'It's Ideal. You need someone to tell you how to feel. And you think your happiness is real. There's so much more the world has to reveal. But you choose to be concealed.'

~

Youngjae leaned comfortably against the leather chair in his father’s office. Kihyun sat in the armchair next to him, tapping his foot. The elder omega raised an eyebrow, “Are you nervous?” He asked almost tauntingly. “Yes.” Kihyun confessed. “Why? You’ve met dad’s partners before.” The tow joined their father for work to meet with their future business partners.

“Yeah, but this time the pack leader’s of our allied packs will be there too!” Kihyun said.

“So?” Youngjae questioned indifferently.

“So~, one of them is close friends with Changkyun’s father. What if he doesn’t like me and tells Changkyun’s dad and then he tells Changkyun, and then Changkyun hates me?” Kihyun rambled on.

Youngjae bursted into laughter, hardly able to control himself. Kihyun frowned, “It’s not funny.” He folded his arms. “That’s what you’re worried about?” Youngjae laughed. Kihyun’s frown deepened. “Shouldn’t he be the one worried about what you think of him? You’re the son of the chief alpha.” Youngjae reminded.

Kihyun sighed, “It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t like me.”

Youngjae rolled his eyes, feeling indifferent about the topic. He found it ridiculous how nervous and self-conscious hi brother became over anything related to the alpha. The younger was fairly confident of himself, but it was a different story when it came to his crush.

At that moment the large office door opened.

The two immediately straightened up when their father entered and greeted him with a smile. “Are you two ready?” He asked. “Yeh.” They both answered. “come one, the meeting begins in ten minutes. Everyone is in the conference room.” He instructed. The two stood up and followed their father out the room. They followed him throughout the building to the conference room.

The guests bowed when the three of them entered the large room. Leeteuk introduced his sons and thanked everyone for attending before taking his seat at the head of the table. Youngjae and Kihyun sat down in the seats closest to him, sitting on either side of the pack leader.

Leeteuk began the meeting by giving an overview of what the meeting is about. He discussed future projects that the company plans on embarking on, in the near future. He also gave his partners an update and explanation concerning their stocks along with the way their profit and the current standing of the business’s success, and their predictions for the upcoming summer season. He then opened the meeting for discussion amongst his guests about their own plans, concerns, and inputs.

Youngjae listened closely to their partners’ concerns, but he mostly focused on their body language. A habit he’d developed since he was young. He never trusted a business man’s words and only spent his energy on their body, especially of the leaders of their allied packs.

“That concludes our conference for today. Thank you all so much for coming.” Leeteuk smiled, standing from his chair. Everyone did the same and bowed to him. Everyone then left the room except for the six pack leaders of the northern province.

Leeteuk turned to his six allies once everyone else was gone. “I will be meeting you all for lunch in 15?” He questioned. They all nodded in confirmation, then took their leave. Only one of them remained.

Leeteuk raised an eyebrow at this, “Hangeng? Did you have a question?”

“Yes. I’m sorry to be a nuisance, but I did have a concern.” The alpha leader confessed, walking up the three of them. “Oh no, it’s not a bother at all. What’s your concern?” Leeteuk offered himself completely to the elder. “I just didn’t want to ask in front of everyone. It’s more of a personal question, if you may.” Hangeng explained. Leeteuk nodded, encouraging him to go on.

Youngjae studied the man. He didn’t like the leader. He didn’t like his demeanor nor the look of his body language. “It was a pleasure to meet your sons. I can tell you’ve raised them into strong, moral, smart young men.” Hangeng smiled at the two omegas, though his eyes lingered a second longer on Youngjae.

“Thank you.” Leeteuk smiled at this. He was highly proud of his sons. All his heart and pride were poured into them. “But I do have a concern for the future and company. And I’m sorry if this comes off as rude.” Hangeng continued.

“Go on.” Leeteuk encouraged.

Youngjae narrowed his eyes at the man.

“Do you perhaps have an alpha next in line to take over the pack after you?” He finally asked.

Both Leeteuk and Kihyun were thrown off by the strange and sudden question. Youngjae was hardly surprised. “Pardon?” Leeteuk questioned, trying to processs the man’s question. “No offense to you or your son, but I would not be comfortable working with an omega on clan or business affairs as the head.” Hangeng further explained.

Leeteuk frowned, but forced himself from sighing, understanding the elder alpha’s so called ‘concerns’. “There’s no need to worry. That has already been taken care of.” Youngjae responded before his father could, forcing a smile.

