Dr. Han's back pressed against the cold wall as Taehyun stepped closer, refusing to stop.
Han (nervously): "Tae… you shouldn't be here. I'm still on duty."
But Taehyun ignored his words, slipping an arm around Han's waist. He leaned in close, his breath brushing against Han's ear.
Taehyun (low, husky whisper): "I missed you… so I came."
A shiver ran through Han's body. The sudden surge of Taehyun's Alpha pheromones made his knees weaken.
Han (trembling): "Tae, don't—"
Before he could finish, Taehyun's lips captured his. Han tried to push him away, but his body betrayed him, responding helplessly under the intoxicating pull of Alpha pheromones.
A sharp knock on the office door broke the moment.
Nurse (from outside): "Dr. Han, the operating room is ready."
Han's voice shook as he forced a reply.
Han: "Y-yes… I'm coming."
Taehyun's piercing eyes stayed locked on him, hands still gripping his waist tightly. He smirked, sharp and dangerous.
Taehyun (darkly, with a smile): "You should go. The patient is waiting."
Before Han could step away, Taehyun leaned in again, brushing a soft kiss against his lips.
Taehyun (whispering): "Come home soon… I have a gift for you."
After the surgery, Dr. Han Iseul sat slumped in his office chair. The day had been long and draining, and his body ached from the endless hours in the operating room. He leaned back, exhaling softly, and reached for his phone.
The screen lit up, and despite his exhaustion, his lips curved into a smile. The wallpaper displayed a photo of him and Taehyun—his younger Alpha boyfriend—standing side by side, their hands brushing in the picture as if they couldn't resist touching.
Han's gaze softened.
"One year ago…" he murmured to himself, memories tugging at him.
Flashback – One Year Ago
Han Iseul, then thirty-two, a respected surgeon at Silver Cross Hospital. That night had been bitterly cold. After a long shift, he discovered his car refused to start. With no other choice, he decided to take the bus home.
As he approached the dimly lit bus station, his eyes fell on a young man seated on the bench. The boy's innocent gaze, framed by striking features, made Han's steps falter. His instincts whispered immediately: Alpha. Strong build, broad shoulders, sharp jawline—yet there was something disarmingly youthful about him.
Han's heart gave a traitorous skip. He quickly shook his head, scolding himself.
Han Iseul, shame on you. He's just a student. You're thirty-two, far too old to entertain such thoughts.
Embarrassed by the direction of his mind, Han sat on a separate bench, doing his best to ignore the Alpha's presence.
The bus arrived. Han stood quickly, eager to board, but his foot slipped on the icy ground. His breath caught in alarm—until strong hands steadied him.
He blinked up into the young man's face, heart racing.
"Careful," the Alpha said gently. "You could've fallen badly."
Han tried to regain composure, but pain shot through his ankle when he attempted to stand.
"I'm fine," he insisted quickly. "Really, you don't need to—"
The young Alpha frowned, not convinced. "Your ankle is hurt. Let me help."
He guided Han onto the bus, ignoring further protests. Later, he insisted on walking Han home. Despite Han's embarrassment, he eventually relented. That night, conversation flowed easily between them, laughter echoing in the quiet streets. Dinner followed. And then… more nights.
Until one day, the Alpha, Lee Taehyun—a twenty-four-year-old university student—looked him in the eyes and confessed what Han already felt blooming in his own heart.
Present Day
The sharp ringing of his phone jolted Han back to the present. He blinked, shaking off the haze of memory, and answered the call.
Taehyun's voice came through, warm and familiar.
"Are you free now?"
Han's lips curved into a smile. "Ah, I just finished. I'm on my way home."
"Come quickly," Taehyun said with a soft chuckle. "I'm waiting for you."
The call ended, and Han sat for a moment, staring at the screen with a quiet murmur.
"I really am the luckiest person in the world…"
He gathered his coat and car keys, stepping out into the night.
Half an hour later, Han arrived at his house. Unlocking the door, he frowned when he was greeted by darkness.
"Why are the lights off?" he muttered, pulling out his phone to use its flashlight.
"Taehyun?" he called softly, stepping further inside. "Tae, are you home?"
No answer. Only silence.
Han took another cautious step—and then, suddenly, pain exploded at the back of his head. His phone slipped from his grasp, crashing to the floor as the light flickered across the dark room. Warm blood trickled down his temple as his knees buckled.
"Wha—"
His voice was weak. His body refused to respond.
As the strength drained from him, Han's eyes fluttered shut, swallowed by darkness.
Dr. Han's eyes fluttered open, his head pounding.
"Ahh… where am I?" he groaned, clutching his temple.
The unfamiliar ceiling above him made his chest tighten. He glanced around the dimly lit room, confusion rising with every second. "Where… is this place?" he murmured.
He pushed himself up from the bed, but the moment he tried to move, his body collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud. His breath caught when he looked down—one of his ankles was shackled by a thick chain.
"What the hell… what is this?!" His voice trembled as panic surged through him. He yanked at the iron, pulling, twisting, but it didn't budge. Staggering toward the door as much as the chain would allow, he pounded on it with both fists.
"Help! Somebody help me! Open the door! Taehyun! Where are you?! Where are you…?" His voice broke as he cried, sinking to the cold floor in despair.
Moments passed in suffocating silence. Then—
Click.
The heavy door creaked open. A tall shadow stepped into the room, the light from behind outlining his figure.
A chilling voice filled the air.
"How's the gift, Dr. Han? Do you like it?"
Dr. Han froze. His wide eyes locked on the figure, disbelief flooding him. His lips quivered as he whispered, trembling—
"…How… how is this possible…?"