The next morning, Rui stood in front of the tiny mirror above his sink, utterly frozen. His uniform still fit the same, but something about him felt irrevocably different. His skin looked unnaturally clear, his cheeks subtly flushed, his eyes bright and less tired, betraying the restless night. The faint, internal glow he'd seen last night still lingered beneath his skin—not magic, not fantasy, but the undeniable side effect of his newly activated omega bond energy.
He had taken the heat suppressant. His body wasn't on fire anymore, the terrifying, primal urges from yesterday suppressed. But a residual warmth still simmered beneath his skin, like the sun hidden behind heavy clouds. Quiet. Waiting. A constant, unsettling reminder of his changed biology.
The system had stayed mostly silent since he took the pill, only glowing softly when Rui had checked his profile:
Name: Rui Chen
Gender: MaleSecondary Gender: Omega (Dormant – Reactivated)
Age: 17
Bonded Alpha: Kian Elros – 100% Match
Bond Energy: 4.2%
Level: 0
Points: 120 pts
Store Access: Basic TierNext Unlock: Level 1 at 1000 pts
He hadn't slept well. Every time he closed his eyes, Kian's voice echoed in his head—deep, unreadable, and laced with an unnerving prescience: "You can't hide forever."
At school, the familiar rhythm felt subtly off. The classrooms, the dull chatter in the hallway, the bitter smell of instant coffee from the cafeteria—everything was the same, yet he wasn't.
People looked at him differently now.
He walked through the corridor, and heads overtly turned. A few girls openly whispered, their eyes trailing. One boy, typically boisterous, bumped into him near the lockers, flinching back with a flushed face and muttering an apology before hurrying off as if burned. Rui blinked, the attention sharp and unwelcome. Was it that obvious?
He'd spent seventeen years mastering the art of blending into the background, of slipping through hallways like a shadow. But now, it was like he'd been thrust from the comforting dimness and into a harsh spotlight he'd never asked for.
Is my scent leaking again? Panic pricked at him. He discreetly pulled out his phone, opening the system panel under the guise of checking messages.
Pheromone Output: Controlled (Trace Level Detected)
Tch. He was slipping. Despite the suppressant, his omega instincts, once dormant, were now fighting for dominance. He made it through the first two classes on autopilot, forcing himself not to think about Kian—or the heat, or the terrifying idea of a 24-year-old billionaire alpha who might somehow be his… mate.
That afternoon, the school courtyard had been transformed into something straight out of a luxury magazine. Banners emblazoned with the imposing Elros Corporation logo fluttered from lampposts, camera drones hovered silently in the clear sky, and a sleek, makeshift stage stood polished and gleaming in front of the ornate garden wall. It was the annual "Future Industry & Career Day," and the scale was far grander than Rui remembered. He'd somehow missed the news that it was sponsored by none other than Elros Corporation.
Rui's stomach dropped, a cold clench. He hadn't realized the CEO himself, the head of such a massive conglomerate, would be attending a high school event. It felt like an impossible coincidence.
Then he saw him.
Kian stood at the far edge of the bustling crowd, a stark, commanding figure in a crisp black suit, towering over the school staff and eager board members. His presence wasn't loud—it was precise. Controlled. But undeniably magnetic, drawing the eye without effort.
Rui felt it instantly—that familiar, primal pull again, a deep thrum in his bones. It was like his body remembered the heat, remembered the desperate yearning, before his brain could even catch up.
System Notification!
⚡ Major Task #2 Unlocked: Approach and speak with Kian Elros.
Reward: +60 Points
Bonus Objective: Remain within 2 meters of Kian for 2 full minutes (+20 Bonus Pts)
Rui froze, a choked sound escaping his lips. "You've got to be kidding me," he whispered, the absurdity of the situation almost comical, if it wasn't so terrifying.
System: Would you like to accept this task?
[YES] [NO]
Rui hovered over the options, his heart pounding a frantic drum. He still didn't fully trust this system—what if it pushed him too far? What would happen if he failed a task, especially a major one tied to Kian? How can I even trust you? he thought bitterly, a wave of familiar distrust washing over him.
As if it heard his unspoken question, the system's voice pinged in his mind again—soft, neutral, almost reassuringly amused.
This system operates under government-licensed bond technology.
No harm protocols activated.
Your safety, mental and physical, is prioritized.
Still creepy, Rui thought, a grimace on his face, but the reassurance calms my nerves just a little. The sheer fact that it could read his thoughts was unsettling, yet useful. He clenched his fists, steeling himself.
Then, with a decisive tap, he hit
[YES].
He began to weave through the chattering crowd, a silent, determined figure, making his way toward the far corner where Kian stood, seemingly uninterested in the event unfolding around him. Rui's eyes fixed on him, scanning every detail—the broad, powerful shoulders, the elegant posture, the sharp, almost glacial gaze.
Kian shifted slightly, his head turning, and their eyes met.
For a second, the whole bustling world around them fell silent, fading into a muted background hum. Rui's breath caught in his throat, a sharp inhale.
He stepped closer, closing the distance, the ambient noise of the event slowly returning.
Kian's gaze didn't waver—intense and unreadable, yet with a subtle shift, as if awaiting his approach.
"Mr. Elros," Rui said, his voice softer than he intended but surprisingly clear amidst the noise, "thank you for the event today." It was awkward. Too formal. He regretted the words instantly, wishing he could snatch them back.
But Kian's lips curved subtly, just a hint of amusement—or was it a knowing recognition?—gracing his perfect features. "You're welcome," Kian replied, his voice a low, resonant rumble. "I'm surprised you came to me this time."
"I… had a reason," Rui admitted, feeling his cheeks warm under that penetrating gaze.
Kian's head tilted, almost curiously, a predatory intelligence glinting in his eyes. "I imagine you did."
They stood close now—closer than they ever had. Rui could feel the bond energy crackling faintly between them like static, a warm, tingling sensation just under the surface of his skin, undeniable and exhilarating.
Somewhere in his mind, the system ticked a timer silently. Two minutes.
Just two minutes.