By Zephyria 
Grayson opened his mouth but couldn’t speak. Dane was briefly curious about his reaction, which seemed to indicate he couldn’t understand at all and didn’t know what to say. Was that man’s genuine reaction, or was it just a conditioned reflex?
“Pharmaceutical companies need subjects to experiment on, so they spread drugs like that. They sell them secretly to people who can’t afford to buy drugs officially, or when they’ve developed drugs with bad intentions. Instead, they sell them at a high price.”
Dane spoke more than usual. Maybe it was a kind of compensation for spending Grayson’s money. Grayson thought that was probably right.
“Bad intentions?”
Dane readily answered Grayson’s belated question this time as well.
“For example, turning a Beta into an Omega or an Alpha.”
Grayson frowned again. He looked like he didn’t understand anything from beginning to end, but Dane seemed to have no intention of talking about it anymore and changed the subject.
“What are you going to do now?”
“What?”
Grayson paused, as if he had been lost in thought, and asked back. Dane replied in a casual tone.
“My business is done. What do you want to do now?”
Grayson stared at him with a frown still on his face. This guy really doesn’t know what a date is.
Despite having already seen through everything, Dane had no idea that Grayson was suspicious of him. In any case, according to his shallow knowledge, just walking around together was a date.
In fact, Dane had never had a proper date before. Most of them were one-night stands, and even if they occasionally had a meal together or spent time together, the ultimate goal was always that, so in a sense, it was no different from foreplay.
But for that word, date, to come out of this guy’s mouth.
The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. How could a psychopath be more romantic than someone with a normal brain? He would have been less confused if Grayson had asked him to have sex again.
Anyway, the person who wants something just has to say what they want. Darling had to stay in the hospital longer, so there was no need to go in early today, and after having such intense sex until just the day before, he didn’t feel like looking for another partner.
In fact, he still had a throbbing sensation deep inside his body, so he was feeling very uncomfortable inwardly. But it wasn’t so bad that he couldn’t move, so he was pretending to be fine, but after spending some time with Grayson Miller, he was going to go straight home and get a good night’s sleep.
Spending time together, what else could a date be?
Meanwhile, as Grayson watched Dane standing with his arms crossed and his head tilted to one side, waiting for his answer, a sense of futility washed over him.
What am I doing here right now?
He had been searching for a destiny worth betting his entire life on. He was so sure that Dane Striker was the one he had been looking for, just because he was a Dominant Omega with big breasts, but now his belief was shaking greatly.
He was right about the big breasts and the Dominant Omega, but maybe Dane Striker wasn’t his destiny after all…?
How long had he been making false starts, believing that his destined partner had appeared? Almost his whole life. But can he be sure now? Really?
Above all, Dane Striker was too far from his taste, except for the fact that he had big breasts. Everyone Grayson had believed to be his destiny so far had been gentle, soft, and, above all, worshiped Grayson.
What does Dane Striker do for him?
He was nothing but rough, threw punches at the drop of a hat, and always had the word “annoying” on his lips… Grayson recalled the last unwelcome fact.
He looks down on me.
All things considered, there was no way Dane Striker could be Grayson’s destiny. An uncultured man who doesn’t even know what a date is, a vulgar human being who only looks for one-night stands, is that the destined partner I’ve been waiting for all my life?
The more he thought about it, the more angry he became. He himself had lived a promiscuous life as well, but at least he had an excuse. At least Grayson slept with someone he believed he loved. Even if that love was a fleeting moment, that’s how it was at the time. Even if it wasn’t, it was an unavoidable act to extract Pheromones. It was self-defense, so to speak.
But what about this man? He laughed at the idea of believing in love, and yet he was so promiscuous.
On top of that, he even took the morning-after pill in front of Grayson’s eyes. Shouldn’t he have at least consulted with me before taking it? He just took it without permission and informed me? That’s like treating me like a dildo. And this guy is my destiny?
Don’t talk nonsense…!
Grayson gritted his teeth. He felt like he had suddenly opened his eyes after escaping from a world of just the two of them. He must have been out of his mind for a while, soaked in the Omega’s Pheromones. He was even going to go on a date with a man like this.
He would miss Dane’s breasts, but if he really found his destined partner, he or she would have even better breasts. Surely those breasts aren’t the best in the world. They’re better than any breasts I’ve ever seen… but I haven’t seen all the breasts in the world. Thinking that far, Grayson gave up his last attachment.
“Damn it, I just wasted my time again.”
