𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐄

The air in the interrogation room was deceptively still, almost sterile. The only sound was the steady tick of the wall clock and the soft rustle of a file as Detective Lee Minho flipped through the folder in front of him.

He didn't look like he was trying. That was what made it worse.

Across the table sat Julian Park, equally composed—well-dressed in a black button-up and ironed slacks, confidence carved into every inch of his posture. He was a fellow alpha, and he made no effort to hide it. His eyes held a quiet challenge, sharp and expectant.

Seated beside him was his lawyer, Ms.Yoon, an omega with a calm, clinical demeanor. Her eyes tracked Minho closely, like she was waiting for him to slip. He wouldn't.

In the observation room, Seo Changbin stood with his large arms crossed, watching his partner work. Changbin was used to Minho's methods—never loud, never rushed. And always, always deadly precise. He didn't need dominance displays or raised voices. Just a few minutes.

And Minho always gave his suspects time.Enough to get comfortable.Enough to make them believe they had a chance.

Minho didn't speak right away. He flipped another page. Scribbled a note. Casually leaned back in his chair with one ankle crossed over the other. His calm wasn't forced—it was bred into him, like instinct. Apex predator energy wrapped in casual silence.

Finally, he looked up. "So. You left the gallery at ten sharp." Julian nodded once. "Locked up after the fundraiser. Front door, as seen on camera." "Right." Minho gave a faint nod. "Then drove home. No stops.""No stops," Julian repeated, his tone even. Confident. Polished.

Ms. Yoon gave the smallest incline of her head, encouraging him to stay the course.Minho hummed, like he was barely listening. He pulled out a printed photo—still black-and-white, timestamped—and slid it halfway across the table.

"You were parked behind The Liner Café at 10:19. About fifteen minutes after you said you left the gallery." Julian's expression didn't waver. "I don't remember stopping. Maybe I was hungry. I didn't think it mattered."

Minho raised a brow. "Did you go inside?""No.""Talk to anyone? Use the drive-thru?""No."

Minho nodded, flipping the photo back into the file without a word. Just quiet movements. Stillness."You know," he said after a beat, "that alley behind the café's camera has been busted for months. Lucky break." Julian says nothing, the detective gives an abrupt chuckle, shaking his head.

"The victim," Minho continued, "Jiwon Kim—she died in that alley. One blow. Precise. Clean. No signs of struggle." Ms. Yoon's voice broke the quiet for the first time. "Detective Lee, if you're making a formal accusation—"Minho didn't even look at her. "Not yet."

He tilted his head slightly, eyes fixed on Julian. "I just find it interesting that a man with a perfect memory for where he parked, what time he left, and how long a fundraiser ran... suddenly forgets an entire stop."

Julian shrugged. "Minor detail."Minho gave the smallest smile. It wasn't friendly.

"You know what most alphas get wrong in rooms like this?" he asked, eyes narrowing just enough to show he was done playing. "They think if they stay calm, control the room, and answer just enough questions that they're going to be safe. That keeping quiet is the power move."

Julian lifted his chin slightly. "Isn't it?"

"It is," Minho agreed. "Until you talk too well." Julian's eyes flickered—just for a second. The slip Minho had been waiting for. "You had the exact time you left. Said 'ten sharp.' Not 'about ten.' Not 'right after.' Specific. Which means you were watching the clock. A lot."

Julian exhaled slowly. Ms. Yoon shifted beside him, as if sensing the shift before Julian did. "Which tells me," Minho continued, voice still low and unshaken, "you were paying attention. Enough to know where you were. What time you moved. What time she'd be in that alley." No photos. No weapon. No blood. Just logic. Just pressure.

Julian's face stayed still, but Minho saw it—the hesitation. The mental click. The realization that he hadn't walked into a fair match. He'd walked straight into a trap.And Minho? He didn't gloat. He didn't smirk. He simply stood.

"You didn't lose because you slipped up," he said, collecting the folder. "You lost because you thought you wouldn't. Because you walked in here convinced that if you played well enough, we wouldn't be able to prove that you were the one who did it."

He paused at the door, turning only slightly.

"Next time you think you're the sharpest alpha in the room, make sure I'm not sitting across from you."

And just like that, he walked out, leaving silence behind him. Inside the observation room, Changbin let out a low whistle."Damnit, man." he muttered, lips curving into a grin. "That made me hot."

