* * *
It had been eight years—eight years since Alpha Cha Joowon and Beta Seo Yoonwoo began sharing their lives under the name of love.
From the autumn of Yoonwoo’s twenty-third year when he first met Joowon, to the summer of his thirty-first, countless seasons had passed them by.
In a world where even mountains change over time, the relationship between an Alpha and a Beta—one that began without the intense pull of pheromones—had continued on steadily and quietly, despite the world’s curious stares.
At least, Seo Yoonwoo had believed so without a single doubt over those eight years.
His world was built firmly around the Alpha named Cha Joowon.
Seo Yoonwoo, a graphic designer with a genius sense of creativity.
He was the heart and soul of “CS Design,” the design firm founded by his partner and lover, Cha Joowon.
Despite the prejudice that Betas struggled to succeed in the design world, Yoonwoo’s talent and intuition became the talk of the industry in no time.
CS Design grew rapidly, fueled by Joowon’s sharp business sense and Yoonwoo’s unparalleled skill in design.
But separate from their success, the fact that they were an Alpha-Beta couple constantly exposed them to the world’s prejudice.
In a society where Alphas were expected to be with Omegas, and Betas with other Betas, their relationship was often seen as an anomaly—like a fragile glass ornament that could shatter at any moment.
People whispered behind their backs—or sometimes not even that discreetly.
They couldn’t understand a relationship without the powerful, instinctual bond of pheromones. Sometimes, they even dismissed it as incomplete or lacking.
Those cutting glances and thoughtless words often stabbed at Yoonwoo’s heart like sharp shards of glass.
Memories of never being fully understood by even his own family simply because he was a Beta.
The times his talents had been denied or dismissed, overshadowed by the limitations of his secondary gender.
Those wounds still remained deep within him.
“Am I not enough, after all? Is it really okay for a Beta like me to stay by his side? What if someday, he gets disappointed in me… and leaves?”
That kind of anxiety always lingered like a dark shadow in the corner of his heart.
And it grew worse whenever Joowon’s rut cycle approached.
“A Beta’s no help during a rut, right?”
“Joowon must have a hard time every rut. Are you sure just relying on suppressants is okay?”
Those comments, pretending to be concern, only made Yoonwoo feel more miserable.
He even felt guilty—wondering if simply being by Joowon’s side was a burden in itself.
But every time, Joowon was there.
The one who approached him first at the university film club, when he stood alone on the edge, not fitting in.
The one who looked at him with clumsy, but sincere eyes when everyone else kept their distance.
He had always stood firm, like a shield, between Yoonwoo and the world’s prejudice, and Yoonwoo’s own fears.
“Who cares what people think? What do they know about our relationship? I love you not because you’re a Beta, but because you’re Seo Yoonwoo. Your designs, your thoughts, the way you smile sometimes… I love you because you’re you. No one else can replace that.”
“A rut? I’ll take suppressants. If that’s not enough, I’ll endure it. The time I spend with you is far more important than some fleeting instinct. So don’t ever let that upset you or make you anxious. I’m really okay. Just having you by my side is more than enough.”
Joowon’s confident voice, his unchangingly gentle gaze, and his arms that always held him warmly—those were Yoonwoo’s everything, the bedrock of his faith.
And when Joowon’s rut approached, he always took strong suppressants in advance so Yoonwoo wouldn’t worry, passing through that time as if it were nothing.
Yoonwoo felt sorry, but also deeply moved by how Joowon willingly controlled even his instincts for his sake. It deepened his trust all the more.
At CS Design, Yoonwoo was the lead graphic designer, building his dreams alongside Joowon.
He had a keen eye for interpreting even the vaguest client demands, transforming them into compelling brand identities.
From campaign visuals to printed materials, he polished every detail with care, becoming a key factor in the company’s success.
Especially a few years ago, when working with JX Group on the AI assistant app Project Aurora, he didn’t just design the UI—he led the entire branding and advertising campaign, driving the project to major success.
Through that, Yoonwoo felt like he had finally found his footing in the world.
Love and work, all of it felt perfectly balanced within the presence of Joowon.
