* * *

Meanwhile, Remy rolled his eyes, pretending to look elsewhere, ignoring the guilt prickling at him.

“Fine. Whatever. I give up.”

Ashton finally sighed, accepting his fate.

While they were going back and forth, the lucky deer bounced happily away into the distance.

“Hey, Remy?”

“Yeah?”

“If you couldn’t remember how to shoot, why did you even suggest hunting in the first place?”

“Uh… well, I thought I’d remember. But when it came down to it, I just… didn’t.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Have you lived your life this gullibly?”

“No, it’s not that. But recently, I keep thinking… am I being deceived somehow?”

Once a scratch formed on my conscience, claws seemed to rake over it twice, three times, carving deep wounds.

My insides churned as if my conscience had been mercilessly gutted.

“Fine. Alright. You say you don’t remember, so let’s start from the—”

“No, no! That’s not necessary.”

“…?”

“Look, today’s the last day of hunting, right? What’s the point in learning something now? Isn’t that true?”

Come to think of it, Remy had a point. Ashton nodded lightly.

“Then, what should we do now? There’s still plenty of time before we descend.”

“Hmm. Let’s see…”

Remy rolled his eyes, scanning the surroundings.

Alone with him in such a remote, desolate mountain… what should they do?

“Bored? How about we take a bath?”

“W-what? A bath??”

Remy exclaimed in utter shock.

Ever since he’d stumbled upon a naked Hayward, even the mere mention of a bath was enough to give him a jolt.

“Are you out of your mind? Who suddenly suggests bathing in the middle of a mountain?”

“Did it sound strange? Alright, correction: how about a swim?”

“A swim?”

“At Deer Creek. The water there looked crystal clear. Wouldn’t it be a waste to leave Molaris without dipping your feet in the water at least once?”

Huh. Now that he mentioned it…

Remy couldn’t deny the thought had crossed his mind.

On the first day of the hunt, as he looked at Deer Creek, he’d thought how perfect it would be to cool off and play in such a scenic spot.

Besides, the weather was sweltering today, and a swim sounded like the perfect escape.

‘But still, with this alpha…? Alone? That feels dangerous.’

“How about this? I’ll swim by myself, and you can do something else nearby.”

“Huh? Something else?”

“Yeah, whatever you want. Just don’t stray too far from the creek. We’ll head back together.”

“Are you serious?”

“What, don’t tell me you’ve only lived your life trusting others.”

Well, no. It wasn’t like he lived trusting others. He’d only ever deceived.

“Alright, fine. That doesn’t sound bad.”

Remy easily agreed.

“Great. Let’s get moving.”

Ashton looked oddly excited, like he couldn’t wait to get to the creek.

Seeing his enthusiasm filled Remy with a vague sense of unease, but he brushed it off as mere nerves and started walking.

When God made man, He couldn’t give everything to everyone.

He’d blessed Remy with beauty but taken away learning ability.

Otherwise, Remy wouldn’t have foolishly followed so defenselessly…

“Wow, still stunning.”

Standing by the creek, Remy marveled at the picturesque scenery.

It looked straight out of a fairy tale, reminiscent of a “Rainbow Pond” shimmering with colors.

Words of admiration spilled from his lips, though they would soon be silenced by what awaited him.

That is, the ordeal about to befall him.

“Remy.”

“W-what?!”

Ashton grabbed him, lifting him effortlessly, and strode straight into the water.

“Are you insane?! What are you doing?!”

“Told you, didn’t I?”

“Told me what?!”

“What if you end up in the water while playing in the woods?”

“What?!”

“See? You should’ve learned to swim when I told you to.”

“You psycho!”

Splash!

The sound of cold water echoed through Deer Creek as they plunged in together.

The jade-green waters, so clear they seemed carved from ice, swallowed the two men.

They sank deep before surfacing amidst a flurry of bubbles.

“Pwah!”

In the blazing sunlight, the two splashed about like dolphins, though describing it as “splashing” might be misleading.

Ashton looked at ease, but Remy flailed about desperately.

“You’re seriously out of your mind!”

“Why? Isn’t it refreshing and nice?”

“That’s not the point! Who drags someone into the water without warning?!”

“Without warning? I’m sure I gave you one.”

“When?!”

“About two weeks ago? At your swimming pool. I definitely warned you then.”

Damn it! That’s not what I’m talking about…!

“You said I didn’t have to swim! That I could just do something nearby!”

Remy shrieked in frustration.

Ashton tilted his head, looking genuinely confused.

Despite his handsome features, his stare gave Remy goosebumps.

‘That expression… unsettling…’

“What’s with that look?”

“Remy…”

“What?!”

“Don’t tell me… you believed me?”

“…What?”

“Wow. You really believed me? You’re more naive than I thought.”

“…!”

Remy felt a vein throb in his forehead.

Overcome with rage, he lunged at Ashton, splashing frantically.

But Ashton evaded with ease, his smug grin driving Remy mad.

“You…!”

Exhausted from his futile struggle, Remy floated on the water, panting.

Despite his efforts to build stamina over the summer, his frail body rendered all of it useless.

As his breathing slowed, Ashton approached, wrapping his arms around Remy’s shoulders.

The warmth of Ashton’s body seeped into him, even amidst the icy water.

“Hey, what are you doing? Let go! What are you planning now? Let me go!”

Remy squirmed, but Ashton remained silent, gazing at him intently.

The memory of Remy in the bath tent last night replayed vividly in Ashton’s mind.

The omega, drenched in pheromones, languid in the steaming water… the humid air and murky bathwater.

Thinking of it ignited a rage within him, a fury at the thought of another alpha getting close to Remy.

Ashton tightened his hold slightly.

If he could, he’d leave his mark on Remy, ensuring no one dared approach.

Because just as any alpha would, he wanted this omega to be his.

Completely.

“Ashton?”

Remy’s voice brought Ashton back.

Soaked hair clung to his face as he turned to meet Ashton’s intense gaze.

“Yeah,” Ashton finally replied.

“What’s with you? That serious expression doesn’t suit you.”

“Was I… like that?”

“Yeah. Staring at me in such a way—it’s unsettling.”

Remy didn’t know how to describe the wistful look on Ashton’s face, so he settled on calling it “unsettling.”

“Anyway, let me go. I’m exhausted. I’m going to rest on shore.”

“Do you want to?”

Surprisingly, Ashton let Remy go without protest.

As soon as his body was freed, Remy struggled his way to the shore.

His thin summer shirt was soaked, clinging heavily to his body, making even walking out of the water a chore.

While Remy sat down to catch his breath on the shore, Ashton plunged back into the water with a splash.

He dove deep into the lake, resurfacing much later, and began swimming effortlessly like a sleek aquatic mammal.

“Mm…”

Remy had no intention of paying Ashton any mind, but as he watched him glide through the water, his gaze was naturally drawn to him.

The sheer cliffs poured water down in cascading streams, slowing as they tumbled over scattered rocks before finally settling into a serene lake.

In this secret, picturesque place—almost as if fairies once dwelled there—Ashton, cutting through the water, looked… indescribably stunning.

If a god visiting the mortal realm could take human form, would they look like this?

In that moment, Ashton’s appearance resembled the youthful and vibrant Apollo.

Remy hated to admit it, but he had no choice.

Ignoring the alpha in front of him would be impossible—he was simply too captivating.

* * *