Doctor Henry's POV

  (Yawn!)

  It was such a slow day. Barely any patients. Silence filled the clinic, and honestly... I was already thinking about heading home early.

  I stood by the window, staring up at the clear blue sky, enjoying the rare moment of peace—

  (Knock! Knock!)

  Huh?

  Did I have an appointment today?

  I frowned. Probably Champ. That boy had a habit of showing up unannounced, treating my office like his second home.

  With a sigh, I walked over to the door, expecting to see my mischievous nephew grinning back at me.

  But when I opened it—

  I nearly choked.

  "Alpha Prince?" I blinked in surprise.

  Deux stood there, his expression unreadable, his presence alone commanding.

  But he didn't say a word.

  Ah.

  This was serious.

  "Judging by your face, I assume you have something important to discuss." I smiled, trying to ease the awkward tension. "Come in and have a seat."

  He stepped inside, walking stiffly, like he wasn't quite sure what he was doing here. He sat down across from me, silent and brooding.

  I sat as well, cing my fingers together. "So, how can I help you?"

  "I need a consultation." His voice was low, serious.

  I nodded. "Alright. What's the issue?"

  "It's not about me," he said quickly. "It's about... my friend. My Alpha friend who has a... severe condition." He cleared his throat. "Again, I'm talking about my friend. Not me."

  ...

  Oh?

  Oh this is going to be fun.

  I bit back a knowing smile. "Of course, of course. Your friend. An Alpha. With a condition. Got it."

  Still... an Alpha with an Alpha friend?

  That was rare.

  Alphas didn't do friendships with other Alphas. Their egos cshed too much.

  But hey, I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

  "And what exactly is your friend experiencing?" I asked.

  Deux exhaled sharply, as if reluctant to even speak. "My friend says he feels... strange around a certain individual."

  I nodded. "Strange? How so? Anger? Sadness?"

  "He doesn't understand it." Deux's brows furrowed. "He told me that whenever he's around this person, he feels lighter. Like—for the first time in his life—someone genuinely cares about him. This person worries about him, takes care of him... and when my friend is with them, he feels... happy. He's also able to be himself." Deux paused, then added quickly, "Not me. My friend. Just making that clear."

  ...

  I barely held back my ugh.

  "Oh, don't worry, Alpha Prince," I said smoothly. "I completely understand. This is all about your friend."

  But internally?

  Hehehe.

  This boy.

  He wasn't even trying to make it sound convincing!

  "Is there anything else?" I asked, pretending to jot down notes.

  "Yes," Deux said, frowning. "My friend... he worries about this person constantly. He wants to protect them from any danger. He wants to see them every day. He can't get them out of his head. It's like he's going crazy. He's angry about it, too. He's never felt this way before, and he wants it to stop."

  I hummed thoughtfully, tapping my chin.

  Ahhh.

  This was cssic.

  I let a few moments of silence pass before I spoke.

  "Your Alpha friend doesn't have a severe condition," I said simply.

  For the first time since entering, Deux's mask cracked. His eyes sharpened with interest.

  "If that's the case... what is it?" he asked, his voice ced with curiosity.

  Wow.

  Why did he look so eager to find out?

  Wasn't this about his friend?

  Hehehe.

  I held back my smirk.

  "The feeling your friend is experiencing," I said smoothly, "is love."

  Deux froze.

  "...Love?" he repeated.

  I tilted my head.

  ...Wait.

  Did he seriously not know what love was?!

  Right.

  He was an Alpha, after all.

  Alphas didn't do love. It wasn't part of their nature. To them, emotions were weaknesses.

  "Yes, love," I continued. "The emotions you described—longing, protectiveness, happiness—are all signs of love. Betas and Omegas experience this all the time. But Alphas? They rarely do. Why? Because they believe love is a weakness. Over time, Alphas simply stopped allowing themselves to feel it."

  Deux's jaw tightened. "Are you saying I am... I mean, are you saying my friend is weak?"

  I smiled. "Love is not a weakness, Deux. Love gives strength. It's what makes people want to protect, cherish, and fight for someone. When you love someone, you'll do anything to make them happy. That's not weakness. That's power."

