"You are two minutes late," said the elder with a tone that barely masked his displeasure.

"Forgive my tardiness." Hun bowed slightly, though his address was more directed to Uta's father than his own, whose indifference to such matters seemed perennial.

"A pleasure to return here after so long," Uta's father remarked cheerfully, rolling his wheelchair forward to greet Hun. The gesture did little to mollify Hun's parents, who concealed their distaste as best they could.

"Let us dispense with pleasantries; we are already behind schedule." Hun's father surveyed the room with mild approval. "You have maintained this space adequately. It was disappointing to hear from Norma that you've halved your Omega staff. You Abnormals are... unpredictable."

"There was little need to retain a full complement of staff for one person," Hun replied, unruffled.

"Do not forget, you are a Dominant Abnormal. Assistance is a necessity, not a luxury, and no Beta should be expected to shoulder such a burden."

'I am not as helpless as you imagine,' Hun mused silently. 'Besides, don't you merely wish to keep more eyes on me?'

"Hun, take your seat. We are pressed for time." His mother's words, though soft, brooked no refusal, and Hun complied, feeling the familiar tension in the air. Uta's father's presence indicated that matters were about to unfold.

"Your former instructor has informed us of your intention to wed his Abnormal Alpha son."

'Straight to the point, as always.' "That is correct."

"We discussed the fundamentals of this union on our journey here. It would have been proper for you to inform us of your intentions sooner. We had a Dominant Alpha in mind for you, perfect for securing the corporate alliance we've long sought. Do you not agree he would be more suitable?"

Hun cast a glance at Uta's father, surprised by his lack of offense at the suggestion.

Just then, Norma entered with two household staff, offering beverages that were accepted in the strained silence.

"I am well aware of the individual you refer to," Hun responded carefully. "However, as an Abnormal, pheromone compatibility is paramount when considering a partner. I have always aspired to be with someone who aligns with that aspect. Moreover, I am confident that I can achieve far more than the corporate marriage you envision."

"As long as you deliver on your promise, I have no objections," his mother replied with evident satisfaction, though his father remained visibly displeased.

Turning to Uta's father, Hun's father inquired, "Have we met your son before?"

"No, but I can vouch for his character. He is a humble, responsible Alpha."

"There is a fine line between humility and timidity—neither trait is desirable in business. As we mentioned earlier, our haste in arranging this marriage stems from a need to present a respectable image, particularly to a certain church that requires all its members over twenty-five to be married. We never intended for Hun to remain unwed, nor did we anticipate having an Omega son. Of all his siblings, he alone is of an Abnormal gender. His younger Beta siblings have all taken the oath or are soon to wed. He should have been initiated into the fold over two years ago."

His mother added, "What my husband means is that someone of his stature should marry a Dominant. However, as per our earlier conversation, your son is an Abnormal Recessive, is he not?"

"Indeed," Uta's father confirmed.

"Do you have other children, perhaps Betas?" Hun's father continued. "It has become fashionable among Betas to favour Omegas over other Abnormals. We do not approve, but it is seen as a charitable gesture to consort with a weaker gender."

Uta's father remained calm. "As a fellow Dominant, I understand your concerns. However, it was your son who approached mine, not the other way around. I trust my son's judgment, regardless. That said, I am aware of my position. I fear my son may face rejection from your family, just as I did during my tenure as your son's private instructor."

"Not at all. We shall welcome him as one of our own, for we will not stand in the way of Hun's choice. As parents, we naturally seek what is best for our children. Only a Dominant would be capable of managing Hun's heat, and as you well know, Abnormals fall into three categories—Dominant, Dormant, and Recessive. The Recessive pose a risk of abomination, though fortunately, no such cases have been reported in the last fifty years, according to the most reliable Beta statistical research. Imagine having an Almega in the family, what a disaster that would be."

"I fear it is too late to avoid such a disaster," Uta's father responded gravely.

"What?" Hun's parents exclaimed in unison.

"Your son's desire to marry mine extends far beyond securing a contract. If you consider him a catastrophe, as you say," Uta's father glanced at Hun before continuing, "I shall withhold my blessing."

"Coach, please allow me a moment to speak privately with my parents. I will return shortly."

Uta's father nodded. "I came here to inform you of my son's illness, only to encounter your parents. We exchanged a few words, and they seemed eager to discuss the matter, only for the conversation to devolve into these disparaging remarks about my son being a 'catastrophe'."

"He is an Almega, for heaven's sake! If what you say is true, you must rid yourself of him at once!" Hun's mother shrieked.

"Mother, please..."

"I will hear none of it! Almegas are abominations, nature's error—unnatural creatures born of evil!"

"I love him!" Hun's voice trembled with fury as he stood, fists clenched. His heart raced, and the sudden rush of pheromones caught him off guard. Norma appeared at his side with a vial of pills, and as Hun swallowed them, he realized Uta's father had discreetly left the room, no doubt affected by the release of pheromones.

"Do you see, son?" his father bellowed. "Pheromones are a weakness! Even your tutors could not handle it, which is why we enlisted a Dominant Alpha to instruct you in physical education. Had he been a Recessive, he would have abandoned you!"

"Father, I have always maintained control over my pheromones. The roses surrounding this estate serve to neutralize any inadvertent release. Was that not the true reason you employed a martial artist who also happened to run a flower shop?"

"As though that did anything to temper your nature. You nearly cost him his leg during your first heat. Fortunately, he was too mild-mannered to pursue legal action."

"Hun didn't know about the accident, dear," his mother interjected cautiously. "Now he'll feel beholden to that man and his Almega son."

"What?" Hun whispered, his voice barely audible. "Norma told me he was injured in a car accident. Was that a lie?"

"Irrelevant," his father snapped. "We compensated him generously. Your heat was unforeseen, but now you must restore balance by marrying an equal. Our situation is delicate, and you are holding us back."

"You are both beyond reason."

"How dare you!" Hun's mother struck him across the face. "You will not speak ill of your parents!"

Hun's father stepped forward. "Perhaps we should allow our son time to reflect and compose himself. That man left here as though he were suffocating. Hun is a victim of nature's whim, but as part of a predominantly superior Beta family, he is afforded endless clemency and forgiveness." Turning to Hun, he added, "Heed our counsel. Had you been a Beta, we would not be facing this situation. But times are changing, and more people fall prey to this obsession with pheromones. These are dark days, and it is the fault of those unworthy even to become full Alphas."

"Judge not by what one is, but by what one does," Hun retorted, quoting scripture.

"How dare you use sacred words against us?" his father thundered.

"If you truly understand them, you should be prepared to accept that they do not justify selfish actions either." Bowing his head, Hun added quietly, "Please see yourselves out."