Summer passed quickly. 

In the end, the group chat hadn't mentioned pheromone parties again. North hadn't gone—on the contrary, he told them his family was talking with another elite family, as was the case in these situations, so that the young omega from the other family and North could meet. The young man didn't seem very convinced but was very obedient when it came to his family. After all, he was the only male alpha and his two sisters were betas. To continue with the family business, he was first on the list.

As for Jared, they had known little about him. Neither of them had found out whether he had gone to the pheromone party or not. The only thing they knew was that at some point he started posting photos from a paradisiacal place where he was with his family.

That was the first time Leo heard that Jared's family was exhaustively searching for a partner within the social circle, someone at Jared's same level. Unlike North, he was the only son of a family quite well-known in the business world. Leo couldn't quite understand exactly how that world worked, but they were financial monsters. 

On the other hand, Leo had never understood how millionaire or powerful the Rickdorf empire was, but according to North, the problem about choosing a suitable partner for Jared was that there were very few high-class omega women or women with enough influence in that world. It was true that Jared had several cousins, but as the future heir to the empire, it was just him. From what he had heard, unlike other family conglomerates, Jared's parents had made sure to maintain an overwhelming majority in all businesses to avoid outsiders—meaning, people that didn't come from direct bloodline. Apparently they were a very closed circle.

There was only one candidate in a similar situation, but she was a dominant omega. However, according to North's explanation, within those circles families avoided the other party being dominant. There were cases of dominant alpha and omega couples where the dominant alpha was sublimated to the dominant omega. Jared, being the direct heir to such an empire, couldn't run such a risk.

The dark-haired boy was aware that if it weren't for his excellent school record, he would never have been able to access such a prestigious private institute where most students came from wealthy families known in different fields. He found it fascinating and strange at the same time—a dark world whose guidelines and demands could be deduced from Jared's actions.

A week had passed since the beginning of university. Leo was still fascinated when entering that campus he had dreamed about for so long. The central building through which one entered was imposing, with large thick wooden portals and immaculate staircases. It was one of the oldest universities, as could be guessed by its millennial construction that they kept in excellent condition. He could barely believe that the acceptance letter and scholarship confirmation had arrived for him to enter there. His mother had quickly taken credit away from luck to give it to her son's obsessive way of working, who during the last year of high school had also participated in a laboratory project for a professor friend who taught at said university. He had been so impressed with Leo's excellent work that he had recommended him.

However, he had to acknowledge that the subjects, classes, and work plan weren't what he expected.

His expectations were high regarding the law career, and so far the content and study material seemed too light to him. Maybe having gotten ahead a bit before starting classes had taken away the surprise factor and some of the excitement.

That day he had arrived a bit early to look at the announcements and promotions board located near the main hall. He was considering giving tutoring classes in exact sciences to start earning some money. He felt a familiar presence but didn't have time to dodge the unwanted hug he received.

The laughter, the scent, the weight of his body: it was Jared. He knew him so well that just by the contact against his back he knew he was taller.

"You grew!" he exclaimed surprised, turning to face him. How could he keep growing when he had already passed 18? Life was unfair, he thought. His blue eyes lit up upon meeting those honey-colored eyes.

Jared smiled widely at him.

"Only you could notice something so minimal."

Leo looked around. Jared wasn't alone—apparently they were career classmates who had stayed to one side, waiting. Leo waved at them.

"Are you in Law?" he asked curiously. Leo nodded. Jared let go of him and with a furrowed brow said:

"Could you unblock me already? I had to find out from North that you'd been accepted here."

Leo couldn't see the group's expression, but the look was one of disbelief.

"I still haven't unblocked you?" Leo answered with a distracted expression. He had completely forgotten—he had blocked him the day he heard from North that his family was looking for candidates. Knowing him as he did, he knew who he would contact directly if he got a girlfriend. He hurried to look for his phone, opened contacts and unblocked him. "There. What are you studying?"

Jared commented with little enthusiasm.

"Economics." He smiled almost out of obligation. "We're in the adjacent building. I'll text you and we'll meet for lunch. Oh wait, which Social Ethics class are you taking?"

"The morning one," Leo regretted telling him instantly, but it was too late—by Jared's expression, he already knew who he'd have as a classmate.

One of the young men in the group urged him to hurry up. Leo laughed quietly—Jared hated that, but he simply became serious, greeted Leo again, and left with them.

"Economics, I thought you wanted to study something else."

From that moment on, lunches had been monopolized by Jared, except for rare occasions where Leo had some specific task—all lunches were with the blonde. The dark-haired boy really would have liked to be able to put some distance between them, but it seemed impossible. Recently, North had also joined them, who was studying something related to social studies, surprising both Jared and Leo. North also told them that the young woman he had recently met attended the same university, but there was nothing between them and it seemed the magic wasn't flowing. Leo noticed that North seemed to be more in conflict and wondered if perhaps the family hadn't orchestrated all of that.

