Champ's POV

  I just wanted to buy some ingredients for the food I pnned to cook since I had invited Jiggs and the four Beta Males over for a bonding session.

  The pn? Movies, video games, drinking, and sharing ridiculous stories about our lives. Very Alpha-like activities, don't you think? Haha!

  Of course, that wasn't the only reason I called them over. This wasn't just a casual get-together—it was the perfect opportunity to unch Operation: Expand Our Cn and Territory.

  Bigger territory, greater peace of mind. That's what I was aiming for.

  The problem was... how exactly was I supposed to do that? How do I outmaneuver the Alphas I'll have to compete with? That's why I needed Jiggs and the others—to strategize.

  But at this very moment, instead of pnning, I was standing in front of a full-length mirror in my bedroom, staring at myself.

  And let me tell you...

  I looked like a walking disaster.

  Ripped jeans—not the fashionable kind, but the "has-seen-better-days" kind. A faded T-shirt that looked like it had been through a hundred washes. Shoes that screamed, "Retire me already!"

  It hit me—I needed new clothes.

  I never used to care about what I wore, but tely? If I didn't look put together, I felt uneasy.

  And I knew exactly why.

  My damn Omega genes were taking over!

  Hmmm...

  Alright, time for a wardrobe upgrade. I needed Alpha-level outfits—stylish, intimidating, the kind that said, "I'm the boss." I had to blend in, after all.

  For now, I threw on a creamy white fitted tank top that boasts my muscles, gray sweatpants, and a white cap. This would do until I found something that screamed dangerously cool.

  Fast forward, I arrived at a pza—a lively pce with all sorts of stalls, shops, and distractions.

  From where I stood at the entrance, I surveyed the area, scanning for any unwanted attention.

  Everything seemed normal. No piercing gazes. No threatening scents.

  That meant one thing—no powerful Alphas like Deux or that lunatic Silver lurking around. Just some average Alphas and Betas.

  Uncle Henry once told me that most Alphas wouldn't be able to sniff me out unless I was in a heat stage. (Which I wasn't, thank goodness.)

  Taking a deep breath, I prayed for a peaceful day. No drama. No fights. No trouble.

  I was only here to buy clothes and food for the night party.

  That was the pn.

  And I was sticking to it.

  First stop: The Alpha's Wardrobe.

  That was the name of the store standing before me, glowing in all its "For Alphas Only" glory.

  If I was going to sell the act, I needed to dress the part. I had to radiate dominance. My mere outfit should scream, "Respect me, peasants!"

  With that in mind, I stepped inside.

  And immediately—every Alpha in the store turned to stare at me.

  Like, in synchronized unison.

  For a split second, my fight-or-flight instincts kicked in. But I held my ground.

  I straightened my back, puffed out my chest, and walked with the kind of arrogance that said, "Yeah, I own this pce."

  A few moments ter, they all went back to browsing.

  Crisis averted.

  "Good day! Welcome to Alpha's Wardrobe!" A Beta female staff greeted me with a bright smile.

  I smiled back. "Good morning to you too!"

  She blinked. Then her eyes widened as if I had just committed an unspeakable crime.

  "W-Wow... I've never been greeted back by an Alpha before..." she whispered, covering her mouth in shock.

  Uh-oh.

  I forced a casual chuckle and turned away before she could scrutinize me any further.

  That was too close.

  Pulling my cap lower over my face, I reminded myself: keep a low profile.

  It didn't help that my face wasn't exactly Alpha-like. Unlike them, whose features were sharp and fierce, mine leaned more toward... well, let's just say I wasn't giving off "menacing" vibes.

  Good thing I wore this cap. I needed all the cover I could get.

  Now, back to shopping.

  As I browsed through the racks, I noticed something weird...

  The Alphas in the store? They refused to stand near each other.

  It was hirious. They were spread out, gring at one another from a distance like territorial beasts.

  And if two of them did happen to reach for the same item?

  Oh boy.

  They'd grab onto it at the same time, engaging in a silent yet vicious tug-of-war, nearly ripping the poor fabric apart.

  Savages.

  Well, I wasn't about to get involved in that nonsense.

  I focused on my own shopping... but to my disappointment, nothing in the store really caught my eye.

  Everything was too basic. Too pin. Too boring.

  Ugh. What kind of Alpha-level fashion was this?!

  I was on a mission—to find clothes that were bold, stylish, and eye-catching.

  But the options in Alpha's Wardrobe? A snooze fest.

  If it wasn't bck, it was some shade of gray. Like, come on! Where's the creativity? Where's the spice?!

