Please stay

I stepped out of Yura's room, feeling shaken and disoriented. The scent of strawberries lingered in the air, but I hardly noticed it as I rushed to escape the suffocating atmosphere of her room. My heart was still pounding, and my breath came out in ragged gasps. The omega estrus period was no joke. I had genuinely believed it was the end for me. 

Reflecting on the situation, I realized that I should have seen the warning signs earlier. The request to bring lunch to her room should have been a red flag, but I had dismissed it as a simple request from my wife. Now, as I lay on my bed, trying to calm my racing heart, I couldn't help but regret my naivety.

My cheeks still burned hot, embarrassment and anxiety coursing through my veins. I needed to find a way to prevent this from happening again.

"System" I whispered softly.

[Yes, Host, what do you need? Also, you don't have to speak. You can just think, and I will know.] 

"Can you please notify me next time Yura is in estrus, and also remind me a few days before my estrus period?" I asked, finally starting to regain some composure.

[Of course, Host, I will make sure to notify you. We don't want a situation like today to happen again.] 

I let out a sigh of relief, feeling grateful for the system's assistance. With that reassurance, I closed my eyes, trying to push away the traumatic events of the day. However, sleep eluded me as I replayed the encounter with Yura in my mind, trying to make sense of it all.

It was morning, and as I slowly woke up, the sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room. Stretching, I went through my usual morning routine, the soft hum of the household buzzing in the background.

After a moment, I got up and prepared to head to the kitchen. But as I stepped out of my room, a servant hurried towards me, her expression urgent.

"Madam Jiyeon, shouldn't you be with Madam Yura? As her Alpha, you should be there to support her during her estrus period and help alleviate her discomfort," she said, her eyes full of concern as she looked at me.

Her words took me by surprise, and a wave of panic washed over me. The truth was, Yura and I were only bound by a marriage contract, nothing more. But before I could respond, she continued, her tone stern.

"You are being irresponsible. Madam Yura is suffering right now, and you aren't even there to take care of her," she scolded me, her frustration evident in her voice.

Feeling a surge of guilt, I tried to come up with an explanation, but the servant didn't give me a chance to speak.

"Follow me," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, I followed her, my mind racing with thoughts. Yura's estrus period had never been my concern before, but now it seemed that I was expected to fulfill my duties as her Alpha.

As we walked through the corridors of the mansion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The servant led me to Yura's room, and before I could protest, she knocked on the door and pushed it open.

Yura was lying on the bed, her face flushed with exertion. She looked up as we entered, and her eyes locked with mine. A subtle scent of strawberries lingered in the air, making my cheeks flush.

"Madam Yura, I've brought Madam Jiyeon to take care of you," the servant said, her voice firm.

Yura's gaze softened slightly as she looked at me, but there was still a hint of irritation in her eyes.

"Thank you, you can leave us now," she said, her voice curt.

The servant nodded and left the room with a smile on her face, leaving me alone with Yura.

Feeling a bit panicked, I turned to leave, but Yura grabbed my hand, causing my anxiety to spike even more.

"Wait, Jiyeon. I'm not going to hurt you. I've already taken an inhibitor this morning, and I'm sorry for what happened last night," she said sincerely.

I turned to face her, but I still didn't trust her. She let go of my hand, her gaze intense, and it calmed me slightly.

"Please stay," she said softly, tears welling up in her eyes.

At that moment, I wondered if this was the same woman I had met before. She seemed so gentle and vulnerable compared to the cold, distant woman she usually was. I sat down on her bed, making sure not to accidentally crush her, and she took my hand, clearly in pain.

The room was dimly lit, with soft sunlight streaming in through the curtains. Yura's bed was adorned with plush pillows and a soft duvet, creating a cozy atmosphere. The scent of strawberries lingered in the air, adding to the sense of calm.

I glanced at the system notification that appeared before me.

[Host, to relieve Yura's pain, remove the pheromone-blocking sticker on your neck and try to release some pheromones to help alleviate her discomfort.]

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Yura seemed sincere, but I couldn't shake off the fear of what might happen if I removed the pheromone blocker.

Taking a deep breath, I made a decision. Slowly, I reached up and peeled off the pheromone-blocking sticker from my neck. Almost immediately, I could feel a subtle change in the air as the scent of vanilla, my pheromone, began to mingle with the lingering scent of strawberries in the room.

Yura's eyes widened slightly as she inhaled deeply, her expression softening.

"Thank you, Jiyeon," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I watched Yura's tense muscles begin to relax. Her hand tightened around mine, and I could see the pain in her eyes begin to fade.

The scent of vanilla and strawberries filled the room, creating a soothing atmosphere. The soft sunlight streaming in through the curtains cast a warm glow over everything, adding to the sense of tranquility.

For a while, we sat in silence, the only sound the gentle hum of the air conditioning. Yura's breathing began to slow, and I could see the tension leaving her body.

"Thank you for staying," she said softly, breaking the silence.

I smiled, feeling a sense of warmth spread through me. Despite our rocky start, it seemed that Yura and I were slowly beginning to build a connection.

"You're welcome," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

As the minutes ticked by, I could feel Yura's grip on my hand begin to loosen. Her eyes fluttered closed, and I realized that she had fallen asleep. Carefully, I extricated my hand from hers and stood up, making sure not to disturb her.

Looking around the room, I realized just how much Yura had let me into her personal space. The soft, pastel-colored walls were adorned with framed photographs, giving the room a cozy, lived-in feel. A small desk in the corner was cluttered with papers and notebooks, a testament to Yura's busy life as the CEO of the company.