I don't know what annoyed me more: being summoned by a lecturer on my free day, or the fact that they didn't just message us like normal people.
I shoved my hands into my jacket pocket, muttering to myself as I walked into the admin wing. "How important could it be that we had to come in person?"
Kenan was already there sitting across from the office door, legs stretched out, arms folded, looking like he owned the damn hallway.
Of course, he looked good.
Of course, I flushed the moment our eyes met.
He didn't even say anything. Just stared.
And I? I stared right at the floor tiles like they were the most fascinating thing I'd seen all week.
Usually, I'd break the awkwardness with some joke or sarcastic comment but not today. Not after that night. Not after what I said. Not after what I begged for.
My ears still burned thinking about it.
We sat in silence until the door opened.
"Come in," Professor Daniel called. "Both of you."
I followed Kenan in and sat as far from him as the room allowed. He still didn't say anything. Just looked at me. Again.
Why does he keep doing that?
"Thanks for coming," Professor Daniel started, tapping his pen against the edge of a file. "I wanted to have this conversation in person because it involves both of you directly and not everything can be said over text."
Of course not.
He glanced between us before continuing. "So. You two had the lowest compatibility score at the start of the semester."
I winced.
"But," he continued, "your progress reports have been consistently improving. Your assignments are always submitted on time, sometimes early and the quality is solid. So, we wanted to check in. See how you two are functioning now."
I blinked. This is what we were called in for?
"Also," he added, "with the partner switching period approaching, I wanted to ask if either of you planned to switch and advise you both to think that through carefully."
That pulled something sharp in my chest.
Switch?
I hadn't thought about it. Not once.
Even when we fought. Even when Kenan got under my skin.
Why would I switch? We worked fine. He always did his part. We never even had to message each other the work just got done.
"I never planned on switching," I said quickly too quickly before glancing at the lecturer. "But I can't say the same for Kenan."
That came out harsher than I meant.
Kenan's eyes snapped to mine. A glare. Sharp and hard and probably deserved.
Professor Daniel turned to him. "And you? Do you plan on switching?"
Kenan was silent for a beat. Then two. His eyes didn't move from mine.
Kenan didn't even hesitate. "No. I was never going to switch."
I felt like he wasn't talking to the professor.
I felt like he was talking to me.
My chest loosened. I didn't even realize I'd been holding my breath until that moment.
Why did that feel… relieving?
Professor Daniel nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Good. I'm glad to hear that. I hope you both think it through as the project comes to a close. You might be surprised how compatibility develops over time."
I stared down at my lap, heat climbing my neck again.
Too late. I'm already surprised.
With that, we stepped out into the hall.
I expected Kenan to walk away first.
He didn't.
He stood there beside me, still too close. Still quiet.
And for the first time, I didn't know what to say.
I couldn't stand the awkwardness hanging between us like thick fog. It pressed against my skin, heavy and unbearable.
I glanced away and turned quickly to leave.
I needed out. Fast.
Just being near Kenan made my brain betray me — flashing back to that night. His scent, his voice, the heat — all of it flooded in like a wave.
I had to get away.
But just as I turned right down the hall, something yanked me back.
His hand wrapped around my wrist.
Of course it was him.
I winced and let out a sigh of pure embarrassment. Seriously? Can't he see I'm trying to save face here? Avoid awkward talk? Spare us both the misery?
"Don't you find yourself a little too comfortable always grabbing my hand?" I said, side-eyeing the tall figure beside me.
His grip didn't tighten, but it didn't loosen either. His pheromones, for once, were calm almost nervous. His voice too.
"Can we talk?" he asked softly.
I gave a dry, awkward laugh.
"What's there to talk about?" I asked, slapping on the fakest smile I could manage while subtly trying to wriggle my wrist free.
Can't he tell I'm doing us both a favor by not talking about it?
"About what happened… that night."
The words hit like a thunderclap, and my whole body flinched. The scenes rushed back, uninvited. My face flamed.
Why bring it up? Why not just leave it buried where it belongs?
"Right… that night. What about it?" I asked, voice an octave higher than I intended.
"Wouldn't it be better to talk at a café instead of… here?" he suggested.
I blinked and looked around.
The hallway was empty. Not a single soul.
"But nobody's here, so why can't you—"
"—Walls have ears."
And just like that, he was pulling me along.
To a café.
I didn't put up much of a fight.
Honestly, I didn't have the energy. My smart mouth was drying up by the second, and the butterflies in my stomach were having a full-blown riot.
I sipped on the freshly served matcha, eyes flicking to the croissant in front of me. Maybe… maybe it was worth being dragged here after all.
I glanced up at the figure sitting across from me.
Kenan.
For once, I couldn't feel the weight of his usual overbearing pheromones. They were still there faint and lingering but not suffocating like before.
"Hey," I muttered, narrowing my eyes, "what happened to your pheromones?"
"What about them?"
"They're… how do I put this… less intimidating?"
He shrugged lightly. "After what happened, I took more than the prescribed dose."
Right. That night.
I sipped again, awkwardly. "It wasn't your fault I lost control of mine."
It was. Of course it was.
But I bit my tongue.
Because
ugh
If I was being honest, I was jealous. My pheromones flared because I reacted to seeing them so close to him. So really… It wasn't entirely his fault either.
But he was my alpha… so wasn't it okay to feel this way
"It was," he said flatly, "and that's why we're here."
I sighed.
What was I supposed to say to that?
"I didn't mean for my pheromones to spiral out of control like that," he added, eyes low. "So… I apologize."
I blinked. Stared.
He… what?
"You good?" he asked when he noticed my expression. His brows furrowed slightly.
"No, no—I'm fine. It's just… I didn't know you were capable of apologizing," I said, taking a dramatic bite of the very lonely croissant.
He let out a long, steady breath.
"It's fine, Kenan," I muttered, softer this time.
I didn't know what else to say.
Maybe I accept your apology? Or maybe let's never talk about this again?
Instead, I asked, "But were you really planning not to switch?"
His fingers brushed the rim of his cup once, then again before he looked up.
"Of course not," he said easily. "As much as we don't get along… you're a really good partner to have."
That threw me off more than I cared to admit.
It wasn't a lie either. I was used to partners dumping the work on me the second they found out who I was or barely putting in any effort at all. Kenan wasn't like that. Our work was always done early, clean, and efficient. He never made me chase him down.
"So," he said slowly, "you didn't come to support Leone?"
Leone? I barely even talk to him.
I groaned dramatically and brushed my bangs out of my face. "No. I didn't. I only came because Jacob invited me."
Kenan's jaw tightened so briefly I almost missed it but he didn't say anything
He nodded, slow and silent.
Didn't say a word.
Just sipped his drink, like my answer mattered more than he wanted to admit.