  Deux's brows furrowed deeper. "But... I—he is an Alpha. How can he feel love?"

  "Love has no rules, Deux. It just happens."

  His frown deepened. "Can it be cured?"

  I chuckled. "There is no cure for love. Once it takes root, it never goes away."

  Deux looked like he wanted to flip my desk.

  "But he hates it!" he snapped. "It's messing with his head! He wants it to stop!"

  I shrugged. "If he tries to fight it, it'll only make him suffer more. Instead of resisting, he should embrace it."

  Deux fell silent, deep in thought.

  I leaned back in my chair, giving him time to process.

  I already knew the truth.

  There was no friend.

  He was the one going through this.

  And for an Alpha Prince—who had never experienced love before—this had to be terrifying.

  But who, exactly, was this person he had fallen for?

  Who had managed to make the untouchable Alpha Prince feel something so intense?

  Whoever they were, they were incredibly lucky.

  Deux suddenly tensed, as if remembering something.

  "There's... one more problem," he muttered.

  I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

  "What if..." he hesitated, looking conflicted, "...what if my Alpha friend has feelings for... another Alpha?"

  ...

  ...

  Wait.

  Did I hear that right?

  An Alpha?

  HE FELL FOR ANOTHER ALPHA?!

  I nearly fell out of my chair.

  "You—what?!" I spluttered.

  "I said, my friend has feelings for another Alpha!" Deux snapped. "Not me. My friend."

  I sat there, stunned.

  This was...

  This was not normal.

  Alpha-on-Alpha retionships weren't a thing.

  Unless...

  Slowly, I composed myself.

  "Describe this Alpha," I said carefully.

  Deux nodded. "This Alpha is different from the rest. He has a unique scent—unlike any other Alpha. Instead of being overpowering, it's... alluring. His features are softer, his skin pale and smooth. He also doesn't have that intimidating face of an Alpha, rather, an angelic one. He's kind and caring—completely unlike other Alphas. And that's why my friend can't stop thinking about him. He thinks he acts like more of an Omega than an Alpha."

  I swallowed hard.

  Oh.

  Oh no.

  Every single thing he just described...

  There was no doubt.

  He was talking about Champ!

  My nephew.

  My precious nephew.

  And Deux—THE ALPHA PRINCE—had fallen for him?!

  Oh hell.

  This was dangerous.

  If Deux kept getting closer to Champ, he'd inevitably be drawn into the Alpha King's world—

  A world Champ should never step foot into.

  No, no, no!

  This was bad!

  This was very bad!

  And then—

  Deux spoke again.

  "I think... my Alpha friend wants to cim him as his possession."

  I nearly screamed.

  OH NO.

  DISASTER!

  CHAOS!

  WAAAAAAAAAH!

  "Wait, Deux! Hold on!" I called, my voice tightening. "Your friend... he is in love with another Alpha, right?"

  Deux exhaled sharply, looking impatient. "Yes. That was very clear in everything I just said, wasn't it?"

  I took a deep breath, steadying myself before I answered.

  "Deux, the situation your friend is in... it's not right. Love between Alphas—" I hesitated, choosing my words carefully, "—it's not something that should happen."

  Deux narrowed his eyes.

  "But you just told me that he shouldn't suppress his emotions. That love is a strength," he countered.

  "Yes, I did say that," I admitted. "But let me ask you this, Deux. Are you talking about your friend... or are you talking about yourself?"

  The air in the room shifted.

  Deux's intimidating eyes locked onto mine, sharp and dangerous, like a predator assessing its prey.

  For a split second, I thought I had doomed myself.

  Then—he closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly.

  I barely stopped myself from flinching.

  I had expected rage. Violence. A threat, or worse.

  But instead...

  "What if I told you that everything I've said is true and it is me?" Deux opened his eyes, his voice low and measured. "Would you keep it a secret? Can I trust you, Doctor Henry? Because if not..." His voice dipped into something colder. "I won't hesitate to end you right here, right now."

  A chill ran down my spine.

  I swallowed hard.

  When an Alpha Prince made a statement like that, he wasn't joking.

