The assignment was basically a Victorian-era courtship rerun. Back then, alphas threw hunting parties .A chance to show off strength, bravery, and all the qualities omegas supposedly found irresistible.
Young alphas paraded their skills, hoping to snag a mate. They would pick their omegas by hunting down the right animal with the handkerchief attached to it soaked with the chosen omega's scent. Fast-track to "found your match" way quicker than swiping left or right on some app.the omegas' scented handkerchiefs are tied to wild forest animals
I handed over my handkerchief, freshly soaked in my pheromones. Gross, but tradition demanded it.
They tied it around a poor forest rabbit's neck before releasing it into the trees.
Good luck, little guy. I hope you outrun Kenan.
I didn't bother watching where it darted off to. Instead, my eyes drifted back to Kenan—and I did a double take.
Gone was his usual slouchy hoodie and sweatpants.
He stood there now in a crisp, dark hunting coat cinched at the waist, tailored trousers tucked neatly into sturdy leather boots.
A sleek black rifle rested casually against his shoulder, his gloved hand curled around the barrel like it belonged there.
Under the sharp cut of his coat, a glimpse of a fitted vest peeked out. Old-world noble meets modern.
It didn't suit him. Or maybe it suited him too well.
Either way, my mouth went dry.
Of course Polo sat obediently at his side, a picture-perfect hunting pair.
Just great.
"Don't you think you're dressed a little extra today?" I called out as Kenan approached.
In which he replied back " Take that up with the university"
I pinched my nose dramatically, forcing a smile as he came closer to me closing the distance.
"Someone would think you came straight from a brothel," I said, scrunching my nose. "All I smell is other omegas' pheromones all over you. Isn't that cheating?"
"I would never do such a thing, darling," he said teasingly.
My face almost immediately scrunched in disgust.
He hovered his arms as if to hug me.
I've never dodged anything faster in my life.
He just looked at me, eyes sharp, still smiling, then adjusted the strap of the rifle slung across his back.
The glint of polished metal made my skin prickle.
"Oh, you brought Polo."
" I mean thats what hes here for"
"Is this the exception you was talking about"
He gave a small nod.
I reached into my bag, pulling out an extra handkerchief — a bad habit of always being over-prepared — and held it up.
"Can I?"
Kenan glanced at Polo, then back at me, and gave a small nod.
I bent down and tied it around Polo's neck, careful not to make it tight.
"Aww, isn't he cute?"
I shouldn't be smiling this much while tying a handkerchief to a dog. What the hell is wrong with me?
I took out my phone and snapped a photo. Then, with a grin, I shoved it at Kenan. "You have to take one too. For the journal."
He did, reluctantly.
Just as I tucked my phone away, the dean stepped forward and raised a speaker to his mouth.
"Attention, all participants!"
His voice echoed across the clearing, crisp and commanding.
"Today's hunt will proceed as follows: each omega's handkerchief has been securely attached to a designated forest animal — rabbit, hare, etc. Each one was chosen for speed and cunning."
Laughter and murmurs rippled through the crowd of alphas and onlookers.
"The goal is simple: track, hunt, and retrieve your omega's handkerchief before anyone else does. This tradition tests your instinct, resolve, and right to court the omega whose scent you pursue."
He paused. My hands curled into my sleeves.
Kenan stood perfectly still, gaze locked on the forest ahead.
"However," the announcer continued, voice dropping, "should an alpha find another omega's handkerchief first, they are permitted to challenge for a switch."
The crowd fell silent. Even the birds stopped singing.
I swallowed hard.
"If you fail to protect your omega's trail… another may stake a claim. Let today test your worthiness."
"There have been… switches before," Jacob murmured beside me. "It's rare. But it happens."
That didn't help the tightness building in my chest.
The murmurs returned, louder this time.
Kenan gave no reaction — only adjusted the strap of his rifle.
The whistle blew.
Polo barked once, then lunged forward.
Kenan followed without hesitation, boots crunching over the leaves, the rifle glinting in the early light.
No wasted motion. No second glance at me.
I sat down a little harder than I meant to, dropping onto the blanket beside Jacob, who was already halfway through some thick novel like it was a casual Sunday.
I hadn't thought through how boring this would be.
Scrolling aimlessly through my phone, every second dragged like wet wool.
That's when a shadow fell over me.
I looked up and flinched.
Leone.
Standing way too close. Eyes locked on mine. Breathing far too steady to be natural.
"Hey," he said quietly, "I know this might sound weird, but... what do your pheromones smell like?"
I blinked. "What kind of question—"
I stood up, trying to laugh it off. "Uh… vanilla and roses? Apparently. That's what everyone says."
He nodded like I'd just handed him a key to something locked.
"Thanks."
Before I could ask why, he turned and picked up a bow from the weapons rack.
Then he walked into the forest.
I stared after him. Why did that feel like I'd just handed him a weapon?
My fingers twitched against my thigh.
I stared after him, pulse spiking.
Jacob stood up and stretched like he'd seen it all coming.
"I never knew you had so many suitors until today," he said.
Guess you're the main course this year, huh? And you've got more than one fork aimed at your plate." Jacob said, letting out a small laugh.
I glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
"Do you know how many alphas were asking around this morning?"
I blinked. "They were?"
I let out a laugh. "I mean… if they're quicker than Kenan, why not?"
I laughed, but it didn't quite reach my chest.
Jacob flipped a page like he was reading the most boring romance novel on earth. He barely looked up when I sighed for the tenth time.
"Stop fidgeting," he said. "You'll wear a hole through that blanket."
"I'm not fidgeting."
"You are. And you keep checking your phone like he's gonna text you mid-hunt."
I scowled at him. "Shut up."
Jacob snorted. "You're worried about him."
I didn't answer. I plucked a piece of lint from my sleeve instead.
Truth was, I was worried. Not because Kenan wasn't fast enough he was. He always had been. But… he wasn't the only alpha out there today.
I closed my eyes, breathing in the chill forest air. Somewhere out there, a tiny rabbit was probably wishing it had chosen a different hole to nap in today.
Jacob spoke up again, voice lower now. "You know… there was this couple three years ago. The omega's fiancé failed to catch the handkerchief. Another alpha switched in and claimed him right in front of everyone. Huge scandal."
I peeked at him, horrified. "And?"
He shrugged. "They fought. The new alpha won. Now they have two kids and a vineyard up north."
"That's not comforting."
"It is if you like wine."
I swatted his arm.
Just then, a twig snapped somewhere behind us. My head snapped up so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash.
But it was just Leone's shadow, flickering between the trunks. He hadn't gone far, apparently. He paused, half-turned, like he could sense me watching him.
Our eyes met. He smiled — small, sharp, and unreadable.
Then he vanished again.
A chill crawled up my spine, prickling under my collar.
Jacob clicked his tongue. "He's serious too, you know."
"Shut up."
I pressed my lips together, tasting the faint sweetness of vanilla on my tongue — my own stupid pheromone clinging to everything.
For once, I wished it smelled like nothing at all.