By Zephyria 
Rut, or in simpler terms, an Alpha’s heat cycle, usually occurs every six months. Of course, there may be individual differences, but in the case of Kwon Young-je, he was a Dominant Alpha, so his rut cycle was fairly regular.
Even a Beta who can’t feel pheromones can recognize the signs of a heat cycle. The oppressive aura emanating from Executive Director Kwon Young-je was enough to make my skin tingle.
“Just a moment, I’ll get the suppressant.”
It’s okay. It’s not the first time. Having watched Kwon Young-je’s ruts countless times, I knew exactly how to handle this. I quickly ran towards the cabinet and started looking for the suppressant.
In just a few minutes, Kim Hui-won gathered the necessary medications and returned. He laid them out on the desk. From disposable injection kits to disinfectant and brown ampoule bottles containing high-concentration pheromone suppressants. His movements were quick and precise.
First and foremost, it was urgent to measure the current pheromone level. Calming his trembling breath, he activated the device, and a small beep sounded, along with a number appearing on the screen.
187ph. Both men frowned slightly upon seeing the number.
It was only the beginning of the rut symptoms, but the level was already significantly high. It was definitely not a good sign. “Executive Director,” he called out softly, and Kwon Young-je wordlessly offered his left arm.
After rolling up his shirt sleeve above the elbow, he wrapped a pad around his firm wrist. Kwon Young-je clenched and unclenched his fist a few times, causing bluish veins to protrude like branches. Kim Hui-won put on latex gloves and carefully administered the injection.
Kwon Young-je frowned at the sensation of the medication being injected. However, only an intravenous injection could suppress the rut, so he couldn’t do it himself. Kim Hui-won had always done it for him, and with the accumulated experience, his injection skills had become as proficient as those of a medical professional.
“The level is too high.”
“I know.”
“It seems like… this might be beyond what medication can handle.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
An irritated response came back. Honestly, what’s with his personality… I’m worried about him, and he’s still being difficult.
Kim Hui-won tidied up the cluttered desk while mentally reviewing the upcoming schedule. First, he would need to contact Kwon Young-je’s doctor and have him get a checkup.
Then, he examined his complexion. Of course, his condition wouldn’t improve immediately just from the injection. Kwon Young-je’s cheeks were still flushed, and his breathing was labored. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened, as if he hated his body not cooperating.
“Will you be able to attend the breakfast meeting tomorrow?”
“I’ll be fine. More importantly…”
Kwon Young-je pressed hard on his temples.
“Stay over.”
“Yes. Please call me anytime if there’s anything wrong.”
I was planning to stay over anyway. Given Kwon Young-je’s personality, he wouldn’t ask anyone else for help, and it was more reasonable to just stay in the guest room than to go back to my place and get called back in the early morning.
“Let me check your temperature.”
While putting the thermometer in his ear, he also subtly touched his neck. The warmth was still palpable on his fingertips.
Kwon Young-je let out a long breath and leaned his head back. He must really be in bad shape. Kim Hui-won smiled faintly, finding it strange to see Kwon Young-je so docile.
“…….”
He hadn’t even made a sound, but a sharp glare flew his way.
The corners of his lips quickly returned to their original position. Kim Hui-won brazenly started cleaning up as if he hadn’t smiled at all.
* * *
The breakfast meeting was held in a conference hall at a five-star hotel. It was a simple networking event, but the scale was considerable. The people who gathered were all extraordinary.
The attendees ranged in age from their 60s to early 30s, and all were influential figures leading the Korean economic market in their respective fields, so their presence alone gave the conference hall a heavy weight.
“Good morning.”
“Hello. Good morning.”
Kim Hui-won exchanged greetings with those around him and found an empty seat.
Chairs were arranged in the back area, about 200 meters away from the tables where breakfast was being served. It was a kind of waiting area, a space for the assistants to sit and wait.
Since everyone brought an assistant secretary as a matter of course, the number of secretaries gathered today was proportional to the number of attendees. Of course, no meals were provided for them. They simply watched the tables like audience members, waiting for the event to end.
As soon as Kim Hui-won sat down, he looked for Executive Director Kwon. Fortunately, Kwon Young-je was clearly visible from where he was sitting. The injection he had received the night before seemed to be working properly, as his condition was no different from usual.
