I snapped my fingers. "The university clinic! We can take you there!"

  "Absolutely not." His voice was sharp. "You. Will treat me. Not some strangers. I don't want them to touch me!"

  I frowned. "Oh, don't yell at me, mister!" I huffed—and for good measure, I gave his injured chest a light poke.

  "ARGH!" Deux doubled over, clutching his wound.

  "Oh no! Oh no, I'm sorry!" I panicked. "Reflex! That was a reflex!"

  "Champ," Deux groaned. "You... are more brutal than any Alpha I've ever met."

  I scratched my head sheepishly. "I guess I am pretty aggressive for an Omega."

  Deux chuckled weakly. "Tell me again... what did I do to deserve falling for an Omega more terrifying than an Alpha?"

  I shot him a look. "Okay, first of all— Your fault not mine. Second—stop changing the subject! Where do we go? I need to treat you!"

  Deux smirked. "Fine. Help me up."

  I reached out a hand.

  Deux dramatically extended his arms like a royal waiting for assistance.

  I rolled my eyes. "You are not an disabled, Deux. You have wounds, not broken legs."

  "What can I say?" He grinned. "I like the attention."

  I groaned. "Get up already before I accidentally poke you again!"

  Deux chuckled, but his eyes softened. "Fine. Let's go, then."

  I sighed, wrapping an arm around his waist, steadying him as we made our way.

  But before we left, I cpped my hands together. "Oh! Before that, we need a medical kit!"

  Deux groaned. "You're enjoying this too much."

  I grinned. "Maybe just a little. We can just walk for a little bit only. Hehe!"

  ...

  ...

  ...

  The moment we arrived at the pce Deux had told me about, I was left utterly speechless.

  "Wow! I thought you were going to take me somewhere terrifying! But how did I not know a pce like this existed so close to the university?" I excimed in awe, spinning around to take in the breathtaking paradise before me. A serene stream flowed gently, cascading down a small waterfall into a crystal-clear pool where fish swam freely.

  The area was secluded, untouched. No signs of human presence—just the two of us, alone.

  Lush greenery surrounded us, towering trees casting dappled shadows, vibrant flowers adding bursts of color. Birds chirped melodiously, and butterflies danced in the air, making the whole pce feel almost magical.

  "This is incredible! How did you find this pce, Deux?" I asked, turning toward him.

  But instead of answering, Deux was just... staring at me. A soft smile pyed on his lips, his eyes fixed on me in a way that made my stomach flutter.

  "Deux! I'm talking to you! Have you lost your mind? Why aren't you saying anything?" I demanded, waving a hand in front of his face.

  He chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm just happy... Happy that I got to bring you here. I never thought this day would come—where I'd be in this pce with you, someone I never expected to fall for so deeply. Someone who, at one point, I thought could never be my type. An Omega so different from the norm, from what I was taught to desire."

  "Oh, okay. Cool. I'm leaving now," I teased, turning on my heel.

  Panic fshed in his eyes as he grabbed my hand. "Wait! No! I was kidding! Don't leave!"

  I burst into ughter. "I was kidding too, Deux."

  His grip on my hand tightened for a second before his brows suddenly furrowed. "Wait... Champ, don't you have AEDS?"

  I blinked at him, eyes widening slightly. I said nothing, simply giving him a look that practically screamed, Deux, you already know the answer. Don't be stupid.

  "Ah!" He suddenly let out a dramatic gasp, his face scrunching up in frustration.

  With a huff, he released my hand and looked away, jaw tightening.

  "I knew it! You lied to me! You and Doctor Henry! You don't have AEDS because you're not an Alpha! You had me so worried! Do you know how hard it was for me to sneak around and get you medicine?! The things I went through just to make sure you were okay!" he grumbled, avoiding my gaze like a sulking child.

  I had to suppress a ugh.

  "Deux..." I said gently, sitting beside him. "You understand why I lied, don't you? You know my identity is not normal. Being a male Omega is dangerous. If people knew the truth, I'd be in constant danger. And back then, you were still Deux—the immovable Alpha prince who followed his father's every command. Should I have really risked my life by telling you the truth?"

  He inhaled deeply before meeting my gaze, eyes firm. "Not anymore, Champ. Now that I know the real reason, there's only one person I will follow from now on." His voice was steady. "You."

  My breath caught.

  I couldn't respond immediately, too caught up in my own spiraling thoughts.

  This Alpha prince, so arrogant and untouchable before, was now lowering himself for me.

  I swallowed, quickly averting my gaze.

  My heart was hammering wildly in my chest. Jumping. Rejoicing.

