CHO EUNTAK felt better after taking his rut suppressants.

Unlike Baek Jeho, who was having difficulties due to the high dosage of his rut suppressants, he immediately regained his strength.

Maybe it’s also because of my pheromone stabilizer?

He had been taking the stabilizer for three days now.

Two pills every day— one during the morning, the other before he slept at night.

The doctor said the stabilizer is like a vitamin, and I can tell why.

Cho Euntak felt like he was bursting with energy.

"Euntakie, are you sure your rut is over?"

"Yes, Hyung," Cho Euntak answered Park Sohee’s question. "Why?"

"Your pheromones seem stronger than usual."

"Oh. It’s because my pheromone level increased, Hyung. My doctor increased the dosage of my suppressants, and he also prescribed a pheromone stabilizer for me."

"Your pheromone level increased? Does it usually happen among Alphas?"

Park Sohee wasn’t asking Cho Euntak since his hyung knew he was a late bloomer, who was new to everything— Park Sohee was actually asking Kim Heedo, who was silently sipping his coffee.

Yep, Cho Euntak was with the married couple.

The three of them attended an art exhibit in the gallery that Hong Sera’s family owned.

But Hong Sera was busy attending to their guests.

Hence, Cho Euntak, Park Sohee, and Kim Heedo ended up in the restaurant next to the gallery.

Their other friends couldn’t make it, so only the three of them were there.

I kind of feel like I’m third-wheeling. Sohee Hyung and Heedo Sunbae finally have the time to go on a date because Heedo Sunbae’s twin siblings volunteered to babysit Woochul and Woosung, but here they are— babysitting me instead of enjoying their rare day off.

"I’ll schedule you a consultation with Kyungmin Hyung."

Cho Euntak gasped, surprised at the mention of a very famous doctor that specialized in Alpha-Omega pheromones. "But Dr. Seong isn’t someone you can book just because you want to meet him, even if you have the money to afford him..."

"That only applies to commoners like you," Kim Heedo said, scoffing. "I’ll take care of everything, so just come to the hospital when I tell you to."

"How can I accept a huge favor like that, Heedo Sunbae..."

"Euntak-ah, it’s okay to take advantage of my chaebol husband," Park Sohee said encouragingly. "Plus, I consider you my firstborn son."

Cho Euntak almost choked on his pasta.

Kim Heedo looked as shocked as Cho Euntak.

But the Dominant Alpha was worried about something else.

"Then who’s Cho Euntak’s father, Hyung?"

"You, of course," Park Sohee said casually. "So, be nicer to Cho Euntak— he’s our son."

"Okay, Hyung. I got it," Kim Heedo said cheerfully, then he looked at Cho Euntak. "Stop calling me ’sunbae’ and just call me ’hyung,’ Euntak-ah."

Aigoo.

It felt cringe hearing Kim Heedo call his name familiarly, but...

"Yes, Hyung-nim."

How can I reject a chaebol’s request?

"Anyway, you should probably switch to a different doctor," Kim Heedo said, leaning against his seat. "Your doctor knew that you’re a late bloomer, but he didn’t bother to explain that it’s not usual for an Alpha to have an increased pheromone level out of nowhere. If it were Kyungmin Hyung, he would have already conducted several tests to find the trigger of that change."

"Oh."

"Where did you even find that quack doctor?"

"It’s the doctor from the hospital affiliated with my old high school, Hyung-nim," Cho Euntak explained. "I haven’t changed my doctor since I manifested as an Alpha."

Kim Heedo clicked his tongue. "Don’t ever go back to that quack doctor."

"Yes, Hyung-nim."

"You know what? I’ll book Kyungmin Hyung now," Kim Heedo said, getting up. "I’ll just make a phone call, Hyung."

Park Sohee nodded. "Alright."

Then Kim Heedo headed to the balcony of the restaurant to make a phone call.

"Euntak-ah, my husband is gone now."

"Huh?"

"Spill it," Park Sohee said encouragingly. "Something else is bothering you, right?"

"Oh."

"But it’s also okay if you’re not comfortable sharing it."

"No, it’s not like that, Hyung," Cho Euntak said, scratching his cheek. "It’s just that... I’m not sure if I’m being too sensitive."

"Tell me."

"The thing is, I met Kim Minjae-ssi at the hospital..."

And Cho Euntak told Park Sohee the conversation that he had with Kim Minjae.

Every single detail.

