"Who is he to you?" Izack asked, pointing at Hiro. At least a child wouldn't lie or interrupt him.
Jin glanced up at his father, unsure what to say. Hiro had strictly told him never to reveal who his father was.
The child lowered his head, words failing him, his mind blank.
Seeing his son like that, Hiro inhaled sharply before sighing.
"He is my son."
Jin's face lit up instantly. He didn't need to lie. His father had acknowledged him as his son. His heart raced, and he grabbed a piece of the carrot he hated, hoping his father would let him proudly declare to the world whose son he was.
"Then his mother—"
"She left. Now, I would appreciate it if you kept quiet and focused on eating," Hiro interrupted sharply.
Izack nodded, lowering his gaze. Perhaps he should have stayed quiet. Still, at least now he had a new piece of information.
He curled his lips into a faint smile.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Izack."
"I know," Jin said. "I see you on TV all the time," he grumbled, taking a bite of his carrot.
"Oh—" Izack chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, unsure how to keep the conversation going. He glanced at Yulia, who was pouring juice into three glasses—one for each of them.
"Finish eating, then we will watch the movie you watched too," Hiro said, patting the child's head and smiling warmly.
Jin's chest puffed out slightly. He held his carrot like a prize, glancing up at his father. The alpha stared at Hiro, struck. He hadn't seen him smile so warmly—at least not in front of him. Perhaps Hiro smiled like this at other people.
Like… Felix.
✻✻✻
The moment he entered his apartment, Hiro turned on the lights at the entrance.
He narrowed his gaze at a pair of shoes he had never seen before—branded, pristine. His heart thudded with every breath he took in.
Who?
Lifting his eyes, he found a silhouette standing in front of the window. He hesitated, then stepped forward, heading near the man, careful not to make a sound as if making a single wrong move could shatter everything.
He had stayed at his mother's house until nightfall, making sure Jin was satisfied with the attention he'd given him. Izack had stayed too, because his mother insisted—and the alpha hadn't refused. If Hiro forced him to leave, he'd come across as rude. And deeply, he was.
"Where have you been?" A familiar, deep voice demanded.
Felix, who had already noticed the man's reflection in the window, finally turned to face him.
Hiro froze mid-step. Deep down, he already guessed—it had to be Felix, the only person who entered his apartment as he pleased. Yet a part of him had hoped it was a third party, a robber perhaps. At least if that were the case, he could have fought back.
His gaze darted around the living room, as if searching for any other explanation, any way out.
"Did I ask something so hard? Where have you been?" Felix's voice sharpened.
"I had some work to do," Hiro replied, trying to keep his tone as calm as possible.
Without another word, Felix walked toward him, his steps quick—so quick that Hiro thought he was about to shove him away. Instead, unexpectedly, the alpha wrapped his arms around him. The grip was tight, too tight for the beta to pull away.
Confused, Hiro remained still. Then, slowly, he lifted a hand and patted the taller man's back.
"Did something happen?"
"Did something happen?" Felix scoffed, pulling back to glare at him. His grey eyes—usually clear like crystal—were clouded with darkness in the dim living room. "I've been calling and texting you nonstop all day, and you didn't answer once. I thought something happened to you. I even contacted hospitals, making sure you hadn't ended up in any of them," Felix said, his words spilling out too fast for Hiro to fully process.
Is he saying… he was worried?
Hiro's heart skipped a beat. Maybe, finally, Felix had realized—
"You're the only one who understands me. If something happens to you, what about me?" The alpha gently cupped Hiro's cheeks with both hands.
Hiro's heart sank.
Of course it was about him. It was always about him. Never me.
His jaw clenched.
Fool.
He mocked himself, forcing a grin onto his face.
"Then I hope I die so you can realize how important I am."
Felix laughed, as if Hiro had told a joke.
"I won't let anything happen to you. You're my best friend."
Hiro inhaled deeply and turned toward the kitchen.
"Where's your coat? You didn't wear it," Felix said, looking around.
"Probably in the car."
"Probably?" Felix's voice sharpened. "And what's that stench coming from you?" He followed Hiro into the kitchen, frowning.
Hiro raised an eyebrow.
"Want me to shower? I thought I'd make some food first, so I wouldn't have to shower again later."
Felix didn't answer. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Hiro's waist from behind, resting his chin on the curve of the beta's neck. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Undoubtedly, Hiro's pheromones were strong, and the alpha's own scent began to seep out, mingling and enveloping the man.
Confused, Hiro shoved him lightly.
"What are you doing? I told you I need to cook."
"You still haven't told me why you ignored my calls and didn't reply to my texts," Felix murmured.
"It was to avoid distractions. I needed to concentrate." Hiro picked up a pan, keeping his voice even.
"Concentrate on what?" Felix raised an eyebrow, leaning closer.
"Editing. Stop asking so many questions," Hiro sighed. "Go watch TV or take a shower while I finish cooking."
"Hmm," Felix hummed, clearly unsatisfied, before stepping out of the kitchen.
Sitting on the couch, he turned on the television. He had already taken a shower while waiting for Hiro.
He glanced at the man standing in front of the oven. His figure was rather slim, making him appear elegant, although he was much taller than an average man. His narrow yet sharp nose made his profile look handsome.
"Ah. Where have you been?" He muttered, narrowing his gaze. Surely, some alpha was rubbing their pheromones on Hiro.
But who?…