The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the quiet streets of Gyeonghwa village.

​Guest pushed the stroller at a slow, peaceful pace, hummed a soft lullaby to two-year-old Minjun, who was fast asleep after an active hour at the neighborhood park. The afternoon breeze was gentle, fluttering the hem of Guest's soft cotton short-shorts and the oversized grey t-shirt he had borrowed from Dohyun that morning. It swallowed his small frame, smelling faintly of his husband's comforting alpha scent.

​As he turned the corner onto the narrow lane leading toward their cozy little house, a loud laugh shattered the quiet street.

​A group of three local men—two alphas and a beta hanging around outside the corner convenience store—turned their eyes toward Guest. Their gazes lingered uncomfortably on his bare legs and the subtle scent of a claimed omega.

​"Well, look at what we have here," one of the alphas sneered, stepping directly into Guest's path to block the stroller.

​Guest froze, instinctively pulling the stroller back and tightening his grip on the handle. "Excuse me... please let us through."

​"So polite," the beta smirked, leaning in way too close. He reached out, his fingers roughly brushing along Guest's shoulder, tugging at the collar of Dohyun's oversized shirt. "Walking around dressed like this in broad daylight? You're practically asking for attention, pretty boy. Where's your owner?"

​Guest flinched, his heart hammering against his ribs as he took a step back, protecting Minjun's stroller with his body. "Don't touch me! Move out of the way!"

​"Come on, don't be like that," the second alpha growled, stepping up behind Guest and grabbing his arm, his fingers digging in tightly. "Just a quick chat—"

​"Get your hands off my husband."

​The roar echoed sharply down the narrow street.

​Wiping grease off his hands with a rag, Dohyun had just rounded the corner on his walk back from the auto repair shop. His eyes locked onto the hand gripping Guest's arm, and in an instant, his weary expression turned into pure, lethal rage.

Dohyun threw the rag to the ground, his heavy work boots striking the pavement with menacing intent as his potent, suffocating alpha pheromones flooded the air.

​"Dohyun...!" Guest gasped, his voice trembling with relief. ​Dohyun slammed himself between the men and Guest, shielding his family completely. His dark eyes burned as he grabbed the alpha's wrist, twisting it back with the raw, heavy strength of a working man until the man winced in pain.

​"I said," Dohyun growled, his voice deep and dangerously low as he stepped into their faces, "take one more step toward him or my son, and none of you are walking home today."

The men held up their hands in defence and retreated, walking back to the alley.