Kian’s POV

The moment the words left my mouth, panic washed over me as I realized what I had just done.

Before I could back away, Kai lunged forward, grabbing both of my wrists and twisting them firmly behind my back. He yanked me against his chest until there were barely any inches left between us.

"Now you've found your voice, huh?" Kai growled, his dark eyes burning into mine with terrifying intensity. "You get furious with me when I push you, but you easily let those bastards bully and hit you until you bleed?! You don't even turn around to slap them back or shove them away when they corner you!"

He tightened his grip on my wrists, his voice dropping into a dangerous whisper.

"You are not as weak as you act. So hear me clearly: do not ever let me catch someone bullying you or laying a hand on you while you just stand there silently or run away. If I ever see that happen again, you will see a side of me I haven't shown you yet."

He glared down at me for one long, agonizing second before letting out a harsh breath.

"Today, your mistake was allowing someone to hurt you again. Treat your own wounds today and find your own way home. College hours are over."

He abruptly released my hands and turned around, sweeping out of the chemistry lab without looking back.

I collapsed onto the cold floor, clutching my aching wrists. Red, painful marks were left behind where his fingers had squeezed my skin. I sat alone in the empty lab and cried uncontrollably, letting every drop of built-up tears spill out.

By the time I managed to dry my eyes and drag myself outside the campus building, the sky was already turning gray.

Sun was waiting near the gates, looking frantically around. The moment he spotted me, he rushed over, his face full of concern. "Kian! Are you okay?! I went and told the teacher what that boy did to you, but... it seems like they don't even care! Are you really alright?"

I couldn't bring myself to speak, so I just gave him a small, weary nod and kept walking toward the bus stop.

I finally reached home, stumbled into my bedroom, locked the door, and buried my face into my pillow.

What mistake did I ever make in my life to deserve all of this?

It hurt so much—so, so much. I had heard people say that male Omegas were born weak, but I had never bothered to get tested because I didn't care about second genders. All I ever wanted was to study hard, stand on my own two feet, and take care of my mom. That was it. I asked for nothing else.

Yet life kept dragging me through endless storms, pushing me to my absolute limits. Sometimes, just breathing—just existing—felt so suffocating that I desperately wanted to break free from everything all at once.

The entire night went by with me crying alone in my bedroom. My mom had gone out of the country on a business trip with her boss, leaving me completely by myself in the empty house.

When morning arrived, I didn't feel like eating breakfast. I didn't even feel like going to college. But I couldn't just throw away my education over what happened yesterday. Everything else aside, I had a big dream to achieve—and I had to make it a reality no matter the cost. My future was the only thing that would pay off in the end.

So, I dragged myself out of bed and went to campus.

The moment I walked into the classroom, Nick—that same freshman bully—was already there. What did I ever do to him that made him mess with me every single day?

Without a word, he walked over to my desk and forcefully shoved Sun out of his seat. I tried to stand up and walk away, but Nick reached out and grabbed my waist—the exact same spot where Kai’s firm grip had held me yesterday.

"Sit back down beside me today," Nick sneered. "What’s your problem?"

"Why are you doing this?!" I blurted out, my chest heaving. "What did I ever do to you that you keep bullying me around like this?!"

His face contorted in anger, and he raised his hand to strike me—

Just as his palm swung back, the teacher stepped into the classroom.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I raised my voice and spoke directly to the teacher. "Teacher! Sun sits next to me every day, but Nick forcefully made him move and tried to start a fight with me!"

It was the very first time in my life that I had ever complained against someone directly, without caring about the consequences.

I was just so completely done with everything. I couldn't erase what had happened yesterday in the chemistry lab—it was still burning in my chest like hell. I had been bullied plenty of times before, but Kai’s harsh words yesterday had torn something open inside me, forcing me to stop staying silent.

The teacher glared at Nick and raised his voice. "Nick! Go back to your own seat right now!"

Nick bit his lip in frustration, shot me a deadly glare, and slunk back to his desk.