The world’s judgmental stares no longer mattered. After all, Joowon was still standing by his side.
[I’m sorry, but let’s have dinner at the hotel tonight. Tomorrow’s presentation is really important, so I want to review everything one last time.]
Just before the end of the workday, Joowon’s voice came through the phone, slightly weary.
The presentation was the deciding moment for CS Design’s future—a follow-up to their project with JX Group, and one that could lead to a long-term contract extension.
Joowon planned to spend the night at a nearby hotel to run final checks and rehearse.
He also had a string of meetings starting early the next morning.
Yoonwoo could hear the unusual tension and fatigue in his voice.
“I understand, hyung. I’m the one who feels bad for not being able to help more. Don’t worry and just focus. I know you’ll do great.”
He meant it.
Yoonwoo had been deeply involved in the early brand concept planning and visual design for this project.
He knew better than anyone how hard Joowon had worked.
[Thanks. I know this is all thanks to you.]
Joowon chuckled, a little bashful, his voice softening.
[It’s your amazing designs that keep catching the attention of major companies.]
The praise brought a gentle smile to Yoonwoo’s lips.
[I booked room 1508. I should be mostly done by 8, so let’s meet at the hotel restaurant for dinner around then. Or if I’m too tired, we can just order room service.]
His thoughtful care, always considering every possibility, made Yoonwoo nod slightly.
“Okay. Don’t push yourself too hard, hyung. Call me when you’re done. I love you.”
[I love you too. A lot.]
After ending the short but warm call, Yoonwoo quickly wrapped up the rest of his work.
Outside, darkness was falling, and the city lights twinkled chaotically across his vision.
The office was empty, everyone else already gone home.
The silence felt unusually loud tonight.
Joowon’s absence felt bigger than expected.
A sudden, inexplicable unease crept into him, and he hurried to grab his bag and leave the office.
He arrived at the hotel about 30 minutes before their 8 p.m. meeting time.
The sparkling chandelier, glossy marble floors, and elegant furniture created an oddly overwhelming atmosphere.
He found a seat by the window in the first-floor café and ordered a warm lemon tea.
The fresh citrus scent seemed to ease his nerves a little, but the unease in his heart refused to settle.
He gazed anxiously out the window at the bustling cityscape, nervously waiting for Joowon.
In his heart, he earnestly wished for good news—something that would bring a bright smile to Joowon’s face.
But as it neared 8 PM, there was still no word from Joowon.
[Hyung, I’m already at the hotel café. Are you almost done?]
He sent the message, but ten minutes passed, then twenty—and still, no reply.
Not even a read receipt.
Yoonwoo’s heart began to beat with growing unease.
‘Still in rehearsal? Or… did he doze off because he’s too exhausted?’
Yoonwoo tried to think positively, but a creeping sense of anxiety began to rise inside him.
That morning, when they had crossed paths as Joowon was getting ready for work, his face had looked unusually pale and tired.
Yoonwoo couldn’t shake the image from his mind.
Knowing how Joowon became extremely sensitive and pushed himself too hard before something important, he couldn’t help but worry.
It had happened before too.
Just before a major project, Joowon had nearly pulled several all-nighters and eventually collapsed from a high fever.
Yoonwoo had gone half-mad when he couldn’t reach him, rushing to his place in a panic.
He could still recall the sight of him lying unconscious with a burning fever the moment he opened the door.
His heart sank at the memory.
‘What if it’s the same this time? What if he overdid it again…?’
The anxiety grew heavier.
It was already past 8:30.
The meeting time had long passed.
By now, the rehearsal should be over, or at least he’d have had a short break to check his phone—but there was still no word.
Maybe he was too focused to look at his phone, but the ominous feeling that something was wrong wouldn’t leave Yoonwoo’s mind.
‘I can’t. I have to at least check on him. Just make sure he’s okay.’
When the waiting turned to restlessness, and that restlessness became deep worry, Yoonwoo stood up.
He couldn’t just sit there any longer.
If something had really happened to Joowon, then he needed to go.
* * *
