chapter 4 companion

Shan recalled the chapters that had outlined their tumultuous relationship—the tangled history between her and Kang, defined by miscommunication, emotional whiplash, and moments of dangerous vulnerability. Their story had never been smooth. It was a narrative steeped in fiery confrontations and quiet, aching pauses—like a storm that refused to pass, only recede temporarily before returning with renewed force. The memory of it made her stomach twist, not just with dread, but with a surreal sense of detachment. After all, this wasn't truly her past—it belonged to Shan Luan, the character whose body she now inhabited.

Still, she couldn't help but feel each remembered moment like a bruise pressed too hard.

She shook her head, trying to dispel the heaviness clinging to her thoughts. If Kang's rut was truly approaching—as the manga's plot had hinted—she would need to prepare. Not physically, though that was part of it, but mentally and emotionally. She needed to set boundaries, stay sharp. Even a small misstep could pull her deeper into the events she was trying to resist or redirect. Shan Luan, as written, had allowed herself to be swept away in the torrent. But Hana—her—would not. Not this time.

As she rounded a corner in the hallway of the sprawling estate, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when she collided with someone. Her shoulder bumped against a firm chest, and she instinctively stepped back, murmuring an apology.

"Shan!" the figure exclaimed.

Her eyes snapped up, and she felt a flicker of something like relief. It was Kyle—a familiar face. A Beta, with a disarmingly warm expression and a handsomeness that didn't shout but whispered. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his gentle brown eyes were laced with concern.

"I was looking for you. Are you feeling alright?" he asked, his brow creased as he studied her face.

She hesitated for a second before replying. "Yeah… I'm okay," she said, though the words felt too small for the storm inside her. Still, she smiled, trying to make the expression seem effortless. Kyle was someone Shan Luan had known well—one of her few true friends in the manga. But now, with Hana at the helm, even that connection felt fragile, like it might shatter under the weight of secrets.

A pang of guilt stabbed her. Kyle didn't know that the girl he cared for had changed—not just in mood or resolve, but in soul. How would he react if he ever found out? Would he feel betrayed? Afraid?

She didn't let her thoughts linger too long. Instead, she offered, "Just needed a little time to gather myself."

Kyle's gaze softened, but then it flicked downward—quickly, almost imperceptibly—to her abdomen. It was a small gesture, but she caught it, and instinctively her own hand drifted to her stomach. There wasn't much to see yet, no swelling curve, but the presence of new life within her was undeniable.

"You're still, um… taking care of yourself, right?" Kyle asked, voice low but laced with sincerity.

"I will be," she said, nodding firmly. "I'm prioritizing my health and the baby. It's… a lot to adjust to." That was the truth, at least. There were moments when it all felt surreal—like waking from one dream only to step into another. Her body was not her own, her life was scripted, and every interaction was a performance. But the baby was real. The consequences were real.

Kyle looked like he wanted to say more, but instead he just smiled—a small, supportive smile that somehow managed to steady her nerves. "Of course. I'm here if you need anything."

"Thank you," she replied softly.

With a brief nod, Kyle turned and walked away, leaving Shan alone in the corridor once more. But now, the quiet felt heavier. A knot of anxiety had begun to form in the pit of her stomach, tightening with every heartbeat. Would Kyle, so kind and observant, eventually sense the truth? Would he notice the changes in her behavior—the subtle shifts in speech, the wariness in her eyes?

She sighed, dragging a hand through her hair. Whether or not he suspected, she couldn't let her guard down. This world—this manga—was a labyrinth of expectations and traps, and she was walking it blind.

But she wasn't powerless.

Shan Luan—or rather, Hana in Shan's body—felt a surge of determination rise within her chest. She wouldn't just survive this story. She would take the reins, rewrite its trajectory, and give Shan Luan a new ending. No longer would she be the passive Omega, waiting to be rescued or ravaged by fate. She would forge her identity anew, with Hana's strength and memory as her compass.

And the first step? Information.

She needed to understand the full extent of Shan's situation. The manga had given her summaries and key events, but the finer details—the messy threads that tied everything together—were still a mystery. How far along was she in the pregnancy? What relationships did she need to navigate? What secrets had Shan buried the moment?

