Aimi stared at the spoon in front of her.
"Open up." He commanded, tapping the spoon gently on her lips.
She leaned forward, lips barely parting as she took the bite.
Isaac watched a little too attentively the way the shape of her mouth wrapped the spoon.
The way she chewed was elegant, even when irritated. The faintest movement in her throat as she swallowed.
A smile spread across his charming profile.
"Good girl."
Aimi almost choked.
"Ew." She stole the spoon and lunchbox from his hand to eat herself.
He continued to watch, arms resting on the sofa backrest, eyes did not part from her once.
The hardened bulge in his pants was getting uncomfortable. He wanted touch, he wanted something. But he only moved his eyes.
Issac doesn't understand the way he was acting either. He knew it wasn't usual, but he was never the type to move with logic. As one who always seeks to feel, he depended on those senses to drive.
Across the room, Emily's fingers dug into the pool table.
Her friends whispered something to her, but she wasn't listening.
Isaac had never treated a girl like this before.
Never fed one.
Never looked at one like this.
Aimi eat slowly, really slowly. Alex and Kevin get irritated after catching a few glances.
But Issac? He was running his fingers through her hair. Her gentle, intoxicating pheromones lingered, exuding off her like a love potion. He moved closer, and their legs touched.
Because Isaac was heavier than Aimi, his moving closer made the couch sink, bending Aimi downward to one side.
"Can you at least give me some space?" she let out an exhale, irritated once again.
After a moment of inspecting her face, Isaac leans in for a soft peck on her lips.
She flinched, feeling a surge of anger overtaking her. The disrespect this man has. Before she could speak, a voice echoed.
"Isaac." Emily stood right next to the private couch and called.
Isaac didn't look at her right away.
He sighed through his nose, as if Emily were an afterthought.
Aimi lifted her gaze just enough to glance at the teary girl. Her eyes lowered. She partly understood the situation,
"Isaac." Emily's expression was tight, but her voice held a fake softness. "Can I talk to you? Alone?"
Isaac finally turned. "No."
Emily blinked. "No?"
"I'm busy."
"With her?" Her voice cracked.
Aimi raised an eyebrow, slowly scooping another bite into her mouth.
"If it's important, say it here."
Emily's composure faltered, but she forced a smile. "You've never treated me like this before. No matter how many girls you accepted, I thought we—"
"You thought wrong then." He cut her off.
A beat of silence stretched.
Alex and Kevin exchanged a glance at the sidelines, "What's going on..." they whispered.
Everyone stopped pretending they weren't watching.
Emily laughed softly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "So what is she? Your new toy?"
Aimi placed her spoon down.
"Yeah. That's enough humiliation for today," she decided.
Emily's gaze snapped to her. "You don't get to speak."
"Who decides that? Your mom?" Aimi stood up, brushing her skirt smooth. "You can have your couch back."
"You-" before Emily finished her sentence.
His hand caught Aimi's wrist before she could take a step.
"What toy." Isaac shot Emily a silencing glare.
He stood up, towering over both girls.
Aimi looked down at his hand. "Let go."
She tried to untangle herself from his grip, and her voice grew sharper. "Let me go, Isaac Rudiego."
He didn't move. "She's just jealous."
"I don't care. Let. Me. Go."
Silence.
"I say let go. Don't touch me."
He didn't.
Aimi was getting annoyed... and somewhat lightheaded. "You're hurting."
Isaac finally let go, but his pinky curled around hers.
His eyes softened slightly, searching hers. "Don't leave."
Kevin and Alex watched from across the room. Alex muttered, "...Bro's gone."
Kevin nodded. "Yeah. That's it. He's gone."
a broken smile plastered on their face.
Emily was just frozen in place, fists clenched.
"Sit." He cleared his throat.
"I'm not a dog."
"I know."
"I do not want to be part of your show." Aimi pulled away. She noticed Emily's tears.
"There is no show," he sighed. "I just don't wanna stop looking at you."
Her parted lips froze for a mere second. "Then watch from a distance."
And with that, she walked off.
The room was silent.
"You haven't finished your food." He whispered to himself. A little pitiful for a "king".
He could've forced her, but he couldn't at the same time.
