By evening, the academy felt different.
Daniel noticed it the moment he stepped into the hallway.
Conversations stopped a little too abruptly. Eyes lingered a second longer than usual. Alphas glanced his way with curiosity thinly disguised as indifference, while omegas lowered their voices when he passed.
Whispers.
He hated whispers.
He adjusted his jacket and kept walking, posture straight, expression calm. If anyone expected him to crack, they'd be disappointed.
Mika caught up to him near the stairwell.
"Okay," she said quietly, "don't panic."
Daniel frowned. "Why would I panic?"
She gave him a look. "Because people are talking."
His jaw tightened. "About what?"
Mika hesitated. "About your match with Leo."
Of course.
"What exactly are they saying?" Daniel asked.
"That you hesitated," she replied carefully. "That Leo hesitated too. That something smelled… off."
Daniel stopped walking.
Mika touched his arm gently. "No one's accusing you of anything. Not yet. But this place? It feeds on speculation."
"I didn't slip," Daniel said, more to himself than to her.
Mika studied him. "You didn't break. But you strained."
That hurt more than he expected.
"I've had worse days," Daniel muttered, turning away.
She didn't follow him this time.
Dinner was louder than usual.
Daniel sat with Ryo and Mika, barely tasting his food. Across the hall, Leo was surrounded by other alphas, laughing easily, acting like nothing had happened.
Good.
That was good.
Except Daniel couldn't stop watching.
Every time someone leaned close to Leo, something sharp twisted in his chest. It made no sense. Leo wasn't his. Leo didn't belong to anyone.
Still.
"You're doing it again," Ryo said under his breath.
Daniel blinked. "Doing what?"
"Staring," Ryo replied calmly. "If you keep that up, people will think you're the one with the problem."
Daniel forced his gaze back to his plate. "I don't have a problem."
Ryo hummed. "Sure."
They ate in silence after that.
It happened later, during evening drills.
The class was split into groups, endurance training this time. The air was heavy with sweat and pheromones—controlled, but still present.
Daniel pushed himself harder than usual.
Faster laps. Longer holds. Less rest.
He needed the distraction.
But fatigue was dangerous.
His suppressor buzzed faintly as he finished his final set, a dull ache spreading through his chest. He leaned forward, hands on his knees, breathing carefully.
That was when he felt it.
A presence.
"You're overdoing it."
Daniel straightened slowly.
The voice wasn't Leo's.
It was Instructor Hale.
An alpha. Older. Sharp-eyed.
Daniel swallowed. "I'm fine, sir."
Hale studied him in silence for a moment too long. Then he nodded. "Hydrate. Dismissed."
Daniel walked away, heart pounding.
He didn't miss the way Hale's gaze followed him.
Later that night, Daniel stood alone by the open window in his dorm room, cool air brushing his skin. The academy lights glowed softly outside, peaceful and deceptive.
He pressed his fingers against the small device hidden beneath his shirt.
Still intact.
Still working.
But barely.
Footsteps approached.
Daniel tensed. "I said I needed space."
"I know," Leo replied from the doorway. "I won't come in."
Daniel didn't turn around. "Then why are you here?"
"Because people are watching you," Leo said quietly. "And now they're watching me too."
That made Daniel turn.
Leo leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, expression serious. "Instructor Hale asked me about our match."
Daniel's stomach dropped. "What did you say?"
"That you're disciplined," Leo replied. "That you don't make mistakes."
Daniel laughed bitterly. "That's a lie."
Leo met his eyes. "It's the one they believe."
Silence stretched between them.
"You shouldn't defend me," Daniel said finally. "It draws attention."
Leo stepped back slightly. "I didn't defend you."
Daniel frowned.
"I redirected them," Leo corrected. "There's a difference."
Daniel studied him. "Why?"
Leo's jaw tightened. "Because whatever you're hiding… it's not hurting anyone."
Daniel looked away.
Leo sighed. "You're walking a thin line."
"I know," Daniel whispered.
"And if you fall?" Leo asked.
Daniel's voice shook. "Then everything I built disappears."
Leo hesitated, then said softly, "You don't have to do this alone."
Daniel closed his eyes.
That was the problem.
He wanted to.
When Leo finally left, Daniel sank onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Rumors were spreading.
Eyes were watching.
And his secret—his carefully crafted lie—was starting to crack.
He touched the suppressor again, heart racing.
One slip.
That was all it would take.
And somehow… the thought of Leo being there when it happened scared him more than anyone else finding out.