chapter 4 : How am I supposed to hate him

Three hours in a car with his brother lecturing him in silence was already hell.

Han Jihyun stepped out of the luxury car only because Minjoon forced him out.

"Fix your face," Minjoon whispered through gritted teeth, pushing him forward. "You're embarrassing enough already."

Jihyun ignored him, his lips still pouting like a spoiled child being dragged to his own funeral.

The villa was grand, almost suffocating with how expensive everything looked. Guards in black lined the driveway. The famous Kang Family really lived up to its name.

Waiting outside, mr kang and Mrs kang smiled warmly as Mr. and Mrs. Han approached.

"Chairman Han, Mrs. Han," mr kang greeted with friendly warmth, shaking hands like old comrades. "Finally meeting again after so long."

"Yes, it's been years," Mr. Han smiled stiffly.

Meanwhile, Mrs kang was already eyeing Minjoon with approval. "Your eldest son is truly impressive. I heard much about his capabilities. Responsible, level-headed just like our Taewon."

Minjoon gave his usual polite smile. "Thank you for your kind words."

Then their gaze shifted to the sulking Omega beside him.

"And this must be your youngest, Jihyun?"

Jihyun forced the fakest smile he could manage. "Hello."

"Oh, what a sweet boy," mrs kang laughed, clearly trying to ease the awkward atmosphere. "He'll be our son-in-law soon. I hope you'll treat us as your own family."

Jihyun wanted to die.

Before he could respond with something sarcastic, a small figure appeared beside Mrs kang a young Omega girl with soft features and big bright eyes.

"This is our youngest kang yumi " Mrs kang said fondly. "She's always curious about her future brother-in-law."

"Hello," the little girl beamed up at Jihyun.

"Hi."

For the first time today, Jihyun's lips twitched upwards, almost a smile.

With greetings exchanged, they were led inside the luxurious dining hall.

Mr. Han asked casually, "Where's your son? The main star hasn't arrived yet?"

Mr kang chuckled. "He just returned from a business trip an hour ago. He's freshening up. He'll join us shortly."

Jihyun sat down heavily on the chair, arms crossed, legs stretched out without a care in the world. His mother's glare burned a hole through him, but he didn't care anymore.

He was already planning 10 different ways to ruin this meeting.

Just when Han Jihyun thought this dinner couldn't get any worse, he heard footsteps descending the grand staircase.

His lazy gaze lifted.

Tall. Sharp-featured. Impeccably dressed in an elegant dark suit. Every inch of the man screamed Alpha but not the loud, aggressive kind. This Alpha moved with quiet authority, his presence calm yet impossible to ignore.

Kang Taewon.

"Ah, here's our son," Mr. Kang said with a proud smile. "Chairman Han, Mrs. Han ,

Chairman Han nodded. Mrs. Han gave her usual polite smile.

Minjoon greeted with a respectful bow, "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Kang."

Taewon's response was equally polite, his voice soft but firm. "Likewise. I've heard much about the Han family."

Then, his gaze shifted.

To Jihyun.

Their eyes met for a brief second.

Jihyun didn't move. Didn't speak. Just stared.

Why is he polite?

Why is he so tall?

Why is he handsome like he's out of some chaebol romance drama?

How am I supposed to make this Alpha hate me now?

Taewon offered a slight nod, "Han Jihyun. Nice to meet you."

His tone remained respectful, calm, lacking any judgment despite Jihyun's clearly unwilling presence.

"Yeah." Jihyun's reply barely passed as civil.

Taewon took his seat beside Mrs. Kang, his little sister Yumi naturally scooting closer to her brother with a bright smile.

Jihyun, meanwhile, sank deeper into his thoughts.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

He expected someone loud. Arrogant. Someone easy to provoke.

Not this.

Not gentle eyes. Not polite greetings. Not this suffocating elegance wrapped in kindness.

Worse something in the air shifted when Taewon sat down.

Jihyun felt it.

A faint hum beneath his skin. A scent not too strong, not overpowering, but oddly soothing. Like standing in the middle of a quiet forest after rain. Fresh, grounding painfully calm.

Pheromones ?

He frowned. Was it his imagination? Or was it Taewon?

He didn't know yet.

What he did know was

Among the Kang family, except Mrs. Kang and Yumi everyone else

Alpha.

A house full of Alphas.

And somehow, that soft scent still wrapped itself quietly around him.

Making it harder to breathe.