Rayne stood in the living room, frustration written all over his face.

“Mom, I don’t want to get married right now! How many times do I need to say it? I already have a boyfriend, and I’m not marrying anyone else but him!” he argued, exasperated.

Rayne Blackwell, the only omega son of his parents, took after his father with his blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. But unlike his dad, who was a dominant alpha with a muscular build, Rayne was slim. An omega.

Well, an elite omega, just like his mom. She had once explained that elite omegas were rare, only one in every hundred, unable to be marked or impregnated by ordinary alphas.

Only dominant alphas could. Elite omegas also carried soothing pheromones strong enough to calm even violent alphas.

But Rayne didn’t care about any of that. He loved an ordinary alpha, Losif, the same boy he’d fallen for in school.

Now in their final year, Rayne and Losif had planned to tell their parents and marry after graduation. But his parents discovered the relationship first, and they disapproved completely.

Usually Rayne could get anything with a tantrum, but this time nothing worked. They insisted he go on a blind date they arranged. Even though he refused repeatedly, it changed nothing. He loved Losif and didn’t want anyone else.

“Rayne,” his father said sternly, “we’re not asking. We’re ordering you to go on the blind date tomorrow. You don’t have any classes anyway. And if you refuse again, I’ll cut off your expenses and freeze your card.”

Rayne’s eyes widened. He was being threatened.

“Dad, how can you do this to me? I’m your lovely son, Rayne!”

But his father’s expression didn’t change. He was completely serious. With no choice, and no ability to survive without his allowance, Rayne reluctantly agreed.

The next day, he woke up and deliberately dressed badly. He pulled on an oversized shirt, two sizes too big.

During a school trip, Losif had once said Rayne didn’t look good in loose clothes, which made it perfect for ruining the blind date.

“Time to scare my date,” Rayne muttered with a mischievous grin.

He paired it with tiny shorts that were barely visible, like a stereotypical troublemaking omega from a movie. Once his parents left for work, he slipped out quietly and got into the car.

As the driver started the engine, Rayne received a message from Losif:

[Losif: My car’s right behind you, just in case. Who knows what kind of alpha that guy might be? Babe, don’t worry, everything will be fine. If it’s not, I’ll step in.]

Rayne smiled and sent him a heart emoji. Leaning back, he sighed. He had no idea what awaited him.

After some time, the car stopped at Hotel Azureline. Rayne stepped out and glanced back at Losif’s car parked a bit further away. Taking a deep breath, he walked inside.

A black-haired man approached him, clearly an alpha, dressed neatly in a jacket and pants.

“Are you Rayne? The one here to meet the boss for a blind date?”

Rayne nodded. The man softened and led him to a beautifully decorated VIP room, elegant and scenic. No wonder the alpha had chosen it.

“The boss will arrive soon. Please wait, I’ll bring something to drink,” the man said, pulling out a chair for him.

When he left, Rayne froze. Boss?

Did that mean the hotel belonged to his date?

He quickly pulled out his phone. Inside the VIP room, Losif couldn’t see him anymore. Should he call?

Before he decided, the door opened. A tall man entered, black suit, white shirt, dark hair, crimson eyes, confident, and composed.

He sat in front of Rayne and extended a hand. “Hello. I’m Lucian Moreau. Nice to meet you.”

“Uh, hi. I’m Rayne Blackwell, twenty-two years old. What about you?”

“I’m twenty-eight,” Lucian replied smoothly. “I run several businesses, mostly hotels.”

Rayne nodded awkwardly, legs dangling off the slightly high chair. When he looked up, Lucian was staring at him with an intense, unreadable gaze.

Rayne cleared his throat. “Okay, so… I don’t plan to get married anytime soon. After this date, please tell my parents you didn’t like me and don’t want to marry me.”

Lucian seemed gentlemanly enough that Rayne expected him to agree. Instead, Lucian smiled softly.

“Why should I do that? I need an heir. My family has been pressuring me to marry and have children. I’ve been on several blind dates, but I think you’re perfect to be my spouse, and you’re beautiful, too.”

Rayne’s eyes widened. No, no, no.

This was heading straight toward a proposal, and he had to stop it.

He stood abruptly and slammed his hands on the table.

“I already have a boyfriend, so I can’t marry you… because I’m pregnant with his child!”

He expected shock, maybe disgust. Any normal alpha would be horrified at an omega carrying another alpha’s child.

But instead, Lucian chuckled.

Rayne blinked up at him, stunned, as Lucian’s crimson eyes met his.

“That was a pretty lame lie,” Lucian said calmly. “You can’t possibly be pregnant by an ordinary alpha. And if your boyfriend were a dominant alpha, he would’ve already marked you. But you’re unmarked, so he’s just an ordinary one.”

Rayne’s jaw dropped.