  I scoured every rack, every stall, even double-checked the dispys, but in the end? Nothing.

  Before I knew it, I had reached the exit—empty-handed and utterly disappointed.

  With a dramatic sigh, I accepted my fate.

  Fine. Time to try another store.

  As I wandered through the shopping district, something caught my eye—

  ABO Store.

  A store catering to everyone—Alpha, Beta, and Omega alike.

  Now this was promising!

  Upon stepping inside, I immediately noticed the yout.

  The Alpha section stood front and center, demanding attention.

  The Beta section was off to the left, neatly organized.

  The Omega section was on the right, filled with delicate, softer styles but for females only.

  I am an Omega, I know, but I can't wear that of course!

  Obviously, I made a beeline for the Alpha section because, well—Alpha mode activated!

  This time, the selection was better. Some decent styles. A little more variation. But...

  Everything was so baggy.

  Now, don't get me wrong—I used to love loose-fitting clothes. But tely?

  I found myself drawn to fitted outfits.

  Something sleek. Something that... accentuated things.

  So, with that in mind, I wandered a bit more. And before I knew it...

  I had drifted into the Beta section.

  And let me tell you—

  This. Was. Where. It's. At.

  Stylish, modern, and honestly? Way better than the dull Alpha section.

  Without hesitation, I started grabbing items left and right.

  Fast forward: Fitting Room Chronicles.

  I was now trying on clothes, evaluating my reflection like a fashion critic.

  First up?

  Shorts.

  Not just any shorts—these were short-short shorts.

  Like, half my thighs were exposed and my butt cheeks look more bubbly than it is.

  I turned to the side, inspecting them in the mirror.

  "...I like these. But are they too short?" I muttered.

  Then again, they were light, breathable, and honestly looked good.

  "Maybe I'll just wear them at home? And I could grab ten in different colors. Hehe!"

  Next, I tried on tank tops.

  Thin fabric. Lightweight. Fit just right.

  "...These are kinda short too and it shows my belly button already." I chuckled, checking myself out. "But I do look good in them."

  The thin straps sat snug on my shoulders, and the fit was just right—highlighting my shape without being too obvious.

  Approved.

  But then—

  Wait a damn minute.

  I froze. Staring at myself. Processing.

  Why... why were all my chosen outfits from the Beta section?!

  And the way I look now, it's too... seductive!

  I lightly smacked my forehead.

  "Champ, get it together. You're supposed to be shopping like an Alpha!"

  Yet here I was, unintentionally buying stylish clothes instead of the bnd, tough-guy ones.

  But you know what?

  I had zero regrets.

  The ones I picked were sharp—stylish, cool, and kinda had that celebrity-like aura. Not too Alpha, not too Omega—just perfect.

  "Alright, this should do. If I stay here any longer, I might end up buying the entire store."

  ...

  With that done, it was finally time to buy ingredients for the dinner party I pnned with Jiggs and the Beta Males.

  Or at least... that was the pn.

  Until something shiny caught my eye.

  A few steps away, I saw a few stores that piqued my interest.

  Home decor. Skincare. Random knick-knacks.

  Now, technically... taking a quick look wouldn't hurt, right?

  Just a peek.

  A small detour before grocery shopping.

  Hehe.

  ...

  ...

  ...

  Deux's POV

  I was at a pharmacy in the middle of a bustling pza.

  Not for myself, of course.

  I was here to buy medication for Champ.

  Because of his AEDS—Alpha Energy Depletion Syndrome.

  I was itching for him to recover already. The sooner he got better, the sooner I could finally defeat him and recim my title as the strongest Alpha.

  Though, I have been famed as the strongest Alpha next to my father, but it doesn't feel like it right now while this menacing and cunning Champ is still walking around effortlessly.

  I could have ordered the Beta maids from my household to run this errand for me, but that would've raised suspicions with my father. He would've questioned why I was buying medicine—and for whom.

  And if he found out I was purchasing supplements for another Alpha... Let's just say he wouldn't be pleased.

  So here I was, disguised like a criminal—bck coat, bck sungsses, bck hat, the whole deal.

  My scent was unavoidable, especially to other Alphas in the area, but as long as Beta staff didn't see my face, I was in the clear.

  AEDS—Alpha Energy Depletion Syndrome.

  In short? Champ wasn't getting enough of the nutrients an Alpha needed.

  That's why I headed straight to the Alpha supplement section, searching for testosterone boosters and energy enhancers.

  I picked up a single pack of supplements.

  ...Then stared at it.

  Would just one pack be enough?

  No.

  I wanted him stronger.

