Kian’s POV

I walked back into my classroom to grab my backpack so I could head home, only to find Sun sitting at his desk waiting for me. I was surprised to see him—he hadn't come to the infirmary earlier while I was resting.

"Are you feeling okay?" Sun asked, looking up with concern.

I gave a small nod. "Yeah... why didn't you go home yet?"

"I was waiting for you," Sun explained. "I actually went to the infirmary earlier, but Senior Kai was inside with you. I figured I’d just wait here since I knew you’d come back for your bag once you felt better."

"Hmm, okay. Let's head home together," I said.

We walked down to the bus stop and boarded the bus. As we found a pair of seats near the back, Sun leaned in close, lowering his voice. "Did you hear what happened to Nick? He got beaten up so badly that he was taken to the hospital!"

My eyes widened in complete shock. "What?!"

How did he get beaten up that badly? Then again, people on campus loved dominating anyone weaker than them. Nick probably mouthed off to the wrong person, and they put him in his place.

"And do you know who did it?" Sun asked, staring at me intently.

"No... who?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Nobody knows for certain, but everyone suspects Senior Kai," Sun whispered. "He was the one who carried you to the infirmary. But right after that, Nick was found bleeding and crying on the classroom floor. Only Kai, Nick, and you were around the department during lunch."

I sat there, completely stunned. Did Kai really do that?!

Why would Kai attack Nick? Nick hadn't done anything directly to Kai, and he was terrified of him anyway. Did Nick say something rude to Kai? That had to be it! Kai had already warned me that he hated people who talked back or acted disrespectfully. Nick must have talked back to him and gotten beaten within an inch of his life.

My stomach churned as a terrifying scenario played out in my mind:

What if I don't listen to Kai during our training? What if he loses his patience and sends me to the hospital, too?! My arms and legs would be broken, I'd be covered in blood, and the hospital bill would be so huge that my mom couldn't afford it! I’d have to drop out of my dream college forever!

"NO!" I suddenly shouted aloud in pure panic.

Every passenger on the bus turned their heads to stare at me.

"Sorry! I'm so sorry!" I blurted out, bowing my head apologetically to the crowd as my face flushed bright red.

Sun stared at me, wide-eyed. "What 'no'?! What happened? Are you really okay?"

"I'm fine... totally fine," I stammered, catching my breath. "Are you... are you really sure it was Senior Kai who beat him up?"

"Senior Moon told me that Kai has done that to plenty of students before," Sun replied quietly. "He even injured one of his own close friends once. Moon didn't tell me why, though."

I stared at Sun skeptically, shivering inwardly. Sun gave an awkward smile and quickly looked out the window as the bus continued down the road.

Sun’s POV

Oh god... how am I supposed to tell Kian?

Senior Moon was actually trying to pursue me—he wanted us to be official partners!

To be honest, Moon was genuinely amazing to me. He looked at me with so much warmth, took me to incredible places I had never been before, and flirted playfully whenever we were alone. He constantly stood in front of me to protect me from the campus bullies. As an Alpha, he was so kind—nothing like the cruel stereotypes people talked about.

Everyone on campus whispered that Senior Kai’s group were ruthless, fearless Alphas without a drop of kindness in them. Well, Moon definitely did have a kind heart! As for Senior Kai... I wasn't so sure. He deliberately dragged Kian around campus, forcing him to run laps and play sports until he collapsed for no apparent reason! That was pure torture. Kai was definitely the rude one.

I really hope Kian finds a good partner who treats him gently...

Wait a minute... is Kian actually a Beta or an Alpha? Surely a Beta, right?

I shook my head, cutting off my own thoughts. No, I shouldn't pry. Everyone's secondary gender is their own personal choice to share or keep private. Giving people their personal space matters more than anything else.

Besides, since Moon and I were on such good terms, I had decided to open my heart to him. It wasn't a bad idea to enter a relationship with him, was it? Together, we could face whatever came our way in the future.

Moon had even reassured me that I wouldn't have to worry about finding a job after graduation, promising to help me secure a great career once college ended. He was so supportive! Any other traditional Alpha would have expected an Omega to just stay home, handle domestic housework, and raise kids.

Wait a second, Sun! Why are you thinking that far ahead into the future already?! Just stay calm and take a deep breath!

Still, I couldn't bring myself to share all of this with Kian just yet. What if he felt overwhelmed or didn't like the idea of me dating a senior? It was definitely better if I waited and told him later when the time was right.

Kian’s POV

I watched as Sun sat deep in thought, staring out the window. I nudged his arm, and he snapped back to attention, looking at me.

"What's the matter?" I asked. "Why are you thinking so deeply?"

He just offered a weak smile. "Nothing."

Oh no... I am completely dead today!

Suddenly, a wave of cold panic washed over me. It hit me like a physical blow—Kai had told me to meet him this evening at our usual place! But classes had already ended, and by the time I packed up my bag, I had completely lost track of time while talking with Sun and hopped straight onto the bus.

If Kai could beat Nick up that badly just because of a classroom dispute, what on earth was he going to do to me for completely ghosting our meeting?!

Oh no, no, no!

"Stop the bus! Please stop the bus!" I panicked, scrambling out of my seat and shouting at the driver.

The driver hit the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road.

Sun blinked at me in utter confusion. "What's the matter?"

"I-I have something important to grab from the market! I need to go back!" I blurted out, before rushing off the bus and out the door.

Sun stared back at me through the window like I had completely lost my mind. But there was no escaping the wrath of that man if I blew him off. I was already halfway home, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

I immediately flagged down a taxi, rushed all the way back to campus, and sprinted straight to the student club room where Kai usually waited for me.

I pushed the door open—and my heart dropped into my stomach.

The entire place was completely empty. Not a single soul was in sight. Through the windows, I could see the last remaining students filing out through the main college gates for the evening.

Standing there in the dead silence, a cold shiver ran down my spine. I was utterly, paralyzingly terrified.

What is going to happen to me now...?