Chapter 2: Don’t Forget the Rain

Okay. So. The rain stopped, technically. But my brain? Still soaking wet from whatever the hell that event was. You ever just wake up and immediately feel like your life got cursed by some sexy, dangerously well-dressed god? No? Just me?

I blinked up at my ceiling, and the first thing that popped into my mind wasn’t breakfast, or work, or my deadline. No. It was him.

That man. That thing that appeared out of nowhere, with his deep voice and stormcloud energy and eyes that could melt metal.

My pillow still smelled like my shampoo-jasmine and vanilla. But it wasn’t enough. My nose was suddenly on high alert. I could still smell him. That scent-dark, dusky expensive, something sharp and citrusy under all that mystery. Like lightning trapped in a bottle. Why the hell was I remembering his scent?!

And then I saw it.

My phone screen blinked: 1 new message.

No name. No ID.

Just: “Don’t forget the rain.”🫨

I almost threw my phone across the room. WHO SAYS THAT? What does it even mean?? I spiraled. Full-on chaotic-theo-core spiraled.

Maybe it's hallucination....

I mean, is this guy a poet? A stalker? Or a walking fever dream that somehow imprinted on my scent receptors?? And WHY could I still smell him? I’m a beta. Betas don’t do the whole scent-trigger-mating bond nonsense. Right?

…Right?

And this weird... heat? Like under my skin? No fever. No allergies. Just this tight, humming pull in my chest like something inside me was waking up and it was not beta behavior. I literally stood in the mirror like: “Is this puberty 2.0 or did I just get cursed?”🫸🏻

Deep breath. Okay.

Let me reset.

I’m Theo. 21. Manhwa artist. I sketch hot characters and have emotional breakdowns over deadlines. But I love sketching more than my life. I go to one of the best art colleges in the city and also work for a well-known publishing company. Basically, my life is 70% art, 20% caffeine, 10% crying while shading muscles.

I’ve got curly fluffy hair that defies gravity, skin that glows like honey under the sun, and apparently, I smell like an ocean breeze according to the random admirers who’ve confessed to me. But love? I suck at it. I flirt like a pro but catch feelings like a confused kitten.

My family is kind of iconic.

Mom’s an elegant omega pianist who plays like her fingers are casting spells. Dad’s a cool-headed beta and a total badass police officer. And my little brother-18, beta, and an award-winning swimming champ. Like, Olympic material. The good-looking gene pool didn’t skip anyone, apparently.

And me? I’ve always thought I was a beta.

Until now.

Until him.

Now my body’s acting weird, my senses are on edge, and my mind keeps playing back that stupid, perfect jawline and the low hum of his voice.

Something’s happening.

And I don’t think it’s just a crush.

No. It’s like my entire system is glitching.

And the worst part?

I think he knew it before I did.

To be continued.....

Next: Theo’s world unravels further... and the mystery man? Closer than ever.....

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