didn't do it on purpose, it is still important to tell the new omega.

'You are not affected because of you have a mate. But your bond's getting weaker and once that's broken, you may be exposed to these things. Keep that in mind and be careful.'

Wonho gulps and nods weakly. For the past few months, he realized how much his bond had been keeping him away from other alphas. And though he hates the fact that he was forcefully claimed, he has to admit in the absence of his 'mate', the bond has only been keeping him safe.

Truthfully speaking, he used to be excited for it to break but now, as it grows weaker, he is getting more and more nervous. Because that means he will be a free omega for other alphas to claim.

#####

Everything went back to normal a few days later, besides Minwoo avoiding him that is. Whenever they happen to be in the same vicinity, the alpha will ignore him completely before moving away like during his jogging sessions or lecture.

Wonho knows he should be relieved but he feels a sudden loneliness enveloping him. Just like how his omega classmates showed their hatred towards him, Minwoo even goes as far as to change seats to get as far away as possible from him during their first class together after that incident. And at that moment, Wonho felt a pang in his heart.

'You okay, hyung?' Chansol's voice interrupts his daze. His stomachache is gone but he started to feel slightly light-headed for the past few days. And no, sleep does not help at all. Today, he felt his body burning a bit as he rose from the bed this morning but it is not so much that he had to take a rest. His body temperature is normal too.

Wonho looks at the younger's concerned face and gives a weak smile. He already has his head on the table, his whole body feeling heavy and needing support.

'You sure? You don't look so good.'

'I'm fine.'

'Your gastric again?'

'No… it's okay. Don't mind me.' He assures his junior again, wanting him to focus. The exam is next week, and unlike Chansol who needs to pass it, he is only attending the class for revision. He would hate to be the reason why Chansol can't focus.

Chansol nods and turns back to the lecturer, but makes sure to check on his senior once in a while. He is taking notes when he hears the heavy breathing beside him, as if Wonho is having difficulty to breathe. Indeed, the man is sweating. He is even too distracted to hide his scent like he usually would during class hour. Worried, he tries again. 'You need to rest.'

'It'll pass.'

'No, hyung. Go back.' Not wanting to fight, and feeling a bit sick, Wonho agrees to that suggestion and gets up to leave. He has to hold on to the walls for support once in a while so he knows it is getting worse. Grabbing his bike, he starts to push it home as he is too out of it to even balance himself.

'You okay?' Some guy suddenly walks beside him and holds his upper arm to stop his track. And without realizing it, Wonho lets out a gasp, more like a short moan, as his sensitive skin made contact with another. His unexpected reaction shocked him and he pushes the man away in embarrassment before loosing his footings and falls to the ground.

'Hey, where are you going? Let me help.' The shorter male tries again as he crouches near the omega, too close Wonho can feel his breath on his skin. And the scent. He is an alpha.

Wonho refuses the hand held out to him and tries prying the grab on his shoulder but it is useless. He is in no condition to do anything. 'Leave me alone.'

'Why don't we go somewhere I can help you.'

Low voice with a slight growl. How alphas control omegas. 'No!'

'You're not looking good. Let me help.' He is supported back up but the pressure keeps coming, the alpha's pheromones are getting intense Wonho starts to shake involuntarily.

'Let go of me.' He tries again weakly. He has no energy to fight and he just wants to go back to his room.

'He said he's fine, man. Let him go.' Wonho finally notices another man standing there all this time. He tries to push the alpha away and this time, the other guy helps by pulling him away. 'Jesus. What's wrong with you?'

'He needs help.' The alpha tries touching him again and Wonho flinches away. Looking at the beta male holding his pursuer, he silently begs for the other to be taken away from him.

'He don't need it. He'll be fine. Let's go, man.' The beta drags his friend away, not understanding the persistence.

Wonho takes a second to regain his composure. He doesn't know why he is feeling really helpless and pathetic right now but tears are falling down his face, making everything blurry and he just wants to lay down somewhere safe. He keeps looking on the ground, trying to hide his face and avoid making eye contact with the people around him. A few more people stopped him before Wonho decides it is best to lose the bike and run back, albeit his weak knees. And he keeps moving.

He doesn't recognize the place anymore. He lost track while trying to avoid all the alphas but he couldn't stop walking. And now he is in an unfamiliar place, trying to get back home. This place is quiet, and Wonho contemplates whether he should take a rest here to regain his strength and clear his mind.

Something caught his attention here. Something about this place feels warm and safe. Without thinking, his legs start to move; into a building, towards the isolated staircase. He continues climbing, supporting his weight on the rail as his legs almost give away from the exhaustion. He wonders how much longer he has to climb but he doesn't know where he is heading in the first place.

He finally reaches the top floor and stands in front of a door. Pushing it, he walks straight towards the familiar scent.

'Wonho? What the fuck are you doing here?'