Through a mist-shrouded forest, shadows shifted, and the towering trees stretched into darkness above, casting eerie shapes on the ground. Scattered twigs cracked softly underfoot with each of Yoojin’s steps. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a ghostly light through the dense vegetation, bathing everything it touched in an otherworldly glow.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers, mingling with the cool night breeze. Mist curled around him, swirling as he moved, as though beckoning him deeper into the forest. Yoojin couldn’t remember how he had come to be here or why he felt compelled to keep moving forward, but the pull was irresistible.

The path ahead was barely visible, yet Yoojin pressed on, his heart pounding in his chest. Silence blanketed the forest, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves, but beneath the stillness lay a crackling tension that set his nerves on edge.

Eventually, he emerged into a moonlit clearing, the mist lifting to reveal a meadow surrounded by ancient trees. Dew-covered grass shimmered, catching the moonlight like tiny diamonds. In the center of the meadow stood a tall, muscular figure, back turned, enveloped by mist.

Yoojin’s breath caught in his throat. Something about the figure was both alluring and unsettling. Their posture was relaxed, yet an undeniable tension hung in the air between them. A strange familiarity tugged at his mind, like he should know this person.

As if drawn by an invisible force, Yoojin took a tentative step forward, then another, his movements slow and cautious. The mist seemed to thicken the closer he came, obscuring the figure’s features further. His heart raced, a mix of fear and curiosity pulling him forward, even as part of him whispered to turn back.

“Who… are you?” Yoojin’s voice was soft, almost swallowed by the whispering breeze, but the figure seemed to hear him.

Slowly, the figure turned, and Yoojin’s breath hitched. Their features were blurred and indistinct, as though they were only half-real. Yet something in their presence, a familiar energy in the way they stood, made his heart skip a beat.

In an instant, the figure closed the distance between them, a warm hand cupping the side of Yoojin’s face. The touch sent an electric shock through him, leaving him trembling. Instinctively, he leaned into the contact, a strange sense of comfort blooming from the closeness.

A heady, masculine scent washed over him, alpha pheromones his mind supplied, and he felt his senses blur, an unexpected vertigo disorienting him. The mist curled closer, cocooning them, while Yoojin’s eyes fluttered shut as he felt the other’s breath on his skin, warm and soft, stirring something deep within him. The lines between fear and longing blurred, leaving him unable to tell one from the other.

The figure’s hand moved down his neck, brushing over Yoojin’s pheromone glands, smearing them as if staking a claim on him. Yoojin’s breath caught, a blend of anticipation and uncertainty knotting in his chest. He knew something was off, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull away.

Then, as suddenly as they had come together, the warmth vanished. Yoojin’s eyes flew open, and he found himself standing alone in the meadow, the mist swirling around him as if the encounter had been an illusion. His heart raced, the ghost of the moment lingering in the air.

His legs trembled, threatening to give way as he stumbled back, his hand reaching up to touch his cheek, where the warmth had been, but all he felt was the coolness from the night air.

The mist thickened suddenly, consuming him until all he saw was darkness, and he felt himself falling.

Yoojin jolted awake, his body clammy and tense, heart pounding like he’d just sprinted. He lay sprawled on the floor beside his bed, half tangled in his sheets, one leg still on the bed. Disoriented, he blinked at the ceiling, his chest heaving as he tried to shake the feeling that something was missing. A strange, hollow ache lingered inside him, as if he’d lost something precious but couldn’t quite remember what.

For a moment, he stared into the dim light filtering through the curtains, the shadows dancing across the walls. Slowly, his breathing steadied, yet a soft tremor remained in his hands.

"Yoojin?” A familiar voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced up to see Calisto’s curious face hovering above him, brows furrowed in mild amusement.

“What are you doing down there?” Calisto asked with a bemused expression, one eyebrow raised.

“Oh, you know... just a little floor nap. I have no idea how I ended up here.” Yoojin replied dryly, rubbing his temples as he tried to sit up, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. The ache from the fall was fading, but his muscles felt strangely sore, as if he had actually been running for a while.

