Chapter 54: Locked Room Heat

“Alright, just get up first.”

“Ugh….”

Right now, Hyunwoo needed to get Seunghyuk away from Hyunjin before anything happened.

He supported Seunghyuk and led him out of the room.

The heavy weight pressed down on his shoulder.

Moving someone bigger than himself was difficult enough.

On top of that, Seunghyuk’s pheromones were growing stronger, likely because the rut was about to fully hit.

It didn’t just numb the nose—those pheromones provoked instinctive aggression in any other Alpha.

They stabbed at Hyunwoo’s entire body.

‘Damn it….’

Gritting his teeth, Hyunwoo dragged Seunghyuk all the way to the underground parking garage.

By the time he shoved the unsteady Seunghyuk into the car, sweat was dripping down his body and his shirt was soaked.

“…Hah.”

Hyunwoo grabbed the steering wheel and paused, thinking about where to go.

The easiest solution was a hospital.

But Seunghyuk had refused, so he needed another option.

Dominant Alpha ruts were especially intense.

Before returning to the past, Seunghyuk had struggled to endure with suppressants alone and would periodically go somewhere else.

A hotel.

In this world, there were hotels specifically designed for people with traits.

Some even had rooms with external lock systems for those who didn’t want to risk losing control and sleeping with strangers while in heat.

Seunghyuk, with his severe aversion to contamination, frequently used those rooms during his rut.

Hyunwoo himself, as an ordinary Alpha, didn’t have much trouble as long as he took his suppressants.

But it seemed Seunghyuk didn’t have that luxury.

In truth, the best way to resolve a rut was to sleep with an Omega until satisfied.

But in the previous timeline, when he hadn’t ended up with Hyunjin, Seunghyuk chose to lock himself away instead.

“…Ugh.”

“……!”

Hyunwoo snapped back from his bitter memories at the small groan from the passenger seat and quickly started the engine.

He searched for nearby hotels with lockable trait rooms and drove.

Luckily, one wasn’t far.

“You don’t need to take more meds?”

“At this point… they won’t do anything.”

“…I see.”

Only after leaving did Hyunwoo realize he hadn’t grabbed any suppressants.

But Seunghyuk shook his head, breathing raggedly.

If even medication couldn’t suppress it…

Hyunwoo remembered how severe his own rut had been recently, triggered by a dominant Omega’s pheromones.

Seunghyuk lived with something like that every time.

This world praised dominant traits—yet those who actually had them suffered the most.

Clicking his tongue, Hyunwoo pressed harder on the accelerator.

He parked in the hotel garage with a screech.

He hadn’t made a reservation, so he’d need to check availability.

“I’ll be right back.”

“…Hyung.”

“Hm?”

Just as Hyunwoo was about to get out, Seunghyuk grabbed his wrist.

His lips trembled as he forced out words.

“…Where are you going?”

“To check if there’s a room available.”

“…Room?”

Right—he hadn’t explained.

It was better to clarify now while Seunghyuk was somewhat coherent.

“It’s one of those hotels people with traits use during times like this.”

“…….”

Maybe in this timeline Seunghyuk didn’t use these hotels regularly.

Hyunwoo quickly adjusted his explanation.

Thankfully, Seunghyuk didn’t question it and only continued panting.

“Hyung is…”

“Hm?”

“…No, never mind.”

“…?”

It seemed Seunghyuk had been about to say more, but shut his mouth.

Hyunwoo decided not to dwell on it—people in rut didn’t think clearly, after all.

“Just wait a bit.”

“Haa… haa…”

“…….”

Hyunwoo didn’t want to leave him alone, not like this.

But dragging that huge body to the front desk would waste precious time.

He locked the car securely and hurried inside.

Thankfully, the information desk was right on the first floor.

“Welcome. How may I assist you?”

“I’d like a room for trait users.”

“Are you an Alpha?”

“Yes.”

This hotel employed only Beta staff—the safest choice given the situations trait users could bring.

“Currently, the standard Alpha rooms are full. But the suite rooms are available.”

“That’s fine.”

“How many nights will you be staying?”

“Just one for now.”

He didn’t know how long a dominant Alpha rut would last this time, but one night should be enough to monitor the situation.

After payment, the staff explained the rules and safety procedures in detail.

Rooms for trait users all had lock systems, and if medical attention or emergency meds were needed, one could call the desk.

Room service would be placed at the door without anyone entering—only a temporary one-time unlock would occur.

Even with all staff being Betas, the system was thorough.

Hyunwoo nodded and took the keycard.

“Thank you.”

“Please have a comfortable stay.”

“…….”

Whether Seunghyuk would feel comfortable was another matter entirely.

Hyunwoo hurried back.

He sighed with relief when he saw Seunghyuk still inside the car.

“Alright… let’s go.”

“…Ugh…”

“Lee Seunghyuk. Stay with me.”

He shook him gently, but Seunghyuk didn’t move.

No—he couldn’t move.

Hyunwoo bit his lip and gave up on waking him.

He hauled Seunghyuk over his shoulders again and made his way forward.

Luckily, a hotel staff member noticed and came running.

“Do you need help?”

“Yes, thank—”

Before he could finish, Seunghyuk suddenly tensed and wrapped his arms tightly around Hyunwoo.

Hyunwoo’s body lurched from the force.

“Ugh—!”

“Haa… Hyung…”

“……!”

With the exhale, a heavy wave of pheromones pressed down on him—crushing, overwhelming.

It became hard to breathe.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah—yeah, it’s just…”

Hyunwoo glanced at Seunghyuk.

He had completely lost control now.

Even though the staff member was a Beta, being touched by someone else would only make things worse.

Hyunwoo shook his head.

“I’ll take him myself.”

“Of course. Call us if you need assistance.”

The employee stepped back, realizing the severity of the situation.

The elevator ride felt endless.

Their room was on the very top floor—trait rooms were kept as far from the general guests as possible.

One by one, others got off along the way, leaving only them.

“Ugh….”

Hyunwoo was already mentally and physically wrecked by the time they reached the correct floor.

“1702… this one.”

Dragging and supporting Seunghyuk, he reached the room and tapped the card to the lock.

Beep.

The door opened.

“God… damn it…”

He didn’t even bother taking off their shoes.

He pulled Seunghyuk inside.

Because it was a suite, the bedroom was all the way in the back.

But before they got that far—

Their feet tangled, and they went crashing down together.

They collapsed in a heap near the sofa.

“…Ugh…”

Hyunwoo groaned and forced himself to lift his head.

His mind was foggy, dizzy from prolonged exposure to dominant Alpha pheromones.

He slowly turned toward Seunghyuk.