“Ah, good.” Hangeng returned the forced smile with his own. “That was all. I’ll see you three at lunch.” Hangeng bowed to them and left the room.

Leeteuk released his sigh, “I’m sorry Youngjae that you had to hear that.” He apologized regretfully to his son. “Don’t worry about it dad. I don’t want to have to deal with alphas like him either.” Youngjae brushed off in order to not worry his father. Kihyun looked at his brother with concern.

Leeteuk gave his sons a small smile. “You know I trust no one to take over the pack other than you two. And no one would be a better leader than you Youngjae. But…” He paused for a moment, “…but I’m only requiring that each of you have an alpha mate. Not because of traditions and politics, but for your own safety. I won’t be here forever to protect you two, though I wish I could.”

“Appa~, don’t talk like that. You make it sound so sad. We’re fine and we will be fine. And you will be here for a long time.” Kihyun asserted firmly. Leeteuk only smiled. “But you should head off to lunch now. I’m sure everyone is almost there. We’ll catch up in a few.” Kihyun encouraged his father. The chief alpha kissed both his sons before leaving them to themselves.

Kihyun waited until his father was far out of ear shot before he turned to his brother, “Are you okay?” He knew that the elder didn’t take Hangeng’s words so lightly.

Youngjae folded his arms. “I’m fine.” He lied. The alpha leader’s words angered him. It angered him even more that the question made his father uncomfortable. Kihyun pouted, “Youngjae.” He hated when he lied to him.

Youngjae looked at him with a smile, “Why would I let an insubordinate’s words bother me? Afterall, dad’s business is far more successful than his. So, any of his opinions are only minor, if anything at all.” Youngjae shrugged, heading out the door without warning.

Kihyun followed after him, “Youngjae, please don’t like to me.”

“His words angered me, yes. But it’s nothing to worry about. It’s not like I’m going to do anything.” Youngjae brushed off. “Are you sure?” Kihyun questioned, still not convinced. “Yes. He was only talking about me. If he was talking about you or dad, then that would’ve been a different strory.” Youngjae winked at him.

Kihyun’s pout deepened, “Sometimes you scare me Jae.” He said. At that moment the elder omega’s phone vibrated. Youngjae pulled the device out of his pocket to see that he had a message from Daehyun. He furrowed his brow. He hadn’t heard from the alpha in over a week. Nor had he expected to hear from him. He opened the message:

‘I have a question, and I need to know what you think? Could we meet today? If you’re available, I’m in town.’

At the bottom of the message he left an address to a coffee shop that wasn’t far from where he was.

Youngjae scoffed and pocketed his phone, ignoring the message. He had no intent on meeting the alpha today or ever again. He continued to walk with his brother until his phone vibrated again. He checked it to see that it was another message from the alpha. He rolled his eyes, but opened the message anyway:

‘What do you think about death? How do you handle it?’

Daehyun sat at one of the tables inside the fancy coffee shop by the window. He picked out a small round tall wooden table for him and Youngjae. He’d been waiting there for 10 minutes after receiving no response from the omega. Strangely, he felt somewhat nervous. He checked his phone again only to have no messages from him. “Maybe I should’ve texted him ahead of time.” He muttered.

He didn’t even know if the omega was in the city. He could be at his home village. Why would he even be in the city? He’s an omega. It’s unsafe for omegas to be out in the city alone. But he had a feeling that Youngjae didn’t care about those dangers. But Daehyun did, “Maybe this is a stupid idea.” He sighed. He could’ve called. He didn’t have to meet up with him in person but… “Yeah, it is.” A smooth voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

Daehyun looked to see Youngjae slide into the seat across from him. Daehyun was caught by surprise. He was too deep in his thoughts to have sensed his presence. He couldn’t help the smile that crept on his face. He was actually happy to see him. Youngjae raised an eyebrow at this.

“I’ll order us something. What do you want?” Daehyun asked, standing up. “I’ll just take a cup of black coffee, decaf.” Youngjae answered without much energy. Daehyun nodded, “I’ll be back.”

The alpha went to the counter and order Youngjae’s drink and a caramel Lotte for himself with banana bread and two apple Danishes. He wasn’t much of a coffee drinker, but he felt it would’ve been too repetitive to meet at a bar for a third time. However, he didn’t think that the omega had a taste for plain coffee. He figured that he would’ve been interested in something sweet like a frappe, judging from the drink he had at the hotel party.

He glanced back at Youngjae,