  But I had to stay strong. I had to stand my ground—for Champ.

  "You can trust me, Deux," I said firmly. "No one will hear of this. Everything spoken in these four walls stays here."

  He studied me for a moment, his gaze piercing.

  Then, he rexed ever so slightly, as if accepting my word.

  Good.

  That meant he was trusting me with his deepest, most dangerous secret.

  Now I had to make him believe my next words.

  "Deux," I said carefully, "the feelings you've confessed to me... they will only bring disaster upon you. Upon him."

  Deux's expression didn't change.

  "What should I do?" he asked.

  I clenched my fists under the desk.

  This was the only path to keeping them safe.

  "Deux, you are an Alpha Prince. The heir to the throne. The future Alpha King," I said firmly. "You have a path that has been destined for you since the moment you were born. You must walk the path of an Alpha King—strong, unwavering, and unchallenged. That means following the right and normal way."

  Deux's jaw tightened.

  "The right and normal way?" he repeated, his voice edged with something unreadable.

  "Yes. As an Alpha Prince, your fate is clear. You are meant to rule, to lead. That means taking an Omega mate—someone who will complement you, someone who will produce an heir to continue the royal bloodline. That is the way of the Alpha Kings before you, and it is the way you must follow."

  I saw the way Deux's hands clenched into fists.

  "And what if I don't want that path?" he said quietly, dangerously.

  I held his gaze.

  "Then you must be prepared for the consequences."

  Silence.

  Thick. Heavy. Suffocating.

  "If word gets out that you've fallen for another Alpha, it will be seen as a weakness. The strongest, most untouchable Alpha, reduced to nothing because of love."

  I let that sink in before delivering the final blow.

  "And the Alpha King—your father—will not take this lightly. If he discovers the truth, he will destroy the person you love."

  Deux's jaw tightened, his entire body stiffening.

  "I know that," he admitted, his voice quiet.

  "Then you also know what you have to do." I pushed forward. "You must let go of this feeling. If you continue down this path, you won't be the only one in danger—he will suffer, too. Is that what you want? To put him at risk?"

  Deux fell silent.

  His shoulders were tense, his expression unreadable.

  But I could see it—the internal war raging inside of him.

  Then, after a long pause, he spoke.

  "I've made my decision." His voice was cold, final. "I will suppress these feelings. I won't let them control me any longer. Thank you, Doctor Henry. You've reminded me of my duty. I see clearly now."

  I let out a slow, relieved breath.

  I'm sorry, Deux.

  I'm sorry, Champ.

  But this was the only way.

  I could not allow this to continue—not when it could cost Champ his life.

  Champ is my only family left.

  He still had dreams to chase, a life to live.

  And I would protect that life—even if it meant breaking both of their hearts.

  Deux stood up, his movements stiff.

  "Thank you, Doctor Henry. I'll be leaving now."

  I met his gaze.

  His eyes were as cold and unreadable as ever.

  But beneath that strong and unwavering facade... I could see it.

  The faintest trace of pain.

  Of disappointment.

  Of loss.

  "You're always welcome here if you need guidance," I told him.

  He didn't respond. He simply turned and walked away.

  And as soon as the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a heavy, burdened sigh.

  I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.

  "Forgive me, Deux," I murmured to myself. "I never wanted to be the one to stop you... but I had no choice."

  I stood, walking to the window.

  Outside, the sky was too blue, the world too peaceful—as if the storm brewing inside my heart didn't exist.

  I clenched my jaw.

  "I will only change my mind," I whispered, "if I see a future where Champ is safe. If you prove that you can protect him. If his life changes for the better because of you. Only then will I support you."

  I exhaled.

  "But right now... that future is impossible."

  This was the right decision.

  This was what had to be done.

  I refused to let history repeat itself.

  I refused to let Champ suffer the same fate as his mother.

  I would not let him love someone who is destined to become an Alpha King.

  Because the st time an Alpha King, the rightful and supposed to be the true ruler of this world, fell in love with someone he wasn't supposed to...

  It ended in tragedy.

  And I wasn't about to let that happen again.

  End of Chapter 15