Minjun’s POV

I wasn’t supposed to be here.

That was the first thing I thought when Jiyoon slid into the seat next to me at the cafe. She was grinning like she had done me a favor.

“Group project” she said sweetly, too much so.

She set her iced americano on the table and had way too much enthusiasm. “You said you needed credits.”

True, I had said that, yes. But I hadn’t seen this coming.

“Who’s in the group?” I asked. But I was already suspicious and preparing myself for the worst possibility.

“Me. Jaemin. Hwan and.. Kangdae.”

And just like that, I knew she played me.

It wasn’t that I disliked Kangdae. That would require something stronger than what I was feeling. I think, I just didn’t know what it was exactly, only that it was a bit confusing.

He was.. too much, way too much and he is always just there. 

He was too warm, too observant. He’s always friendly in a way that makes people lean in. The Campus Beta, they called him.

But for some reason I would always feel his eyes on me, not in an obvious way and not enough to be accused of anything. But sometimes when I’d look up and I’d find his eyes were already on me

But it didn’t make me uncomfortable, even if it is a bit weird sometimes.

We started meeting on Tuesday and Friday evenings, at the university library. Hwan brought snacks. Jiyoon brought chaos. Jaemin was caught in the middle of the two. And Kangdae. Well.

He sat next to me.

Not close. Not far. Just within range where I could feel his arm right next to mine. Or his voice would brush against my skin when he said something to me.

Which wouldn’t bother me any other day but today it was a lot. 

“Minjun, what do you think about this angle?”

“Minjun, are you free Saturday to meet again?”

“Minjun, you haven’t spoken in twenty minutes, are you planning the best way to get rid of me or are you just tired?”

That one got a snort out of Jiyoon.

I didn’t laugh. I didn’t look at him either.

Not because I was uncomfortable. But because lately, something had been bothering me. I couldn’t quite explain it. I lived most of my life on suppressants. I knew how to lock down my scent. How to best ignore the pheromones others gave off. 

But even suppressed, even muffled, something in me had started reacting to Kangdae.

Not the way an Omega was supposed to react. No flushed cheeks and trembling limbs.

More.. nervous. 

It was Friday evening when it happened.

We were staying late to finish the research section of the project, just the two of us, because Hwan had a meeting, Jaemin had to got to work, and Jiyoon was being delusional, as always.

The library had thinned out.

I rubbed at my temples, forcing myself to focus on the screen in front of me. Kangdae was next to me, typing something.

His shoulder brushed mine once. Twice.

I was about to move my chair and then it hit me.

It was subtle. Faint. But unmistakable.

The scent.

Not just any scent, his.. not the neutral ones that most Betas gave off. 

This was more. Different.

‘That’s not a Beta.. ’ I thought, as it hit me ‘An Omega? No.. That’s definitely an Alpha.’

Nothing sharp or overpowering but warm. Not aggressive. Not strong. Not in a way that most Alphas gave off. 

I just froze ‘Is it coming from him?’ I always believed that Kangdae was a Beta. 

Very carefully, I turned toward him. Kangdae was still typing. His expression hadn’t changed. But the moment I looked at him, his fingers slowed.. even for just a second.

‘Is he really an Alpha? But why is are his pheromones so weak? Is he regressive?’ I could almost feel my thoughts about to spiral again.

And then his eyes caught mine “You like it?” 

“What?” My body was tensing and my thoughts were still buzzing at the back of my head. 

“That’s the longest you’ve ever looked at my face without getting annoyed.” 

“I don’t- I’m not-“

“It’s fine.” Kangdae closed his laptop and casually leaned in on his elbow over the table now “I like it when your eyes are on me.” 

I left earlier than planned that night.

Didn’t give an excuse. Just gathered my things, said I had an early morning and walked out into the campus quad.

My mind was racing the entire way home.

‘Why the hell is he hiding it? But it’s not like I ever asked him.. Maybe he wasn’t trying to hide?’

There were plenty of reasons. Personal ones. Societal ones. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe every Alpha wanted the attention that came with it. But Kangdae.. Kangdae had been close. Around me. Around Jiyoon. If I wasn’t on suppressants or- No.

I wouldn’t think about that. Not now.

I curled up on my bed later, phone screen dimmed in my hand, unread messages blinking at me. All from Jiyoon.

How did the library session go? He didn’t flirt too much, did he? I know you think he’s cute, Min. You should stop being weird about him, btw. You know he’s a Beta, right? 

I didn’t answer.

Because he wasn’t.

And I had no idea what to do with that.