It was when he uttered a curse out loud. He heard loud music and saw a group of people gathered together. He paused and turned his gaze, and soon he knew why. A parade was in progress. There seemed to be some kind of event.
“I love you, I love you! I love you!”
“You’re so cool! Please look over here!”
“Blessings to all! Love to all!”
On top of the carriage, a woman in a fancy costume was scattering flower petals, and below, trumpeters blowing long trumpets stood at every corner. Behind the four horses moving slowly, an orchestra was playing, and people in various costumes were following.
On both sides of the road, many people who had been waiting for the parade came out and cheered, sang along to the songs, and moved their bodies and danced. It was a cheerful and enjoyable sight for anyone to see.
Of course, Grayson was an exception.
“What a bunch of bullshit, fuck…”
He muttered another curse. Nothing seemed to be working out. He roughly ruffled his hair, and Dane, who had been watching the parade for a moment, turned to look at him.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going?”
“What?”
When Grayson inadvertently asked back, Dane replied in a still indifferent tone.
“You said we were going to have a meal and do something. Do whatever you want, I don’t care if we just stand here and break up.”
Look at that. That bastard is looking down on me.
There’s no way a human being like that could be his destiny. So he should laugh and break up, saying it was a misunderstanding as always, but why couldn’t he do that this time?
For some reason, Grayson kept getting angry. Why? Why?
“You…”
It was when Grayson was about to open his mouth.
Bang, boom, bang!
The ground shook with a loud noise. Startled people screamed and ran here and there. Grayson and Dane were also surprised and looked in the direction of the sound. Gray smoke was rising from one direction. Someone shouted from among the fleeing people.
“It’s a bomb, someone set off a bomb!”
“It’s a terrorist attack, a terrorist attack!”
The scene became a scene of utter chaos. People in a panic screamed and scattered in all directions. Grayson immediately tried to escape like everyone else. So he turned in the opposite direction from the smoke.
He had run a few steps, but he felt something strange. With a reluctant feeling, he looked back, and the moment he did, he had no choice but to stop running and stand there.
Beyond the people running like crazy, one towering head was quickly moving away. It was Dane Striker.
What…
Grayson stood there blankly, watching his back. Like a scene from a movie, people ran past him. In the midst of the screaming street, Grayson stared at the back running in the opposite direction from the people and muttered to himself.
“What is that bastard doing…”
75 – 75
Kwahwang, again, a deafening roar echoed. Dane anxiously looked up at the direction of the smoke. As if a bomb had been detonated inside the building, a second plume of smoke was rising from the same location. People who had been working not far from the crowded street covered their mouths with handkerchiefs or outer garments and ran out. Dane immediately called the fire station.
“There are explosives, please deploy immediately. The address is…”
He quickly added a request for the Deployment of a specialized bomb disposal unit in case of additional bombs, then hung up. He was about to rush into the building immediately when.
Suddenly, someone grabbed his arm from behind. Caught off guard by the rough force, Dane stumbled and was pulled back. He turned his head, his face contorting in surprise. A man with a pale face was breathing heavily, looking down at him.
“What are you doing, are you crazy?”
Dane frowned, looking at Grayson Miller’s face. What on earth was this man doing?
“Let go.”
He tried to shake off the hand holding him, but it didn’t work. After failing to swing his arm away several times, Dane finally couldn’t hide his annoyance and spat out roughly.
“I said let go? What are you doing?”
“What do you think you’re doing!”
Grayson shouted. Dane paused, his ears ringing for a moment. This bastard? Just as he was about to open his mouth in disbelief, Grayson quickly continued.
“There are explosives, you don’t know what will happen if you go in now, what are you doing?”
His face was deathly pale, as if Dane was about to be caught in an explosion and torn to pieces right before his eyes.
Dane, who had been silently watching Grayson, opened his mouth.
“Someone has to do it.”
“Why do you have to do it, the bomb disposal experts are coming, you just have to wait…”
“I have to do it.”
Dane cut off Grayson’s words, which were pouring out in quick succession. Grayson paused for a moment.
“What?”
After a beat of silence, Dane opened his mouth in response to the question.
“I’ve handled bomb disposal too. I did it several times when I was in the military. So let go, it’s my job.”
This time, he tried to pull his hand away, but Grayson gripped his arm even tighter. Dane’s face contorted in pain, causing Grayson to hesitate, but he didn’t loosen his grip.
“Why do you have to do it?”
He couldn’t understand it at all. How could he? Even now, explosions were still going off and flames were rising, and he was going to go in there with his bare hands? Alone?
