* * *

The night sky was shrouded in darkness, with even the moonlight hidden away.

A loud bang reverberated as a single streak of light shot upward.

Boom. Boom.

Fireworks exploded in vivid, breathtaking colors, painting the black sky with brilliance.

Like grand fountains or splendid bouquets, the bursts of color spread across the heavens.

For most of those filling the ballroom beneath the spectacle, this was indeed a beautiful evening.

But one person—just one—seemed determined to escape, his face twisted into every possible expression of frustration.

An omega struggling to leave the ballroom.

“Remy.”

A familiar voice called his name, and Remy flinched instinctively.

Already scowling, his expression turned even sourer when he turned to see who had spoken.

To sum up his look in simple terms: deeply annoyed, with the air of someone who might bite if provoked.

“Where are you going? The fireworks just started.”

The man grabbed Remy’s wrist with ease, entirely unbothered by his grimace.

A bold alpha grabbing an omega’s wrist?

Outrageous!

But, considering their history, it wasn’t surprising—they’d been childhood friends, partners for mutual benefit, and…well, more than that.

“Just stepping out for some air. I’ve got a headache.”

“Oh? Does it hurt a lot?”

“No. Just a bit.”

“Is it the pheromones? Too many alphas around?”

Instead of answering, Remy narrowed his large eyes and glared at the man.

Ashton, his childhood friend and heat cycle partner, was utterly unfazed.

In fact, he leaned in closer, grinning with a charm that could captivate anyone.

Sliding an arm over Remy’s shoulders, Ashton whispered into his ear, his sculpted features brushing against the platinum blond hair covering it.

“Could it be…that your heat is about to start?”

“What?”

“Want to leave? Come to my place and rest for a while?”

Remy’s eyelids lowered, unimpressed by Ashton’s usual line of “come to my place.”

Sure, their relationship was something he didn’t dislike—Ashton had the looks, the skills, and everything else going for him.

But not now. Not tonight.

Right now, Remy needed to leave.

Urgently.

If he didn’t make it to his destination on time, he might never return to the world he came from.

“No. I’m fine. I just need some time alone. Don’t worry about me.”

“You’re really going to head out alone? With all these alphas around? Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll go with you.”

“You’re an alpha too.”

“I’m different from the others.”

“And how exactly are you different?”

“Well, I’m an alpha you’ve already slept with.”

W-What?!

Remy’s face flushed crimson as he stammered, unable to form a coherent response.

Ashton, ever the shameless one, just smiled sweetly.

‘Right. He’s always been like this. Talking to him only wastes my time. If this goes on, I really won’t get out of here!’

Finally, Remy composed himself, forcing his heated cheeks to cool as he spoke.

“And what does that have to do with anything?”

“It means I’m not as dangerous as the other alphas.”

“Don’t make me laugh. You seem like the most dangerous one here.”

“Impossible. I’ve always given you exactly what you wanted.”

“And you think the other alphas didn’t?”

“No, but I’m the one who kept you coming back for more.”

With that, Ashton’s large hand slid around Remy’s waist, pulling him firmly into his chest.

Now trapped in Ashton’s arms, Remy found himself overwhelmed.

If they stayed like this, an unexpected heat really might hit.

Time was running out.

He had to escape.

“Ashton, not now. Maybe next time.”

Just as Remy managed to pry away Ashton’s hand—

“Remy!”

A second voice called his name, and Remy wanted to scream.

Not now!

Please stop calling me!

“What are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you.”

Striding toward him was none other than Hayward, the Empire’s third prince, his silver hair billowing behind him.

When Hayward reached them, his gaze immediately locked on Ashton’s arm around Remy’s waist.

His eyes screamed let go, but Ashton, ever the provocateur, ignored him entirely.

“Ha…”

Remy sighed heavily, pulling Ashton’s arm off himself.

Of course, Ashton couldn’t resist trailing his hand across Remy’s waist one last time before letting go.

Hayward’ expression darkened further.

“I was just stepping out for some air,” Remy explained.

Hayward’ piercing green eyes—a summer sea in their depths—softened as they turned to Remy.

Yet they were filled with a silent warning about being alone with Ashton.

“You should’ve called me. Wandering off with just any alpha is dangerous, isn’t it?”

Of course, Hayward knew the risks.

Remy’s secondary gender had manifested months ago.

He also knew exactly how dangerous the alpha next to him was.

Still, how could Remy explain?

Ashton wouldn’t let him leave alone!

Did they think he wanted this?

“Your Highness, I’d hardly call myself ‘just any alpha.’ Remy and I have been friends since childhood.”

Ashton’s words grated on Remy’s already frayed nerves, but Hayward was not one to let such a comment slide.

“Do you really think an alpha and an omega can be just friends, Ashton?”

“Well, perhaps ‘close friends’ is a better term.”

“Then you’d better step aside for good.”

“You mean for a prince with no connection to Remy at all?”

‘No… You two… What are you doing? I’m busy!’

As the childish standoff escalated, Remy finally snapped.

“Look, you two clearly have a lot to discuss. Why don’t you handle it yourselves?”

Both alphas protested immediately.

“What? There’s nothing to discuss!”

“I was just saying hello to His Highness!”

That was it.

Remy had enough.

“Fine. You two talk. I’m leaving.”

Ignoring their protests, Remy stormed off.

If they caught him now, it was over.

He had to run.

Fast.

But then—

“Remy!”

Yet another voice called his name.

Remy’s heart sank as someone stepped into his path.

He looked up to see another unwelcome face: Rex, the red-haired heir of the powerful Balcom family, one of the Empire’s four most influential houses.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’

With a tearful expression, Remy looked up at Rex. Seeing that, Rex spoke softly.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?”

He lifted his large hand and gently rested it on Remy’s head, which was smaller than his fist.

His fingers tenderly ruffled Remy’s hair, his voice unbearably kind.

At that moment, standing before Rex’s overwhelming warmth, Remy felt like crying.

‘But this isn’t how it was in the original… Villains like me weren’t supposed to have any importance. No one cared about me back then. So why… why are they acting like this toward me?’

“Rex, don’t you see? Remy doesn’t like it. Why don’t you take your hand off him?”

The third prince, who had quietly approached, glared at Rex, his eyes burning with disapproval.

“And Rex, weren’t you disgusted by Remy before? What’s with this sudden change?”

Ashton chimed in, joining the fray.

It was enough to drive someone insane.

Remy had believed that following the original story would be his ticket back to the real world.

So why were the alphas in this crazy novel behaving so differently from their original characters?

“What are you talking about? I’ve always adored Remy.”

“Since when? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“And how long are you planning to keep your hand there?”

“Remy, why don’t you come with me to my place instead? You look utterly exhausted.”

“Should I call off the ball? If that’s what you want, I’ll kick everyone out right now.”

‘Oh, come on.’

At that moment, Remy had to admit it.

Dying as per the original plot while stuck between these alphas seemed utterly impossible.

“Please! I don’t care about any of this! Just leave me alone! I really have to go!!”

With a desperate cry, Remy collapsed.

“Remy!!”

Once again, the alphas gathered around the unconscious Remy, their voices echoing into the night sky, where even the fireworks had faded.

Only the voices of three alphas rang out like thunder.

* * *