Chapter 17: A Clash of Obsessions

Hyun-woo approached Min-ho's estate with a mixture of trepidation and resolve. Under the cover of darkness, he navigated the perimeter, carefully avoiding the guards and security cameras. His heart pounded with the anticipation of what lay ahead. He knew he had to tread carefully; one wrong move and all his efforts would be in vain.

As he neared the main entrance, he took a deep breath and made a calculated decision. Instead of trying to sneak in, he decided to confront Min-ho directly. He knew that Min-ho was a man who respected boldness and might be intrigued enough to grant him an audience.

Hyun-woo stepped out of the shadows and walked confidently towards the gate. The guards immediately noticed him and raised their weapons.

"I need to speak to Min-ho," Hyun-woo said firmly. "Tell him it's about Jae-min."

The guards exchanged glances before one of them spoke into his earpiece. Moments later, the gate slowly opened, and Hyun-woo was escorted inside.

He was led through the opulent halls of the mansion, each room a testament to Min-ho's wealth and power. The tension in the air was palpable, and Hyun-woo's mind raced with possible outcomes of this encounter.

Finally, they reached a large, ornate door. The guard knocked, and a deep voice from within granted them entry. Hyun-woo stepped inside to find Min-ho seated behind a grand desk, his expression cold and calculating.

"Hyun-woo," Min-ho said, his voice smooth but with an edge of curiosity. "I didn't expect to see you here. What brings you to my home uninvited?"

Hyun-woo met Min-ho's gaze, his own eyes filled with determination. "I'm here for Jae-min. I know you have him, and I want to see him."

Min-ho leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But what makes you think I'll just hand him over to you?"

"Because you care about him," Hyun-woo replied, his voice steady. "And because I do too. We both know that keeping him here against his will is wrong."

Min-ho's smile faded, replaced by a look of intensity. "You think you know what's best for Jae-min? You have no idea what he needs. I'm the one who's been taking care of him, providing for him."

"By keeping him prisoner?" Hyun-woo shot back. "That's not care, Min-ho. That's control. He deserves to be free, to live his life on his own terms."

Min-ho's eyes narrowed. "And you think you can give him that? You think he'll just walk away from everything I've given him?"

"I know he will," Hyun-woo said, stepping closer. "Because he's not yours to keep. He's his own person, and he deserves better than this."

For a moment, there was a tense silence as the two men stared each other down, their mutual obsession over Jae-min creating an electric charge in the air.

As they stood there, Hyun-woo suddenly caught a whiff of something familiar—Jae-min's pheromones, faint but unmistakable, clinging to Min-ho. The scent hit him like a punch to the gut, and his fury flared.

"You bastard," Hyun-woo hissed, his fists clenching. "You've been with him, haven't you? You've touched him."

Min-ho's smile returned, wider and more mocking. "He's mine, Hyun-woo. He's been in my arms, in my bed. He's accepted me, and there's nothing you can do about it."

Hyun-woo's rage boiled over, and he took a step forward, but Min-ho's guards immediately moved to intercept. Min-ho raised a hand to stop them, his eyes never leaving Hyun-woo's.

"You'll never be able to take him from me," Min-ho taunted. "Jae-min belongs to me now. No matter how hard you try, you'll never be able to be with him."

Hyun-woo's vision blurred with anger and frustration. He wanted nothing more than to wipe the smug look off Min-ho's face, but he knew he had to be smart about this. Losing his temper now would only jeopardize his chances of rescuing Jae-min.

"I won't give up on him," Hyun-woo said through gritted teeth. "I'll find a way to get him out of here, and when I do, you'll regret ever laying a hand on him."

Min-ho chuckled, a dark, menacing sound. "You can try, Hyun-woo. But remember, Jae-min is under my protection. As long as he's with me, he's safe from the likes of you."

With that, Min-ho turned away, dismissing Hyun-woo with a wave of his hand. The guards moved in, ready to escort Hyun-woo out.

As he was led away, Hyun-woo's mind swirled with a mix of rage and obsession. He had always imagined Jae-min's first time would be with him, in a moment of mutual love and consent. The thought of Min-ho taking that from him was unbearable. His fury grew, matched only by his determination to rescue Jae-min from this nightmare.

As the doors of the mansion closed behind him, Hyun-woo's resolve only grew stronger. He would not rest until Jae-min was safe, away from the clutches of Min-ho's control.

Min-ho watched Hyun-woo leave, his mind racing with thoughts of how to tighten his grip on Jae-min. He had worked too hard and sacrificed too much to let him go now. The omega was his, and Min-ho was prepared to do whatever it took to keep him by his side.

As Hyun-woo stormed away from the estate, his thoughts were consumed with images of Jae-min. He remembered the fear in Jae-min's eyes when they had last been together, the way he had flinched at his touch. Jae-min was afraid of him, and that realization only fueled Hyun-woo's obsession. He needed to save Jae-min, not just from Min-ho, but from the darkness that had enveloped their lives.

"I'm coming for you, Jae-min," Hyun-woo whispered to himself, his voice filled with a mix of determination and desperation. "And I'll make sure you never have to fear anyone ever again."