It all started with that lie.

In the heat of the moment, Mihoshi only wanted to be with Sora, but when rationality returned a minute too late, he found himself in Sora’s embrace. To Sora, it didn’t matter whether Mihoshi was recessive or not. The fact that he was an omega convinced Sora that Mihoshi was truly his Fated Pair. Because what else could the rapid heartbeat and strong attraction be?

But unlike Sora, Mihoshi wasn’t an actor.

Mihoshi couldn’t lie.

Afraid that Sora would find out and be disappointed in the truth, Mihoshi avoided Sora. The fear of rejection grew far larger than the fear of being found out. He told himself that this was all for Sora, that it was better for Sora not to know how terrible a person Mihoshi was. At that time, Mihoshi didn’t realize he was simply running away from himself.

For the remaining weeks till graduation, Mihoshi made himself scarce, easily accommodated by the constant flow of crowd surrounding Sora.

Every time they crossed paths in the hallways, Mihoshi ran the other way. After school, he left the dojo through another exit. He didn't answer any of Sora's calls or text messages, and was glad that he never told Sora his home address. Even if he did, the chauffeur would never allow Sora to go elsewhere besides his house and school. Using Sora’s family situation to trap him was a cowardly move, but Mihoshi couldn’t afford a moment of hesitation. Because if he didn’t use the chance, he would be the one to break down and run towards Sora.

Though Mihoshi yearned for the warm embrace, the gentle kisses, and the affectionate gestures, he couldn’t bear facing Sora. Once they graduate, they would go separate ways. It was no empty rumor that Sora would be returning to Canada when his parents learned about his secondary trait. After all, what parents would want to be apart from their dominant alpha son? Being a dominant was a one-way ticket to success in life no matter what you chose to do. To Sora’s parents who had meticulously planned his life down to the color of his clothes, this was the blessing they had been waiting for. Whether Sora liked it or not, they were bringing him back. His little escapade of freedom in Japan was coming to an end.

By then, Mihoshi would be the only one to bear the lie and disappointment of never being a possibility as Sora’s Fated Pair.

The day arrived.

The day that truly changed them.

In his final attempt, Mihoshi escaped the closing ceremony and found himself at the back of the school building, the same spot where he first ran into Sora. But this time, as though life was laughing at him, Sora managed to sneak out of the hall and followed Mihoshi.

Just the two of them facing each other, where it all began.

If his lie was discovered, Sora would hate him.

If his lie was discovered, Mihoshi wouldn’t be allowed to like Sora.

How could a mere beta dream of being with a dominant alpha?

“Why…” Sora’s voice was unusually cold. “Why have you been avoiding me?”

“I wasn’t.” Mihoshi averted his eyes.

Sora’s eyes flashed a sharp golden, and he ground his teeth. “What did I do? Tell me. I’ll apologize and make it better.”

“It’s not what you think—”

“THEN TELL ME!”

Mihoshi jolted. It was the first time Sora yelled at anyone, and Mihoshi, being the recipient of it, was flooded with a sudden feeling of dread. Though he didn’t yet know the signs of a dominant alpha’s agitation, the distorted facial expression and tense body posture were clear indications of Sora’s barely restrained anger.

Mihoshi unconsciously took a step back. “C-calm down, Sora…”

“Calm? How could you expect me to be calm?” Sora closed their distance in two long strides, backing Mihoshi against the wall. “You run away, you don’t answer my calls. What, did you get tired of me? Did you find someone else? Who’s the bastard?”

“No! There’s no one—”

“You’re MY Omega!” Sora grabbed Mihoshi’s shoulders.

Within the days Mihoshi avoided Sora, Sora had manifested his secondary trait, causing his height to shoot up and his body to bulk up—a physique befitting of his dominant alpha trait.

Mihoshi had to tilt his head to meet Sora’s burning gaze, and at that moment, he regretted everything he had done.

He regretted avoiding Sora.

He regretted lying to Sora.

He regretted loving Sora.

