The group chat stayed quiet for a few days. Then North dropped a message that surprised both Jared and Leo, though for very different reasons.

North: Hey guys, I'm not going to the pheromone party. My parents said I could end up with pheromone intoxication since the rut cycle is every 4 months.

Jared: That's insane, North. Alphas have been going to those parties forever. How else are you supposed to release pheromones?

North: I don't remember everything they said but it made sense. Hey Leo, you know about everything… what do you think?

Leo: I think you should see a specialist… BUT WHO DO YOU THINK I AM, IDIOT?

Jared: Don't ask him, can't you see he's never done anything? What's he going to tell you?

Leo: For your information, those parties use artificial pheromones that a lot of alphas react badly to, intoxications are common. And also, I'm not a virgin anymore.

He'd hit send before he finished thinking.

His phone rang. Jared.

"You're joking."

Leo blinked at the ceiling.

"Give me context."

"Did you have sex?"

He remembered what he'd just written.

"Oh. That. Yes."

Silence.

"How?"

"Jared. Do I seriously need to give you a sex ed class right now?"

Jared laughed but it came out slightly off. Nervous.

"I didn't know you were seeing someone. You're always studying."

"Well. Now you know I do other things too."

"Who is it? Do I know her?"

Leo felt it that specific, precise pain.

Her. Of course. It would never cross his mind.

"No."

"Is it Clara?"

"Go to hell, Jared."

He hung up. Turned off his phone.