* * *
“Remy…?”
“I heard he left Wesley Manor, but I haven’t seen him anywhere.”
“…Did you stop by Remy’s place?”
“Yeah. We were supposed to come together. Why?”
“…No reason.”
Allen bit his lip.
“So, have you seen him at all tonight?”
“…No, I haven’t.”
“Alright. Got it.”
With that, Rex turned on his heel and left without another word.
Watching him walk away, Allen felt a surge of anger rise within him.
‘Even Rex… I was hoping he wouldn’t…!’
Overcome with frustration, his body swayed unsteadily.
He barely managed to steady himself by gripping a nearby pillar, clenching his teeth.
It really felt like everything was over.
With even Rex falling for Remy, there was no hope left for him.
‘I really didn’t want to resort to this…’
Perhaps he had already considered tonight as his last chance.
That’s why he had made preparations before coming to the ball—to stage a grand finale worthy of such a magnificent event.
‘I need to find Remy. Before anyone else does.’
And with that, Allen set off to look for Remy.
As it turned out, Remy was also searching for Allen, making their encounter inevitable.
When Allen finally laid eyes on Remy after such a long time, he was genuinely taken aback.
Since the hunting tournament, Remy had grown even more stunning—almost unbearably so.
Was it because he had fully awakened as an omega?
As much as Allen hated to admit it, with beauty like that, even he, another omega, could have fallen for him.
‘Useless thoughts!’
Shaking his head, Allen forced himself to focus.
Now wasn’t the time to be admiring Remy’s appearance—there were more pressing matters at hand.
“It’s been a while.”
Remy didn’t seem particularly surprised to see Allen.
At first, he raised an eyebrow, as if taken aback, but quickly composed himself, maintaining a neutral expression.
“It has.”
Allen’s voice dripped with hostility as he greeted Remy.
And for once, Remy didn’t respond with his usual amiable demeanor.
“Have you been well? No, I suppose I don’t even need to ask. The rumors about you have been spreading all over high society. How does it feel? Being the darling of the Empire’s most sought-after alphas?”
“There’s nothing to those rumors. They’re nonsense.”
“Really? No need to be modest in front of me.”
“Sorry, but I’ve never tried to appear modest for your sake.”
Seeing how brazenly Remy acted despite knowing what he had been up to behind Allen’s back only made Allen’s blood boil.
‘I wonder if he can keep up that shameless act even after I confront him about everything he’s done.’
Allen decided there was no need to waste any more time.
He needed to get straight to the point.
“No point standing here. Let’s talk somewhere private.”
“Talk?”
“Yeah. There’s something you need to tell me, isn’t there?”
At Allen’s words, Remy’s expression turned serious.
This was precisely what he had been waiting for.
Everything he had endured had been for this moment.
“Fine. Let’s talk. Somewhere we won’t be disturbed.”
“How about the garden? It’ll be quiet, and no one will be around.”
At the mention of the garden, Remy’s eyes widened.
Thump.
His heart lurched.
Finally, at that very place, he and Allen would meet.
“Alright. The garden it is. Midnight sound good?”
“Midnight works.”
“Alright.”
As soon as their conversation ended, Allen turned and left without hesitation.
Watching his retreating figure, Remy clenched his fists.
‘It’s done. I’ve set up a meeting with Allen in the garden. At midnight, everything will end. Tonight at midnight will be the last time I live as Remy.’
His expression darkened.
He had spent all this time preparing himself for this, yet standing at the edge of death, his heart couldn’t help but waver.
Especially now that he had finally realized his own feelings…
‘Ashton…’
Remy squeezed his eyes shut.
This would be the last time he ever thought of that name.
Taking a slow breath, he started walking.
As midnight approached, the ballroom grew even livelier.
The highlight of the evening, the fireworks display, was scheduled to begin at midnight, and the guests were eagerly anticipating it.
While everyone reveled in the festive atmosphere, there were a handful of people who were anything but celebratory.
Three alphas who had fallen completely for Remy, and two omegas caught in the middle of it all.
‘Remy, where the hell are you? This is driving me insane.’
Ashton had been searching for Remy all night.
Yet, no matter where he looked, there was no trace of him.
He couldn’t even begin to guess what Remy was thinking.
Time kept slipping away, and now, the fireworks were about to begin.
The frustration was unbearable.
“Attention, esteemed guests. The fireworks display will begin shortly. Please make your way to the outdoor ballroom.”
Just then, an announcement signaled the start of the fireworks.
The ballroom erupted in excited chatter as the attendees eagerly moved outside.
“A fireworks show prepared by His Highness himself!”
“I heard it’s going to be the grandest display yet.”
“It’s bound to be far more spectacular than any we’ve seen before.”
As the guests excitedly made their way to the outdoor ballroom, Remy moved in the opposite direction.
He had somewhere else to be—the rear garden.
‘Good thing I memorized the path beforehand. Otherwise, I might’ve been swept away by this crowd.’
Quickly, he maneuvered through the familiar route.
But his movements did not go unnoticed—three Alphas, who had been searching for him, spotted him immediately.
It was hard not to, given that he was the only one heading in a different direction.
‘That idiot!’
Ashton finally caught sight of Remy and immediately pushed through the crowd to follow him.
Weaving between the murmuring guests, he managed to close the distance.
The closer he got to the small figure moving ahead, the calmer his heart became.
‘Stay composed. Act normal. I have to keep him close without him realizing it.’
That was Ashton’s plan—to somehow keep Remy from walking into danger, unguarded.
So, he followed as quietly and inconspicuously as possible.
Yet, even as he trailed behind, Remy remained oblivious, focused only on his hurried steps forward.
Watching him, Ashton couldn’t help but find him endearing.
‘How can he be this cute, even now?’
A smile crept onto Ashton’s lips. He wasn’t sure whether the problem was Remy or himself.
“Wow…”
How long had he been walking?
A loud explosion filled the sky as the fireworks finally began.
With a whistling sound, colorful lights burst across the night sky, illuminating the palace grounds.
The spectators erupted in cheers, captivated by the dazzling display.
‘So, it’s starting.’
Remy paused and looked up at the sky. By now, the dangerous flyers must have begun circulating. He had planned it precisely for this moment.
‘I hope everything goes as planned…’
There was nothing more he could do.
The task was already set in motion.
He picked up his pace—he had to reach the rear garden before the countdown to midnight began.
Allen would be there, waiting.
“Remy.”
The voice that called his name made his shoulders stiffen.
‘No way…’
His face twisted immediately.
He turned around, already knowing who he’d find standing there.
“Where are you headed? The fireworks have just begun.”
Ignoring the tension on Remy’s face, Ashton grabbed his wrist.
“I just needed some air. My head hurts.”
“Oh no. Does it hurt a lot?”
“No, just a little.”
“Is it the pheromones? Too many Alphas around?”
Ashton intentionally teased him, then leaned in, draping an arm over his shoulder.
Lowering his voice to a whisper, he murmured against Remy’s ear.
“Or… are you about to go into heat?”
“What?”
“Wanna leave? We can go to my place and rest.”
Ashton’s usual shamelessness made Remy’s serious expression crumble.
Of course.
Trust an Alpha to bring up something like this.
Clicking his tongue in irritation, Remy barely held back a sigh.
‘Calm down. Today is the last time. Don’t let him shake you right before everything happens.’
He needed to shake Ashton off—without drawing too much attention.
* * *
