Morning came too quickly.
I hadn't slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I felt it again—the heat of his body, the low whisper in my ear, the way my own heartbeat betrayed me like I wasn't even in control of myself anymore.
You're mine… whether you like it or not.
I shot upright in bed, breathing hard.
"No," I muttered, pressing a hand to my chest. "I'm not yours. This is temporary. Just survive and leave."
That was the plan. It had to be.
But even as I said it, a quiet voice in my head whispered something dangerous.
Then why didn't you push him away?
I clenched my fists.
Before I could spiral further, a soft knock came at the door—gentler than last night, almost polite.
"Come in," I said cautiously.
A maid stepped inside, bowing slightly. "Young Master, the Alpha requests your presence in the main hall."
My stomach dropped.
Why does he keep calling me like this? Does he enjoy watching me panic?
The maid's lips twitched—just slightly—and I froze.
Right.
Nothing around him was safe. Not even my thoughts.
---
The main hall was brighter than usual, sunlight pouring in through tall windows. Servants lined the sides, unusually tense, whispering among themselves.
Something was different.
And then I saw him.
Alpha Kairo stood at the center, dressed immaculately as always, his presence commanding the entire room. But for the first time… his attention wasn't on me.
It was on someone else.
My steps slowed.
At the far end of the hall stood a figure—slender, elegant, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Soft features, gentle eyes, and an aura that screamed everything I wasn't.
An omega.
No… not just any omega.
The original one.
My chest tightened.
So this was the person whose life I had stolen. The one I was replacing. The one he was supposed to love.
The omega stepped forward, voice soft and emotional. "Kairo… I'm back."
The room seemed to hold its breath.
For a moment, Alpha Kairo said nothing. His expression didn't change, but I saw it—the slight shift in his eyes, something deeper than usual.
Recognition.
Memory.
Something that didn't belong to me.
And suddenly, I felt like an intruder.
---
So this is the real one…
The thought slipped out before I could stop it.
Kairo's gaze flickered—just for a second—but he didn't look at me.
Instead, he stepped forward.
"You've returned," he said calmly.
The omega smiled, relief flooding his face. "I thought… I thought you might not want to see me again."
"I never said that."
Their conversation was simple. Soft. Familiar.
And somehow… that hurt more than anything.
Because he had never spoken to me like that.
Not once.
---
I took a step back, instinctively wanting to disappear.
Good. This is perfect. The real omega is back. That means I can leave soon.
That was the plan, right?
So why did my chest feel tight?
Why did my throat burn like I was swallowing something bitter?
You don't belong here. This was never your place.
"Who is he?"
The soft voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.
I froze.
The original omega was looking at me now.
Really looking.
His eyes scanned my face, my posture, my very existence—and I felt exposed in a way I hadn't even felt with Kairo.
Kairo finally turned his head slightly.
"This," he said, voice calm but unreadable, "is the stand-in."
The word echoed louder this time.
Stand-in.
Temporary.
Replaceable.
The omega's expression flickered—just for a second—but I caught it.
Jealousy.
---
"I see…" he said slowly, stepping closer to me.
Every step he took made my heart beat faster.
Not because I was afraid of him.
But because of what he represented.
He's everything you're not.
He stopped right in front of me, close enough that I could see the faint tremble in his lashes.
"You've been… taking care of Kairo while I was gone?"
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
What was I supposed to say?
Yes, I've been pretending to be you while trying not to fall for him?
Kairo's voice cut in smoothly. "He's been fulfilling his role."
His role.
That's all I was.
The omega nodded slowly, but his eyes didn't leave mine. "You've done well," he said, his tone gentle… but something underneath it felt sharp.
Like a warning.
"Thank you," I forced out, my voice quieter than I intended.
---
The silence that followed was suffocating.
I could feel it—the tension shifting in the room. Servants watching. Whispers growing louder.
And Kairo…
He was watching both of us.
Me and him.
Comparing.
Measuring.
Who does he prefer?
The thought slipped out before I could stop it.
Kairo's gaze snapped to me instantly.
My breath caught.
Oh no.
I looked away quickly, but it was too late.
A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips.
---
"Come here," he said.
I stiffened.
"Which one of us?" the original omega asked softly.
Kairo didn't even hesitate.
"You."
My heart dropped.
Of course.
Why wouldn't he choose him?
---
The omega walked toward Kairo, graceful, confident, like he belonged there.
Like he had always belonged there.
Kairo reached out—and for a moment, I thought he would pull him close.
But instead…
He stopped just short.
His hand hovered in the air, then slowly dropped.
Something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"Rest," he said instead. "You must be tired from your journey."
The omega blinked, clearly surprised. "…Yes. Of course."
But I saw it.
The disappointment.
---
And somehow… that made everything worse.
Because now I didn't understand anything.
Not him.
Not myself.
Not this twisted situation.
---
As the servants escorted the original omega away, the hall slowly emptied, leaving just the two of us.
Me.
And Alpha Kairo.
The silence stretched.
Heavy. Dangerous.
I didn't dare look at him.
Just leave. Don't say anything. Don't think anything—
"Jealous?"
My head snapped up.
His eyes were locked onto mine, sharp and amused.
"I'm not—"
I am.
I froze.
Damn it.
His smirk deepened. "You really are terrible at hiding your thoughts."
I looked away, my face burning. "It doesn't matter. He's back now. That means… I'm no longer needed."
The words felt heavier than they should have.
Why?
That was what I wanted, wasn't it?
Freedom.
Escape.
So why did it feel like loss?
---
Kairo stepped closer.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"You think this changes anything?" he asked quietly.
I swallowed. "Doesn't it?"
His gaze darkened slightly.
"No," he said.
My heart skipped.
"Because," he continued, leaning just close enough to make my breath hitch, "you're still mine."
The words sent a shiver down my spine.
Confusion. Fear. And something dangerously close to hope twisted inside me.
---
"I told you before," he murmured, his voice low and certain, "the moment you think about leaving… I'll know."
My chest tightened.
"And I'll make you stay."
---
I should have resisted.
I should have pulled away.
I should have reminded myself that this was all temporary.
But instead…
I stood there.
Frozen.
Caught between two worlds.
Between who I was…
And who I was becoming.