Kim Woo-Jin sits stiffly in his chair during class. His legs are restless, and his fingers are continuously tapping on the desk. No matter how hard he tried but his focus refused to settle on the professor's lecture. All he can sense is that scent which is sweet yet dangerous.
He clenched his jaw, digging his nails into his palm to keep himself in his seat. He wants to leave, to bolt out of the room and put as much distance as he could between himself and that damn omega.
But his body betrayed him.
Despite his willpower, Kim Woo remains rooted to his seat, held hostage by the scent coming from Aaron. His eyes steal a glance at Aaron, who's soft, doe-like eyes is fix on the professor, unaware of the chaos he was causing. And Aaron's calmness only infuriated Kim Woo more.
Focus.
Kim Woo thought in frustration. He clenched his fists as he forced his eyes forward.
But then Aaron moves again.
A slight shift of his hand brushes through Kim Woo's hand, making his gaze flicker back to Aaron before he could stop himself.
Noticing Kim Woo's eyes, Aaron turned his head toward Kim Woo, meeting his eyes.
"How much longer are you going to stare at me?" Aaron asked, curling his lips into a soft, teasing smile.
Kim Woo shot to his feet so fast that his chair scraped loudly against the floor.
"Stare at you?! Why would I stare at you?"
His voice carried throughout the room, catching a few eyes from their classmates.
Aaron blinked, feigning innocence.
"Well…" He rested his cheek on his palm, tilting his head as his smile widened.
"I am beautiful."
"You-"
Aaron's scent hit him again, like a wave crashing over him, and for a moment, his mind went blank. Kim Woo stay freeze, fighting the gnawing irritation and the pounding of his heart. He can feel the blood rush to his face; his temperature is spiking uncontrollably.
No, this isn't happening. This can't be happening.
His body is thrumming with an unfamiliar energy—an ache he only ever witnessed during his rut.
But that is impossible. My rut isn't due for another week.
Then.
It must be his pheromones.
Kim Woo's face burned in thought.
"Tch." He leans forward to Aaron and growls in a low voice.
"You think I'm like those alphas in heat who will fall for your little pheromone tricks? Let me tell you something."
Aaron raises an eyebrow, intrigued but unmoved.
"There are so many omegas out there who think they can spread their scent and end up in my bed," Kim Woo snaps, narrowing his eyes.
"But I'm not into whores. So, if you are trying to take your pants from me, forget it."
Aaron's expression shifts to Kim Woo's face; his usually soft eyes darken into something dangerous.
"Don't flatter yourself."
Kim Woo stiffened, noticing Aaron's cold voice. But the next moment, Aaron's eyes soften with his usual playful voice.
"Because I am not into short dicks."
The room went silent because Aaron is louder this time.
Kim Woo's jaw dropped slightly, but before he could respond, Aaron chuckled, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms.
"Don't worry, sweetheart." He paused for a moment and then continued.
"I'll never let you into my pants. Save your accusations for someone who actually wants you."
The words hit Kim Woo like a slap. His chest tightened and heat rose to his face as his blood boiled.
"You—" Kim Woo takes a step forward towards Aaron with a face mixed with anger and disbelief.
"You're lucky I don't hit omegas, or else—"
Aaron's hand shot up, gripping Kim Woo's collar, pulling Kim Woo closer until their faces are only inches apart. His smirk widened, and his voice dropped to a whisper.
"Or else what?"
The tension between them crackled like a live wire, neither of them are backing down and staring into each other's eyes until a sharp voice rang out from the doorway.
"Kim Woo-Jin!"
Both pairs of eyes snap toward the doorway to see Jung sprinting toward them in panic.
Reaching them, Jung starts scanning Aaron for injuries.
"Hey, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Aaron blinks at Jung's unexpected concern.
"Jung, what the hell are you doing?" Kim Woo barked in annoyance.
Jung spun around, glaring at Kim Woo. "What am I doing? What are you doing, bullying an omega like this?"
Kim Woo's eyes narrowed. "Bullying? I'm just warning him to stop seducing me with his pheromones!"
Jung's brows rise in confusion. "What?"
"Did you go deaf or something? I said he's using his floral pheromones. It's so strong I can barely smell my own!"
Jung sighs deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Woo-Jin, I can only smell your pheromones. There's nothing floral in the air, just your usual spicy scent."
Kim Woo scoffed. "Stop joking. He's practically drenched in it. I can smell it from here!"
Jung's serious expression gave Kim Woo pause, though his conviction didn't waver. He looked around the room, and his gaze landed on Park Shim, one of the alphas who often hovered near him.
"Park Shim!" Kim Woo barked.
Park Shim immediately hurried over to Kim Woo, almost wagging an invisible tail.
"Yes, Kim Woo?"
Without preamble, Kim Woo grabbed Park Shim's shoulder and shoved him toward Aaron.
"Smell him."
Jung's eyes widen in alarm. "Kim Woo, stop this nonsense—"
Kim Woo shot Jung a sharp glare, cutting him off. "Stay out of this."
Park Shim stumbled closer to Aaron, his cheeks reddening as he took in the omega's striking features. He freezes, looking into Aaron's doe-like eyes and soft, glowing skin.
"Park Shim!" Kim Woo snap.
"What does his scent smell like?"
Startled out of his daze, Park Shim stammered, "Uh, I—uh…"
"Smell him again," Kim Woo demanded, shoving Park Shim closer to Aaron's neck.
Park Shim's face flushes as he caught Aaron's light breath against his skin. He jerked back suddenly, shouting, "I can only smell your pheromones on him, Kim Woo!"
Kim Woo's face twisted in disbelief.
"Stop lying! He smells like he's bathed in flowers! How can you both not—"
Aaron finally interfered with Kim Woo with his wide eyes, playing the role of a victim perfectly.
'He was the one sniffing me… like a dog,"
Aaron continued with a trembling voice and fake tears in his eyes.
"And he...he was rubbing his nose against my neck like some lost puppy."
Kim Woo's mouth fell open in disbelief. "What?! I wasn't—" He stopped for a moment and continued.
"Did you just compare me with dogs and puppies?!"
Aaron took a step back as his wide, glistening eyes played the picture of innocence.
"Why are you so angry? I'm just saying what happened."
Jung stepped in as he noticed things escalating. "Enough!" he said in a firm voice.
"Let's go to the canteen and talk this out calmly."
Kim Woo crossed his arms and shouted in irritation.
"I'm not going anywhere with this cunning fox."
Aaron gasped dramatically clutches his chest as if he was mortally wounded.
"I'm also not going anywhere with this bully dog!"
Kim Woo's eyes flare hearing Aaron.
"Who are you calling a dog?!"
Aaron stuck his tongue out as he quickly hid behind Jung for protection.
"You, obviously," he said, peeking out from behind Jung.
"Kim Woo, follow me to the canteen right now, or I am telling your mother about today."
Kim Woo froze as his scowl deepened. "Jung-"
"Come on." Jung interrupted Kim Woo, leaving no room for argument.
Aaron, still hiding behind Jung, giggles softly. "Scary cat," he whispers toward Kim Woo, loud enough for the alpha to hear.
Kim Woo's glare is burning holes into Aaron as Jung is guiding them both toward the canteen. As they exit the classroom, a student quickly pulls out her phone. She forwarded some pictures she had secretly taken earlier of Aaron clutching Kim Woo's collar, along with a few close-up shots where their faces are almost touching with text.
"Someone is trying to steal your future husband."