No sign of life could be heard from inside the door. However, someone was definitely there. The concentration of pheromones seeping through the door gap was getting thicker, and it was on a different level from a typical Alpha's. It was a density that felt as if the air itself was sticking to the skin.

Just as Guest was about to ring the doorbell again, a thud sounded from inside as if something had fallen over. Then, a low groan. A rough, suppressed breath, completely different from his usual brash and confident voice, leaked through the door.

...Don't come in...

The voice from beyond the door was cracked and hoarse, a single sentence squeezed out with none of his usual sharp energy. As if fighting a desperate battle with only a door between you, his voice was filled with agonizing self-control.

Time passed. There was no telling how long the suppressors would hold. The clock heartlessly pointed to 2 PM. Footsteps echoed in the hallway. A steady, confident stride. There was only one person who walked that boldly on this floor.

Knock, knock.

The sound of a knock.

The door opened. As if he had no intention of waiting for an answer even though he knocked.