Minho roles his eyes, laughing off his shyness from the praise, but doesn't answer. He doesn't need to. Because the guilty never stand a chance. Not when it's Minho across the table.

It's not long before Minho has word back from Directer Bahng, ruffling his hair like he's some accomplished elementary school kid and not a grown man pushing 40. "Detective Minho, you did a great job in there. The guy is taking a deal in exchange for a confession. You cracked him.

Indeed he did. He always does.

Lee Minho, the one and only, and the best detectives at his precinct.

Status: Unmarried

Cases Solved: Well over 250

Years of experience: 12, 2 as a cop, 10 as a detective

Age: 35

Hobbies: Cooking, boxing, anime bingeing, browsing, dance

Occupation: Detective, obviously.

You'd think a man with a generous income and lifestyle would easily be able to get approved to own a nice, modern home. But no. All the houses within an hour of his work are old, built with the neighborhoods over the last couple of decades and anything but modern. And Minho already had creaking joints, he didn't want creaking floors as well.

Because of this, his hunt for a place to move begins again, 2 years after he settled for an old school home and decided the old beauty of it wasn't enough to keep him invested.

Though Minho would rather be a homeowner, mowing his own grass and not sharing walls with strangers; there are nothing but newly built complexes around his area. It's quite the predicament really, that's why today, he's scheduled to see a couple after work. If he could just manage to wrap up his meeting with his partner.

"Bin." Minho starts, exasperated. "He's a beta, not a glass bottle. Maybe stop being a coward and just do what he's asking you to." he tells his partner, dark chocolate scent tinting with annoyance.

Currently, Minho was stuck sorting case paperwork with his overly concerned partner at the precinct, Seo Changbin. 3 years younger than Minho, and though somehow he wishes Changbin's age would make him a little more mature, he's constantly taunted by the revelation that such a thing will not be happening.

Now for example, Changbin is complaining about his inability to sexually satisfy the pretty medical examiner who he's been seeing. Read: Minho's companion, Hwang Hyunjin, who he's named a masochistic freak due to his extreme kinks and dangerous love for sex play.

"Dude, it's not that simple! Have you seen him?? He's taller than me but his frame is so thin. I'm sure something would crack if I hugged him too hard."

"Jinnie is very built, quite frankly, he's not weak, Bin. You confuse him."

"How would you know that??"

"Because I knew him long before you, and we go to the gym together occasionally. You severely underestimate him, I'm quite annoyed in favor of him actually."

Changbin scoffs, rolling his eyes. "How do I know you're being for real and not trying to sabotage me?" the other raises a brow, suspicious.

Minho pauses from where he's flipping through a file, squinting at the other.

"Are you calling me a liar, Seo Changbin?"

"Well I ain't calling you a truther." he shoots back.

They stare at each other, Minho frozen where he's stopped mid page mid flip in their current case folder, blinking cat like.

"Your testing my patience." Minho continues, Changbin chuckles, upside down smile making an appearance at their banter. "Is that a threat or a promise?"

Minho smirks at that, never backing down from a game of gay chicken. "A promise." he says, blowing a kiss across the table at his partner. Changbin laughs, shaking his head as he picks up his coffee cup, sipping from it cooly.

"But seriously, Hyunnie is tough. Always has been. Don't tell him I said that. He majored in dance back in college but he also studies dead bodies for a living. And he loves his job, a disturbing amount. If I'd known you couldn't live up to his dream of getting slapped around on a nightly basis I wouldn't have introduced you. What are all those muscles for?"

"You know I'm not used to using them to hurt people outside of work! You knew I was soft when you met me!"

"Yeah, well things can change in the bedroom. I had faith in you bud."

"That's so rude, at least I'm trying to work something out in my dating life. What are you, married to your case work?"

Minho is all too aware of his lack of love life, or personal life. Still, he doesn't flinch at his partner's words. Deep down, he believes love will find him when it's ready. For now, he's committed to making other people's lives easier, so they may hate and love as they wish.

"Yup, and unlike you I'm not too scared to choke people out when they ask for it." Minho answers, flipping the case file closed and gathering his things from the table just as the alarm on his phone goes off.

"Saved by the bell, I can't wait to get away from you." Minho teases, doing a sassy little head shake towards Changbin as he stands.The other detective raises a brow at Minho, curious. Honestly, Minho can't blame him. It comes naturally in this line of work.