  If I was going to fight him, I wanted the best version of him. A weakened Champ wouldn't be satisfying to defeat.

  So, I did what any rational Alpha would do.

  I took all the stock.

  Every. Last. Box.

  Oh, and I grabbed extra vitamins just for good measure.

  After purchasing everything, I hurried out of the store.

  This was the only reason I came here today. I should've been training at home, since we didn't have university csses.

  But since I was bored out of my mind, this was the next best way to kill time.

  On my way back to my parked car, I suddenly froze.

  (Sniff.)

  My eyes widened.

  A familiar scent drifted through the air, coming directly from the exit of a nearby grocery store.

  And just as I turned my head—

  There he was.

  Champ.

  We locked eyes, both of us mirroring the same shocked expression.

  "Champ?" I said in disbelief.

  "Deux?" he blurted at the same time.

  Great. Just great.

  I wasn't even pnning to acknowledge Champ and I wouldn't have noticed that it is him because of his white cap, but his scent had already grabbed my attention.

  And that wasn't even the most irritating part.

  No, what really pissed me off...

  Was what he was wearing.

  Did he—did he seriously go out dressed like that?!

  Was he trying to seduce someone?!

  What in the name of Alpha dignity was this ridiculous outfit?!

  His shorts—if you could even call them that—were so short that his smooth, pale thighs were practically funting themselves for the world to see.

  And that top? That pathetic excuse for a shirt? He might as well just walk around shirtless at this point! He was practically parading his body around, shamelessly dispying himself like some kind of walking temptation for every Alpha in the vicinity!

  ...Well, at least not for me!

  Me? Tempted?! Ha! If anything, I was disgusted! Completely annoyed! Absolutely, undeniably—

  Okay, but seriously, would it kill him to wear something decent?!

  And those shopping bags? He looked like he had bought half the pza.

  "De-Deux?" he stammered, still recovering from our surprise meeting. "What are you doing here?"

  "I should be asking you that," I shot back, gncing up at the sign above him. "A grocery store? This isn't exactly a pce for Alphas. And what the hell are you wearing?! That's not Alpha attire. Change immediately. It's indecent!"

  I gred at him, frustrated.

  Was I annoyed because he was vioting the Alpha dress code?

  Or was I annoyed because his outfit was too damn seducing... I mean distracting?!

  Which was it?!

  "Why do you even care what I wear?" he snapped. "I'll wear whatever I want, okay? My day was perfectly peaceful until you showed up."

  I scowled, not responding.

  That's when I noticed it.

  The other Alphas in the area.

  They were staring.

  At him.

  At his thighs.

  My mood plummeted.

  I clenched my jaw as I gritted my teeth.

  Before I could even process what I was doing, I set down my shopping bag, pulled off my bck coat, and threw it over him.

  "Deux! What the hell?!" he protested, struggling under the sudden weight of my coat and dropped his shopping bags.

  "Your outfit is inappropriate!" I barked. "Do you really want every Alpha in this pza staring at you like you're some kind of prize?!"

  I crossed my arms, glowering at him.

  "You should be thanking me," I muttered. "They were all looking at your—your—"

  I couldn't even finish the sentence.

  Champ huffed, rolling his eyes. "I don't need your concern. And I don't care if they stare."

  I cared.

  And that was the problem.

  I gred harder, trying to intimidate him into listening.

  But instead of shrinking under my gaze, he closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and let out a slow breath as he wore my bck coat that's big enough for him to cover his atrocious seducing body!

  What the hell was that?

  Was he meditating in the middle of our argument?!

  Why?!

  When he finally opened his eyes, he shook his head and sighed.

  "Anyway," he said casually. "I don't care about your so-called concern, but I actually have something I need to tell you now that we are all alone."

  I frowned.

  "What?"

  "Thank you so much, Deux! First, for saving me during the racing competition, and second, for giving me a chance to escape from that Alpha named Silver."

  Champ grinned at me.

  And at that moment...

  I froze.

  Not because of what he said.

  But because of that damn smile.

  That dangerously attractive, infuriatingly charming smile.

  A smile that made something in my chest feel weirdly light.

  A smile that made something in my stomach—oh no.

  No. No. No.

  What the hell is this feeling?!

  Exciting yet nerve-wracking.

  I should probably go visit Dr. Henry after this.

  I needed to ask him if there was a medical expnation for this bizarre phenomenon—why did I feel so unnervingly giddy over an Alpha's smile?!

  Was there a cure for this?

  I sure as hell hoped so.

  Because this was not normal.

  Something was wrong with me!