Chapter 1
Rain poured heavily from the dark sky.
Alex cursed under his breath as he ran down the street, trying to shield himself from the rain with one hand. Of course, he had forgotten his umbrella.
Spotting a small café nearby, he quickly ran inside, grateful to finally escape the downpour.
The moment he stepped through the door, he froze.
Hmm… what is that smell? It smells like cake. No… not exactly. Is it croissants?
The sweet scent lingered in the air, warm and intoxicating. The café was almost empty, with only the soft tapping of rain against the windows breaking the silence.
Alex slowly looked around, trying to figure out where the scent was coming from.
Then he saw him.
A tall man sitting alone by the window, quietly sipping his tea. He wore glasses that framed his sharp blue eyes perfectly.
Alex stared for a moment longer than he should have.
Is it coming from him?
He quickly looked away when the man suddenly lifted his eyes from his tea.
Their eyes met.
Alex’s heart skipped.
The man set his cup down and looked at him calmly.
“Can I help you?”
Alex blinked, caught completely off guard.
“Uh…”
Alex blinked, caught completely off guard.
“I’m sorry. I just perceived a scent that smelled like croissants coming from you.”
Adrian snickered.
“We’re in a café. It could be coming from the kitchen.”
“Oh… sorry about that.”
Of course we’re in a café. Why did I even say that? I’m so embarrassed.
Adrian chuckled softly.
“That’s actually why I like coming here. The smell is quite similar to my pheromones.”
He smiled.
Alex was momentarily dazed by the warmth of his smile.
“You’re an alpha?” he asked before he could stop himself.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“What do you think?”
He laughed.
“I’m Adrian. You?”
“I’m… I’m Alex.”
Before Adrian could say anything else, Alex’s phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Lisa.
He answered the call.
“Where the hell are you?” Lisa yelled through the phone. “Did you get into trouble? I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes!”
“Oh my God, Lisa, can’t you see it’s pouring?”
“Where are you right now? I’ll come get you.”
“You don’t have to. Wait for me, I’ll be there in a minute.”
Alex hung up and slipped his phone into his pocket.
He turned back toward Adrian.
“I have to go now.”
Adrian nodded, taking another sip of his tea.
“Take care, Alex.”
Alex paused.
For some reason, hearing his name in Adrian’s voice made his heart flutter.
“Yeah… you too.”
He gave Adrian one last glance before turning toward the door.
As he stepped outside, Alex couldn’t help wondering why that man’s scent still lingered in his mind.
The rain had reduced to a light drizzle by the time Alex stepped out of the café.
I should have asked for his contact.
He sighed as he climbed into a taxi.
He was really handsome… I wonder if I’ll ever see him again.
Alex leaned against the window, watching the blurred city lights pass by.
Why am I even thinking about him? I only just met him.
A few minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of the restaurant where he was supposed to meet Lisa.
The moment Alex walked inside, he spotted her sitting at their usual table.
Lisa was a tall, striking woman with a sharp jawline, dark eyes, and long black hair tied neatly behind her. Her athletic build and confident posture made her presence impossible to ignore.
The second she saw Alex, she stood up.
“Oi! Where have you been? What took you so long? Did someone bully you?”
“No, Mum. I’m fine, jeez.”
Alex rolled his eyes jokingly as he sat down.
Lisa narrowed her eyes at him.
“Woah, woah… why is your face so red?”
Alex immediately touched his cheeks.
“What?”
“What are you thinking about?” Lisa leaned closer. “Did you meet someone?”
“I….”
“See, Alex! I told you to be careful. You’re an omega. You can’t just go around meeting alphas who…”
“Lisa…”
“….might claim to love you recklessly without wanting anything in return, unlike me.”
Alex burst out laughing.
“Unlike you? You’re my best friend!”
“Exactly. Which makes me more qualified.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
Lisa crossed her arms.
“Now tell me. Who is he?”
“I didn’t meet anyone, Lisa.”
“You’re lying.”
She pointed at his face.
“Look at you! You’re practically glowing. Who is he?”
“Lisa, stoppp.” Alex groaned. “Can we just drink and go home? We’ve got a 9 a.m. class tomorrow.”
“Hmmm…” Lisa studied him suspiciously.
“You seem sus, but I’m gonna let it slide.”
She reached for her drink before casually asking,
“Do you have any suppressants left?”
“Stop nagging like you’re my mum, Lisa.”
“I’m your best—and only—friend. I care about you.” Her expression softened slightly. “Besides, your pheromones smell a little off.”
Alex looked away.
“I’ll take one when I get home, so don’t worry, okay?”
“Fine.”
Lisa raised her glass.
“Let’s drink.”
Alex smiled and clinked his glass against hers.
“To surviving another nine a.m. class.”
“To surviving you,” Lisa replied.
They both laughed.
After a few drinks, Alex finally gave in to Lisa’s interrogation.
“Fine! I met someone at the café.”
Lisa’s eyes widened immediately.
“I KNEW IT!”
“Keep your voice down!”
“So who is he?”
“I don’t know much about him. His name is Adrian. He’s an alpha.”
Lisa stared at him.
“And?”
“And nothing! We just talked for a few minutes.”
“Hmmm…”
“Stop looking at me like that.”
Lisa laughed. “I’m just surprised you actually noticed an alpha.”
Alex smiled faintly. “It feels nice knowing there’s another alpha besides you”
Lisa’s expression softened for a moment.
“Okay… I’ll allow it.”
After they finished their drinks, Lisa drove Alex home and dropped him off at his apartment.
“Text me when you get inside.”
“Yes, Mum.”
“Good. And don’t forget your suppressant.”
“I won’t.”
Alex waved as she drove away.
He stood outside his apartment for a moment before sighing.
Adrian…
He shook his head and went inside.
The next morning, Alex’s alarm went off at exactly 7:00 a.m.
“Ugh…”
He blindly reached for his phone and silenced it.
He lay there for another few seconds before remembering he had a 9 a.m. class.
His eyes flew open.
“Oh shit.”
Alex jumped out of bed, hurriedly got dressed, grabbed his bag, and rushed out.
By the time he reached the university, he was already exhausted.
Lisa was waiting outside the lecture hall.
“You’re late.”
“I know.”
“You look terrible.”
“Thank you.”
They both laughed and walked inside.
Alex dropped into his usual seat and pulled out his notebook.
“I heard we have a new professor,” Lisa whispered.
“Hopefully he’s not boring.”
“Apparently he’s young.”
“So?”
Lisa grinned.
“Maybe he’s handsome.”
Alex rolled his eyes.
“Lisa, please.”
Before she could respond, the classroom suddenly became quiet.
Someone had entered.
Alex looked toward the door.
And froze.
A tall man walked into the room, dressed in a dark suit. His glasses rested neatly on his face, framing those unmistakable sharp blue eyes.
Alex’s heart stopped.
No way.
The man placed a folder on the desk and looked toward the class.
Then his eyes landed on Alex.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Adrian’s expression remained calm.
“Good morning.”
Alex couldn’t breathe.
The man turned toward the board and picked up a marker.
“My name is Professor Adrian Vale. I’ll be teaching you business ethics this semester”
Alex stared at him in disbelief.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Lisa slowly turned toward him.
“Alex…”
He didn’t answer.
She glanced between him and the professor.
“That’s him, isn’t it?”
Alex covered his face with one hand.
“Please don’t.”
At the front of the room, Adrian glanced at him once more.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
End of Chapter One.
