Dr. Drew Carver.
A pheromone endocrinology specialist and world-renowned authority, he was Lorenz’s pheromone physician. He had previously been Damon Lockhart’s physician as well.
Dr. Drew Carver’s mother and his grandfather had both made their names as authorities in pheromone endocrinology, particularly in the field of pheromone-related rare diseases, and had maintained a close, secret relationship with the Lockhart family for many years.
A disease without even a name.
PDD, a genetic illness unique to the Lockhart family with no treatment protocol or official academic reports, was being managed secretly only through the Carver family.
The doctor, who had meticulously recorded Lorenz’s condition on his chart, continued his questions in his characteristically dry tone.
“Have there been any sudden changes in your environment recently?”
“I moved my residence to Father’s mansion, but that was already over a month ago.”
“Have you started any new activities?”
“What could be new? My daily life is all work, as always.”
“It doesn’t matter how trivial it might be.”
Lorenz traced back through his life. Only one thing came to mind as having changed.
“A counselor has taken up residence at the mansion due to issues with the child Father adopted.”
“Are you referring to the Lucas matter?”
“That’s right.”
“So you’ve been stressed because of this counselor…”
“That’s not it.”
Before the doctor could finish, Lorenz firmly denied it.
He sat up completely and straightened his disheveled shirt.
“As you already know, my condition has actually been quite good recently.”
The doctor nodded.
Lorenz recorded his physical condition in a dedicated encrypted app and shared it with Dr. Carver. This was so the doctor could track his progress without him having to visit the hospital frequently. Pheromone response levels checked through a portable scanner were automatically registered in the app.
Not long ago, when Dr. Carver had called Lorenz while he was having a conversation with Elian in the study, it was because he had checked the app records. The suddenly improved readings without any particular reason had surprised Dr. Carver.
“Are you saying that it suddenly deteriorated this much?”
At the doctor’s question, Lorenz nodded.
The doctor was busily scribbling something on the chart, but there would be no new advice he could offer. Lorenz knew this all too well.
“As you know, with PDD, you must block external stimuli as much as possible. The best way to suppress symptoms is to maintain a life that’s as regular and unchanging as possible.”
The same old refrain, as always.
Even visiting the hospital only meant receiving stronger painkillers; there was nothing particular the physician could do. There wasn’t even a fundamental cure. No, it was as good as nonexistent.
Pheromone Defense Deficiency.
Also known as PDD.
Literally, an endocrine disorder that provided no defense whatsoever against others’ pheromones.
Even when taking suppressants, Alphas and Omegas naturally emit pheromones at levels between 20-30. Because it’s such a minimal amount, it’s not a concentration that would cause sexual stimulation to each other.
However, PDD patients detect even those minimal pheromones sensitively. Not sexually. The pheromones of the opposite sex are a foul stench and pain to them. Headaches, dizziness, nausea—in severe cases, they could even lose consciousness.
Ordinary Alphas perceive Omega pheromones as an alluring scent that stimulates their sexual desire. When exposed to strong pheromones, especially those of an Omega in heat, they reach a rut.
However, to PDD patients, Omega pheromones are nothing but an unbearable stench, a virus that sickens the body.
Since Lorenz was also a Golden Alpha, he could control his pheromone emission in everyday situations. However, when exposed to strong Omega pheromones, even that defense system failed to function properly.
A half-baked Alpha.
An Alpha with no reason to be an Alpha.
After checking the remaining suppressants in the pack, the doctor removed the needle from Lorenz’s arm himself without calling a nurse. Lorenz roughly wiped the spot where the needle had been with gauze before tossing it into the trash bin under the bed. He got down from the bed while buttoning his shirt.
The doctor looked at him with concerned eyes.
“How about resting a bit more?”
“Even lying here doesn’t feel like rest. I want to go home.”
The moment he uttered the word “home,” Elian Bellotti’s face came to mind. And immediately following was the disappointment that he wouldn’t be there even if he went home.
It was a thought that crossed his mind instantaneously and quite naturally, so he didn’t even question why he felt such emotions.
After tidying his appearance and finding his jacket to put on, Lorenz asked in a voice devoid of any expectation.
“Is there any updated news?”
The doctor hesitated with a troubled expression before opening his mouth.
“At present, the only hope is to find a partner whose pheromones can stabilize you.”
Lorenz scoffed cynically.
“The legendary flower, you mean.”
Having tidied even his hair in front of the mirror hanging on the wall, Lorenz turned around to face the doctor.
“Does such a thing really exist?”
“Lord Lorenz, PDD is an extremely rare disease that has never been found outside the Lockhart family.”
“……”
“If an extremely rare poison exists, I believe an equally rare antidote that neutralizes that poison could also exist.”
Considering the doctor’s usually cold and objective attitude toward patients and diseases, it was a rather irrational explanation. Yet he faced his patient with a tone and expression that conveyed almost certainty beyond optimism.
Lorenz sneered bitterly.
“With a 0.01% probability.”
At those words from Lorenz, even the doctor lowered his gaze obliquely.
After exchanging a handshake with the doctor along with his thanks, Lorenz left the hospital room.
In the vehicle returning to the mansion on the Upper East Side, he thought about the ‘legendary flower.’
The pheromone said to be able to suppress PDD.
The legendary flower whose scent no one had ever smelled.
So even if they found that pheromone, they might pass it by unknowingly. To Lorenz, who worried about this, his father had once said:
‘You don’t need to worry about that. You’ll know the moment you smell it. That it’s completely different from other Omegas’ pheromones.’
He didn’t bother asking how Father could be so certain when he’d never encountered it either. It was nothing more than an antidote passed down like a legend in the Lockhart family.
Lorenz considered it a false hope they had created.
Yet he couldn’t stop searching for that pheromone.
Outside the car window, Central Park was gradually being submerged in the evening glow. The entire park looked as if it were engulfed in massive flames.
Lorenz contacted a private investigator.
On Lorenz’s orders, he was a professional searcher combing the entire world for the ‘legendary flower.’
As expected, there was no particular news this time either.
Over time, he had flown to Southeast Asia, South America, or Europe several times and returned with Omegas who had very unusual pheromones. But every time it was a wild goose chase. Lorenz, exposed to their pheromones, immediately complained of severe headaches along with vomiting.
Watching the flood of sunset spreading across all of Manhattan, Lorenz gripped the armrest.
“Find it by any means necessary. I don’t care how much it costs. If you find it, I’ll completely change your life.”
His red lips twisted as he emphasized once more.
“If it doesn’t exist in this world, dig through the afterlife if you must. Find the Cypress Mosaic.”
