A dull, throbbing pain pulsed through Jihoon's skull as he stirred awake. His limbs felt like lead, weighed down by exhaustion. He blinked a few times, his vision adjusting to the sterile brightness of the white ceiling above him. A faint beeping noise echoed softly in the background, steady and rhythmic.
His eyes trailed downward, taking in the IV drip attached to his arm. A hospital gown covered his body, the fabric stiff and unfamiliar against his skin. He frowned.
"Hospital?" He muttered, his voice hoarse. "How... did I get here?"
Just as he tried to push himself up, a sudden gasp broke through the quiet. Jihoon turned his head, finding a young nurse staring at him in wide-eyed shock. Before he could say a word, she spun on her heel and rushed out of the room.
"What the hell...?" Jihoon mumbled, confusion settling in.
Moments later, the nurse returned, accompanied by a middle-aged doctor in a white coat. The doctor checked his chart, adjusting his glasses before offering a reassuring smile.
"You're finally awake. How are you feeling? Any dizziness? Nausea?"
Jihoon groaned, rubbing his temple. "Feels like my head got run over. What happened?"
The doctor hummed as he continued his examination. "That's expected. Your body went through a lot. Do you remember anything from that night?"
Jihoon frowned, trying to recall. His last clear memory was... the party. The club. Wonyoung handing him a drink. Then—
His stomach twisted.
"I... don't remember much," Jihoon lied, swallowing the lump in his throat. "How did I even get here?"
The doctor straightened, flipping through the medical records. "You were brought here in an emergency. We received a call from Prince Ryan Kim. He was the one who found you."
Jihoon's breath hitched slightly at the mention of Ryan.
"The prince?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
The doctor nodded. "Yes. According to him, your heat was artificially triggered. We ran tests and confirmed you were drugged. The individuals responsible have already been arrested."
Jihoon's fingers curled into the sheets. Sakyoung. That bastard.
"You've been unconscious for a week. Your heat only ended yesterday," the doctor continued. "We had to keep you sedated and administer suppressants. Artificially induced heats can be incredibly painful, and we didn't want you to suffer through it while unconscious."
Jihoon exhaled shakily, his heart pounding in his chest.
"There were also medical examinations to check for any signs of..." the doctor hesitated before clearing his throat. "Any assault. Fortunately, there were none. Prince Ryan got to you in time."
Jihoon's breath stuttered.
Ryan... saved him.
The doctor sighed. "Your identity has been kept confidential to avoid unnecessary complications. However, Prince Ryan's involvement in saving an omega has already made headlines. Most of the past rumors about him are now being questioned."
Jihoon's throat felt dry. His fingers trembled slightly as he tried to process everything.
Ryan had protected him.
Ryan had stayed with him.
Jihoon barely noticed when the doctor and nurse left the room, giving him time to absorb the information. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to recall the missing pieces of his memory.
Then—like a dam breaking—fragments of that night flooded back.
The party. The drink. The betrayal.
Sakyoung cornering him. The overwhelming scent of alphas.
Ryan.
Saving him. Holding him.
The motel. Helping him. Not only that, he didn't even went the whole way. Only helping him.
Jihoon's face burned as memories of his desperate, heat-driven actions surfaced.
"Shit—" he hissed, gripping his hair.
He had thrown himself at Ryan. Begged him. To fuck him. Shit!
"Oh my god." His entire face flushed as he groaned in humiliation.
"Stupid. Stupid. STUPID!" He muttered under his breath.
Jihoon felt like digging a hole and burying himself in it. He had whined and clung to Ryan like some desperate mess. No wonder Ryan had pushed him away.
Before he could spiral any further, the door burst open.
A blur of blonde rushed in, breathless and frantic.
"JIHOON!!"
Jihoon barely had time to react before he was tackled into a suffocating hug.
"What the hell—Jake, let go!" Jihoon wheezed, smacking at the arms crushing him.
Jake sniffled dramatically, rubbing his face into Jihoon's hospital gown. "You were out for a whole damn week! I thought I lost you! My poor shaylah~"
Jihoon smacked the back of his head, causing Jake to yelp. "Get off me, you idiot! You're gonna break my ribs!"
Jake whined, rubbing the sore spot on his head. "Ow! That's the thanks I get for worrying about you?"
Jihoon huffed, rolling his eyes. "Tch. Drama queen."
Jake grinned but then turned serious. "But seriously... are you okay?" His voice softened.
Jihoon hesitated, then sighed. "Yeah. I will be."
Jake nodded, seemingly relieved.
Then, a sly smirk crept onto his lips.
"Sooo... about Ryan."
Jihoon stiffened. "What about him?"
Jake wiggled his brows. "He's been here every single day while you were unconscious. Refused to leave, even when the doctors told him to. If that's not dedication, I don't know what is."
Jihoon's heart skipped a beat. "...He stayed?"
Jake grinned. "Yep. Sat right there." He pointed at the chair beside Jihoon's bed. "Like some brooding knight guarding his unconscious princess."
Jihoon scoffed. "Dramatic much?" But his ears burned at the thought.
Jake leaned in, whispering like he was about to reveal a royal secret. "And get this—"
Jihoon frowned. "What?"
Jake smirked.
"He might be a stupid puppy... but I think he actually fell in love with you."
Jihoon's brain short-circuited.
"HUH?!"
To be continued.....