The sharp sting in his knees dulled, and Niel, whether unintentionally or because he could no longer hold back the flood of feelings he had buried— finally released the words he had kept inside.
'Ever since you came here, you've made me miserable, I hate it, I hate seeing you here … ever since you live in this house, so many things have changed because of you.'
Niel's eyes burned. That's right, so much had changed since Logan set foot in this house. His friends stopped wanting to play with him because Logan made it seem like Niel was the one at fault, casting himself as the victim of Niel's dislike. His father always sided with Logan, indulging his every whim. His father's days off, which used to belong to Niel to spend time with him, were now spent teaching Logan to be the heir. But what cut the deepest was how his mother treated Logan with a tenderness she rarely showed him.
His mother was often too ill for Niel to see her unless his father was present, but why was it so easy for Logan?
Yes, ever since Logan lived here, Niel felt like a stranger in his own home.
'You're just the new kid who's only been living here. So what's so special about you compared to me? And why do you always bother me? I don't even want to interact with you. Do whatever you want in this house, I'll try to ignore it, but don't force me to be your friend!'
'Me? A new kid who's only been living here?' Logan laughed, his chubby cheeks curling into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. 'I'm an Arkan by blood. Have you forgotten? I was always meant to be here… unlike you, Niel. You don't belong in this house.'
'What?'
'… But that's okay. Once I take your father's position, then this place will finally be yours too.'
'...'
'This isn't your place yet, Niel. Not yet, so wait patiently…'
Logan's smile sent chills through Niel, and he nearly swung a fist at that face, only stopping himself by quickly running away. He was just a kid, yet he spoke as if he was certain he'd become the successor of the Arkan corporation. Niel could have done it too, if only he weren't a beta. Maybe then his father would have considered him as a candidate.
Though, his father never even asked Niel that question— never inquired if he was interested in being one, not even before confirming Niel's secondary gender as beta.
And of course, all of that make sense.
As he chewed the last chicken nugget, Niel decided he would refuse the offer to work with anyone. It was better if he didn't return to a house filled only with unpleasant memories. That little Logan, whom he despised so much back then, was right—though his words stung, it was true that the house wasn't Niel's place. Whatever problems Arkan was facing, they weren't his concern. Whether they grew richer and more successful or went bankrupt (which seemed unlikely), it had nothing to do with him.
So it was better for him not to go. If Charles tried to force him, Niel wouldn't hesitate to punch that man's smug face.
Working at IHPS might not have been the best choice after this five years.
With a twinge of regret, Niel considered contacting the offshore company where he'd worked as a crane operator for nearly two years before returning to IHPS. Out there, the signal was a bit difficult, so he rarely checked his phone, if Logan tried to reach him, it would be nearly impossible. Plus, the pay as a crane operator wasn't any less than what he earned as an instructor. Maybe going back offshore was indeed better for him.
Setting down the plate he had just washed, Niel was about to head back to sleep when the communal kitchen door suddenly swung open. He turned sharply, only to see two men standing there.
"I thought we had an intruder, but it's just you, Niel."
One of them said it with a smirk as they both stepped closer. But before they could get any nearer, Niel clicked his tongue and scoffed.
"Don't talk to me like that."
But the two men showed no intention of listening to Niel. Deciding to ignore them, he moved to walk past, only for another man to appear behind the door. He stepped inside and, without a word, shamelessly locked it right in front of Niel.
"Don't be like that, Niel… I heard your instructor exchange contract is about to end. Maybe you could have a little fun before you leave?"
"I said don't talk to me that way."
"Oh? Or is it that you don't have any experience? Don't worry, we'll make it good for you, even if you're just a beta. Male anatomy has a secret love button, you know .... Haha, specially if you go deeper, past the ring... You'll see heaven, trust me. It'll feel good once we do it enough, and your backside gets used to it."
"Then try that with your own hole, bastards."
Such a sinful act.
Why did people speak about something so sinful like it was the only thing that could bring them pleasure?
Niel was used to this kind of treatment from alphas in places like this, they're animals desperate for sex. It wasn't anything new, but he would never let these alphas touch him, not even with the tip of their fingers. Now, as Niel properly looked at their faces one by one, he realized they were the same alphas who had shouted inappropriate things at him during yesterday physical training.
Also, Niel was a beta. No matter how much pheromone they released, he'd never be able to smell it— a fact he was deeply grateful for. If he could sense pheromones, his life would likely be even more troublesome than it already was.
Yes, indeed, he was a beta, so he couldn't smell pheromones, including those from a certain red-eyed man who, for some reason, suddenly crossed his mind.
"…I'm a beta."
Niel muttered it unintentionally, quickly pressing his lips together, his brow furrowing.
"So what? Even if you're a beta, you still have a hole—"
Niel swiftly grabbed the handle of a frying pan and slammed it hard against the man's head. "I said don't talk to me that way."
Blood trickled from the head of the man he struck, prompting the other two to lunge forward to restrain Niel. But Niel, though just a beta, never lost to an alpha. They should've known that—why else would he be an instructor in this crazy den despite being a beta? It would be foolish for them to think he wouldn't fight back.
It was the consequence of their actions.
Niel's delicate appearance might deceive someone into thinking he was weak. But no matter how pretty or feminine his face, he was still a man trained in combat.
It didn't even take two minutes for him to take down all three alphas. His strikes weren't meant to torture— they were calculated, each one aimed at a vital spot: the jaw, the head, the back, the stomach, the upper abdomen. His blows landed with such precision that they doubled over, vomited, or collapsed unconscious on the spot.
He didn't waste a single movement. And just like that, with three men lying weakly in the kitchen, Niel searched for the key to the door. Finding it, he stepped out, exhaling a sigh of relief.
Surprisingly, beating up those alphas had eased his stress a little.
*