Ayan had barely made it five steps before a voice barked down the hall.
"You two. Back here. Now."
They turned in unison — the principal's assistant stood at the office door, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. "The principal isn't done with you."
Kairo's eyes cut to Ayan's, a silent I told you so.
Ayan's only answer was the faintest smirk as he strolled back, brushing past Kairo just enough for their shoulders to collide.
Inside, the principal didn't even look up from the file in his hands. "You'll both be representing the academy for the upcoming interschool project. I don't care if you hate each other. You will work together. And you will make this institution proud."
Ayan froze for a fraction of a second — together was not what he'd planned for.
Kairo, on the other hand, let out a low laugh under his breath.
"Any problem?" the principal asked, his voice clipped.
"No," Ayan said, but the way he glanced at Kairo screamed otherwise.
When they left the office, the tension was unbearable, thick enough to wrap around their throats.
Kairo leaned closer as they stepped into the sunlight. "Looks like you're stuck with me, Omega."
Ayan didn't miss a beat. "Or maybe you're stuck with me, Alpha."
The way Kairo's jaw flexed at that told Ayan he'd hit the mark.
This project wasn't going to be about winning anymore.
It was going to be about surviving each other.
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