* * *

‘Maybe I overreacted. If we’ve been friends since childhood, something like putting an arm around each other shouldn’t be a big deal.’

“N-no, it’s just… It’s a bit warm today. Yeah, the weather’s pretty hot, so…”

Watching Remy stumble over his excuse, Ashton couldn’t help but smile.

Just moments ago, Remy was snapping at him, but now he was awkwardly fumbling for words.

Ashton resisted the urge to pull him into a tighter hug—Remy might actually bolt if he did.

He had to be careful.

As long as Remy stayed within the boundaries of their friendship, Ashton had to tread lightly.

“Right, it is hot today. And once the party starts and more people show up, it’ll only get hotter. Let’s cool off before then. I found a nice spot while walking yesterday—plenty of shade, really refreshing.”

Ashton’s words flowed smoothly, as if he had studied “How to Charm an Omega 101.”

Mesmerized, Remy nodded without thinking.

By the time he realized what was happening, he was already being led through the expansive garden.

‘Wait, why am I here? Shouldn’t I avoid being alone with him in a place like this?’

Remy tensed, his body stiffening like a poorly made toy.

His awkward movements didn’t escape Ashton’s sharp gaze.

It was obvious Remy was nervous about something.

‘Could it be… Remy’s aware of me?’

“Remy.”

“Y-yeah?”

Remy flinched so hard it was comical.

Seeing this, Ashton’s lips curved into a playful smirk.

“Feels nice here, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, pretty cool.”

“Aren’t you glad you came with me?”

“Well, I guess.”

Remy’s nonchalant tone only made him more endearing to Ashton.

His pouty, indifferent front drove Ashton wild.

‘Why didn’t I notice before? He’s so cute… and lovable.’

“Come to think of it, this is your first.”

“First what?”

“Your first ball since your Omega manifestation.”

“Oh… right, it is…”

“There might be Alphas looking to court you tonight. Even though it’s not an official debut, word’s already out about your manifestation.”

Gulp.

The thought of being courted made Remy swallow nervously.

Images of unfamiliar Alphas asking him to dance flashed through his mind.

Holding hands with a man and spinning around the dance floor… just thinking about it made his stomach churn and head spin.

‘I’d rather drop dead than hold hands with another guy and dance.’

Remy despaired.

Why did he have to end up as an Omega in this cursed novel?

How was he supposed to survive dancing with men?

But ever the optimist, Remy quickly revised his thoughts.

‘Still, dying is worse. I’ve failed at that before—it’s not easy. If I just endure it once, hold a guy’s hand, and dance…’

Just as his thoughts spiraled, he came to a horrifying realization.

“Wait, what?! I have to dance?!”

That’s right.

Remy couldn’t dance to save his life.

“Remy?”

Startled by his outburst, Ashton gave him a puzzled look.

Realizing his mistake, Remy quickly covered his mouth.

But it was too late. The damage was done.

“What’s wrong? Don’t want to dance?”

“N-no, it’s not that… It’s just…”

“Go on, tell me. What’s the problem?”

How could he explain this?

His brain raced to find an escape.

Then, inspiration struck.

“I forgot how to dance!”

“…You forgot how to dance?”

“Yeah, believe it or not, I totally blanked.”

“…??”

“It’s not my fault! I just can’t remember anything. Maybe it’s a side effect of my manifestation. Lately, I’ve been forgetting a lot of things. Must be that.”

Remy rambled on, hoping to sell his excuse.

Ashton listened in silence, his expression unreadable.

Noticing this, Remy stopped, feeling a surge of panic.

‘Crap. He looks suspicious. Does he think I’m lying?’

Just as Remy was about to crumble under the pressure, Ashton finally spoke.

“I see. That makes sense.”

It was a lifeline.

Ashton seemed to buy his story—or at least, he didn’t press further.

“Newly manifested Omegas are often unstable.”

“Exactly! That’s it!”

“So, anything else bothering you? Any other gaps in memory?”

“Uh, not really… yet.”

“Well, if anything comes up, just ask me. I probably know since we’re close.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Relieved, Remy mentally patted himself on the back.

‘Nice save, me. Crisis averted.’

“Remy.”

As he basked in his small victory, Ashton called his name softly, almost too gently.

“Yeah?”

Without a second thought, Remy looked up.

Ashton, standing taller, gazed down at him under the warm sunlight, the scene radiating a crisp summer charm.

“Let’s learn now.”

“Learn what?”

“The dance. For the ball.”

“Wait, now?!”

“Yeah, there’s still time. I’ll teach you.”

Before Remy could protest, Ashton grabbed his hand.

“Ashton!”

“Don’t worry. A quick lesson and it’ll all come back to you.”

“But! We’re outside—”

“So what? No one’s coming here.”

As Ashton spoke, he began positioning himself as if preparing for a dance.

Remy, who had once been adamant about never holding hands with another man to dance, surprisingly followed Ashton’s lead without a word of protest.

That didn’t mean he was composed, though.

His face, flushed from the nape of his neck to the tips of his ears, was as red as a sweet potato roasted in hot embers.

He looked adorable, and Ashton couldn’t help but smile as he explained the steps, his expression resembling that of a proud father.

“Keeping the rhythm is key. It’s a 3/4 beat—boom-chick-chick, boom-chick-chick. You move your steps in time with that. Think you can do it?”

Though Remy had no clue how he’d ended up in this situation, he nodded while still holding Ashton’s hand.

“Just follow the Alpha’s lead. Trust your partner and let yourself go with the flow.”

Remy moved his feet as instructed, and Ashton naturally placed a hand on his waist to guide him.

“Gasp!”

Remy inhaled sharply at the firm touch on his waist but quickly refocused as Ashton’s gentle instructions brought him back to the rhythm.

“Boom-chick-chick, boom-chick-chick. Don’t lose the beat.”

On the vast, secluded lawn, Remy found himself dancing alone with Ashton in the hidden garden of the Aylesford summer villa.

There was no orchestra, but the soft rustling of the breeze was more melodious than any music.

The vibrant greenery, swaying in the wind, created a scene reminiscent of a grand ballroom.

It felt utterly surreal—dancing in this dreamlike setting with a breathtakingly handsome man holding his hand.

Amidst it all, Remy felt an unfamiliar fluttering in his chest.

Was it because of Ashton’s Alpha pheromones?

But Ashton’s scent wasn’t oppressive; it was faint, barely detectable in the cool breeze.

Then why? What was causing this…?

“Remy.”

Ashton stopped dancing, noticing the confusion clouding Remy’s face.

His expression was unusually tense.

“What’s wrong? Do you feel unwell? Your face looks troubled.”

Despite Ashton’s gentle inquiry, Remy remained lost in his turmoil.

“Is the dancing too difficult? You seemed to be doing fine to me.”

As Ashton leaned in closer to gauge Remy’s reaction, the latter froze.

His breath hitched as he was confronted with Ashton’s sculpted features just inches away.

That insufferably handsome Alpha had always been a source of trouble, but today, he was especially overwhelming.

And it didn’t help that Remy’s heart wouldn’t stop racing.

“It’s not the dancing.”

“Then what is it? Are you feeling sick again?”

“No, that’s not it either.”

“Then what?”

Remy bit his lip, trying to suppress the warning alarms blaring in his mind.

His instincts screamed at him to distance himself from Ashton, to end this dangerously close encounter immediately.

“I hate this.”

* * *