The first thing Ian wanted to do after reaching home was to go straight to his room. But as he climbed up the stairs, his mother’s voice came from behind him.

“Ian! Come down, you brat! If you wanted to go on a date with Mr. Vandal. You should have said so. Why didn’t you tell me? It’s not like I would have objected! But staying the night with your fiancé is still not good. You’re going to get married in a week anyway. Can’t you wait a bit long—oh!” She cut herself off when she saw the collar around his neck as he came down with the snail’s speed; her anger going down a level.

“I scolded you, begged you but you refused to wear a protective-collar. But Mr. Vandal did it in a day?!” She said with wonderment which irked Ian even more. But soon her expression and tone turned back to sternness as she asked, “You stayed the night…you didn’t do anything with him. Did you?”

“No, mom! He just dropped me off at his house and then went on a business trip. He had a flight. It was late so he let me stay the night.” Ian explained, annoyed. At least, that alpha didn’t tell his parents the truth or his mother would have chewed his ear off and his father…that’s a different story.

Because of him being an omega, his family had been really protective of him since childhood. Even his younger brother, an alpha, acted like an elder brother. It was a good thing he was away somewhere on a school trip.

The mother sighed in relief, patting her son’s head. “Okay, you can go now. But don’t lie next time like that.”

Ian nodded, glad to be released early. He sprinted straight towards stairs and to his room, plopping down on his bed and calling his friend.

“Finally free?” Sean asked.

“Hmm. You wanted to tell me something?"

“Oh yes. I was just saying don’t tell him whatever you planned to. Don’t worsen the situation.”

“What do you mean? If I don’t do something, I can’t stop the wedding.”

“Well, have you thought about the consequences and risks involved?”

“Umm…no?”

“I thought so. Have you searched him up on the internet? Heard all those rumors?”

“No…What is it? Is he a hidden crime lord or something?” Ian asked in a gossiping tone, curious.

“What? No!” His friend laughed. “Look, you can’t really do anything right now since you yourself proposed this. And he is a big man in a business world, even a feared one. What if you end up offending him by revealing the truth? And he ends up thinking of you playing with him or making a fool out of him? On top of that, he’s also your father’s boss. What if he fires your father or demotes him? It’s too risky to do anything right now. You can’t afford to offend him.”

“Then…what do I do now?” Ian grumbled, depressed.

“Just marry him for no—”

“I don’t wanna!”

“Stop whining. Let me complete first!”

“Usually, all your advices and plans fail!”

“Ha? Then why are you asking me?”

After a short pause Ian replied, “Okay, I’m listening.”

“Where was I…ah, yes. So, I was saying, marry him for now. But before your first heat, before he could mark you, make him divorce you.”

Ian went silent, thinking. “How?”

“Em…make him hate you? Dislike you or something. Use that ultra-smart scheming head of yours.” Sean said sarcastically before continuing, “Or you could just be yourself and annoy him to death and he might just get rid of you.” His friend guffawed making Ian’s mouth twitch in displeasure.

“Sean! You stupid alpha! That’s not very nice of you to say!” Ian hung up the phone amid his friend’s annoying laughter.

He then just laid there on the bed, staring at the ceiling above, numerous thoughts roaming his brain.

In a few days, exam results would be out so he could apply for the university, he thought before getting up to go to the washroom.

As Ian was washing up his hands, his eyes landed on the protective-collar in the mirror. He had totally forgotten about it. Narrowing his eyes, he examined it with his eyes. He neither knew its model nor the brand. Forget it, he’d just call the 'master' as Malina had instructed.

Going back to his room, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number of his fiancé from the business card he got.

Ian’s heart thudded with every ring, feeling nervous for no reason. No answer. Maybe he was busy, Ian thought. But the next moment, the phone started vibrating in his hand. The alpha has called back.

“Hello. Mr. Vandal?”

“Yes, Ian.” Replied a deep husky voice which made Ian’s heart tremble a little. The alpha’s voice sounded really good on the phone, so close…speaking next to his ear.

“Ah, yes. I wanted to ask how to unlock the collar? I can’t seem to open it.”

There was a short pause before a reply came, “You can’t.”

“Huh? Yes, I can’t.”

“Only I can.”

“…I don’t understand.”

“My apologies. I forgot to tell you. I set the lock. It can only be opened by my fingerprint. You’d have to wear it until I come back.”

Silence.

“Ian?”

Ian’s hackles raised, he hung up the call directly, fuming and called Sean.

“That old alpha is really evil!” Ian almost screeched, releasing his anger.

“What happened?” His friend leisurely asked.

“He made me wear a fingerprint protective-collar!”

“So?”

“It won’t open unless it’s his!”

Silence. Then came a hearty laughter from the other side which made Ian cut his friend’s call again. All alphas are such bullies! He clutched the phone in his hand.

You just wait Mr. Rayson Vandal. See how I’d make you regret marrying me!