Zayden pushed back his chair abruptly. The clink of cutlery paused as he stood.
"I need some air," he muttered.
Rayce only gave a nonchalant nod, still chewing his steak.
But Elena stood quickly, forcing a smile. "I'll come too."
She followed him outside, her heels clicking fast behind him. As they reached the corridor, she grabbed his arm, blocking his way.
"Zayden! What are you doing?" she hissed, panic lacing her voice. "You promised me… you said—"
She froze.
His expression — dark, stormy, dangerous — was something she had never seen before.
"Get. Out. Of. My. Way."
Zayden's voice was sharp like ice. Without hesitation, he shoved her aside, not harshly, but enough to make her stumble.
Elena stood trembling, overwhelmed by the oppressive strength of his alpha pheromones. She could hardly breathe.
But he didn't turn back.
Zayden stormed into the night and returned straight to his apartment. His body was tense. His mind — chaos.
Stripping off his shirt, he stepped into the shower, letting the cold water hit him like clarity. But there was no peace in the steam.
He stared at his reflection in the foggy mirror, his hands gripping the sink edge tightly.
"My face. My body. My background. My scent(though he doesn't know)…" he muttered.
"I'm better than that guy in every way…"
Then why?
Why Kael?
Why did Kael smile like that with him? Why did that post feel like a knife in my gut?
With a growl, he slammed his fist into the wall. Tiles cracked.
---
The next morning, Kael woke up like any other day — no tears, no weight on his chest, just quiet strength.
When he reached university and opened the classroom door, confetti burst into the air.
"Surprise!!"
Kael blinked.
His classmates surrounded him, clapping and cheering. A small banner read:
"Congrats Kael! Rising Star of Design!"
"Dude! You really got praised by Lucian last night?"
"He called your work 'a new voice in design.' That's crazy!"
"You're totally famous now!"
Kael gave a small, graceful smile. Calm, polite — effortlessly charming.
He responded with quiet confidence. "Thanks. But there's still a long way to go."
A few alphas in class blushed at the smile he gave. None of them knew Kael was an omega — and yet they found themselves drawn to his calm command and delicate beauty.
---
After class, Adrian was waiting near the hallway with two canned coffees.
He tossed one to Kael. "Your fans have grown tenfold since last night."
Kael chuckled. "Guess I should start charging autographs."
They walked side by side under the warm sky, chatting like always.
Adrian glanced sideways and smiled. "You look different, Kael. Better. Like you're free."
Kael's lips curved into something genuine — not forced, not polite — real.
"I know," he said. "I finally feel like I'm living for myself."
Adrian took a sip of coffee and watched Kael, curious.
But he said nothing.
Somehow, the air between them was more comfortable than ever.