Mag-log inKian’s POVTime seemed to slow down, stretching thin and sharp like a thread about to snap. My thumb hovered over the emergency number on my screen, but before I could even press it, everything happened all at once. One of the Alphas drew back his fist, knuckles whitening, aiming straight for Nyx’s face. Nyx was already braced for impact, shoulders tensed like he’d take the blow and still stand his ground—when a figure moved faster than my eyes could properly follow.The sound echoed through the hallway, sharp and unmistakable. The Alpha stumbled backward, clutching his jaw, eyes wide and stunned. Standing right where he’d been a second ago was Hunter, his expression calm but his eyes hard as flint. He shook out his hand like it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience, then stepped fully between Nyx and the remaining two Alphas.“Don’t you dare,” Hunter said, and his voice wasn’t loud. It was quiet, steady, and terrifying all on its own.Before anyone could recover, Jax moved in b
Kian’s POVIf yesterday felt overwhelming, today felt like stepping into a whirlwind that never quite slowed down. The welcome event had been a flurry of faces and noise that blurred together until I could barely tell one department from the next. After the announcements and the mentor pairings, the afternoon had dissolved into icebreakers, relay games, and mingling that felt endless. I’d tried my best — I really did!! — but meeting every single person was impossible. There were just too many of us. The art students alone were spread across three buildings, and the medical faculty seemed to have an entire wing of campus to themselves. By the time I got back to the dorm last night, my social battery was completely drained. Luca had found me sitting on my bed staring blankly at my suitcase and had quietly handed me a granola bar before leaving me be. I was grateful for it. Also, I’m pretty sure he is exhausted himself after exchanging smart medical remarks with Zane.But yeah, today? T
Kian’s POV And that’s when I felt it. Not a touch, not a word, just a gaze. Heavy, steady and unreadable. I shifted slightly on my feet and my eyes drifted to the side, and there he was. River. Standing just a step behind Zane, watching me. My heart gave a sharp, panicked thud.Why was he looking at me like that? Like he was trying to see through my skin, like he was reading something I hadn’t said. I moved my head sideways and felt the scent patch on my skin. It brushes beneath the collar of my hoodie. It was there, secure and still firmly pressed against my skin. The black-market one — flesh-toned, matte, designed to blend so seamlessly it was practically invisible even if someone stood inches away. He couldn’t see it. There was nothing to see..He doesn’t know. He can’t know this.But my pulse didn’t slow down. Suddenly I was hyper-aware of everything — the way I was standing, how I was breathing, whether my scent was truly contained or if some invisible wisp was escaping and d
Kian’s POVThe grass beneath my sneakers was soft and still damp from the early morning dew, glistening under the bright August sun. The university had set up the Freshman Welcome out in the wide open fields behind the sports complex today — rows of white tents, wooden picnic tables, colorful banners strung between oak trees, and enough space for everyone to breathe. It felt less like a lecture and more like a festival, with music drifting from portable speakers and the smell of grilled food and fresh coffee hanging light in the air.The Art Department had claimed one end of the field, our tent decorated with student sketches and paint-splattered easels together with some masks and other digital arts. Down near the treeline, the Medical Department had their own area — neat, professional, lined with informational posters and a small first-aid demonstration station. The two groups mingled freely across the green lawn, no walls, no separate buildings — just everyone together under the sa
Kian’s POV The day of the move came faster than I was ready for.I woke up early, stomach twisted in tight knots, and went through my checklist one last time. Patch — fresh, thick, pressed firmly behind my ear. Check. Hoodie — oversized, zipped all the way up. Check. Bag — everything I own, which honestly isn’t much, packed tight and strapped to my back. Check!I took one slow, deep breath, mentally locking everything down deep inside. There should be not a single whiff. Not a single hint. Not to anyone. Especially not Luca. Because Luca was a dominant omega — and not just any dominant omega, but one training to be a doctor. If anyone could pick up on even the faintest leak… it was him. He’d notice the shift in my scent before I even stepped through the doorway. And I couldn’t afford that mistake. Not now.I hauled my duffel bag out the door and made the short walk to campus as I was already near. I moved quickly, eyes forward, keeping to the less crowded paths. Every stranger that p
Kian’s POVThe moment the door clicked shut behind me, my legs gave out. I slid down the wood until I hit the floor, chest heaving like I’d just run a marathon, fingers trembling as I fumbled with the lock. Click. Deadbolt turned. Chain slid into place. ‘Safe. I was safe..’ I chanted to myself until the words are now ingrained to my system. Effectively gaslighting myself so that I won't panic.I dragged myself to my feet and stumbled to the small desk by the window, yanking open the bottom drawer. There it was — the small, insulated case, sitting there like a ticking time bomb. My hands shook as I unclasped it. Inside lay the last dose. Just one. Clear liquid in a small glass vial, waiting. My father’s black-market supply, expensive, impossible to replace around here, and running terrifyingly low. Sooner or later, I either have to call him and suck up all his scoldings and beatings or… go to a doctor here. I already know what they’ll say though.I looked at the last freaking vial and