Because the golden eyes that bore down on him were those of an enraged beast ready to pounce its prey.

“Sora! Stop! You’re hurting me!” Mihoshi pleaded.

But his words fell to deaf ears.

“Who is it? How long have you been seeing them? Did you laugh behind my back, at how I foolishly ran after you like a goddamn dog?”

“I said stop!” Mustering his strength, Mihoshi clutched Sora’s wrist and twisted it just enough for him to escape the grip. If it was anyone else, he would have completed the entire technique and subdued them to the ground. But there was no way he could hurt Sora.

Mihoshi freed himself from the wall. “You need to cool your head!”

Sora flickered an eerie gaze at Mihoshi. To someone who wasn’t familiar with Sora, they would have described it as an emotionless look. But underneath the blank stare, Mihoshi noticed the shock, the disbelief, the rage at being rejected. And before Mihoshi could react, Sora’s hand lunged for Mihoshi’s neck.

He should have been able to counter it, or at least dodge it. He had poured many years into self-defense, and a strike from an untrained person should have been nothing to worry about. But the speed at which the hand flew at him was something his body couldn’t physically react to in time.

Because Sora was a dominant alpha.

Mihoshi crumpled to the ground with Sora straddling and pinning him down. Long fingers circled his neck, pressing on his airway.

“Sora—!” Mihoshi choked, but the pressure didn’t let up.

“Do you have any idea how anxious and frustrated I was?! All those fuckers swarming around me like I’m some goddamn display! I was suffocating! But you weren’t there! You’re the only one who knows who I am, you’re the only one who makes me feel alive. I need you. I long for you. I only want you. So why did you avoid me?!”

Mihoshi clenched his eyes shut. Blood rushed to his head, but he couldn’t breathe. His legs kicked out, his hands scratched Sora’s arms.

“You love me. You promise we’ll be together. You’re my Fated Pair.” Sora breathed out. “You’re mine.”

A crazed glint flickered in Sora’s golden eyes.

Mihoshi struggled for air. Tears welled up, dribbling down his reddened cheeks. His mind was a jumbled mess of confusion and fear. Why was Sora choking him? Why was Sora angry? Did he find out that Mihoshi lied about being an omega?

And then, it happened.

Sora bared his fangs and lunged for his neck.

Mihoshi’s danger instincts shot to high alert, and he threw his arm in front of him. Sharp canines sunk into flesh. Mihoshi let out a yelp; the grip around his neck had loosened slightly, but a new pain seared into him.

“Let go!” Mihoshi yelled.

Sora bit harder, as though he wanted to tear out the flesh, to leave a permanent mark.

How did things turn out this way?

Mihoshi shouldn’t have lied in the first place. He should have just admitted to Sora that he was a beta. Then, they would have a clean break and walk separate ways—Sora to find his real Fated Omega, and Mihoshi to a normal life.

Lies built upon lies created a flimsy tower that would fall apart with a slight push.

But Mihoshi was young and naive.

So, instead of resolving things in a clear-headed way, he blurted out another lie.

“I hate you!”

At that, Sora froze.

Mihoshi gasped for air, and taking the momentary chance, he pushed Sora away. He took a few seconds to catch his breath, and only then did he open his eyes to look at Sora.

The expression was one he hadn’t thought he would see.

Blood stained his pale lips which hung parted. The golden eyes had returned to dark obsidians, and in those deep shadows lay a blanket of shock and disbelief. Then, his brows scrunched up, his eyes crinkled. He bit down on his lips, causing his own blood to seep out. The rigid shoulders drooped, as though all the energy in him had dissipated.

Mihoshi had never seen Sora look so hurt.

And his heart squeezed in an uncomfortable grip, like he was the one who caused this. Like he was the one at fault.

Unable to dwell on the strange emotions welling up inside, Mihoshi scrambled to his feet and ran away.

Secretly, he wished Sora would chase after him. Apologize, say it was all a misunderstanding, talk it out, make it work.

But that was the last time they saw each other.