7. Apologize

Adrian's pheromone was still seeping around even though that Alpha had left, and it still affected Shaga to such an extent. He despised how his body betrayed his mind, he almost squirmed at that very moment when Adrian touched him. It wasn't like him, his mouth was even filled with blood, and he had to swallow it so that Adrian wouldn't discover how hard Shaga had refrained from kneeling before that Alpha, begging to ease the turbulence in his body.

Shaga ingested a single grain of the medicine Adrian had given him and vowed to replace it if he resumed working. He knew the medicine was prohibitively expensive, equivalent to his two weeks' salary. Before, there were other pheromones in his room aside from Adrian's, and they couldn't belong to his mother. Shaga was certain they belonged to someone else who had delivered the medicine. Shaga felt anger and deep embarrassment when someone else saw him in such a state. Adrian was aware of it and even allowed others to witness it. This was his first heat, and he already felt extremely pitiful, his body resembling trash.

As he stood up, Shaga almost stumbled, his knees still weak. He changed his clothes and then made up his mind to go outside. However, he made sure to present himself as composed and fine in front of his mother. Shaga walked to the small dining table outside his room where his mother was sitting, observing something on the papers in her hand. Shaga's chest seemed to be punctured by numerous invisible needles, as he knew full well what his mother was examining. The feeling intensified when his mother noticed Shaga's presence and promptly concealed the paper in a drawer behind her.

Seated there, Shaga promptly offered his mother a glass of water. He drank the water until the toilet. He glanced at the brown table before him. He finally summoned the courage to confess his inner turmoil. "Mother, I'm sorry."

Shaga didn't dare to lift his face. An uncomfortable silence hung between them for a while. His mother broke the silence, asking, "Apologize for what, Shaga?"

"For becoming an omega."

Shaga, being the only child, understood that he was expected to make his parents proud by becoming an Alpha. Nevertheless, he chose to be an Omega for someone who didn't reciprocate his feelings. Foolish.

"Why apologize? Aren't you the one who desires it?" Shaga raised his head to meet his mother's knowing gaze. Shaga then lowered his head, recalling how he had worked part-time and saved for a year to purchase 'hard' drugs to become an Omega. However, he was unaware that his mother was privy to this knowledge. Shaga replied in a voice as soft as the whisper of the wind, "Sorry, Mom."

"Tell me, is someone coercing you?" His mother gently clasped Shaga's hand as she inquired.

Shaga shook his head, still unable to meet her gaze. It was impossible for Shaga to admit that he had become an Omega for a man from the He family. "No, Mom. No one forced me."

"Shaga, you can always confide in Mom. Never hesitate to open up."

Shaga nodded and offered a faint smile. He clutched his knees tightly, unable to bear the sight of his mother's weary expression, and felt even more guilt-ridden. Just as Shaga was about to stand up and retreat to his room, his mother spoke again, "Is that Adrian?"

Shaga met his mother's gaze and swiftly responded, "No, Mom. He and I were just friends at school."

A pause lingered between them, prompting Shaga to realize that he hadn't discussed this aspect of his life with his mother in a long time. "Shaga, this is your first heat. I'm deeply concerned about you. Especially when I saw Adrian in your room, I grew anxious, fearing that something had happened."

Shaga held his mother's slightly cold hand. "Nothing happened, Mom. Adrian isn't that kind of person. You don't need to worry. I can take care of myself."

"It's because you don't want this, Shaga."

Shaga was hesitant to admit it, but he recognized that Adrian wasn't that type of person. Adrian could have taken advantage of the situation earlier in Shaga's empty house when he was defenseless. Yet, Adrian refrained from doing so and even gave Shaga the medicine.

"Mom has faith in you, Shaga. Tomorrow, I'll purchase suppressants for you."

"No need, Mom. I already have them," Shaga swiftly responded. His mother, being a Beta, couldn't possibly possess them. Additionally, Shaga didn't want to add to her burden, especially before he had seen the hidden bills she kept from him. "I bought them a long time ago."

Shaga was consumed by guilt over this lie. His mother clasped Shaga's hand once again, and a faint dimness appeared in her eyes, causing Shaga's breath to catch. His mother spoke, "I know you're lying."