Chapter 1

    You know you should keep your mouth shut, right?

    Everyone had to have heard the rumors.

    The entertainment industry, or the world of illusion, might seem glamorous to outsiders.

    But few truly understood...

    Just how rotten it really was.

    Whether it was the fake smiles plastered on lips, the sweet words laced with poison that pierce the heart, or even the exchange of promises that could elevate one's status.

    So... could we spot the fakes?

    Absolutely...

    Someone like Ramil McCullen could see through all the poison-coated pretenders.

    .

    .

    .

    Inside a studio in the heart of the city

    "Good, good. Lift your chin a bit more. Beautiful."

    The photographer's voice echoed intermittently with the sound of the shutter. Every eye, whether from the lighting team, makeup artists, or wardrobe staff, was fixed on the scene as if under a spell.

    Even though the backdrop was just a clean white background adorned with a gray carpet and matching vase, the heat of the moment ignited as four models came together in the frame, clad in oversized fur jackets and jeans of various colors.

    Kelvin, the alpha, donned a sleek black fur with white accents on the collar, paired with dark jeans. His striking pink hair was styled to reveal a handsome face that blended the best of Western and Asian features. His intense gray eyes were captivating, while his defined lips and prominent nose made this pink-haired alpha the center of attention effortlessly.

    Next to him was Singha, the alpha wearing brown fur and black jeans. His fierce face complemented his jet-black hair, marked with a scar that added a rugged allure. His mesmerizing emerald green eyes and beautiful tan skin made it clear that this young alpha was undoubtedly a top-tier figure in the industry.

    A little further along, you might not guess he was a beta. Kawin, the owner of gray fur paired with white jeans, despite being a beta, exuded a charm that rivaled those before him. At a glance, his sharp features and fierce amber eyes, along with his muscular build that matched the height of the alphas, made it difficult to distinguish Kawin as merely a beta.

    And the last one...

    Truly the queen of the era.

    Dressed in a pristine white fur coat and jet-black jeans was Ramil, the sole omega of the group. As an omega, one might expect a sweet and delicate face, but instead, his features hinted at a hidden handsomeness.

    His height, which should align with typical omega standards, reached an impressive 184 centimeters, nearly matching the other three before him. The slender physique typical of a classic omega was replaced by a top-tier queen of the industry, boasting well-toned muscles. His golden blonde hair paired with striking turquoise eyes made him irresistibly sexy, impossible to look away from.

    And then there was his signature soft vanilla scent. Everything about Ramil McCullen seemed crafted by the divine, it would not be wrong to say that he was God's favorite. Despite being the only omega in a lineage of pure-blooded alpha, he received an abundance of love and care, truly living up to the term favorite child.

    "Ramil, place your left hand on Singha's leg and turn your face closer to Kelvin. Kawin, move closer to Ramil's leg. Yes... just like that."

    Snap!

    As soon as the shutter clicked, the four models froze in place, allowing the industry's leading photographer to capture the shot. They then seamlessly transitioned into different poses with professional ease, ensuring no time was wasted. The group shot before them was so sizzling that it made the women on set blush.

    At this moment, two alpha males and one beta were flanking the lone omega in the middle. The closeness and the poses they were briefed on could easily make many hearts flutter and even spark envy towards the young omega in front of them.

    Even if they were envious, it was undeniable that Ramil's beautiful blue eyes were so captivating they could take your breath away. It was as if this man had the power to draw all eyes to him alone. One had to admit that the sole omega of the McCullen family truly embodied the term queen in today's era.

    Thanks to the professionalism of the top-tier models, the shoot proceeded smoothly without any hitches. Once the shoot wrapped up, everyone went their separate ways to attend to their own affairs before heading home.

    Well... it was just the norm in the world of showbiz.

    Gossip could arise at any moment, no matter the situation.

    “They’ve be saying that Ramil’s actually has latent omega genes. Do you think it’s true?”

    The young beta woman, who was new to the costume team, spoke to her colleague while arranging clothes, her curiosity piqued. Latent omega genes were extremely rare, with only one in a hundred thousand omegas fitting that category. It was no wonder that the owner of those golden blonde locks fit the profile of such a rare individual in every aspect, making it hard not to wonder.

    Whether it was the height, almost comparable to an alpha, or the enticing vanilla scent that was so faint compared to a regular omega unless you got close. Sometimes she could catch Ramil's scent from afar, as if he could control it at will... Another clear feature was the physique that should have been delicate but instead was well-toned, not overly muscular or too slender.