Calisto smirked, crossing his arms as he looked Yoojin over with a mix of amusement and curiosity. “Didn’t know that the floor was so comfy." he said, finally offering Yoojin his hand to pull him up. “But seriously, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Yoojin brushed himself off, giving Calisto a faint, tired smile as he stretched, feeling his joints crack. “I think… that I had a strange dream, but I can't remember any of it.” he admitted softly, his fingers automatically brushing his cheek.

Calisto’s gaze softened, but he didn’t press further. “Come on, we need to get ready. We don’t want to be late for the ceremony.”

They quickly got dressed, slipping into their uniforms, the crisp fabric feeling oddly grounding after the surreal quality of the night. Yoojin adjusted his bow tie brooch and turned to Calisto, shifting nervously as he smoothed down his jacket.

“So… how do I look?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, still feeling slightly out of place in the formal attire.

Calisto’s gaze softened as he gave Yoojin an approving nod. “You look pretty. Just try not to trip in front of everyone. Or fall asleep on the floor again.”

Yoojin let out a small laugh, the sound helping to dissolve some of the lingering tension. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” But as he glanced back at the bed, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the dream was somehow more than just that.

Time passed quickly with the buzz of excitement around the academy, and soon, it was time for the ceremony. Yoojin’s heart raced as he gathered with his fellow first-year Omegas in the common room. He was really nervous, but he was silently wishing that his protector would be someone kind and friendly.

The omega delegates, Javier and Amara, led the group to the auditorium. The room felt different than before, the atmosphere solemn and electric. The walls, lined with ancient stone, seemed to pulse with magic. In the center stood a raised stone platform where the Omegas would undergo the ritual and where Professor Nakajima was already waiting for them. Surrounding the platform were the potential protectors, while the rest of the student body gathered at the back to witness the ceremony.

The room was filled with a buzzing energy, every Omega lined up, standing in quiet anticipation, their faces a blend of nerves and excitement. The headmistress, imposing and graceful, ascended the dais with an air of authority that silenced the last murmurs in the room. Her gaze swept over the gathered students, her eyes sharp, her expression a delicate blend of warmth and gravity.

“Welcome to the Ceremony of the Protector,” she began, her voice rich and resonant, each word carrying the weight of history and tradition. “This ceremony is rooted in the ancient customs of Celestial Academy. It is through this ritual that each Omega finds the one chosen to stand by their side as their protector and, in some cases, to forge a bond that may last far beyond your time within these walls.”

She paused, letting her words sink in, her gaze lingering on the young Omegas, her expression both encouraging and measured. “The journey you are beginning is not merely about protection; it is about growth, trust, and connection. Your protector is not just a guardian but someone who will challenge you, support you, and remind you of your own strength when you falter.”

A hush fell over the room, the flickering candlelight casting shadows that seemed to dance in response to her words.

“Each of you will step forward and lie down on the altar,” she continued, gesturing to the smooth stone platform in the center of the room. “In that moment, a bracelet will appear on your wrist, crafted to resonate with your unique energy, a reflection of your essence. As it infuses with your aura, it will seek out and indicate the one best suited to be your protector.”

Her voice softened, taking on a tone of reverence, as if she were sharing something sacred. “It is a bond forged through the magic of the academy, a connection rooted in your spirit. Most often, the bracelet will guide you to a Beta, someone who can provide balance and support. But on rare occasions, the bracelet may choose an Alpha. This choice is significant, for it symbolizes a deep resonance, a potential not only for protection but for transformation.”

Her gaze drifted toward the Betas and Alphas at the back of the hall, their faces a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. Her eyes, discerning and piercing, reminded each of them of the solemn responsibility that came with the role.

“Let us proceed, and remember that this choice is not random but a result of the energy you carry. May it guide you, strengthen you, and lead you toward the growth that awaits.”

The hall remained silent, filled only with the quiet crackle of the candles. The headmistress stepped back, giving a respectful nod to Professor Nakajima, who moved forward to continue the ritual.

“Now, as you lie upon the altar, allow the energy within you to flow freely. The bracelet that appears will link with your aura and guide your protector to you. Let's start the ceremony,” he announced, his tone steady and calm.

One at a time, the Omegas moved forward, each lying on the altar, and as they did, a bracelet appeared from thin air on their wrist. Each time, the stone began to glow, changing color and intensity according to the unique energy of each Omega. The silence grew, charged with emotion as each Omega found their protector.

