The sensation of a chilling breeze stirred Hun from his slumber, yet he opted to keep his eyes closed. As he attempted to move, the throbbing ache that pervaded his body, accompanied by a familiar stiffness, elicited a painful groan. This discomfort evoked a multitude of memories, each accompanied by a face he vowed never to forget.

Gradually opening his eyes, he extended a hand to the vacant space beside him, though he felt no surprise at finding himself alone once more. This solitude was anticipated, and he had grown accustomed to the calm that accompanied such wakefulness.

He slowly propped himself up and reached for his lower back. A smile broke upon his face at the realization that he had attained what he desired, though the reddening of his cheeks compelled him to hide his face in shame. A light giggle escaped him as he recalled the events that transpired in the study... Wait...

"How did I come to be in my room?" Hun mused, glancing about for any evidence that might elucidate the situation. In spite of his attempts to probe his memory, it was evident that someone else had facilitated his return.

The gentle sound of a door shutting snapped him to full alertness, revealing a familiar figure before him, holding a glass of water. To his astonishment, this was not the individual he had expected to see.

"S-Seo?" Hun stuttered at the sight of his younger brother, hastily lifting the sheets to shield himself. "What are you doing here?"

"I wager the air in here must reek of something else. Perks of being born Beta, I suppose."

"W-When did you arrive?"

"I encountered an amusing lad on my way here. He appeared deep in thought and asked me to deliver this after introducing myself," Seo said, extending the glass of water towards Hun. "He mentioned that you need to take your medication."

"What medication...?" In that moment, Hun recalled the haste with which he had surrendered to Uta's pheromones, neglecting to prioritize protection over pleasure.

"You've been careless, big brother. Your expression betrays you."

Snatching the pills from his brother's hand, Hun grumpily demanded the purpose of this unwelcome visit.

"You ought to be more concerned about who I accompanied and express remorse for placing me in a situation where I must meet your new love interest. I would have preferred a proper introduction over tea rather than the sight of your post-coital nakedness at dawn."

"Get out of my room!" Hun exclaimed angrily, throwing a pillow at his brother, who merely laughed as he caught it.

Seizing the distraction, Hun hastened to rise from bed, quickly donning the pyjamas that had been neatly placed beside the bedside lamp. 'Could it have been Norma? That cannot be... I instructed them to return this evening. Therefore, it must be Uta.'

"Show me where he is, Seo," Hun said, pacing towards the door.

"He left already, brother Hun. Just so you are aware, I had ample opportunity to question him and glean more about him."

"What?" Hun queried, turning back to face his brother. At this point, he was uncertain how to frame his inquiry, for discovering that Uta had lingered before leaving suggested that he had stayed longer this time. Yet, there was also the question of why his younger brother had felt the need to interrogate him, and under whose authority.

"Mother and Father were displeased by your sudden desire to wed when they had arranged a suitable match for you. Naturally, the rest of us are curious about this person who has them so on edge."

"Those interlopers," Hun grumbled, prompting a chuckle from his brother.

"Brother Hun, are you not concerned about losing the position they have reserved for you in the church? And to engage in such vigorous, unholy intercourse outside the bounds of marriage... and to be left all wounded as though that man were a beast ravaging his prey... Word has it that he is already an Almega."

"Do not lecture me, brother. I am well aware of my circumstances and the church's stance on them. Come to think of it, I have little interest in pursuing the ideology of a position selected solely for me."

"So you have finally grown weary of the pretense? I was beginning to think I was the only one harboring such thoughts." Seo walked towards Hun's bed, seated himself, and sighed. "I have an Alpha for a girlfriend. We plan to elope, but you are aware of the repercussions. Mother and Father will disown me, that's for sure."

Hun scrutinized his brother closely. He did not appear perturbed by the prospect; indeed, he seemed resolute in his decision, exhibiting a disregard for the consequences. "You stand to lose, brother. Remember, our assets are tied to the church."

"I am the church." Seo looked up at Hun, asserting, "The notion of the church being merely a building is a misconception. If it is true that we are all created in the image and likeness of our maker, then why do we categorize one another based on factors beyond our control? For instance, you chose neither to be a fragile Abnormal Omega nor a Dominant one. It could have happened to any of our other siblings."

"You make it sound as though I am a mistake."

"Don't frown, brother. Omegas are said to be the heartthrobs of the Abnormals. Regardless of gender, I feel a primal need to protect them."

"You sound like an Alpha."

"Not at all. Had I been born an Omega as well, with this charming charisma of mine, I would be quite content. Fortunately, I am merely a Beta, and a Normal at that."

"You have always been peculiar. I am hardly surprised."

"As the physical form of churches must remain unblemished, so too must our minds and souls be maintained, for they will reflect in our actions. What is the purpose of attending a worship gathering and chanting fervently if our behavior outside the institution contradicts such beliefs? I shall continue to practice and live by faith; however, I refuse to partake in matters that regard others as inferior and deny them their rights as human beings merely due to their Abnormality."

Hun chuckled. "You must genuinely adore this Alpha woman of yours. I sincerely hope she understands the sacrifices you are making for her."

"Brother, even if it were not for her that I pursue this path, I believe it is the journey I was meant to take. Nevertheless, I consider her a blessing in my life for igniting my desire to break free from the congregation. I hope you shall follow me on this path as well, big brother. Mother and Father will never accept that Almega man, and to add insult to injury, he is older than you, a Recessive, lacking in wealth, and rather a fool, if you ask me." Seo concluded with a light laugh. "He seemed lost in thought when we encountered him, and when I requested he introduce himself, he spoke out of fright, clearly shaken by our presence. Patrick, your betrothed, immediately identified him as an Alpha and was bewildered by his pheromones. According to him, that man reeked of lust. It was quite foolish of him to be wandering about after the evidently ferocious night you two shared. He indeed consumed you entirely, leaving no remnants nor crumbs."

"Brother, watch your tongue..."

"Relax, brother Hun. I have experienced my share of tantrums during my teenage years." Rising from the bed, Seo added, "Kindly eradicate any lingering residue of lust from your person, and a turtleneck would suffice to conceal what cannot be unseen. Keep in mind that Patrick is a jealous lover. Had I not been present, he would have surely confronted your Almega. Good thing he doesn't know him as a transformed Abnormal, yet."

"He would not go that far. He has been raised as a gentleman." 'Still, it is quite rude for the two of them to appear here unannounced.'

Seo smirked. "Perhaps you should have been there. Seeing is believing, as they say. I advise you to check the time, brother Hun. It is already past midday, and you, being an early riser, would not want to appear despondent over our parents' refusal to accept your chosen lover."

Hun hesitated, his expression flustered. "I merely appreciate his physique."

"Vanity, brother Hun!" Seo exclaimed cheerfully. "Lust is one of the seven deadly sins."

"Agh! Are you here to judge me?"

"Never. I take delight in witnessing two men vying for your affection. Our siblings would be troubled that you lost your innocence to a Recessive Alpha, but if I had already caught wind of you branding a Recessive to an Almega, I am certain they have already learned of it from Father and Mother, who would not want you to end up a failure. They are far too conventional to reason with."

Hun chuckled. "I cannot renounce who I am now, can I?"

"Two peas in a pod, you and I are. Even so, it is essential to maintain caution, brother Hun. Remember, you have a rather furious Dominant Alpha waiting for you beyond these walls. Simultaneously, another has just left after ravishing the last remnants of your body and soul.

You would not want to keep him waiting now, would you?"