    Naturally, these traits made Ramil stand out more than anyone else.

    "Probably true..." another young beta replied, moving closer to her colleague to whisper something.

    "But calling him a latent omega gene sounds too formal. Some people call him the Black Sheep, you know."

    "Black Sheep? How so?"

    "Well, the whole family is alpha except for him, so how could he not be the black sheep or the odd one out? I heard he's been spoiled since childhood, and that's why he turned out this way. Whether he truly earned the title of queen through his abilities is uncertain. With a family that wealthy, he probably used money to climb the ranks."

    "But he looks beautiful enough to fit the title, doesn't he..."

    "You! Don't be fooled by his looks! In reality, he's not like that at all. He presents himself as elegant, befitting a queen, but there's plenty of gossip that he doesn't care about secondary genders."

    "Wh... what?"

    "Yes, you heard right. As long as someone can satisfy him, he'll sleep with them. He's been with many omegas, you know."

    "Huh!? Really? I thought someone as beautiful as him would be... an omega like... an omega."

    "Nope, he's quite the flirt. But now, I hear he's involved with Jenrob, the alpha photographer who's shooting for the Four Fur gang today. Who knows what kind of secret deal they made to get the job."

    "Damn... that's news to me."

    "Oh, there's so much more insider info about Ramil! Each story more juicy than the last. It's exhausting, really, trying to keep up without missing a beat, even losing my sleep. And that's not even including..."

    The two beta women chose to continue gossiping, spreading various stories that were a mix of truth and exaggerated tales. Of course, the scandalous tales of the industry's queen were so entertaining that they did not even realize...

    The sole omega of the McCullen family was standing behind them, listening.

    Yes... outside the costume room stood Ramil McCullen, dressed in a pristine white fur coat befitting the title of industry queen, arms crossed as he listened to the stories about himself. A smile curved on his lips, as if he was amused by the narrative unfolding before him. It seemed the vanilla-scented omega was unfazed by the scandalous gossip about him.

    Well... from their conversation, Ramil could not deny that there was truth in many parts.

    Whether it was about the latent omega gene, his indifference to secondary genders, or even the rumor about him being involved with Jenrob, they were not entirely wrong. The only real mistake was the claim that he used money to climb the ranks in the industry, when in fact, it was his talent that brought him to this point.

    But no matter how much he explained, these people would not believe him... would they?

    Ramil was not about to waste his time preaching to those who thrived on gossip. Even if he shouted the truth until he was blue in the face, they would still believe whatever they wanted.

    Better to spend his time pampering himself at the spa or getting a facial as a reward for his hard work.

    This thought made the vanilla-scented omega chuckle softly to himself as he decided to walk past them, pretending he had not heard a thing. His destination was the dressing room to change clothes before returning the outfit and preparing to leave.

    However,

    Creak.

    The room meant for him should have been empty.

    "Hey there, gorgeous."

    Instead, it revealed an alpha lounging on the sofa, legs draped over the armrest.

    And the alpha before him was none other than Jenrob, the country's leading photographer whom Ramil was currently seeing.

    Even though he knew Jenrob's reputation was as notorious as his own, and that their scandal would be sensationalized by the press...

    Ramil did not care.

    "Hey there, handsome."

    The queen of the industry chose to greet the other with a smile. He walked over to sit next to Jenrob, deliberately intensifying his vanilla scent and casting a more seductive glance. He was quite taken with the alpha in front of him, whether it was the half-sleeve tattoo, the undercut hairstyle, or the alluring citrus scent.

    So... why not tease the person in front of him a little, right?

    "Sneaking over to see Mil like this, the assistants might get suspicious."

    "They're busy packing up the set. No one's paying attention to us."

    The young alpha flashed a smile before trying to lean in for a kiss, unable to resist the temptation.

    Rustle.

    But he was met with Ramil's hand on his chest. If it were an ordinary omega, they would not have been able to resist an alpha's strength.

    But for the sole omega of the McCullen family... this was a piece of cake.

    "You're so mean, Mil. We've been talking for a month now, and you won't even let me have a little kiss?" The deep voice sounded a bit dejected, almost pitiful, while Ramil just returned a sweet smile.

    "Hey... take it easy, darling. These things take time, you know?"

    “But...”

    "Didn't you say you'd stick to our agreement? We agreed to talk for three months first, remember? If we get along... after that, you can do whatever you want with me."

    Hmm... this was another fact about him that no one knew.

