Knox grimaced at the man's out of nowhere suggestion. He pulled himself away and took a step back, showing his wariness to him. Knox answered without interest, "No, thanks."
He turned around and was about to leave when his footsteps faltered. The pheromones in the room thickened! Because Knox was a recessive omega, his scent was weak, and because he was hiding that fact, he asked his doctor if he could prescribe him suppressants that strengthen his immunity towards alpha pheromones.
He took them daily without fail, even if he wasn't on his heat.
However, that damned alpha just went on and showered his pheromones because he was a beta, but even a beta can't endure that intensity! What more an omega like him?!
Knox gritted his teeth. He can't be affected. He looked ahead and grabbed the door, then walked out with difficulty. Knox was already outside when he heard a thump – the sound of something hitting a hard surface.
He contemplated whether to look or not. In the end, his conscience won. He opened the door widely again, and his eyes widened after seeing the man unconscious on the floor.
Knox immediately crouched and shook the man, "Hey! Are you alright?!"
The man was motionless. Knox felt a déjà vu, though he couldn't think of the reason why. Knox gathered the man in his arms, but because he was larger, he had a hard time lifting him. The man's head hit his helmet, and he grunted, but Knox was already pissed to be bothered.
Instead of carrying the man, Knox dragged him to the living room instead. The scent was more pungent inside. Knox wore his helmet and slid down the visor. Then, he started checking the man for his pulse.
After discovering that he had probably fainted from lack of sleep, Knox kicked him aside and left.
The new year passed in the blink of an eye. Without anyone to celebrate the holiday with, Knox did nothing but work until the holiday season passed.
"Hey, young man! Move these boxes over there once you're done on that!"
Knox wiped the sweat on his forehead before nodding and shouting back, "Yes, sir!"
He was working in a factory that day. After sending a notice of his drop-out to the university, he decided to apply for a full-time working job in that factory. However, without a degree and credentials, he could only apply for the lowest position there is – the janitorial job.
He earns a monthly salary, and aside from that he accepts small part-time jobs recommended by Franz from time to time, often during weekends or a night shift.
However, another accident happened again.
It was past midnight. He was on his way home after his part-time job at a 24/7 open convenience store when three men tailed him to his home. His heart was racing but he tried to walk calmly and pretend like he knew nothing.
After turning in the corner, he bolted out with all his might.
One of the men shouted furiously, "Dammit! Get him!"
The other two followed and chased Knox. Without looking back, Knox ran to the alley, the only street he thought he could hide. The road in that alley was narrow and sloping down, so running became easier.
He slid on the road, and because of his lightweight compared to the thugs chasing him, the distance between them became wider. However, he failed to notice that only two were chasing him. The leader surprised Knox, appearing at the last corner and snatching him from the road.
"Gotcha!"
Knox struggled, "Let go!"
The man whose lips and ears have piercings twisted his arm. Knox screamed in pain. Tears swelled at the corner of his eyes. The man wasn't satisfied by that, he even pulled Knox by the hair and dragged him up the alley.
"How dare you run away from us? Do you think we can't get you?" the man cackled viciously, "Fool! Your father's debt is so big that the boss won't let you go just like that! I bet even when we sell all your organs, you can only pay the interest!"
The other two men who were still catching their breath took Knox from the leader. Knox kicked one but got slapped instead.
Pak!
Knox's ears were deafened from the impact. A shrill noise echoed in his ears and he felt dizzy. His head ached and his cheek throbbed. He glared and cursed at the man who slapped him, but he only got another slap in the end.
Knox's lower lip bled.
The one who slapped Knox chuckled and asked the leader, "Brother, this one doesn't need a pretty face, does it?"
The leader looked back and smirked, "He's a beta, what does he need for a pretty face? As long as his mouth is fine, that will do."
They laughed maniacally. Knox blinked his blurry eyes.
It was already past midnight, and people were asleep, even when he screamed for help, he doubted someone would bother to intervene. It was also dark in that alley. The single light post was meters away from them.
From the next turn, he could see a black van parked on the side.
Knox was starting to lose hope.
They reached the van. One of the men whirled around to the driver seat, while the leader and other one opened the door and shoved him. He pretended tripping and slamming on the seat face front.
The man who pushed Knox laughed and exclaimed, "Stupid! Tripping over something like that."
The leader sniggered and opened the passenger's seat, then he jumped in. Knox took that opportunity. He flipped to the side and kicked the man with too much force that he toppled over the corner.
"Argh! Brother!"
Knox straightened his body and ran away again.
"F*ck! Are you a fool?! Why did you let him run away?! What are you still doing? Catch the bastard!"
Knox ran toward the place where it was crowded. He passed the alley and reached the night district where blinking lights were attached to buildings with their alluring and seductive posters of men and women in bikinis and trunks.
He looked back and saw the three men still chasing him. Without thinking anything except to lose his chasers, Knox stepped into the night district and mixed himself from the crowd of alphas and omegas coming and going from motels and bars.
Knox winced and groaned after an alpha bumped into his broken arm. The alpha even asked him for company but he ignored him and moved forward. He needs somewhere to hide. The scent of the area was too suffocating, with all the different fragrances mixing in the air, everything smelled dizzying.
Knox was starting to lose focus and his breathing became ragged and heavy. When at the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar face grimacing in the corner while leaning on the column of one of the hotels in the area.
His feet automatically moved toward that person, and with all his remaining strength, he grabbed the man by the arm, catching his attention. The man glared at him and mumbled something he failed to comprehend. Knox weakly mumbled, "Help me. I'll accept your offer. I'll work for you, so please, help."
Knox couldn't hear the man's answer because he finally succumbed to fainting.