The first order of business was information. Hana—now Shan—knew she couldn't make any meaningful decisions without understanding her current circumstances. She needed to know exactly how far along she was in the pregnancy, the details of Shan's life, and anything else that hadn't been covered in the brief manga summary she'd read before. What had the original Shan been planning? Who could she trust? What dangers lurked ahead?

Among the few people she felt she could cautiously rely on was Davey. He seemed kind, attentive, and—most importantly—close to Shan in this world. Still, she couldn't just blurt out her questions. If she acted too strangely, it might raise suspicion. She needed to tread carefully, probe gently, and act like a confused but recovering patient.

Later that day, Davey returned, cradling a bowl of warm, nourishing soup. The aroma filled the small room, rich with spices and comfort. As he set the tray down, Shan lifted her gaze and decided to try a delicate approach.

"Davey," she said softly, her voice laced with just the right amount of vulnerability, "thank you… really. I've been… forgetful lately. Dr. Zhao said it's normal during pregnancy. But could you remind me—how far along am I? And… what were my plans for after the baby was born? I can't seem to recall clearly."

Davey paused. His expression shifted from neutral concern to something deeper—worry. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes. "Shan, are you sure you're alright?" he asked gently. "Dr. Zhao didn't mention anything about memory loss."

She held his gaze, doing her best to look sincere. He sighed, relenting. "You're about eight weeks along," he said, sitting down beside her. "And… well, before all this, you talked about moving away after the baby was born. Starting fresh. Somewhere new."

"Moving away?" Shan echoed, feigning surprise and deliberation. "Yes… but not now. I just want to think about it a little. Raising a child alone is very hard. But I have to do it. At any cost."

Davey looked down, the weight of her words sinking into him. He shuffled his feet, eyes clouded with emotion. "And also… you said you didn't want the Alpha involved. You wanted to be independent." His voice wavered slightly, laced with sadness and something else—regret? Loyalty?

Shan reached out, gently taking his hand in hers. "Look, Davey, I know you're worried about me," she said. "You've always been a good friend. You're an Omega too. You understand how Alphas oppress us in this world. But don't be sad. I promise I'll keep in touch with you wherever I go."

She hesitated, then added with quiet intensity, "And you know who I'm afraid of. He's an extra dominant Alpha. I have to save my child at any cost. I can't hand my child over to him."

Davey's grip tightened around hers. "Okay," he said, his voice trembling but firm. "I'll go with you. Wherever you go."

"No, Davey, you don't have to—" she began, but he shook his head, cutting her off. She tried several more times to dissuade him, but Davey refused to listen. His mind was made up. In the end, Shan agreed to let him come along. She didn't want to, but she also knew she might need an ally.

This conversation confirmed what she had suspected. Shan had been planning to run away—to protect her unborn child from the Alpha, Kang Jin-ho. It was a noble intention, and yet, in her gut, she knew it might not be the most effective strategy. Not with an Alpha like Kang Jin-ho. He wouldn't simply let her go.

Hana—no, Shan—understood the magnitude of her situation. She was trapped in an unfamiliar world, one that operated by rules vastly different from her own. And now, she carried a secret that could alter the course of the entire story. She was pregnant with the child of the most dangerous man in this universe.

Kang Jin-ho. Just the name made her shiver. In the original manga, he was a force of nature—a ruthless Alpha with a possessive streak that bordered on obsession. And now, she was the Omega who bore his child.

Staring at her reflection, she whispered to herself, "Shan Luan. You're not Hana anymore. You're strong. You're resourceful. And you will protect this child. You will rewrite this story."

The first step, she realized, was isolation. She couldn't risk anyone revealing her pregnancy to someone who might have ties to Kang Jin-ho. She gently convinced Davey that she needed complete rest and asked for minimal visitors. Fortunately, Davey, ever the loyal friend, didn't question her much. He already seemed convinced that her sudden change of heart about the baby was a sign of a newfound maternal instinct.

Little did he know, it was the beginning of a battle to survive—and rewrite fate.