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The members huddled around the recording room, discussing ideas for the lyrics and melody of their upcoming album’s title track. They were already behind schedule and couldn’t afford to waste any more time. But they were stuck on this track for longer than usual; caught in little disagreements about details and the direction of the song.
“I just don’t think it would sound nice if we were to add a guitar solo here. A softer melody and vocals would suit it best.” Jooyeon shook his head in disapproval to Jungsu’s input.
“But that’s not the vibe of the song, is it? I thought we agreed to go harder on this track.” Jooyeon’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, eyeing the others for confirmation. Jiseok sighed,
“I think we should just call it a night. Let’s reevaluate tomorrow morning because we’re obviously not getting anywhere.” Seungmin nodded to Jiseok’s point,
“I agree, we need to rest. We’ve been at this for almost 9 hours.” The older omega began packing up his things, but the beta protested.
“What- No! We barely have any time left to get our shit together and you guys just want to leave? I’m not going anywhere until we decide this fair and square.” Jooyeon crossed his arms, leaning back in defiance.
“Jooyeon...” Gunil groaned, the older alpha was also at his wit’s end having to listen to the back-and-forth bickering between Jungsu and Jooyeon all day. They couldn’t seem to come to a single agreement.
“What’s the point? You’re just going to disagree with what we have to say if it’s not exactly what you want. Stubborn bitch...” Jungsu cursed under his breath.
Hyeongjun silently observed from across the room, his eyes widening at the sudden vulgarity coming from the usually soft-spoken omega’s mouth.
“Alright, class dismissed. We’re done for the day!” Jiseok frantically tried to deescalate the situation, but Jooyeon’s eyes had already ferociously locked with Jungsu’s.
The scents in the room started to sour.
“What did you just call me?” The beta growled as he took a step forward, asserting dominance. His usual sourdough scent turned rancid.
But Jungsu wasn’t afraid.
“You heard me” The omega didn’t back down, now standing eye-level to Jooyeon. Seungmin softly placed a hand on Jungsu’s shoulder as he emitted a calming scent of jasmine in the air.
“Jungsu, apologize to Jooyeon.” The omega spoke sternly, but his words fell on deaf ears.
“Yeah, apologize- or I’ll show you who’s a stubborn bitch.” Jooyeon’s words dripped with malice as Jiseok stood with his mouth agape, witnessing the rising anger between the two men.
Hyeongjun nervously fidgeted in his seat but made no attempt to interject in the heated conversation, knowing they would immediately tell him to stay out of it. Hyeongjun contemplated;
Best case scenario; everyone leaves the studio in one piece.
Worst case scenario; Gunil get involved.
“I’m not afraid of your whiny ass, Jooyeon. You’re the reason why we’re having so much trouble with the album in the first place- why don't you apologize!” Jungsu retorted as his usual citrus scent took an acidic turn, signaling frustration.
“I don’t know how many times I have to say this, but you do not get the concept of the fucking song!” Jooyeon snapped back as he pettily shoved Jungsu's shoulder.
“Okay, so both of you apologize!” Seungmin interjected getting in the middle of the omega and beta before Jooyeon could land another shove.
“I got a better idea, Jooyeon eats shit!” Jungsu barked, menacingly baring his teeth at the blonde beta.
“I got an even better idea; we all go home!” Jiseok gingerly suggested but his words also fell on deaf ears as a full-on fight ensued in the middle of the recording room. Curses and measly swats being dealt left and right.
Hyeongjun began to visibly panic, looking over at their leader, only to see a blank expression on his face. Almost as if he was weighing options in his head.
Gunil was trying to decide if he should get involved or not.
The alpha snarled,
“Stop it. Now.”
The whole room came to a halt. It felt as if time had stopped.
Worst case scenario.
The once livid beta was as still as an inanimate object, pupils blown wide as he stared back at Jungsu who was also frozen in place. Seungmin let out a shaky breath as he forced his muscles to move, but the command of Gunil’s words had him stuck in place.
It wasn’t a common occurrence that Gunil used his Alpha voice, let alone even asserted his dominance over the others. The leader was well aware of his role and impact, especially when the band's majority consisted of non-Alphas. It was his job to protect and guide the others, and he made sure he never strayed from his responsibility. But exhaustion had gotten the best of him, all Gunil wanted to do was go home and resolve this situation when they were all level-headed.
Not like this.
It was funny. Hyeongjun had barely moved this entire time, yet his heart raced as if he ran a marathon. The only part of him that dared to move was his eyes, they scanned the room skittishly; even though Jiseok was an Alpha, his deep espresso scent was replaced by a putrid odor, Jungsu let out a low whine of distress, Jooyeon hadn’t blinked in what seemed like minutes, Seungmin tried his best to break from the effect.
And Gunil’s head hung low in shame. He never intended on doing this.
“I-I'm so sorry” The alpha’s voice cut through the room as if it was vacuum sealed shut, letting air rush back in once again.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Jooyeon pushed past the cramped bodies and out the door as it slammed shut with a bang. Jungsu stumbled as he fell to the floor, Seungmin kneeled to his side to help him up, but his legs shook as well.
“I’ll go check on Jooyeon.” Jiseok announced as he left to go after the beta.
The only time Hyeongjun had experienced an Alpha’s voice was when he was 11 years old. His father commanded him to come back to safety when he had strayed too far near the steep cliff by their neighborhood. It controls your whole body and takes over your senses, making you abandon everything but the Alpha’s command.
But this, this was truly jarring. One moment Jungsu and Jooyeon are caught in the middle of a heated fight at its climax, the next moment everyone's as still as a corpse. An Alpha’s voice wasn’t meant to be abused, sure it still happened, but it was common knowledge that Alphas are taught to only use their voice in times of grave danger. The likelihood was low due to advances in modern society.
But there were still exceptions.
“Guys, are you alright?” Gunil slowly inched forward as he emitted a strong scent of wet soil and sandalwood to soothe the omegas, but Jungsu flinched.
Gunil’s heart dropped.
“I think it’s best you keep your distance.” Seungmin asserted as he helped Jungsu off the ground.
“I-”
“We’re leaving.” Seungmin interrupted before Gunil could say another word as the two omegas left the small recording room, leaving Hyeongjun and Gunil alone.
The room was nearly empty, yet tension still swirled in the air.
“I know you didn’t mean any harm, but you need to give them time.” Hyeongjun reasoned but refused to look in the elder’s direction. The last omega grabbed his things and left as the door closed with a resounding shut.
The lonely leader broke down as he dropped to his knees, sobs racking his entire body.
Gunil could only breathe between tearful gasps, lungs constricting against his heavy heart.
The room filled with the smell of rotting wood.