Still no reply.

Lately it had been hard to get Jeonghan to reply his messages. Ever since he caught the scars on the omega’s hands, the latter’s attitude towards him changed. Although he should have expected such a change, Jeonghan’s actions when they actually meet face to face were warm, he even kept his usual routine during the day but their nightly games and texts stopped. Even their morning ones.

Seungcheol thought the man got back to his old night life but there were no lingering alpha scents which, surprisingly concerned him. Because he knew there are worse thing the man could be doing at night. The scars on his upper arms were healing like he promised but there were other parts of his body not visible – most of them. There could be more scars there. Seungcheol shivered just thinking about it.

Per usual, he looked at his bookmarked page, trying to read other people’s experience with loved one’s self-harm issue. He didn’t know what to do because he knew Jeonghan was still seeing his therapist for help, and it was not as if he was living with the omega to monitor him frequently. All he could do is contact him once in a while but with no reply, there was nothing else left to do.

Closing his laptop, the young student got back to his book to distract himself with calculus. He hated the subject but right now, the complicated field was exactly what he needed.

Hopefully he would at least get a ‘Good night’ tonight.

*****

Jeonghan stared at the date, unconsciously scratching his left arm before Joshua held his right to stop him, ‘It’s red.’

‘Owh.’ He nodded, quickly putting both his hands on the table. Lately he started scratching again – something he hadn’t done in a very long while. He only did it when he was extremely anxious but that problem was fixed the moment he chose to sleep with random alphas hence why he stopped. Before that, he had to depend on medicines provided by his doctor which were only prescribed when his condition worsened enough for the adults to realize it. It was weird, having it reappearing now when he thought he was over it. Granted, he was feeling a bit distressed lately; he still hadn’t found an alpha. Because he still couldn’t find the courage to return to the club.

Scratching his head softly, Jeonghan on his caramel latte rather quickly, coughing as the cold liquid entered his lungs. He felt a few thud on his back trying to ease his violent cough. Joshua handed him his bottled water before asking again if he was okay, to which he replied with a nod. He knew his foreign friend was curious about his action just now, as well as his other random light injuries like his lip cuts but chose not to ask. Because the man knew Jeonghan get defensive and lie about it. And he never want to lie about it, not to his friends but he was already used to it – to pretend he was fine unless in front of professionals.

This was good. He knew Joshua was concerned, he knew the man somewhat knew about what was going on as he did dropped hints which he knew Joshua got, and he knew Joshua was doing everything he could to help. But he didn’t want to spill what was on his mind because he was afraid it would ruin what they have right now – a relationship where he can feel normal.

‘Hi, Joshua, right?’ An unknown female called out, ‘And you must be, Jeonghan?’

Ah. This girl, Seungcheol’s manipulative ex-lover. What the hell was she doing here anyways?

‘Yeah. You’re…?’ Joshua replied, in his usual gentle voice. Jeonghan chose to ignore her as she was no one but a stranger bold enough to introduce herself. He had no interest in knowing her. Looking behind her for whom Jeonghan could only assume was their alpha friend, she gave them a smile, ‘I’m Seungie’s friend. Ah, sorry. Coups’s friend? Seungcheol?’

‘Ah… yeah. Nice to meet you…’ Joshua greeted, as if he didn’t already know about her. He did, Seungcheol told them about the lover who broke his heart after she was done playing and messing with him. But typical Joshua, he chose not to show his distaste. But Jeonghan was not like his friend, he prefers being honest about what annoys him. And the girl annoys him.

She started frequenting the cafe since a few weeks ago, slowly trying to get close to Seungcheol. It was bothersome because the alpha started to smile less and spent more time inside the kitchen. Their usual routine was disrupted because of this shameless . And now, somehow she managed to bring the alpha out again. Jeonghan was not sure what she told him but now Seungcheol seemed okay with her presence.

Such a persistent, shameless . He really hoped she didn’t get to Seungcheol again because that would prove how stupid the alpha is. And that would be very disappointing. Because he finds the weak alpha cute, but he wouldn’t be able to tolerate the man being a fool.

‘Why are you staring? Do you remember me?’ Woo Ri’s random question brought Jeonghan back from his thought and he closed his eyes lightly before curving his lips slightly upward. ‘No. No interest in girls.’

‘Owh. Random but okay.’ Jeonghan smirked as the female invited herself to sit beside Joshua. He was about to throw a fit, not appreciating an outsider intruding his pack but Joshua gave him a look which he could assume was a warning. A gentle one, but a warning nonetheless. She turned her head quickly to make sure Seungcheol was not in sight, she asked them, ‘So, tell me bout Seung..cheol. He still plays basketball?’

‘Yeah.’ Joshua dragged his answer, showing his discomfort about talking about his friend to a ‘stranger’. She assured her they were close, as if they didn’t already know before proceeding to ask another, ‘Center? Forward?’

‘Dunno.’ Jeonghan cut her. ‘Why don’t you ask him?’

She stared at him before smiling, ‘You seem defensive…’ She hummed to Jeonghan could only scoffed. Already making herself comfortable at someone else’s table. ‘Lemme guess, you like my ex?’

Jeonghan locked their eyes together, imagining himself throwing fireballs at her with his glare, ‘He’s my boyfriend. Move along.’

There was a long pause, awkward pause as both the omegas continued to eye each other. Jeonghan realized what he just did, telling the lie to someone Seungcheol knew personally, but he just couldn’t help it. He didn’t want this omega to disturb his little pack. To disrupt his safe haven. He felt her scent around them, probably wanting to get the alpha’s attention, so he did the same, wanting to cover it with his own. There was no way this gets to play them.

‘Coups,’ the two dueling omegas eased their scents when he heard Joshua’s voice calling the alpha. Woo Ri quickly turned her head towards his past-lover to greet him, smiling widely as if she was being friendly with the other two. Jeonghan could only chuckle softly, seeing her obvious pretense first-hand. He decided to keep silent, wanting to see how she would explain her being with them – the truth or a shameless lie.

She went with neither, ‘You should’ve told me you’re dating.’

She went straight to attacking Seungcheol. The minute she opened , the alpha became uncomfortable. Jeonghan stared at the man who seemed at a loss, ‘We’re not-‘

‘It’s fine. I’m fine with it.’ She stood up from the seat, now completely facing the alpha as if his two friends we