The Chase Begins

That was why the first person to notice that Seo Eunsu had caught onto Seong Chanyeong was none other than Joo Taegang.

Of course, Seo Eunsu had deliberately left traces behind for the other Alphas, including Joo Taegang, to shake off their remaining suspicions.

But that part didn’t matter to him.

‘So I can finally meet him.’

Why had he suddenly abandoned everything and disappeared?

Was he really dying, hiding away in some pathetic life that didn’t suit him at all?

He needed to hear it straight from that bastard’s mouth.

Even he was confused by his own emotions.

He didn’t want to know.

If this turned out to be the beginning of pity for Seong Chanyeong, then he would have no choice but to regret all the harsh things he had said to him.

And he hated that.

That was all.

“Young master, we’ve arrived at Blue Animal Hospital.”

“…Alright.”

Picking up the breadcrumbs Seo Eunsu had deliberately scattered, Joo Taegang finally reached the rural animal hospital where Seong Chanyeong visited Janggun.

‘Why did I come all the way here myself?’

He couldn’t even understand himself.

He had set aside company matters just to come here.

He could’ve easily sent someone to drag him back.

Instead, he personally came down to this remote countryside hospital, regretting it the entire way.

‘At this hour, I should’ve just gone to see Eunsu instead.’

That’s what he thought—

Yet, ironically, his feet carried him straight into the hospital.

Even his subordinate looked surprised.

“Young master… are you going in to meet him yourself?”

“Then why else would I come all the way here?”

“I… thought you’d have me bring him to you, like before.”

‘Young master… didn’t you have a terrible relationship with that Seong family heir?’

Every time they met, Joo Taegang acted like he wanted to tear him apart.

But this time… something felt different.

At the very least, it didn’t seem like he intended to destroy him on sight.

Usually, Joo Taegang bristled like an angry hedgehog whenever facing Seong Chanyeong.

But now, there was a strange calmness beneath it.

“I have something to hear directly from him this time.”

‘He already disappeared once. If he knows I’m approaching him, he might run again.’

Right. That was the reason.

That was the only reason he came.

At least, that’s what he told himself.

As the blue sign of the hospital drew closer, his mind filled with questions he wanted to ask.

‘Was he really diagnosed as terminal?’

‘Why did he give Seo Eunsu that written apology and compensation?’

‘Is all of this part of some scheme? Trying to lower our guard before targeting him again?’

But above all—

There was one question he wanted to ask the most.

‘Why did you suddenly throw everything away and disappear?’

He had desperately craved the attention of him and the other Alphas.

Yet he vanished as easily as spitting out chewing gum, leaving behind nothing but a casual apology.

It irritated him.

‘Was I really nothing more than that to you?’

He still couldn’t forget that half-hearted message.

Apologizing for being bothersome all this time.

It made him think everything Seong Chanyeong had done was nothing more than a game.

But more than that—

What angered him most was the fact that he himself was being shaken by Seong Chanyeong.

‘Pathetic.’

He hated this situation.

Because Seong Chanyeong had become a reflection of himself.

Just as Seong Chanyeong had been nothing to him—

He himself was nothing to Seo Eunsu.

Other than being a regular customer, there was no real connection between them.

That’s why he couldn’t accept how easily Seong Chanyeong let go.

Because it felt like proof that Seo Eunsu would never look his way either.

That was what unsettled him the most.

He wanted this anxiety gone.

Otherwise, he felt like he might lose his mind.

‘Where is he?’

The moment he stepped into the hospital, his sharp gaze scanned every single person.

“W-What is this…?”

With his harsh expression and overwhelming Alpha pheromones, his presence alone made people uncomfortable.

The pets were especially frightened.

Even the receptionist and nurses began murmuring, until the veterinarian stepped in.

“Please take this outside. This is a place for treating animals.”

The vet approached with a hardened expression and asked Joo Taegang and his men to leave.

Their behavior was one thing—

But the fact they hadn’t even brought a pet carrier made it obvious they weren’t here as clients.

“We’re looking for someone. Once we find him, we’ll leave quietly.”

One of his subordinates lightly pushed the veterinarian aside and began scanning the place like a hunting dog.

Joo Taegang did the same.

The pressure alone left the vet at a loss.

“Where is Seong Chanyeong?”

“Ah, young master! Over there—that’s him!”

Before the vet could respond, a subordinate spotted Seong Chanyeong outside, just about to get into a truck.

Holding a white dog in his arms—

Smiling brightly.

The sight left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Go after him!”

“Y-Yes, young master!”

Though he gave the order, Joo Taegang himself rushed out even faster than his men.

“Seong Chanyeong! Stop right there!”

But the truck carrying him was already far ahead.

Without thinking, he began running after it.

“Seong Chanyeong! I said stop!”

A well-dressed Alpha in a suit sprinting after a truck—

Passersby stared in shock.

Some even started recording, wondering if it was a movie shoot.

“Huff—young master! I have the car keys! Please stop running and come back!”

The subordinate, who had lagged behind, waved the keys frantically.

“Dammit.”

Even after hearing him, Joo Taegang kept running for a while before finally stopping, kicking the ground in frustration.

Then he turned back toward the hospital.

Grabbing the veterinarian by the collar, he demanded—

“W-What are you doing?!”

“You know, don’t you? That I’m looking for the man who just left with that white dog. If you do, tell me where he lives. Now.”

“I cannot disclose a client’s personal information.”

The vet stood firm.

So Joo Taegang pulled out a neatly folded wanted notice of Seong Chanyeong and held it in front of him.

“…What is this? A wanted notice?”

“As you can see, I have business with him. He disappeared without a word one day.”

“So I need to find him.”

“His family is looking for him too. We need to hurry.”

Though he and the Seong family were acting separately, he subtly implied they were searching as well.

“…Are his family really that worried?”

The kind-hearted vet wavered at the mention of family.

Even despite Joo Taegang’s rude tone.

“Yes. I’m the one tasked with bringing him back. So tell me quickly, so he can return to them.”

If he’s a terminal patient, you know this is urgent.

“…Alright. I’ll tell you.”

That last line sealed it.

Seeing Joo Taegang’s urgency, as if Seong Chanyeong might die at any moment, the vet’s face turned pale as he handed over the address.

He even added that he hoped the family would find him safely.

‘Idiot.’

Joo Taegang sneered inwardly and handed over a reward.

“Thank you. Consider this compensation. And I’d appreciate it if this stayed confidential.”

A check for fifty million won was pressed into the vet’s hand.

The man tried to refuse, shocked—

But Joo Taegang had already left with his subordinates.

‘That should keep him quiet.’

As he started the car, he replayed the image of Seong Chanyeong slipping away right before his eyes.

His fists clenched.

‘To lose him like that?’

His eyes burned with frustration.

He had been so close.

And yet—

‘Just wait, Seong Chanyeong.’

‘I’ll find you. And when I do, you’re going to tell me exactly why you left like this.’

Only then…

Would this tangled mess inside him finally settle.