Yoojin fidgeted nervously, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, watching as his fellow Omegas found their protectors, mostly Betas. One female Omega found her protector in a female Alpha, a rare sight that drew murmurs from the crowd.

When it was Calisto’s turn, Yoojin watched in surprise as the stone on his bracelet turned violet before it linked him to Lucas, Calisto’s older brother. Jaein whispered that sometimes eligible family members could be chosen as protectors.

Then Jaein stepped forward and lay gracefully on the altar. The stone on her bracelet turned yellow before it linked with Ryūnosuke, her fiancé, which surprised Yoojin, who had expected Jaeseong to be chosen. Unlike the previous Alpha-Omega pairing, this one drew fewer murmurs, as it was known that Jaein and Ryūnosuke were to be married.

Finally, it was Yoojin’s turn. He approached the altar, his hands shaking slightly. As he lay on the altar, his bracelet appeared on his wrist, but unlike the others, nothing happened at first. Slowly, however, the stone began to glow a soft, emerald green. The color pulsed, warm and alive, and Yoojin felt a strange warmth envelop him, as though the stone was reaching into his soul.

In a burst of energy, the light shot from the bracelet, floating across the room.

The crowd held its breath, watching as the light bypassed the Betas entirely and headed straight for the Alphas, where Jaeseong was standing at the edge of the room, arms crossed, his face calm. A flicker of something crossed his eyes as he watched the light zoom toward him.

Yoojin’s heart skipped as the light hovered before Jaeseong, glowing intensely before settling around his wrist, forming a bracelet.

The room was silent, absorbing the weight of what had just transpired. Jaeseong's usually unreadable expression now held something Yoojin couldn’t quite decipher, a spark of recognition, perhaps, or even surprise.

Yoojin’s heart pounded, his chest tightening with both dread and disbelief. Jaeseong, the Alpha who had treated him harshly before, was now his protector. This was the last outcome he could have imagined. Yet, as their eyes met across the room, an undeniable pull thrummed between them, magnetic and intense, something neither of them could ignore.

Professor Nakajima stepped forward, his voice calm, resonant, and steady. “Jaeseong Kwon, you have been chosen as Yoojin Delaney’s protector. Do you accept this role with all the duties and responsibilities it entails?”

Jaeseong’s gaze flicked briefly to the headmistress, then returned to Yoojin, lingering with a hint of something unreadable before he spoke, his voice clear and unwavering. “I accept.”

The moment Jaeseong spoke, an invisible bond snapped into place between them, a surge of energy rippling through Yoojin’s chest. His pulse quickened, a strange but undeniable sense of completion settling over him as the bond took hold, solid and real.

Jaeseong crossed the room, his presence almost overwhelming as he stood before Yoojin, kneeling in silent ceremony. His expression remained controlled, but his movements were deliberate, careful, as he took Yoojin’s hands and pressed his lips to the stone of Yoojin's bracelet, sealing their bond. The weight of the ritual pressed down on them both, binding them together.

Rising to his feet, Jaeseong held Yoojin’s gaze, his dark eyes intent, as though searching for something he couldn’t name. Yoojin’s breath hitched, the intensity of Jaeseong’s presence leaving him momentarily speechless. This was the last person he had expected as his protector, yet here they were, bound together.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a haze, Yoojin’s attention half-absent, his senses overwhelmed by Jaeseong’s silent presence beside him. As each Omega completed their bond, the hall filled with whispers, and eventually, the final rituals drew to a close.

Once the ceremony concluded, the hall began to empty, the newly paired protectors and Omegas heading out to talk and get to know each other better. Yoojin remained at the edge of the room, his mind swirling. His protector was Jaeseong, the Alpha who had treated him with such hostility before. And yet, now they were connected by a bond, something beyond the awkward first encounter, yet equally confusing.

As Jaeseong opened his mouth to speak, his expression was calm, almost unreadable, but before any words could come, Yoojin felt the tension surge, too intense, too overwhelming. He mumbled something incoherent, his cheeks flushed, then abruptly turned and slipped out of the room and into the crowd, his heart pounding wildly in his ears, almost as if he were fleeing.