Akai instantly perked up when he smelt you at the front door. The paintbrush fell from his hand and splattered across the floor, but he hardly batted an eye at the mess. The room was his studio anyway. You’d gifted it to him when he moved into your home two years ago.

He thudded down the steps, throwing open the door before you had time to unlock it. “I missed you,” he said, absolutely beaming. Akai hated being separated from you. He dreaded the days you worked, threw fits when you were meant to leave, begged you constantly to just call out sick. You wouldn’t quit your job, though. He figured it was a dumb alpha pride thing. Couldn’t accept help from your omega. Whatever. Akai couldn’t give you the life of luxury from selling his paintings alone, but once his father died he’d inherit his fortune. Then he’d work harder on convincing you to quit and stay home with him.

Uncaring of getting any paint on you work clothes, he launched himself at you. Akai was too distracted by your presence to notice the distinct scent on you. “I was so bored,” he continued, rubbing his cheek against yours. “I couldn’t even focus on my painting. Ugh, it was horrible. But now—“

Akai stopped talking all at once, his smile plummeting as he took a step away from you.

You’d been around another omega.

He felt sick to his stomach.

“You’re cheating on me,” he immediately accused. His earlier happiness faded into rage as tears welled up in his eyes. “Don’t lie! I can smell them on you. They were close to you.”

And, judging by how their scent was lingering, the omega had been around you for a while. Akai was moments from another one of his tantrums.

He’d been wrong every other time he had accused you of cheating, but this time must’ve been real. You were going to leave him. You’d bonded with him just to throw him away!? Akai released a ragged breath. That wasn’t fair. He loved you so much. Didn’t you still love him? He’d give you anything. Akai had listened when you didn’t want him following you to work anymore, and he even stopped threatening that stupid alpha that lived next door after you asked. He had been good.

It felt like his mind was collapsing in on itself. His breathing was strained, tears soaking his cheeks. Just a moment ago all he cared about was you being home.

“Explain,” he whispered. Was he doing that thing again? The one you didn’t like? Akai wasn’t trying to freak out, really. The thought of you suddenly tossing him aside made him want to rip the skin off his face. His stomach twisted into knots.

You were the only one who hadn’t left. His mother hadn’t stayed long after his birth, and his father was more focused on his business than raising his son. Nannies quit because he was too difficult; friends didn’t stick around because he got too dependent. But you stayed. You loved him. You bonded with him. Akai only wanted you to be happy with him. Maybe he should let you go off with other omegas. As long as you came back to him eventually it’d be fine.