Chapitre 3: Awakened Fear
Sunghwa stepped towards the door, every muscle in his body taut with anticipation. The faint thump he had heard earlier had triggered his instincts, making his Alpha senses hyper-aware. What if it was someone dangerous? An intruder? No, it was more likely his own paranoia getting the better of him, fueled by the Omega's lingering scent still thick in the air.
He cautiously peered through the peephole, scanning the dimly lit hallway. It was empty, just as it always was. With a sigh of relief, he stepped back, feeling a little foolish for getting so worked up. The door clicked shut behind him as he double-checked the lock, ensuring the penthouse was secure.
His eyes drifted back to the unconscious figure on the couch—the Omega, fragile and vulnerable, still wrapped in blankets. Sunghwa's tension eased slightly. The boy hadn't moved.
As he approached, the Omega stirred, a faint murmur escaping his lips. His eyelids fluttered open, unfocused and dazed. Sunghwa leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur.
"Hey, you with me?" he asked, his tone low and soft, trying not to startle him.
The Omega's sapphire blue eyes blinked slowly, struggling to make sense of his surroundings. Fear quickly clouded his gaze, and his body tensed as though he were ready to bolt. His lips parted, but no words came, just shallow, panicked breaths.
Sunghwa raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Easy. You're safe now. Just relax."
The Omega tried to push himself up, but his body was too weak. His breaths came out fast and ragged, a clear sign of panic setting in. Sunghwa frowned, realizing the boy might not even understand Korean.
Switching to English, he said, "It's okay. I'm Kang Sunghwa. I almost hit you with my car, remember?"
The Omega's gaze darted around the room before landing back on Sunghwa. His fingers clutched at the blanket, knuckles white.
"You were unconscious," Sunghwa explained, his voice still gentle. "I couldn't just leave you there. I brought you here to help."
The Omega blinked, confusion and fear still swirling in his wide eyes. His body remained tense, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Sunghwa took a small step back to give him space, sensing the boy's fragility.
"You're in my penthouse," Sunghwa added, watching the Omega carefully. "You were in pretty bad shape. The streets aren't safe for someone like you."
The Omega's breathing slowed slightly, as if Sunghwa's words were starting to sink in. But the fear remained. Whatever had happened to him wasn't something that could be easily brushed aside.
Sunghwa thought of asking again what had happened, but he stopped himself. The boy's entire body tensed at the mere thought of being questioned, and pushing for answers now would only scare him more.
"Don't worry," Sunghwa said softly, his tone reassuring. "You're safe here. I'm not going to hurt you."
After a moment, the Omega spoke, his voice weak and hesitant. "Why… why did you help me?"
The question caught Sunghwa off guard. He hadn't expected it. Why had he helped? He could have easily called for an ambulance, or even the police, but instead, he'd brought this fragile Omega into his own home. It didn't make sense on the surface, but deep down, something had driven him to protect the boy.
"I couldn't just leave you there," Sunghwa replied, his voice low. "It didn't feel right."
The Omega stared at him, still unsure whether to trust him. Sunghwa could see it in his eyes—this kid was scared, and rightfully so. It would take time to build trust between them, but for now, the boy was safe. That was all that mattered.
Needing a moment to clear his head, Sunghwa stood up and walked toward the kitchen. He ran a hand through his damp hair, trying to push aside the urges still lingering from his rut. This wasn't the time for that. When he returned, he handed the Omega a glass of water.
"Drink this," Sunghwa offered.
The Omega accepted it with trembling hands, taking slow sips. His eyes remained on Sunghwa, as if watching for any sign of danger.
As the Omega drank, Sunghwa's thoughts raced. Whoever this kid was, he had been through something horrible. His fear was palpable, and Sunghwa knew it wasn't over. Whatever had happened was still out there, a threat lurking in the shadows. And Sunghwa had just stepped into the middle of it.
"I don't know what happened to you," Sunghwa said quietly, "but you're safe now. I'll protect you. I promise."
The Omega hesitated for a moment before finally whispering, "Felix."
Sunghwa blinked, then nodded. "Felix. That's your name?"
The Omega—Felix—nodded slowly, his voice still trembling. "Yes."
Sunghwa repeated the name softly, committing it to memory. The silence between them stretched once more, heavy with unspoken words. Felix's guard was still up, but he seemed just a little more relaxed now. It was a small step, but it was progress.
Just as Felix set the glass down, he froze. His lips parted again, but no sound came out. His eyes darted toward Sunghwa, wide with panic.
"Felix?" Sunghwa's brow furrowed in concern. "What is it? What are you trying to say?"
Felix's lips moved soundlessly, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. His hands gripped the edge of the blanket as though trying to anchor himself. He opened his mouth again, but all that escaped was a faint whisper.
Sunghwa's chest tightened, anxiety coiling inside him. What was Felix trying to tell him? What was he so afraid of?
Questions flooded Sunghwa's mind, but none of them had answers.
Not yet.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone