But no matter how far Kim Woo-Jin ran during the day, the nights were a different story.

Dreams of Aaron came unbidden, vivid and relentless.

Sometimes, Aaron teased him with playful flirtations with his soft voice and mischievous smile enough to make Kim Woo-Jin’s heart race.

But other times, the dreams took a darker and more intimate turn.

He would dream of their lips meeting, the warmth of Aaron’s breath against his skin, and the way Aaron’s fingers trailed along his body.

The worst dreams were the ones where Woo-Jin was the one losing control.

In those dreams, he would grab Aaron without hesitation, pulling him close as his lips claimed Aaron’s with a hunger, he didn’t recognize in himself. His hands and lips would roam freely, tracing the curves and lines of Aaron’s body.

When he woke from such dreams, his body was drenched in sweat, leaving his heart pounding like a drum. He buried his face in his hands, groaning in frustration.

Why can’t I stop thinking about him?

Why does he have this effect on me?

Despite his resolve to ignore Aaron, his mind betrayed him. No matter how much distance he put between them, Aaron was always there, in his thoughts, in his dreams, in his restless heart.

As for Aaron, the sudden distance was driving him mad.

Kim Woo-Jin was nowhere to be found. He didn’t show up to their usual classes, avoided shared spaces, and disappeared whenever Aaron entered a room.

At first, Aaron found it amusing.

But as days turned into weeks, the frustration grew. Kim Woo-Jin’s avoidance was no longer amusing; it was infuriating.

“Why is he ignoring me?”

Aaron muttered to himself, pacing inside the canteen. His fingers tapped against his lips as memories of their accidental kiss resurfaced.

Was it really that big of a deal?

The thought of Kim Woo-Jin avoiding him gnawed at his pride. Aaron wasn’t used to being ignored, especially by someone like Kim Woo-Jin.

But avoidance wasn’t the worst of it.

After that day, the whisper started following wherever he went. It was subtle at first, barely noticeable. Then, they grew louder and sharper.

“Did you hear what he did to Kim Woo?”

“That omega doesn’t know his place.”

“He was trying to seduce a taken man.”

The rumors spread like wildfire and grow too.

“A slut.”

“A whore.”

“The omega seducer.”

But it didn’t stop at words.

It started small. A bump in the hallway that nearly sent him crashing into a locker. A foot stuck out just enough to trip him.

But it didn’t stop there.

Shoves turned into punches. A slap in the middle of the hallway left his cheek throbbing, the sting burning long after the hand was gone.

One afternoon, a group of alphas blocked his path in the corridor. Their cruel and mocking laughter filled the narrow space. Before he could speak, the first blow landed. Fists and feet came at him from all sides—his ribs, his back, his face.

“Know your place, Aaron.”

“Kim Woo doesn’t belong to trash like you.”

Aaron didn’t react. He refused to give them the satisfaction. But inside, something was cracking.

He clenched his fists so hard that his nails dug into his skin. A voice in his head screamed to end this forever.

But he couldn’t.

Not because he didn’t want to, but because he was terrified of what would happen if he let go.

What concerned Aaron most wasn’t their violence—it was his own.

The bruises and purple marks became a part of him, as familiar as the ache in his heart. Every day was a test of how much he could hold himself back.

And the reason behind his suffering was Yuna.

The campus beauty queen.

She had everything—beauty, popularity, and an army of devoted followers who hung on her every word.

After witnessing Aaron's lips on Kim Woo and Kim Woo’s eyes flickered to Aaron made Yuna’s chest tighten with anger.

How dare an omega like him draw Kim Woo’s attention?

How dare he exist in the same space as her and her alpha?

She decided right then and there that Aaron needed to pay.

Yuna didn’t need to cause a scene herself. All it took was a few well-placed whispers with her usual, chilling smile.

 “Can you believe he tried to seduce Kim Woo?”

“That omega doesn’t know his place, make him pay. "

And her words and commands were carried out without question.

Aaron sat in the far corner of the canteen, isolated from the noisy chatter that filled the room. He toyed with the food on his plate, his fork moving in slow circles as his mind spun with one thought: catching Kim Woo at any cost.

Suddenly a voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the infamous omega,” someone mocked with their tone dripping with contempt.

A shadow loomed over Aaron, blocking the light. He didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

He was unmistakably one of Yuna’s loyal followers.

Aaron didn’t flinch. He didn’t even look up. Instead, he kept his gaze on his plate, his fork stabbing idly at his uneaten meal as though the intruders were nothing more than background noise.

Bur Aaron's indifference only riled him further.

“Hey! How dare you ignore me, you slut!”

He barked, slamming his hand on the table. The impact made Aaron’s tray jump, the clatter echoing through the canteen.

Aaron’s fist tightened under the table.

Calm down, he told himself.

Breathe.

But the alpha wasn’t done.

He grabbed a bottle of water, tipping it over Aaron’s head. The icy liquid drenched his hair, dripping down his face and soaking into his shirt.

Laughter erupted around him, cruel and cutting.

“Look at you,” he sneered.

 “Acting like he’s something special when he’s nothing but a pathetic whore.”

Aaron’s breathing quickened. His chest heaved as anger built, hot and relentless, threatening to spill over. But he kept his gaze locked on the table, willing himself to stay calm.

Not now, he repeated in his mind.

Suddenly, Alpha stepped closer and swung, the slap ringing through the cafeteria like a whip crack.

Aaron’s head snapped to the side, his cheek flaring with pain. Slowly, he turned back, setting his jaw. He didn’t say a word, but the fire in his gaze said everything.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

The alpha sneered, leaning closer with a cruel smirk.

But his smirk didn’t last.

Out of nowhere, a fist slammed into his jaw, sending him sprawling onto the floor.