Relieved, the tension in his body also eased. As he leaned back in the hard chair, the secretary sitting right next to him leaned close and spoke to him.
“Secretary Kim, you look very tired today?”
“Yes, I had a restless night.”
In fact, dark circles had formed under Kim Hui-won’s eyes. Staying up all night at Kwon Young-je’s house had made him incredibly tired.
“Get a coffee refill here.”
When the seats were almost full, the last secretary to enter passed around iced coffees. Everyone’s faces brightened at the excellent sense. They cleverly hid and sipped the caffeine.
These meeting places soon became meeting places for the assistant secretaries. Knowing each other’s hard work, they naturally started talking and becoming friendly. The members of the group chat that Kim Hui-won was in had all gathered after a long time.
Of course, not everyone was close. There was also a subtle war of nerves within.
“Who drinks coffee here? No manners. Tsk!”
An older assistant secretary clicked his tongue as if dissatisfied with the behavior of the young people.
“It’s early in the morning, so please excuse us just this once. Everyone’s tired. Would you like a cup too, sir? This place has good coffee.”
“Ha, no thanks!”
The secretaries showed an indifferent reaction to the grumpy attitude. At the assistant secretary level, they didn’t show their emotions unless it was a major issue. Whether it was this way or that way, they responded calmly, like a Tibetan fox in the animal kingdom.
“Hey! Secretary Kim!”
At that moment, someone sitting at the breakfast table shouted loudly. Ten people sitting in the back flinched like Pavlov’s dogs.
Which Secretary Kim?
The assistant secretary who had given the lecture earlier ran out in a fluster.
What good were age and experience? Everyone looked the same when they were being scolded by the Chairman. The secretaries quietly sighed at the tragic sight.
“I don’t know if it’s just me, but… after doing this job for a long time, don’t you unknowingly start to resemble the person you serve? In terms of personality or tone, things like that.”That’s why I go to early morning prayer these days. I feel like I’m constantly accumulating anger inside.”
“Mental training is important. What other job requires as much mental fortitude as ours?”
They began to vent their frustrations, which they couldn’t express anywhere else. They secretly confided their troubles while keeping a close eye on their superiors.
“What criteria did they use for the table arrangement? Age order? Or the order of the business world?”
“It’s probably a combination of factors. Title, influence, relationships, they probably considered everything.”
“Wow, Executive Director Kwon Young-je is already using that table. Anyway, he’s still the same. Is it because he’s an Alpha? Even from a distance, he has a halo.”
“…Really? I don’t really notice. Secretary Kim, it’s because you see him every day, your eyes are used to it.”
It was true that Executive Director Kwon was particularly noticeable among the business leaders gathered today.
The many gazes directed at him proved this. His eye-catching features and innate elegance were a perfect business card in themselves. The dark navy suit he wore today also accentuated Kwon Young-je’s sophisticated charm.
He seemed like someone difficult to approach, but the smile he occasionally gave was wonderful enough to disarm anyone. He was someone who could be the main character in any setting.
Kim Hui-won took a sip of coffee. As the saying goes, fingers bend inward.
Honestly, Kwon Young-je looked the coolest in his eyes too.
* * *
It was the same commute as always. As soon as he opened the office door, he saw the secretaries standing in a row, waiting.
While Kim Hui-won held the door open, Executive Director Kwon strode towards his office with long strides. He dryly accepted the morning greetings as usual. Kim Hui-won followed him, quickly moving his feet.
“…Ah.”
His steps paused for a moment. It was because there was one person he hadn’t seen before. He remembered that today was the first day of work for the newly hired employee. Seeing the man standing stiffly with tension, Kim Hui-won’s eyes curved softly.
“Welcome. Let’s say hello again later.”
He said in a small voice as if possessed. Then, he followed Executive Director Kwon into the office. The door closed tightly, and two figures moving busily were reflected beyond the glass window.
Haaa, the new secretary exhaled the breath he had been holding in and trembled. The secretaries standing with him patted his shoulder.
“You’re going to collapse, you’re going to collapse.”
“See, what did I tell you? I told you the Executive Director wouldn’t even look at you, right? I told you there’s no need to be nervous.”
“Jung-woo, shall we have a cup of tea? I’ll show you how to use the pantry. Follow me.”
The secretaries also busily started their morning. They felt strangely excited that one more member had joined the family.