Chapter Five

Kian’s POV

“Hi. Do you happen to know where I should pass all these annoying papers?”

I turned around when I felt someone softly poking at my back. A dominant omega. Very handsome at that. He’s lean and striking with messy dark hair, pale skin, and deep violet-gray eyes. One that seems to be hiding something.. or in short he got that mysterious air around him. His pheromone leaked a bit as I can tell he is a bit annoyed, maybe because of the heat?

But woah.. He actually had this unique scent of black rose and incense. It smells really good and oddly so comfortable.

He sighed and snapped his fingers in front of me. “I’m sorry for my pheromones, they leak a bit sometimes like that.”

I cleared my throat quickly pulling myself together before I stared for too long and embarrass myself any further.

“O-oh, no, it’s fine! Don’t worry about it,” I said, stepping back just a little so I wasn’t standing quite so close. “Papers, right. Uh, enrollment’s done over there at the admin building, that long brick one near the main gate. But if you’re submitting course forms, the department office is on the second floor instead.”

I gestured vaguely in the direction we’d both come from, hoping I was making sense and not just staring like an idiot. I’m actually quite proud of myself giving instructions even though I suck with directions. Maybe it's because of his calming pheromones?

“It’s not too far, though. I can… walk you there, if you want? I was heading that way anyway because I need to give something back.”

Wait.. Why did I say that? Now I was just being so clingy already. But, I wanted him to be my friend.  I get really sensitive with other people's pheromones, even with omegas, but his doesn't trigger my headaches or sometimes I even puke.

I kept my gaze steady, though my heart was definitely beating a little too fast against my ribs. I really needed to stop getting so flustered around strangers.

The omega blinked twice and his lips curled into a soft smile. “Yeah. I’m fine with that.”

I nodded and nervously scratched the back of my neck, warmth creeping up my neck because this is my first attempt at making friends and I’m shy. "Great. Cool. Uh, this way then."

We started walking side by side, and it struck me how comfortably quiet it felt between us already. No awkward silences, no need to fill the space with unnecessary words. His scent is still leaking.. but gently, as if he’s trying his best to rein them in. It was rich and warm like dried petals and old books, and I breathed it in quietly.. lowkey shamelessly if I’m being honest. Grateful that for once I didn't feel the urge to step back or cover my nose. It was… nice. Safe.

"I'm Kian, by the way," I said after a moment, glancing over at him.

"Soren Hayes," he replied easily, his violet-gray eyes flicking toward me. "Thanks for this. I've been wandering around like a lost ghost for the last twenty minutes. Everything looks the same here."

I huffed a small laugh. "Tell me about it. I accidentally walked all the way to the Medical Department earlier instead of the Arts building. Ended up completely on the wrong side of campus."

Soren let out a low, genuine laugh that felt surprisingly light. "Ouch. Okay, that definitely makes me feel less hopeless. We can be directionally challenged together."

Some of the tightness in my chest loosened, just a little. For the first time all morning, I wasn't thinking about River, or whether I was being too much, or if I'd ever really belong here. I was just… walking. With someone new. And it didn't feel like I had to try so hard to be okay.

Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so hard after all. 

—--

We reached the second floor and stepped inside the department office. It was bustling with students and staff, and the moment Soren walked in, something shifted. His posture straightened, his expression smoothed into something cool and distant, almost unreadable. 

When someone bumped his shoulder and mumbled an apology, he only gave a sharp, quiet nod, his voice flat and brief. "It's fine." Not even a glance in their direction. It was like a switch had flipped.

I blinked a little, surprised by the sudden change. But then he turned back to me, and that cool edge softened instantly.

"I'll drop these off first," he said, his tone warm again, just like it had been on our walk.

While he handed over his papers, I stepped up to the counter beside him and pulled out the extra textbook I'd been carrying. "Uh, excuse me? I think I was given two copies of this one. Could I return the extra?"

The secretary checked her list, then looked at me. "Oh, you're in Professor Hale's Art History section, right? Soren Hayes is in that same class too. Looks like you two will be seeing a lot of each other."

My eyes widened. I looked over at him. "We're… classmates?"

Soren's lips curved into that soft, rare smile again. "Looks like it, Kian."

I mean, I actually couldn't believe my luck! Maybe I’ll ask him soon what is his major. Surely hope it's Performing Arts & Theater like me.

Then he glanced back at the counter when someone tried to ask him a question about another class, and his expression went polite but sharp again—short answers, no extra words, clearly not interested in chatting. But the second his gaze returned to me, his shoulders relaxed and his eyes softened, that faint, easy warmth back in place.

"Guess I won't be getting lost alone anymore," he said quietly, and I found myself smiling back at him.

Before either of us could say more, Soren glanced at his phone and let out a quiet sigh. "I actually need to go. I have to pick up some art supplies from across town before the shops close."

"Oh! Right, of course," I said quickly, clutching my books a little tighter. "I should head to the dorms anyway. Need to check in and see my room."

He nodded, then paused, like he was debating something, before speaking again. "I'll see you in class then, Kian."

"Yeah! See you around, Soren!"

We parted ways at the building entrance. I watched him walk off — back straight, with that quiet, distant air already settling over him again as he passed by groups of students — before turning toward the dormitories.

The dorm was bigger than I expected, warm and buzzing with quiet life. I found my room, unlocked the door, and stepped inside… only to trip over something soft and squishy right at the threshold

I yelped, stumbling forward, and a voice yelped right back. 

I steadied myself and looked down. Sprawled across the floor right in the middle of the entryway was another guy — bright, green eyes, a mess of honey brown curls, and the most vibrant, sunny scent of citrus and wildflower I’d ever smelled. 

Yep. Definitely another dominant omega.

And he was currently surrounded thick textbooks, a stethoscope draped over one shoulder, and what looked like a very detailed anatomy poster, and about three different pairs of fuzzy socks.

"I— I'm so sorry!" I stammered. "I didn't see you there. Are you okay?"

He laughed, pushing himself up easily and dusting off his jeans. "No worries, I should be the one apologizing. I’ve basically claimed the entire entryway as my study zone. I'm Luca, by the way. Luca Mercer." He stuck out a hand, grinning. "Med student. Future doctor— hopefully. Don't hold me to that yet though."

"Kian," I said, shaking his hand. "New here. Definitely not a med student. I'd probably pass out looking at half those books."

Luca beamed, grabbing all of his med stuff and hauling it out of the way. "Ah, don't worry. It's mostly just memorizing a million different bone names and wondering why anyone decided the human body needed this many parts.” 

I chuckled at what he said. He looked at me and laughed with me too. Then, Luca shifted his gaze toward the empty space behind me, frowning slightly. "Wait — where’s all your stuff? I was half-expecting a mountain of suitcases to come barging in with you."

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. "Oh, I don't have any luggage with me right now. I just finished submitting my enrollment papers and had some extra time, so I thought I'd come check the room out first. Make sure it actually exists, y'know?"

Luca nodded, but I could tell he was still waiting for the rest.

 "I'm actually just waiting for my short-term lease to end at my old place," I explained, glancing around the room. "It's only a couple more days now. Once that's up, I'll bring everything over properly."

"Ah, that makes sense!" He beamed, bright and easy. "No rush at all. Take your time — your side of the room is all yours whenever you're ready. And hey, if you need help moving anything when the time comes, just holler. I've got surprisingly strong arms from carrying all these textbooks around." He flexed playfully. And that actually made me laugh.