In under ten seconds, Lucian had analyzed his whole life. Rayne glared. How dare this man be this smart right now?

He crossed his arms with a frown. “Stop laughing, it’s irritating! And so what if he’s an ordinary alpha? He loves me, and I love him. That’s what matters.”

Lucian leaned back, smirking. “You say it doesn’t matter? Wow… you really are a clueless kid, aren’t you? Kitty?”

Rayne’s eyes widened with outrage. “Hey! How dare you call me a kid! And I’m not a kitty! I have a name, use it!”

Before Lucian could reply, the door opened. The same man returned with their lunch, and the cabin filled with delicious aroma.

 The moment Rayne saw the plated food, he forgot all about being angry. He immediately dug in.

Lucian watched him eat quietly, not touching his own plate. Rayne noticed and squinted.

“Why aren’t you eating? And don’t even think I’ll share with you.”

Lucian only looked amused.

After they finished, Rayne stood up. “Thank you for the food.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “Did you just come here to eat? Come on, don’t be like that. Let’s go somewhere else.”

Rayne shook his head quickly. “No thanks. My boyfriend’s waiting outside.”

They stepped out of the VIP room, and Rayne suddenly froze.

Emergency.

“Where’s the restroom? I need to go!”

Lucian simply nodded. “I’ll show you,” he said, walking beside him.

They entered the restroom, only to freeze as a loud moan echoed from the first stall.

Rayne blinked, stunned. Someone was… making out?

Lucian stared at the stall silently, but Rayne rushed straight to the last stall. The moans continued, annoyingly loud.

Once finished, Rayne came out to find Lucian still waiting at the sink, arms folded. Rayne washed his hands as if nothing had happened.

The moans stopped. The stall door creaked open.

Curiosity won, Rayne glanced toward the stall.

And his world shattered.

Walking out was Losif.

His boyfriend.

His brown hair messy, his shirt wrinkled. And beside him stood Ken, Rayne’s childhood best friend.

Ken’s soft pink hair fell over his flushed face, grey eyes darting nervously. He was smaller and shorter than Rayne, an ordinary omega.

The four froze.

Rayne stared at the two people he trusted most, the ones who had just broken him.

Lucian’s voice cut sharply through the air. “Who are you two? And does this restroom look like a room to both of you? How dare you make out in a public place!”

His tone was cold, commanding, and honestly, since it happened in his hotel, he had every right to be furious.

But Rayne couldn’t move. His whole body froze. His chest tightened, and his eyes stung with unshed tears.

When he looked at Ken, he saw a faint smirk tugging at Ken’s lips.

That hurt Rayne more than anything.

Was this really the same Ken he had always believed was kind and gentle? The one he’d trusted since childhood? Now… Ken looked like a stranger, someone Rayne didn’t recognize at all.

Losif took a hesitant step forward, guilt written all over his face.

“Rayne, please… it’s not what it looks like,” Losif said quickly. “Ken was in heat, and I just… helped him, masturbate.”

Rayne almost laughed at how pathetic that sounded. Did Losif really think he didn’t recognize those kinds of sounds coming from the stall?

Before he could respond, Ken clung to Losif’s arm, as if he were scared , scared of Rayne.

Unbelievable.

“You don’t need to explain anything, Losif,” Rayne said quietly. “I understand. I understand everything now.”

He forced a shaky smile and turned to Lucian. “And it’s fine… I’m getting married soon anyway.”

Before his tears could fall, he grabbed onto Lucian’s arm tightly. His voice trembled as he whispered, “Let’s go.”

Lucian looked down at him, then gently took off his coat and draped it around Rayne’s shoulders. His hand moved protectively to Rayne’s back, guiding him away.

“Excuse me,” Lucian said firmly to the stunned pair. “My fiancée is tired. We’ll be leaving now.”

With his arm around Rayne, he led him out of the restroom, away from humiliation, away from them.

But as they walked down the hallway, Rayne’s heart felt like it was breaking into pieces too small to gather anymore.

He felt pathetic. Completely and utterly pathetic.

And the more he thought, the worse it felt. The way Ken and Losif were making out back there… it didn’t sound like their first time.

Did that mean… all those school rumors were true?

Students had once mentioned seeing Ken and Losif together after school or coming out of the gym late at night. Rayne never believed any of it.

He thought they were jealous. They had always been a trio, Rayne, Ken, Losif. Ken and Losif were close, sure, but Rayne assumed it was friendship. He trusted them.

Now he realized how blind he’d been.

If they had already been involved like that… why had Losif dated him in the first place?

was it because of his family wealth. Because of his property.

“Are you okay?” Lucian’s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts.

Rayne blinked and looked around, they were already outside the hotel, and Lucian’s sleek black car was parked in front of them.

“Honestly?” Rayne muttered. “I’m not okay.”