"Where are you in a hurry off to?"

Minho slips into his coat, placing his folders and items back into the case box on the table.

"Nosey little fucker aren't you?" he muses, raising his own brow back at the man. "I told you this earlier, I've got apartments to look at. Hopefully I find something, you're painfully aware my place is older than we are." Minho chuckles, Changbin huffing at the reminder.

On more than one occasion Minho's house has given out while his partner was there, whether they were having dinner with friends or going over case files, Minho's elderly home doesn't discriminate. Broken floorboards and power outages say that much. But that's what Minho gets for accepting a job at a station surrounded by miles and miles of old city.

The city has constantly tried to update the area by adding new shopping centers and apartment complexes, making sure it attracts new life with it's entertainment areas and places of employment. But the city's soul remains old, no matter the amount of today's jewelry folks slap onto it.

"Oh? What's that?" Changbin cuffs his ear, pretending to listen as he leans closer to Minho over the table. Minho gives him a deadpan look, watching it play out with a bored expression. "What?? You want your trusty and entertaining partner there with you to help you pick out a place? Ohhhh? And you'll make him dinner too because you love him and you don't want him to survive off of coffee? Oh Minho, my heart." the beta smiles, feigning appreciation as he holds his chest in his hands. "I'd love to come with you, how nice of you to think of me."

Changbin is already walking around the table, snatching up Minho's keys off the top as he approaches him. "You know, Bin, I really think I hear somebody calling your name. Might be Lieutenant Bahng, it sounds urgent."

"Let's go!" Changbin interrupts, hooking his arm on Minho and pulling him to the door, much to the mans dismay. Not really though, in reality, Minho's glad to have the company. Even if Changbin has made a habit out of inviting himself into Minho's life.

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ

The first apartment is an absolute nightmare. It's brand new, like all of the complex's on Minho's list, but somehow it's already got dead roaches in the shower and no washer machine and dryer hook up. Not to mention, he hates the way the bathroom is designed. The master baths tub is small, and right next to the toilet. Minho would die before he breathed in shit fumes while he bathed. So they move on to the next.

"Absolutely not." he says before he even fully walks into the apartment. The living area is nice and spacious, but the kitchen is far too cramped for the apartment to be so large and expensive. No way.

"Minho, you haven't even looked at the bedroom yet." Changbin tries to reason, giving the women showing them around an apologetic smile.

"I don't have to. I hate it already. The kitchen hasn't even got an island. Where am I supposed to roll out dough? On the COUNTER??" Minho sticks his neck out, eyes wide like he's in disbelief someone would even have the audacity to think such a thing.

He shakes his head, containing himself. "Absolutely not. With my appliances nearby?? That's ghetto Bin. I can't live here. Let's go." Minho states, not even removing his hands from his pockets as he turns on his heel and exits the front door.

Changbin apologises to the women, jogging to catch up to Minho. "You could be a little more open minded, man. You know apartments in this area are filling up like concert venues."

"I couldn't care less, I'm not gonna move out of my house I bought because I was accepting the bare minimum just to move again and do the same thing in the next place I go. The buildings nice, looks luxurious from outside, it reaches the clouds for gods sake, but if all the places inside are half decent and pitiful, that means this place is just money grabbing."

"Wait!" The woman showing Minho the apartment –Sia, Minho thinks her name was– says, running out after him in her clicking heels. "Mr.Lee, if you're looking for something more luxurious with spacious kitchens, we have the top floors that contain our loft homes!"

Minho gives her a curious look at that, his interest piqued. "Really? Why not just show me those in the first place?"

The woman laughs sheepishly, clicking one of four buttons at the top of the long list of flours.

"It's juust out of the budget you gave me. I figured you wouldn't be interested since it was above what you were willing to pay. Now, they are pretty luxurious. They are very nice. I think you'll like them. Perfect for upper and upper middle class, and plenty of space. But not so much that it's unsettling."

Changbin scoffs next to Minho, looking at the older man. "A penthouse is a penthouse. Minho here loves anything with nice floors and a pretty kitchen. Even if it isn't the very top floor."

Minho wants to pinch him, just because, but he's right. He gets a generous pay as a gifted detective, but he never much cared about anything other than cleanliness, and comfort.