The moment the lecture ended, Nick stood up and started storming toward my desk with a furious expression. But before he could reach me, Senior Moon walked into our classroom.

Moon glanced around the room, his eyes landing on Sun. "Sun, it's lunchtime. Let's go."

These days, Sun and Senior Moon were getting really close. They spent so much time together that Sun was barely hanging out with me anymore. Moon even came to our classroom every day just to walk Sun to lunch!

He didn't bother hiding it from anyone, either. Senior Moon had explicitly warned everyone in our class to behave, declaring that if he ever found out anyone said anything bad to Sun, the entire class would be in big trouble. So no one dared to say anything to Sun's face.

Behind his back, though, the rumors were merciless. People whispered loudly enough for Sun to hear: "That filthy Omega is probably sleeping around with a senior Alpha just to stay protected."

Sun chose to ignore all the disgusting gossip. Ever since everyone found out he was an Omega, the wild rumors were constant. 

During lunchtime, I didn't feel like eating, so I stayed behind in the empty classroom alone.

Suddenly, Nick walked back inside, striding straight toward my desk. But before he could even open his mouth to start another fight, a blinding, throbbing headache slammed into my skull. My vision blurred, Nick's voice sounded muffled and angry, and then... darkness. Everything went completely blank.

When I finally opened my eyes, everything around me was hazy and unfocused.

As my vision cleared, the first thing I saw was Kai’s face hovering above me. He wore his usual calm, emotionless expression... but this time, something in his dark eyes felt subtly different. Or maybe I was just imagining things.

"Are you okay?" Kai asked, his voice low.

I simply gave a weak, silent nod.

He gently lifted my hand, opening a tube of soothing ointment. With surprisingly light, tender fingers, he began applying it to the bright red, bruised skin on my wrist—the exact spot where his tight grip had held me yesterday.

"Does it hurt?" he asked softly.

I shook my head, keeping my lips pressed tight.

"Did you eat anything today?" Kai inquired, his eyes searching mine.

I stared up at the ceiling, refusing to answer. Why should I tell him? He shouldn't care whether I eat or not, or what I do with my life. He thinks I'm just a weak, pathetic person... so what does he expect from me now? He should just get out of my sight. I don't need anyone's pity.

Suddenly, Kai held a plate in front of me, loaded with delicious, hot food.

"I'm not hungry," I muttered, turning my head away—even though the rich aroma made my mouth water instantly. But no! I refused to accept food from him. So what if he was rich? I would be rich one day, too... maybe!

Kai raised an eyebrow, staring down at me. "Your stomach is literally growling, yet you still claim you're not hungry? Finish it before the next class starts. Or is fainting around your new trick to run away from situations now?"

I stared at him in utter disbelief. This man is unbelievable!

Deciding it wasn't worth arguing, I grabbed the plate and began eating frantically.

"Slow down," Kai said, his voice softening slightly. "The food isn't going anywhere. For someone who claimed they weren't hungry a second ago, you're sure moving fast."

I shot him a glare and kept eating. The food was so delicious—definitely not cooked by the canteen staff, who only ever served bland, boring meals. But whatever, I just focused on filling my empty stomach without caring where it came from.

After finishing every last bite, I grabbed the glass of water beside the bed and drank it all in one gulp. I finally felt human again.

"Are you feeling okay now?" Kai asked.

I gave a small, silent nod and swung my legs off the infirmary bed. Who had even carried me to the infirmary anyway? My classmates, probably.

Without looking at him, I turned toward the door to head back to class.

As I took my first step outside into the hallway, Kai’s voice echoed behind me. "Meet me this evening."

I froze. What does he want now?! Didn't we finish everything yesterday?!

I turned around, about to speak, but—as usual—he cut me off before I could utter a single word.

"Do not say no," Kai warned in his signature cold tone. "Go to your class, and when it's over, come to the place you know you're supposed to go."

I bit my lip, gave him a quick, obedient nod, and ran off toward my classroom as fast as I could.