Lucian quietly opened the car door. Rayne slipped inside without another word.

The driver was the same man who had served them earlier, but Rayne didn’t have the strength to care.

His own problems were huge.

As the car started moving, Rayne stared out the window. His reflection looked hollow. He could still feel Lucian’s gaze on him.

“He was my boyfriend,” Rayne finally said. “Losif.”

Lucian said nothing, just listened.

“And that omega with him is my best friend, Ken. We’ve been friends since childhood, but they both betrayed me. They had an affair behind my back.” His voice cracked. “Didn’t Ken feel ashamed? Sleeping with my boyfriend when I never even did that with him?”

He let out a bitter laugh. “And Losif… he’s a real bastard. I finally see him for what he is.”

As Rayne talked, tears slid down his cheeks. He tried to stop them but couldn’t.

He was hurt. Deeply hurt.

He had been deceived by the people he trusted the most.

He had been dating Losif since middle school. All those years, all those memories and promises…

only to find out Losif had been doing that with Ken, the same Ken who grew up with him, the one he defended every time someone accused him of something.

The betrayal stung so badly that Rayne’s chest tightened painfully.

No. He couldn’t let them deceive him again.

With trembling fingers, he typed a message to Losif.

[Rayne: We are fucking breaking up, you lunatic. And don’t ever show your face in front of me again.]

He hit send and switched off the phone immediately.

Lucian’s calm voice came beside him. “Are you okay? Do you… want a hug?”

Rayne looked at him, really looked. The broad shoulders, the composed face, the quiet strength that made him seem like he could hold the world together.

Without a word, Rayne leaned over and hugged him.

Lucian didn’t hesitate. His arm wrapped around Rayne’s shoulders, firm and gentle at the same time. His soft lemon scent warmed the air around Rayne, soothing the ache in his chest.

For the first time that day, Rayne finally stopped shaking.

He closed his eyes while hugging Lucian, and before he knew it, he fell asleep.

When he woke up, he found himself lying in the car. His head was resting on Lucian’s lap while Lucian scrolled through his phone. Rayne’s eyes widened, and he quickly sat up.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t realize I fell asleep.” He wiped the little drool on his cheek and rubbed his eyes, noticing it was already dark.

Wait, his parents! They must’ve been worried sick. He had even switched off his phone!

He frantically searched for it, grabbed it, and turned it on.

“You don’t need to apologize,” Lucian said. “You were heartbroken. While you slept, I called your parents and told them you’d be home late tonight.”

Rayne let out a long breath. “Thank goodness… they would’ve been so worried.”

“Thank you, Lucian. You’re a good guy,” he said softly, but Lucian looked at him like he didn’t believe it.

A few minutes later, Lucian dropped him home. Rayne waved and went inside.

His parents were already eating dinner when he entered. Rayne rushed over dramatically.

“Wow, you’re eating without me? How could you! I’m starving!” He grabbed a spoon, but his mom stopped him.

“Wash your hands first. And by the way,” she narrowed her eyes, “you like Lucian, don’t you?”

Rayne froze. “Of course not! How could I like him? I just stayed with him because you were the one who sent me on that blind date!”

“Really?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Then why are you still wearing his coat?”

Rayne blinked, looked down, and there it was. Lucian’s coat still wrapped around him.

Embarrassed, he darted back to his room, tossed the coat on his bed, and rushed to wash up.

Ten minutes later, he returned, and his parents waited for him. Cute. He joined them and finally began to eat.

“Did something happen, Rayne?” Dad asked. “Your eyes look swollen.”

Rayne tried brushing it off. “No, nothing,” His voice cracked, and tears spilled before he could stop them.

So he told them everything,about Losif, about Ken, about the betrayal.

“Losif was two-timing,” he said bitterly. “He’s such a jerk.”

“Should we teach him a lesson?” Mom asked, frowning.

Rayne shook his head. “No. This is my problem. I’ll handle it.”

They hugged him tightly until he calmed down.

Even after crying, Rayne still finished dinner. Then he returned to his room, took a warm bath, changed into pajamas, and finally lay on his bed, exhausted but somewhat lighter.

He lay on his stomach, scrolling on his phone and kicking his feet absentmindedly.

Everything was quiet, until his phone started ringing.

He looked at the screen and froze.

Ken.

Seriously? Why was Ken calling him now?

Wait if rayne was not thinking wrong then. Ken wanted to feed him another stupid excuse.

Rayne still decided to pick up the call. He wanted to see what Ken had to say now.

(Rayne) “Hello? Why are you calling me?”

(Ken) “Thank god you picked up, Rayne. Do you know how worried I was about you? Nothing happened between me and Losif, it was just a misunderstanding!”

(Rayne) “A misunderstanding, you say? Then how will you explain what you were doing there in the first place? I had a blind date, I never told you about it. That means Losif must have told you, and you came there to have fun with him like you always do.”

