“He just didn’t feel human. Maybe it was the overall atmosphere.”I felt like I understood, so I didn’t press further and went back to munching my sandwich. Suddenly, the Prosecutor General’s words came to mind.― They’re different from Betas like us.As I silently recalled that thought, Doug spoke up again.“You know he was a lawyer originally, right? That guy. Miller Firm was founded by his father. He stepped back when he entered politics, but now his son runs it, doesn’t he?”“Yeah, I suppose.”I answered vaguely. Doug took a sip of his sparkling water and asked,“Think that man will go into politics, too?”“Well, if law practice doesn’t pay the bills, he probably will.”Doug stared at me as if astonished. If Miller Firm collapsed, there’d be no major law firms left in the country. I knew what his look meant, but I feigned ignorance and took a swig of my Coke.“An Alpha doesn’t get everything they want just because they’re an Alpha.”Well, do they? I wasn’t even sure myself. Doug just laughed it off, and feeling a bit awkward, I said indifferently,“So the party was fun, huh?”“Sure, there were a lot of interesting things.”Doug answered briefly and then changed the subject.“Have they set the trial date yet?”I shook my head.“Not yet. I’m meeting the judge next week. We’ll need to work out a date once they propose one.”They’ll try to push it back as long as possible, I thought. With the evidence and witnesses so clearly against them, they’ll exhaust every option to reduce the sentence, and that will take time.I was mentally estimating dates when Doug asked,“How about taking a breather before the formal trial?”I sipped my Coke and glanced at him. Doug grinned.“I was thinking of chilling at a hotel for a day this weekend.”His meaning was clear: unless I wanted to find another partner, I might as well spend a night with him. And honestly, I did want a day off. Including sex. It had already been two weeks since that awkward bar hookup.I downed the rest of my Coke, crushed the can, and tossed it. It clanged perfectly into the trash.“Alright.”Doug’s face lit up. I stood and added,“Let me know the time and hotel later.”“Want me to pick you up?”We’d rented a temporary car while ours was in the shop, but I didn’t need a ride. I nodded, and Doug nodded back.“There we go… huh.”I caught a glimpse of him mimicking my empty-can toss. Even without seeing it, I could hear his disappointed sigh.4｜The weekend came around quickly. I’d worked late into Friday, wrapped up all my paperwork, and cleared my schedule for two full days. After cleaning my place and preparing everything—even for sex—I was enjoying a light coffee when Doug arrived at the agreed time.He showed up right on cue, rang the doorbell, and I grabbed a few essentials and headed downstairs.“Hey.”Doug greeted me with his usual bright smile and leaned in for a kiss. Sure, we used to do this when we were a couple, but that was years ago. I didn’t feel like sharing a public, intimate kiss with my friend and sex partner, so I slipped my face away.“Later.”Seeing his exaggerated disappointed look, I added, “As long as it’s part of the sex.” Doug nodded in understanding and led me to the car.He’d chosen a small hotel on the city outskirts. It wasn’t fancy, but its modest, clean style appealed to me. The décor was simple and cozy. A pleasant middle-aged woman at reception mentioned—proudly, she said—that it was a third-generation family-run place.“Let’s go up.”Doug brushed off the hostess’s chatter and whispered urgently. He took my hand, and I let him. The elevator ride and walk down the hall to our room was brief. Doug opened the door and let me in first.No sooner had the door clicked shut behind me than he pressed against me. Since that was the whole point of the trip, I didn’t stall and followed him to the bed. As he unbuttoned my shirt, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a condom. Doug watched, disappointed.“Can’t we do it inside?”Pretending to pity him wouldn’t help. I bit the end of the wrapper and tore ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) it open in one smooth motion. “Hah.” Doug sighed as I tossed the opened condom and a spare onto the side table. I perched on the edge of the bed, slowly working the buttons off my shirt.“So, are you stopping?”I opened my shirt to reveal my torso. Doug swallowed, then immediately climbed on top, pressing his lips to mine with impatience.“Aah, that was fantastic.”Doug collapsed beside me, panting. I lay next to him, catching my breath. He turned to me and said,“You’re honestly the best I’ve ever been with. I can’t think straight afterward.”“Uh, thanks.”I replied nonchalantly. It was better than telling him he was the worst. That was the only thought that came to me. Doug kept looking at me expectantly, but my mind drifted to cigarettes. I’d nearly burned the house down as a teenager smoking in bed, so I never did it now. I’d have to get up.But before I could budge, Doug wrapped his arms around my waist behind me.“Hey, wait a second.”I frowned and pushed him away. Holding up the pack, I showed him. Doug’s face fell.“Can’t you smoke later?”He pulled his puppy-dog eyes, but it didn’t work.“You can smoke after we’re done.”Disappointed, he let his arms drop. I pulled on just my pants and walked to the window. Opening it, I glanced back. He looked deflated. I flicked out my lighter and said,“Why don’t you order some wine? I’ll be out here smoking.”Drinking wine midway through sex was a habit. Doug reluctantly nodded and called the front desk.“I’m going to freshen up. When the wine arrives, you sign for it.”I nodded. He disappeared into the bathroom, and I heard the water running.

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