Jared, who lived in a world ruled by and for him, hadn't noticed anything. When they said goodbye, Leo asked North to accompany him to the library to look for a text. His friend confused, followed him. Once they were more away, Leo stopped at the end of the hallway—there weren't many people and Jared was out of sight.

"Everything okay? You seemed a bit off."

North lowered his gaze.

"Is it that obvious?"

Leo nodded. North looked at him with a conflicted gaze.

"I met a beta..."

Leo looked at him questioningly. North was nervous.

"And the young woman my family introduced me to doesn't want anything with me," he paused slightly, "but she does want a union. She told me she doesn't care if I have other partners, that she'll have hers too."

Leo looked at him seriously.

"And what are you going to do?"

"I don't want anything with her."—confirmed North.

"With the beta you won't be able to have children—it'll be difficult for your family to accept something like that."

North looked at him distressed. Leo hurried to clarify.

"That's the reality. Now, would the beta be willing to accept such an arrangement?"

"No!" He blushed slightly. "And that's the problem—I don't know how to get rid of her. I feel like she has me cornered. And besides, if he finds out it's going to be a big problem. You're beta, right? What would you do? Would you be with an alpha?"

Leo observed him confused and amused at the same time.

"You're asking the wrong person considering some recent experiences. From pure logic: no, I wouldn't do it, simply because I'd think that at any moment they're going to replace me with an omega. I'd feel that love would never be enough."

North looked at him surprised.

"He's not like that." He blushed again. "On the contrary, he's more combative. We're not really dating yet, but it worries me a bit. By the way... could you not..."

Leo completed the sentence.

"No, I'm not going to tell Jared anything. Although if you're going to seriously date the beta, you should clarify it before it becomes known. Jared is an idiot full of prejudices, but he wouldn't tell your family anything. The young woman, on the other hand..." Leo paused while thinking about something.

"Look, I can't promise you anything, but if you share some key details with me, I can put together a kind of speech that proves the union wouldn't be beneficial for her."

"Really?"

Leo nodded, paused and added:

"Still, it'll depend on her. Maybe nothing you tell her will matter. Then you'll have to talk to her parents and yours."

It wasnt long enough until he met the beta.

Lenny was of medium height and was a swimmer. He had the perfect physique to sell you an entire line of swimwear and an intensive swimming course. He had tanned skin and dark eyes that contrasted with his brown hair and pink lips. Leo realized when North introduced him that despite having a kind gaze, he had a threatening presence, and he understood North's concerns.

They were heading to the cafeteria before Jared joined them. Lenny had scanned him and Leo had to hold back a laugh—he knew that analysis: did he represent a future danger, yes or no?

When Lenny asked him the first question, Leo realized he could also be intimidating.

"Are you really beta? You should change specialists—you seem alpha, although there's something... weird."

Leo looked at him without knowing what he was referring to. It had been a while since he'd heard other people talk about his subgender.

North elbowed him, and Leo started laughing. North looked at him without responding.

"I like you," Leo responded. Lenny looked at him sideways and started laughing too.

North observed them from behind and supposed it was a beta code—otherwise, he didn't understand it.

When Jared arrived at the table, he looked at the scene bewildered. Lenny was sitting next to Leo, and Jared took a seat next to North. North told him quietly to control his pheromones, and Jared, who usually talked all the time, ate quickly trying not to stare at Lenny the whole time.

Leo wondered if perhaps they knew each other from before. When they finished eating, Lenny gave Leo an affectionate hug that surprised him. North was more bewildered than before.

Leo didn't understand anything. He said goodbye to the rest with a wide smile since he had project time.

"Since when is that idiot your friend?" Jared asked him.

Leo looked at him, surprised. Before North could intervene, the dark-haired boy responded:

"Since recently—he's a year above me, he's going to help me with some subjects."

Jared clicked his tongue.

"You don't need help—you never did."

Leo looked at him coldly.

"In this case I do. He's from a higher year, he can clarify doubts about subjects I can get ahead on. By the way, do you know him?"

Jared frowned, evidently annoyed.

"Everyone knows him, Leo. HE'S A THUG!"

Leo smiled sideways at him.

"Aha, look, I know another thug I went through all of high school with."

"It's not the same! That guy... that guy..."

Leo looked at him expectantly.

"ARG, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND," he added, evidently frustrated. He turned around and left.

North looked at him with some guilt.

"He's partly right... he was part of a gang."

Leo smiled again, but this time with malice.

"I see, you like bad boys."

North blushed.

"Not boys, just him."

Leo looked him straight in the eyes and said:

"I think in your case, the risk is worth it, North."

North looked at him without understanding. However, Leo didn't stay to explain the meaning or how he had reached that conclusion. But there was a world of difference between Lenny and him, and it was good so.