(Ken) “No, Losif never told me that! It was between you two, how could he? We met there by chance. And yeah, my heat cycle had started, so Losif was helping me to get an inhibitor injection.”

Rayne didn’t believe a single word. He wasn’t going to trust anyone again. Maybe Lucian was right, he really was such a clueless kid who didn’t know anything. To him, love was everything. But to Losif, something else clearly mattered more.

(Rayne) “Listen, I don’t care what you were doing. I’m not in a relationship with Losif anymore, so you can have him, since you like my leftovers.”

Ken went silent for a few seconds, then let out a sharp scoff. Rayne wasn’t surprised. He had already figured out Ken’s real personality, cunning and fake.

(Ken) “Rayne, you were born with a golden spoon, that’s why you’ll never understand me. But believe me, I’m going to take everything that belongs to you.”

Rayne hung up the call and threw his phone onto the bed.

Whatever. He would just marry Lucian like his parents wanted. Even if he didn’t love him, love wasn’t the only thing needed to live together.

He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Rayne got ready for university even though he didn’t want to see Losif’s face ever again.

Once the driver dropped him off, he started walking across the campus, but he instantly noticed people staring and whispering to each other.

It felt strange. Why were they looking at him like that?

He glanced down at his clothes, everything looked fine.

But when he stepped inside the building, he froze.

As soon as Rayne’s eyes landed on the university billboard, he froze again. His photos were displayed there.

He was half-naked, wearing only a pair of very short shorts. His bare body was visible, and he was in a swimming pool with two men beside him, one kissing his neck while the other held his arm.

Those photos made it look like he was making out with both of them.

Rayne’s eyes widened. He was about to step back, but his legs went weak and he almost stumbled — until someone caught him by the arm.

When he looked up, it was Losif. Rayne instantly pushed him away.

“Don’t you dare touch me, you jerk!” Rayne shouted.

Did Losif really think that after seeing those photos he would run crying into his arms? Never.

“Look at him acting all innocent just because his parents are rich businesspeople,” someone sneered.

“Right! Those photos show how shameless that omega is. And now he’s calling Losif a jerk? What a whore.”

Their whispers cut through Rayne like knives. His hands trembled, his heart pounded. He didn’t know who did this, but he had a strong hunch, it was Ken. Just last night they had talked, and now these fake photos appeared everywhere. It had to be him.

“Everyone, those are edited photos! My Rayne didn’t do anything wrong!” Losif shouted angrily, silencing the crowd for a moment.

He stepped forward, trying to hug Rayne, but Rayne quickly moved back.

“Maintain your distance,” Rayne snapped, and ran.

But Losif followed.

Rayne glanced back, he was right behind him. “Don’t follow me, Losif. I want to be alone, and we’re broken up, don’t forget that.”

Losif didn’t stop. Rayne stepped out onto the campus, but Losif still followed. Rayne stood beside a tree and glared at him.

“What’s your problem? Can’t you understand human language?” Rayne demanded. “I told you not to follow me. So why are you following me in the first place?”

Losif stopped a few feet away, looking desperate. “I’m worried about you, Rayne. I know what I did was wrong... I just, I got carried away. But I only love you, not Ken. I never loved him. You’re the only one for me. Please, forgive me, Rayne.”

His words snapped something inside Rayne. Anger burst hotter than the pain. He raised his hand and slapped Losif hard across the cheek.

“Don’t you feel any shame?” Rayne snapped. “You slept with Ken, and now you’re standing here saying you don’t love him and you only love me? If you really loved me, you wouldn’t have been in that kind of relationship with him in the first place.”

Rayne crossed his arms, glaring. Losif held his cheek, the same cheek Rayne had slapped.

“I told you, I was carried away,” Losif said weakly. “It was just the heat of the moment. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, not Ken’s and not mine. But I already told Ken we’re not doing anything like that again, and that he should stay away from me because I love you.”

Rayne narrowed his eyes, frustration boiling inside him.

“Losif, you’ve gone insane. Don’t talk to me ever again. I’m ashamed that I dated someone like you. And don’t tell me you’re trying to get me back because of my wealth.”

At that, Losif’s expression shifted. His eyes turned red with anger, and he clenched his fists.

“Rayne, you can be angry at me all you want, you have every right to be. But I’m not some beggar chasing after you for money. My family is rich too!”

Honestly, Rayne didn’t know much about Losif at all. Since childhood, he always came and went alone. Whenever Rayne asked about his family, Losif only said that when the time was right, he would reveal everything.

“Losif, we’ve already broken up. So stop following me,” Rayne said, turning away.

“No! I never agreed to break up, so we’re still dating, Rayne! I know you’re angry, but once you calm down, please call me!” Losif shouted from behind.