The moment Aimi pushed the basement doors open, the world hit her.
The air outside felt heavier than inside.
A wave of unbearable heat crashed through her body like a fever. Her legs wobbled. Her breath hitched.
No.
Not now.
Not here.
Her suppressants were supposed to last at least another day.
Aimi rushed toward the nearest bathroom, her legs barely holding up. Her heels clicked, then skidded on the tiles as she collapsed inside. She couldn't even get to a stall. Her knees gave out.
Her cheeks were flushed red, eyes were glossy. Her skin burned with need. Every part of her screamed for touch.
Her heat wasn't supposed to come. She gritted her teeth.
It had to be him. Isaac Rudiego.
He was the only difference today.
She had heard stories. That certain alphas could trigger a suppressed omega's heat by proximity alone. That biological compatibility could override artificial control.
But she never believed them.
Pain curled through her gut. She let out a small, broken sound.
And then. The bathroom door creaked open.
Footsteps.
Aimi looked up, vision blurred.
The figure was small, feminine. Warm brown hair, soft eyes. The girl crouched down, seemingly worried.
"H-hey, are you okay?" she whispered.
"Who are you?" Aimi's voice was barely there.
"I'm Mia. Mia Carter. Are you okay? You look really pale- do you need help?"
Aimi's fingers fumbled for her locker key, trembling as she pressed it into Mia's hand.
"My bag... locker C-21... there's a black leather pouch with a bottle... dark blue cap." She could barely get the words out. "Please. My medication..."
Mia blinked, then nodded quickly. "Hold on. I'll be right back."
Before she stood, she helped Aimi into one of the bathroom stalls, shutting the door behind them.
"I'll be fast," Mia whispered.
She returned less than three minutes later, panting softly, clutching Aimi's leather bag.
"Which bottle?"
Aimi could barely speak. She pointed weakly.
Mia dug through the side pocket and found the blue capped bottle.
Inside were two small vials and a syringe.
Suppressant injectables.
Mia recognised it immediately.
"Let me-" Aimi reached for the needles, but her strength gave out.
"Don't worry, I got this," Mia smiled. "I'm somewhat of an expert here."
Aimi turned her head, baring her shoulder.
Mia cleaned the site, "These suppressants are made by Cartier, my family," she explained slowly as she pressed the syringe, injecting the suppressant. "I grew up with this kind of stuff, so you can trust me."
Aimi winced. Then slowly… exhaled, "The biggest alpha-omega research firm...I see." she recalled.
Mia placed the case back in the bag, then sat cross-legged beside her.
"Nice to meet you, Aimi Lionesse."
"You know me?"
"Who doesn't?" A soft, cute chuckle escaped, "Ms highest scorer in the college's history. I was in MCC (a course name) when you were introduced."
"Ah, I see...Nice to meet you, Mia Carter...and thank you."
After a while, Aimi's body stopped trembling.
Aimi scratched her head. "…Can you please not tell anyone...about this?"
Mia smiled. "I won't."
Aimi studied her for a moment. Her scent was neutral. Calming.
"You're a…Beta?" she asked.
Mia nodded. "Mmhm."
"Thank god, and thank you again."
"It's no problem. Just, mmm, did you forget to take your suppressants?"
"No, I took it this morning."
"What? This one?"
"Yeah."
"This is supposed to be the strongest there is. Its effect could last up to days...?" Mia contemplated. Seemingly confused.
"Yeah...supposingly. I got it custom-made to increase the suppressant dosage by 20% even."
"What? :sob:"
Aimi leaned her head back against the stall, eyes fluttering shut. "I hate this so much..."
"Was there a trigger...? Oh, right." Mia realised, "Right. Was it. Um. Isaac Rudiego?"
Silence.
"He's the only alpha in our school. His instincts seem a lot more sensitive than regular alphas, too. Even my parents mentioned it a few times. I heard the firm tried to recruit him to cooperate for research, but he refused."
"Is that right." Aimi sighed, "What a small world."
Mia sat beside her quietly, legs hugged to her chest. "You should go home, Ms. Aimi."
"You're right." A defeated smile, "It doesn't seem that safe now."