I am starting to be afraid...

The engine purred softly as the car moved through the familiar city streets, weaving its way through the twinkling lights of the night. Sitting next to my brother, I stared absently out the window, lost in thought. We had spent a nice evening together, but now it was time to go home.

As we approached my house, my brother slowed down and parked near the curb. He turned off the engine but sat there for a moment, seeming to think about something. Then, turning to me, a serious expression appeared on his face.

"Listen, there's something I need to tell you," he began in a calm but serious voice. My eyebrows furrowed instinctively.

-I know this won't be easy to hear, but I think you're ready. You have always been strong, and I know you will be able to handle what I am about to tell you, he continued, choosing his words carefully.

My heart began to beat faster, anticipation weighing on my shoulders. What could be so hard to say?

-Do you remember the time you were diagnosed alpha S+, he asked, his gaze searching mine. Nodding, I felt a knot forming in my throat.

-Well actually you're a bit of a special alpha because you can also attract alphas, he finally admitted, his voice cracking slightly on the last sentence.

A heavy silence fell between us, broken only by the sound of our breathing. My brother's words echoed in my head, their meaning slowly creeping into my mind. Me attracting alphas?

-Hahaha very good joke, I told him

-...Sorry it's not a joke,

I was desperately searching for something to say, to do, but the words seemed to escape my mouth.

I wasn't sad just worried that it would cause too much trouble for me.

-Are you going to be okay? asked my worried brother.

-Yes I just need to be a little alone

-...I understand, my brother replied.

-Why only tell me now, I asked him suddenly

-Because your pheromones attracted Sheng Xing, my brother explained to me, so I'm afraid something will happen to you

I say goodbye to him before getting out of the car and walking towards the door of my house.

The key in the lock, the familiar click announced the opening of the door. I stepped into the darkness of my home, letting the light from the street filter through the half-open curtains. Then I locked the door behind me.

The atmosphere seemed charged with a strange heaviness, as if every object in the room was holding its breath waiting for what would happen next.

-Damn it couldn't be worse than that, I muttered

I placed my keys on the table near the entrance, my thoughts still tangled with the news my brother had revealed to me.

Just thinking that I had become prey made me shiver.

I rushed into the living room, putting my worries aside for the moment. Silence reigned, broken only by the steady ticking of the clock on the wall. I sat on the couch, letting my thoughts wander.

I really need to stock up on pheromone blockers.

Yet even in the silence, my brother's words still echoed in my head. I felt overwhelmed by a wave of contradictory emotions: incomprehension, helplessness.

How am I going to do this?, I thought, sighing.

But too tired to think any further, I dozed off on my couch.