    Even though he did not care about secondary genders, whether it was an omega or a beta, those people adhered to the agreements they made together, ensuring everyone's satisfaction. A one-night stand was just a one-night stand, and if they went public, it had to be under the conditions they set.

    But with this alpha...

    "But I can't take it anymore. Just one kiss, please... please." The leading photographer in the industry was not giving up. He pursued his desire by gripping Ramil's wrist tightly and leaning in once more.

    "Jenrob."

    Twitch.

    He froze immediately when the voice of the person known as the queen sounded more stern and serious than ever, making Jenrob feel an immense pressure for a split second.

    "When I say no, I mean no... hmm?"

    Suddenly, the pressure vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving only a charming smile as if nothing had happened.

    Just now... maybe he was imagining things?

    "I don't care. Somehow, I'm getting a kiss from you today."

    "Mr. Jenrob, if you keep acting like this, don't say I didn't warn you."

    Finally, the young omega's patience began to waver. Gone was the sweet voice that treated him like a lover, replaced by a calm expression and fierce eyes that signaled he meant business.

    But then again... who cared?

    "Playing the tough role, are we, beautiful? Haha, come on, Ramil, indulge me a little. You know I'm the top in the country right now. Do you know that if you agree to this..."

    The young alpha traced his fingertip along Ramil's thigh, giving him a meaningful look.

    "I could get your name on the cover of a world-class magazine. Or if you want to walk any runway, any brand, I can arrange it all for you."

    He ended with an inviting smile that left the listener wide-eyed in shock. The queen of the industry lightly touched his chest, a mix of excitement and surprise, which only emboldened the observer with each passing second.

    "Wow... really, darling? You can do all that?"

    "Of course, just pulling a few strings, and they'll put your name down for me. Those old guys are easy to sway. Don't you know how much power your darling has, hmm?"

    "That's impressive... but can I really trust you, Jenrob?"

    "Absolutely... I'll stake my reputation on it. So today... let me have you, darling. I can't wait any longer."

    "You're so sweet... thank you."

    "Then..."

    "Then eat my foot first."

    Crash!!!

    "Argh!!!"

    Jenrob's scream echoed as he was kicked off the couch, landing face down on the floor. Ramil followed swiftly, pinning him down with a knee and locking both arms behind his back, rendering him immobile. The more Jenrob struggled, the more pressure Ramil applied, forcing another cry out.

    "Ouch!! I'm... I'm hurt!!"

    "Well, it's supposed to hurt, so you'll remember! You must be used to this kind of thing, huh? Oh, darling... don't think that using fame as bait will make everyone agree to your terms."

    "Argh!!!"

    "Remember this... someone like Ramil McCullen has enough talent to reach the top on their own without needing to use their ass as a shortcut for a pathetic alpha like you. How many times have you this? How many victims have had to swallow their pride?"

    Ramil smirked, pulling a small recording device from the pocket of the man beneath him.

    "Trying to blackmail me, darling. You're a hundred years too early for that."

    "!!!"

    Jenrob's mouth hung open, his face a picture of panic. He never expected an omega with a scandalous reputation like Ramil to catch on to his schemes so thoroughly. He certainly did not expect Ramil to lean down and lightly slap his cheek, saying,

    "But thanks... because this has become excellent evidence for me. Just imagine, darling... what would the reporters say if this audio clip got out?"

    "A twisted omega like you wouldn't dare! Ouch!"

    Such scornful words should pierce the heart, leaving the listener feeling like they were dying inside, right?

    But...

    "Hahaha."

    "!!!"

    "But a normal alpha like you still wants to screw a twisted omega like me, don't you?"

    The so-called twisted omega laughed heartily, responding with a voice full of mockery. Of course, those unkind words prompted Ramil to use all his strength to lock the other's neck until his face turned crimson.

    "Ugh! You..."

    "If you don't want to ruin your future... you know you should keep your mouth shut."

    The omega's hand squeezed the alpha's cheeks with seriousness, emphasizing that there was no joking involved. If Jenrob had a mirror in front of him, he would see how fiercely those beautiful blue eyes glared.

    "I'm in a good mood today... so I'll let it slide for a mangy dog that only knows how to bark."

    "Y... You... Ugh!!"

    Before the other could respond, Ramil knocked out the honorary photographer with a swift hand, then stood up to his full height. He tucked the small recording device back into his pocket and sighed, ending with a weary glance at the alpha at his feet.

    Fwoosh

    Then he stepped over Jenrob's body on the floor, leaving behind words the other would not wake up to hear.

    "I thought you were a decent alpha... turns out you're all just the same kind of monster."