Your estrus period begins tomorrow

We ate in comfortable silence, savoring each mouthful of the creamy risotto. The flavors were rich and comforting, the mushrooms adding a delicious earthiness to the dish, while the chicken was tender and flavorful.

As we ate, the tension of the day seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of warmth and contentment. The stresses of work and the challenges we faced seemed distant and insignificant, overshadowed by the simple pleasure of sharing a meal together.

As we finished our meal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Cooking for Yura had been a pleasure, and seeing her enjoy the dish made it all the more rewarding.

"That was delicious, Jiyeon. You're an amazing cook," Yura said, smiling warmly at me.

I felt a surge of pride at her words. "Thank you, I'm glad you liked it," I replied, my cheeks warming at the compliment.

Yura reached across the table, taking my hand in hers. "You always know how to make me feel special," she said softly, her eyes meeting mine.

I felt my heart skip a beat at her words, a warm flush spreading across my cheeks. "I just want to take care of you," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

But then, the system screen appeared before my eyes.

[Your estrus period begins tomorrow. Please be careful.]

I froze, the words on the screen sending a jolt of panic through me. I had completely forgotten that my first estrus as an alpha was imminent. It was a natural part of being an alpha, but I had never experienced it before.

Yura noticed my sudden change in demeanor, her expression filled with concern. "Jiyeon, what's wrong?" 

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I didn't want to worry her. After all, it was normal for them, an estrus period, but for me, it was the first time.

"It's nothing," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Yura studied my face for a moment, her brow furrowing in concern. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice soft.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm sure. Don't worry about it," I replied, hoping to reassure her.

But Yura wasn't convinced. She could see right through me, and I knew I couldn't keep this from her any longer.

"Your estrus period is starting tomorrow, isn't it?" she said with a smile.

"How do you know?" I asked, surprised.

"I've already told you that I know everything about you. If that's what's bothering you, don't worry, everything will be fine, and I won't bother you," she said with a smile.

It eased my mind somewhat, but I was still worried.

"By the way, I've already called your restaurant to let them know you won't be there for 4 days," Yura said.

"Oh, well, thank you. It seems like you've thought of everything," I said, scratching my head.

Yura's thoughtful gesture reassured me, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for her understanding. Still, the thought of experiencing my first estrus was daunting. I had no idea what to expect, and the idea of being overcome by my instincts was terrifying.

As we finished our meal, Yura suggested we watch a movie together. It seemed like the perfect way to take my mind off things, and I was grateful for the distraction. We settled on a romantic comedy, and soon we were both laughing along with the characters on the screen.

As the movie came to an end, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. Spending time with Yura had a way of calming my nerves, and for a moment, I forgot all about my worries.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to say goodnight to Yura and head to my room. After taking a quick shower, I lay down on my bed. But despite my exhaustion, sleep eluded me. There was something missing, something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

A few minutes later, I heard a knock on my door. When I opened it, I found Yura standing there, looking sheepish.

"Sorry to bother you, Jiyeon, but the air conditioning in my room isn't working, and it's the same for the other rooms. I was wondering if you could make some space for me," she said, scratching her head nervously.

Her excuse seemed strange, but since I was having trouble sleeping myself, I didn't mind the company.

"Sure, but I should remind you that starting tomorrow, I'll be in estrus, so I'm not sure if it's a good idea," I said, feeling a little apprehensive.

I was worried that I might lose control and end up hurting her. I definitely didn't want that to happen, especially now that our relationship had improved. But Yura didn't seem to listen to my concerns. Instead, she just climbed into bed beside me.

"Don't worry, Jiyeon. I'll leave early in the morning, so there won't be any problems," she said, adjusting the covers. I caught a whiff of a faint strawberry scent, which made my cheeks flush.

"Alright," I replied, though I still felt uneasy. 

Yura snuggled closer to me, and despite my worries, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in her presence. As we lay there in the darkness, I found myself relaxing, my eyelids growing heavy.

Just as I was on the verge of sleep, I felt Yura's hand slip into mine. Her touch was warm and comforting, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for her presence.

"Goodnight, Jiyeon," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Goodnight, Yura," I replied, my heart pounding in my chest.

As sleep finally claimed me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that Yura was right there beside me.

The next morning, when I woke up, Yura was already gone, just as she had promised. I stretched, feeling surprisingly well-rested despite the restless night. However, as I sat up in bed, I felt a strange sensation wash over me, like a wave of heat spreading through my body.

I frowned, feeling a little disoriented. I had never experienced anything like this before, and I wasn't sure what to make of it.

Then, suddenly, the system screen appeared before my eyes.

[Your estrus period has begun. Please be careful.]

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it. My first estrus as an alpha. I knew I had to be careful, but I had no idea how to handle it.

"System, what should I do?" I asked, my voice trembling.

[During your estrus period, your instincts will be heightened. You may experience increased aggression and a stronger urge to mate. It's important to remain in control of your actions and to avoid situations that may trigger your instincts.]

I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm, but the sensation only seemed to intensify. My instincts were screaming at me to do something, but I had no idea what.

 [It's important to remain calm and take steps to manage your instincts. First, take a deep breath and try to relax. Then, you should take a cold shower to help alleviate some of the symptoms.]

I nodded, grateful for the guidance. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down, then made my way to the bathroom. Turning on the cold water, I stepped into the shower and let the icy spray wash over me.

The cold water helped to soothe my overheated skin, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. As I stood under the spray, I focused on my breathing, trying to push away the overwhelming urge to run.

"System, what else can I do to manage my instincts?" I asked, hoping for more guidance.

[In addition to taking a cold shower, you can also try using an inhibitor. Inhibitors are specially designed to help alphas manage their instincts during their estrus period.]

I nodded, making a mental note to pick up an inhibitor as soon as possible. But for now, the cold shower would have to do.

As I stepped out of the shower, I felt a little more in control of my instincts. The buzzing sensation had dulled slightly, and I felt more like myself again.