  I didn't want him to see. I didn't want him to know that his words, his gaze, his everything—it was all affecting me.

  "Hmp!" I scoffed, trying to mask my emotions. "Also, Doctor Henry isn't just my doctor. He's my uncle. He's my Alpha father's brother."

  "Huh?! Really?" Deux's eyes widened in shock.

  "Yes. So don't be mad at him for lying to you. He did what he had to do to protect me. And please, don't expose him for forging my certification that says I'm an Alpha instead of an Omega. I don't want him to get into trouble." I pleaded, stealing a quick gnce at Deux's lips.

  Lips that, for some reason, I found myself wanting to... touch.

  They looked soft. Warm.

  Had anyone kissed them before?

  If someone had—I'd be furious.

  Hmp!

  "I understand, Champ. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." Deux smiled softly. "Your secret... is our secret. Because if anyone finds out that I know, my life would be at risk too. But don't worry. Just a few more years and I'll be Alpha King. And when that time comes, you won't have to hide anymore. You'll live in a world where you won't have to pretend."

  His words.

  His voice.

  His promise.

  "Deux..." I whispered.

  I closed my eyes, swallowing hard.

  I could feel his warm breath fanning against my face, comforting in ways I couldn't expin.

  Before I realized it, I was leaning in.

  Closer.

  Closer.

  Just as our lips were about to brush—

  I snapped out of it.

  I jerked back, quickly averting my gaze.

  "Why did you stop, Champ?" Deux asked, puzzled.

  I shook my head, steadying myself.

  As much as I wanted to kiss him—I am not sure if I can control myself after this.

  Too dangerous.

  "...Do you want to taste my lips?" Deux asked innocently. "Were you trying to eat me?"

  I facepalmed.

  He... he really doesn't know what kissing on the lips is?

  Of course, he doesn't!

  Alphas don't love. They mate. They breed. They cim. They satisfy their urges.

  But they don't know romance.

  They don't know what it means to fall in love.

  The thought made my stomach twist.

  "Have you ever kissed anyone on the lips, Deux?" I asked, embarrassed but curious.

  "None." He blinked.

  I knew it!

  "Good," I muttered.

  No one has touched his lips and kissed it yet! Finally!

  "I don't know what it is for, but... earlier, when our lips almost touched, my whole body felt like it was burning." Deux admitted. "I stopped myself because I didn't know what would happen if I let go."

  "H-Hey!" I shouted, flustered.

  "But, Champ?"

  I turned toward him—only to notice where his gaze had nded.

  His eyes were locked onto a very specific part of my body.

  His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.

  I knew what he wanted.

  "Deux!" I growled, covering my neck.

  "Can't I mark you, Champ? So everyone will know you're mine?"

  Deux's voice was calm, almost tender, yet the weight of his words sent a rush of heat straight to my core. His gaze—steady, unwavering—held me captive, pulling me deeper into something I wasn't sure I could escape from.

  "Deux..." I whispered, this time, my voice barely above a breath. I wanted to resist, to push back, but the way he looked at me... It was as if he already knew I wouldn't.

  My heartbeat quickened, pounding against my ribs like a desperate creature trying to escape.

  Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, Deux's hand found my arm. His grip was firm but not forceful—an unspoken promise of restraint. And yet, when he gently pressed me down onto the ground, I found myself yielding far too easily.

  My body should have fought back. My instincts should have screamed at me to break free.

  But I didn't.

  Now, beneath him, I was utterly trapped—his legs caging mine, his body hovering just close enough for his warmth to sink into my skin.

  "Champ..." His voice softened, brushing against me like the whisper of a breeze. A small smile pyed on his lips, something both gentle and possessive gleaming in his eyes.

  I swallowed hard as his breath, warm and slow, ghosted over my face, making my own breathing hitch.

  And then, as if sensing my st line of defense, Deux's gaze flickered down.

  I had been clutching my neck—protecting it, shielding it.

  But Deux was patient. His fingers brushed over mine, featherlight, coaxing rather than forcing. Slowly, deliberately, he pried my hand away, unraveling my resistance with nothing but a touch.

  His warmth repced mine, his fingers grazing over my exposed neck with an unbearable softness.

  A shudder ran through me.

  His face dipped closer, his breath fanning against my pulse point. My eyes fluttered shut as something deep inside me—something I didn't want to name—gave in.

  "Champ..." His voice was a mere whisper now, reverent. Possessive. "I'm going to mark you, my Omega."

  And from that moment, I can feel his fangs slowly sinking into my neck...

  End of Chapter 20