“Why do you have to be the one to do it, you could die!”
He repeated, but there was no change in Dane’s expression. Grayson was rather defeated by the gaze that simply stared at him as if asking what he was trying to say.
“Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
Dane answered calmly to the hesitant question.
“I am.”
“Then why…!”
Grayson, who was about to press him again, covered his face with his remaining hand. He had no idea what was going on. Dane, who had been silently watching his confusion, opened his mouth.
“You have a big family, right?”
“…Six siblings.”
Grayson reluctantly answered. What was the meaning of this question? Dane’s face came into his view as he pondered. A very faint smile appeared on his face, which had always seemed so nonchalant. Dane whispered to Grayson, who was staring blankly in surprise.
“I’m doing it because someone like you shouldn’t die.”
Grayson couldn’t even blink now. Dane gently removed his hand, which had stiffened as if his soul had left his body. This time, Dane let go of his hand easily and smiled. It was the first time he had seen such a peaceful smile. He added one last thing to Grayson, who was still in a daze.
“It’s okay because I’m alone.”
“Dane…”
Grayson belatedly tried to call out his name, but he had already turned away. Grayson could no longer hold back Dane, who disappeared into the building in an instant.
Explosions continued to be heard. It was impossible to tell which was the sound of a bomb exploding and which was the sound of a building collapsing. Grayson just stood there in a daze, listening to the eerie roar mixed with people’s screams.
Desire Me if you can
What had happened?
He tried to recall his thoughts, but it was impossible. His mind was a jumbled mess, and he couldn’t make any proper judgments. The sky, blurred by the smoke, made the passage of time unclear. He couldn’t even tell how long he had been standing there. He was just watching. People in uniforms running around urgently, people shouting as they came and went.
…Dane Striker, who still hadn’t come out.
How could he do such a thing?
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand. He knew he could die, but he still went in? Voluntarily?
What’s more, he wasn’t even on duty. He wasn’t in a situation where he had to go in because of work, and he was risking his life like that for nothing? Why?
This was the second time he had experienced something like this. Joshua Bailey had risked his life for Grayson’s brother, Chase. Even though there were no guarantees.
But they were lovers. If they were willing to give their lives for each other, just like the love Grayson had always imagined, it was possible to accept it, even if it was a stretch. Of course, that didn’t mean he understood it.
But Dane’s case was completely different. Dane didn’t have a lover in there. He probably didn’t even know anyone in there. He was going into that building for a complete stranger? Risking his life?
That’s ridiculous, this can’t be happening…
Grayson was still confused, just standing there staring at the burning building. The black smoke turned into a huge dark cloud, covering the entire sky.
Desire Me if you can
It was roughly several hours later that Dane came out of the building. He was covered in black soot and his hair was singed, and he was panting as he was helped out by another firefighter. Fortunately, he was unharmed.
“It’s a good thing there were no more bombs.”
Ezra said with a light scolding tone.
“What were you thinking, running in there? What could you do with your bare hands?”
Dane answered the obvious question nonchalantly.
“There’s an office, so I could find a box cutter or some tools, and if that doesn’t work, I can at least tell them where the bombs are, which would be helpful.”
“Stop doing dangerous things.”
Ezra slapped Dane on the back with a loud thud, then put him in the back of an ambulance and hurried back. Dane, who was left alone, coughed occasionally and drank the water given to him by the paramedics. He sat there, constantly hydrating his parched throat. He finished one bottle and was about to open the next when a shadow fell over him. Dane looked up and chuckled.
“You’re still here?”
Grayson was looking down at Dane with a blank expression. It was a very unfamiliar reaction, considering he was always grinning ridiculously. Grayson, who had been silent for a while, slowly opened his mouth to Dane, who blinked in wonder.
“…You ruined our date.”
Dane felt strange at the quiet voice, which was completely different from the rough shouting he had done earlier.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry.”
He apologized readily as always, then smiled nonchalantly.
“Let’s do it again. When should we do it?”
Grayson was silent again. What was he thinking? Dane suddenly realized. Was Grayson Miller such an inscrutable man?
“…Later.”
Grayson opened his mouth after a long time.
“Later, when I want to.”
It wasn’t a difficult promise. Dane shrugged and replied.
“Whatever you want.”
Grayson stared down at Dane for a while, then turned away. He walked away, trudging. Dane stared blankly at his receding figure, then soon shifted his gaze and drank his water. The sun was setting beyond the black smoke.