Seoha’s POV

Daeshin is here.

The alarm in my brain goes off as it fully sinks into me, the man who hurt me is here, I don’t see much but the back of his head is in my line of sight.

The change in Taesan’s pheromones makes my scent spike with worry.

My mind is flying all over the place as I wonder, what is Daeshin doing here? Why is Daeshin with that man?

My chest is starting to hurt from how hard my heart is pounding and I hold on to a soft fabric in the wardrobe.

"I expected an empty office" Taesan’s grandfather says in a loud voice as he takes his seat, and Daeshin stands behind him.

My ex-alpha briefly turns his head and I see that his face is swollen...he looks like he took a beating.

Taesan?

"Why is that, grandfather?" Taesan asks with a flat tone and he moves away from the wardrobe to take his seat, the alpha leans back in his chair, wearing an air of cocky confident.

From here I can see Taesan’s face, the back of his grandfather’s head and Daeshin’s back...he’s wearing the suit I designed, and Minjae sew for his birthday.

"Is that an omega I smell on you?" the old man asks, he sounds too delighted by it, like he has a sick and twisted joy in it.

"And if it is?" Taesan asks, keeping the same flat expression on his face, he seems stable and unmovable like a mountain, something that he wasn’t last night.

"Do I buy a suit to welcome my future in-law" old man Kang asks with a laugh that sounds paternal from here, but I see the way Taesan’s face twists into quiet rage, and he presses his lips together not to respond.

"Why the face? Isn’t a great grandfather supposed to look forward to another great grandson?" the man asks.

"Why is that trash in my company?" Taesan asks and his grandfather laughs a bit more, the sound of his laughter makes me feel unsettled, every evil intention is plain.

"Isn’t it obvious?" his grandfather asks and Taesan’s eyes shift to Daeshin.

The pain in my chest intensifies, being in the same space as he bothers me, especially after finding out what he has been doing to me.

’Drink up baby, I bought it just for you’

’You blacked out and took off all your clothes, my little virgin’

"No, grandfather, nothing is obvious" Taesan says and drops his gaze to his grandfather, maintaining the flatness he stared speaking with.

"This fine young man is seeking a job, and I know you have a space, what was it?" the elderly man asks Daeshin.

"A head designer, sir" he says and Taesan lets out a cold chuckle, something that sounds too similar his grandfather.

They host the same madness in different forms.

"The spot has been taken, and my company refuses to work with...incels" Taesan says, his tone is finite and authoritative, emphasizing on the word ’incel’.

The grandfather draws himself up.

"I don’t care it’s taken; you will give the man a job here" the old man says, his laughter and faux kindness has been dropped. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

I feel the tension of alpha versus alpha from here and I slap my hand over my mouth, my omega is getting worried and pacing at the thought of seeing Daeshin every day in this place.

I don’t want that.

It’s already hard enough with Taesan...it will be worse with Daeshin.

"He doesn’t qualify to work in Mountain Atelier" Taesan says, leaning further back in his chair.

"I didn’t teach you well enough last night, did I?" the old man asks with the demonic cheerfulness returning to his tone and Taesan smirks.

"Hmm...your world, your rules. My company, my fucking decisions" the alpha says, his eyes are hooded as he addresses both his grandfather and Daeshin.

"Sir, I am good at art, I can show you" Daeshin speaks and my throat closes up, his art is never his, it’s mine...all mine.

"The spot is taken" Taesan says, "by a competent omega" he adds and his eyes flickers to where I am hidden, it’s quick and goes unnoticed by everyone but me.

"Make the other person an assistant" the grandfather says, I can hear the irritation in his voice and Taesan sits up, his shoulders are squared as he leans forward and places his hands on the desk.

"Since grandfather is so eager to end your misery, you will serve my omega" the alpha says and Daeshin stutters before responding, the most uncomposed I’ve ever heard him.

"I mean- I- I mean I graduated with honors and-" he manages to say and the corner of Taesan’s lips lift into a smirk.

"You agree to serve my omega designer?" Taesan asks with his eyebrow cocked and the grandfather hits his cane on the floor.

The sudden noise makes me freeze in the wardrobe and my heart races for Taesan as my omega calls for the safety of the alpha.

"You are pushing the line, boy" the grandfather spits and Taesan doesn’t respond, his face grows dark, but he stares blankly.

"Wait outside Daeshin, I will call you back soon" the grandfather says and I hear Daeshin leave, the moment Daeshin is gone, Taesan settles fully into his darkness.

"What are you doing?" he growls at his grandfather.

"There he is, my beastly blood" the old man chuckles, "we fucking agreed you stay the fuck out of my company!" Taesan roars, getting out of his seat and panting with anger.

"A grandfather can no longer ask favors from his own grandsons?" his grandfather asks in a heartbreakingly soft tone, but I can hear the wicked smile in his voice.

"Don’t fuck with me" Taesan snarls.

"Manners boy, I didn’t give you enough last night, right?" elder Kang snaps and Taesan slightly relaxes his threatening stance, "seeing you standing and talking like this...I didn’t break you, did I?" he asks.

"Get your toy out of my building" Taesan says calmly, "oh, I gave you the reins, you made yourself captain and now you think you are something?" the grandfather mocks and Taesan growls.

"Watch yourself" the man says and gets out of the chair to leave the office.

"He starts tomorrow, I’m warning you, Taesan, don’t offend me...you know what I’m capable of" the elder says and pauses, turning his head towards the wardrobe.

My eyes meet with his, my heart squeezes in to itself, the man keeps on staring at the wardrobe, and I see Taesan standing tensely at his desk.

"That thing is ugly" he scoffs before finally leaving.