Rui had no idea how long he could stand like this — in the open, so close to Kian, every nerve in his body singing.
The task timer had activated the moment he stepped into that two-meter radius. It now glowed faintly behind his eyes, silent and counting down.
60 seconds left.
Kian was still watching him — not like a predator, not exactly — but with quiet intensity. His presence was overwhelming, not because of his status or title, but because of the subtle pressure of his alpha pheromones. They weren't aggressive, but they were impossible to ignore. His scent was like cold spice and warm cedar, grounding and intoxicating all at once.
Rui's heart beat faster. He could feel it in his fingertips, in the way his knees trembled just slightly. This is what it means to be near your matched alpha.
His own scent — subtle milk and sugar — must be stronger today, despite the suppressant.
Am I leaking again? he panicked, then shook the thought off. There was no turning back. The system was ticking. His pride would have to wait.
Kian's voice cut into the silence, low and measured. "You don't like crowded places?"
Rui blinked. "I just… prefer quiet."
Kian nodded as if he understood perfectly. "So do I."
30 seconds.
Rui couldn't help but ask, "Why did you come to the school yourself? A CEO attending a school event... It's kind of unusual."
Kian smiled faintly. "There are things worth seeing in person."
Why does that feel like he means me? Rui thought.
His cheeks flushed despite himself.
10 seconds.
The silence stretched between them, comfortable in an uncomfortable way. Rui could feel the soft buzz under his skin — the bond energy responding, strengthening.
Then the system pinged softly in his mind:
✅ Task Complete.+60 Points.🎉 Bonus Achieved: +20 PointsTotal: 100 ptsBond Strength Increased: 4.2% → 6.8%
He exhaled. Finally.
But just as he turned slightly to say goodbye, Kian spoke again.
"What are you doing after school?"
Rui blinked, surprised. "Uh... nothing special. I have an appointment."
"With?"
"A doctor," Rui answered without thinking, then instantly regretted it.
Kian's expression shifted subtly. "Are you okay?"
"I—I'm fine." Rui's ears turned red. He looked away, fumbling for words. "It's just... a follow-up. Omega stuff. Nothing important—"
He cursed himself the moment the words came out. Shameless! Why would you say "Omega stuff" in front of a top alpha?!
The heat of embarrassment rushed through him. The way alphas and omegas were wired in society… some rules were still unspoken, especially for someone like Rui who had lived as a beta for years. Talking about heat with your fated match — especially a powerful alpha — wasn't just awkward. It was intimate.
He swallowed. "Sorry, I didn't mean—"
Kian interrupted gently. "You're seeing someone about your heat?"
Rui felt like the ground had cracked open under him. His whole body tensed. "Y-yes. It's... advancing early. I think. Because of... you."
It was the truth. No use hiding it now.
To his surprise, Kian didn't look startled or smug. He simply nodded, calm as ever. "I'll come with you."
Rui nearly choked. "What?"
"I'll wait outside if needed. I just want to be sure everything is handled properly."
"You don't have to—!"
"I want to," Kian said quietly. "You're young, and this... bond is new. You shouldn't go alone."
Rui wanted to say no. He wanted to claim independence, protect his fragile pride. But a deeper part of him — the part that still trembled when alone at night, the part that had spent years pretending to be something he wasn't — felt seen. Protected.
And safe.
So he looked down, voice barely above a whisper. "…Okay."
Kian said nothing more. But when he turned to leave, Rui felt something strange curl in his chest — something warm, something dangerous.
Later that day, after classes ended, Rui walked to the clinic just off-campus. He expected Kian to have forgotten or been called away by some urgent business.
But there he was — leaning against a sleek black car, sleeves rolled up, phone in one hand.
He looked up as Rui approached.
No teasing. No questions. Just a nod.
"Ready?"
Rui nodded, too nervous to speak.
They walked side by side in silence to the entrance. The clinic was private, small, designed specifically for secondary gender management. Rui could already smell the soothing, neutral scent blockers at the door.
"I'll wait here," Kian said.
Rui hesitated, then offered something he never thought he would:
"…Thank you."
Their eyes met again.
Kian smiled. Just a little.
"Take your time, Rui."
And as Rui stepped inside, heart thundering, he realized something he hadn't before.
The system wasn't just giving him a future.
It was giving him a bond — and maybe even, just maybe…
A beginning.