When they enter the hallway, you can already tell the top of the building is made for people with more to spend. 1 because its high up, 2 because of the way the interior of the halls are laid out. Almost like a hotel, nice and neat, like Minho would prefer. He's fond of the area before they even get to fully inside, the women unlocking it and letting them in with the welcoming push of the door.

"This is fourth from the top so this is one of the cozier ones, but we can move onto something fancier if it's not to your liking." The woman says as Minho enters, Changbin trailing behind. The view in the living room is gorgeous, he'd certainly have to install some blinds, but it's manageable. To the left of the door benesth the upstairs, there's a kitchen, spacious and with an island and sink. The living room is perfect, and the master tub is absolutely huge as well. The bedroom is also a great size for his too big bed.

What really captivates Minho is how in every room except the bathroom, there's glass to floor windows that show off the brand new city no matter where you are in the apartment.

"This is a lucky pick actually, it's a corner suite so the majority of the walls are glass. You always have a view of the city if you want it. The windows are all smart glass too, so you never have to worry about getting too much sun."

And really, Minho finds it captivating. An assortment of the new buildings and areas of busy surrounding the one he's in, there for him to forever look over. It beats the view of the street from his old raggedy house any day.

But still, something just isn't quite selling the place to Minho. He walks out on the balcony, toeing out of the patio door.

"Oh, it has a terrace in the bedroom."

He says as he walks outside, only then noticing the living room door that also leads outside. "The door in the living room leads to it as well." Sia provides from inside. When he makes it past the threshold of the door, the cool wind of the shifting fall breeze hits him, and it's absolute bliss.

Minho doesn't hear what the woman says next, instead, his attention is snatched when he spots a man perched on the terrace next to his, legs peeking out of a long skirt he's wearing where he sits barefoot in a hanging egg chair. Minho would say the terraces of each apartment are too close together if it didn't give him the perfect view of the details in the pretty man's face.

The man's focus is in his lap where he writes with a purple pen in a journal sitting on top of his legs, an instrument moving at a speed that could rival pro athletes. His glasses are parched on his nose, which is scrunkled, twitching in focus.

'A writer, no doubt about it.' Minho thinks to himself. The stranger stops in his scribbling suddenly, looking up from his lap before they lock eyes. He looks so soft wrapped in his flowy skirt and baby blue sweater, with pillows around him and fuzzy socks on his feet, glasses hanging on his nose.

They only hold eye contact for a couple captivating seconds, but in those few moments, it's all Minho needs to notice the guarded tensity to his posture, and the anger filled grip on his pen. The dead sparkle of nothingness in his cautious eyes, like he's scanning Minho to see if he's a danger he's trying to avoid.

He isn't sure what conclusion he comes up with, because his posture doesn't change, neither does the careful lilt in his eyes.

Their moment is interrupted when the man flinches at the sound of a voice calling from inside his apartment. He breaks their trance, looking to the open door near him before hurriedly gathering up his things, glancing at Minho one more time before rushing inside and closing the door behind him.

The last thing Minho sees before he disappears is the whisping of his dark hair in the mid temp wind, and all Minho can think after he's gone is... wow.

He barely got a whiff of the man's scent, which is weird. Considering Minho's keen scent as an alpha detective, and the lack of other personnel in the area.

Minho assumes it's because of the constantly moving air they're in, so high up in the sky, but he swears he got a hint of cookie dough he does manage to catch is.. dead. In a soft manner. Like faded fabric or dried out tea leaves. It's alarming. How curious.

Minho could also smell exhaustion buzzing off of his body like oxygen, filling his faded scent. He wrinkles his nose at the ugly revelation, his usually calm and collected alpha suddenly fully awake and uncharacteristically disturbed. Changbin joins him on the balcony to look at the view, gaping at the sight of the city and sky.

"Man, if you don't take it I will." he laughs.

"So?" comes the womens voice as she follows them to the patio, smiling. "How do you like it?"

Minho looks from the women and back over to the now empty patio, one of many that surround his own, but the only one that's gotten his attention. Ignoring his unsettled alpha, and the weird feeling of danger twinging in his gut, he turns his gaze back to the women, forced smile forming on his face as he nods at her.

"Do you guys allow cats?" Minho asks.

"Yes sir." Sia answers, nodding.

Minho nods back at her, exhaling. "I'll take it."