"To be honest, I’m not that interested in having a kid. I have nothing against kids, of course. But it has never been my dream to be a father," Cho Euntak said. "But I don’t know about Baek Jeho. So, now I’m bothered by what Kim Minjae-ssi said."

Park Sohee sighed. "That person said that the two of you are in the same boat?"

"Yes, Hyung. He said we’re both Alphas dating other Alphas, whom we cannot give a biological child."

"Misery really loves company, huh?"

"Huh?"

"Unhappy people often want to pull others down to their level," Park Sohee said, clicking his tongue while shaking his head. "Kim Minjae-ssi is probably feeling desperate that he can’t give Baek Jeho’s father a biological son. I assume that Baek Jeho’s father wants a child from him. Which is stupid, if you ask me. He dated an Alpha knowing that Alphas can’t give birth."

Oh, wait. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Did Baek Jeho date me, knowing that I can’t give him a baby?

"Euntak-ah?"

"Yes, Hyung?"

"This isn’t something you should hide from Baek Jeho," Park Sohee said carefully. "So, I suggest you bring up this issue with him."

Cho Euntak nodded. "Yes, Hyung— I also think that this is something that Baek Jeho and I need to talk about."

***

TWO DAYS later, Cho Euntak finally reunited with Baek Jeho.

His boyfriend visited him that morning, with a bouquet of red roses, a basket of fruits, two cups of coffee for the two of them, and a variety of delicious bread and pastries.

Hence, they had a nice breakfast.

He even put the flowers in a vase and set the vase in the center of the table.

I really don’t want to ruin these vibes, but...

"Jeho-ya, are you disappointed that I can’t give you a child?"

Baek Jeho almost choked on his croissant.

Instead of his coffee, Cho Euntak handed his boyfriend a glass of water.

Baek Jeho downed it in one big gulp, and then he asked: "Where did that come from, Euntak-ah?"

And, so, Cho Euntak spilled the beans.

Baek Jeho’s face turned dead serious as soon as he mentioned Kim Minjae.

Oops— he’s mad.

"Don’t go fighting with Kim Minjae-ssi and your father, okay?" Cho Euntak said. "I’m not sure what Kim Minjae-ssi’s intention was for bringing that up. But maybe he just really wants to talk to someone who’s in the same situation as him..."

"But you’re practically a stranger to him. There’s no reason for that person to confide in you," Baek Jeho said, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Euntak-ah, if you encounter that person again, please just ignore him. I don’t want him planting nonsense in your head again."

"His concern is valid, though. The encounter was unpleasant, yes. But, in the end, it got me thinking. Kim Minjae-ssi made me realize that we should be having the talk now, while we’ve just started our relationship. So, breaking up will be easier than it is after a while."

"Breaking up?"

"Don’t get upset."

"No, I’m not upset. I know you won’t say that, unless you have a point to make. It’s not like you’re breaking up with me, right?"

"Of course not," Cho Euntak said while shaking his head. "But, Baek Jeho. You know that I can’t give you a child, right? Sure, we can adopt kids later. There are other methods for us to try, too. But I can’t give birth to a baby, so I can’t give a biological child. You dated me knowing all that, right?"

"Yes, I know that you can’t give me a biological child. And I’m fine with that. I’m happy to be family with you, Euntak-ah."

"Really?"

"You’re doubting me?"

"No, it’s just that you only dated girls in the past. So, it makes me think that maybe you exclusively dated girls because you wanted a child. After all, whether they have a Secondary Gender or not, a woman still has a high probability of giving you a child."

"I can’t blame you for thinking that way, but I didn’t date girls for the probability of them giving me a child. To be honest, I can see myself being in a child-free marriage. So, Euntak-ah, you don’t have to worry about being an Alpha who can’t give me a baby. I’m fine with just the two of us."

Cho Euntak looked at Baek Jeho, and then he let out a relieved sigh after confirming that his boyfriend was sincere. "Alright, then. Honestly, I’m the same. I can see myself enjoying a child-free marriage without regrets."

Baek Jeho suddenly laughed softly.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"No, of course not," Baek Jeho said, smiling while shaking his head. He then held Cho Euntak’s hands and kissed his knuckles. "I’m just happy that you’re as serious as I am about our relationship, Euntak-ah."

Oh, right.

Thanks to Kim Minjae’s meddling, Cho Euntak and Baek Jeho had the opportunity to confirm that they were on the same page.

It was a good conversation.

This is a blessing in disguise, then.

"Me, too, Jeho-ya," Cho Euntak said shyly. "I’m happy that we’re dating with marriage in mind."

***

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