Bound by Fate

“He’s exactly what I expected—and worse.” Kai adjusted the strap of his backpack, shifting its weight to his right shoulder as he trudged down the deserted corridor of Engineering Hall C. The clock read past 9:40 PM. Most of the students had gone home, save for a few night owls in the dorms and the occasional couple looking for a quiet place to hook up. He didn’t expect to see anyone. He certainly didn’t expect him. His footsteps echoed in the silence, a quiet rhythm of exhaustion. All he wanted was his textbook—the one he’d stupidly left in the study lounge after skipping dinner to study. He didn’t want trouble, didn’t want to bump into anyone. Especially not Leon Rivera. The air shifted before he even turned the corner. Something sweet and musky lingered, too potent to be ignored. Kai’s stomach turned. Alpha pheromones. Kai wrinkled his nose, pulling his scarf tighter around his face. The scent blockers should have been working, but that scent was like a blade slipping under armor—sharp, specific, and infuriatingly familiar. Then he saw them. Leon Rivera was leaning against a vending machine like it owed him something, his long fingers tangled in a girl’s hair as she melted into him. Her moans were soft, muffled by the press of his mouth. Her hips moved like she wanted more. Wanted him. Kai froze. It wasn’t jealousy. It wasn’t interest. It was revulsion—because Leon was exactly what the rumors said: a walking hormone with a pretty face, charming lies, and a habit of discarding people like empty wrappers. Kai should’ve walked away. But he couldn’t. Not yet. Something pulled at his chest—a flicker, a tremor. It was subtle, but sudden. Like a wire snapping inside him. His breath caught, and he clutched the strap of his backpack tighter, unsure why his heart had started beating too fast. And that’s when Leon’s eyes opened. Even from across the hallway, Kai felt the moment they met. Leon looked at him. Really looked. And for one fleeting second, there was no smirk, no arrogance. Just surprise. Stillness. Something... unsure. Then, as if remembering who he was supposed to be, Leon tilted his head and smirked. That cocky, infuriating smirk. Enjoying the show, Omega? Kai didn’t give him the satisfaction. He said nothing. Didn’t roll his eyes. Didn’t scowl. He just stared—expression flat, unreadable. Then, slowly, he turned and walked away. But something was wrong. His heartbeat wouldn’t settle. His chest ached, not from anger—but from a pressure he didn’t recognize. And beneath his scarf, despite the blockers, he could still feel the ghost of Leon’s scent clinging to him. Like it had recognized him. --- Kai didn’t sleep that night. He tossed and turned, blanket kicked halfway off the bed, sweat clinging to his neck. The room felt too warm, his skin too tight. His usual dose of suppressants didn’t ease the restlessness. Worse, he kept dreaming. Or... maybe not dreaming. He wasn't sure what it was—only that someone was there, unseen but present. Whispering his name. Laughing softly. A presence brushing against his cheek like a breeze he couldn’t chase. And the scent. That scent. Not the overwhelming musk from earlier—but a trace. Warm. Familiar. Calling to something in his bones. He woke up shivering, the sun already peeking through the curtains. --- At noon, he arrived at the main lecture hall for his Advanced Systems class. He was early. The professor was late. The room buzzed with chatter. Groups of students were clumped together in their usual friend circles, sipping overpriced café drinks and comparing notes. Kai took his usual seat in the back, unpacked his tablet, and tried to tune it all out. Until the professor entered—with a clipboard. “Alright, everyone, listen up!” Professor Navarro clapped once. “Time for your semester partners. These will be your assigned academic pairs for the Capstone Research Project. You'll be working together for the rest of the term, so try not to kill each other.” The buzz died instantly. Kai sat straighter, dread creeping in. Please not someone lazy. Please not someone who doesn’t care. The professor started reading names. Pairs filed themselves into notes. Then— “Kai Nakamura and... Leon Rivera.” Silence. Someone actually whistled. Kai blinked slowly. The professor must have made a mistake. No. He wouldn’t— “Did you hear that?” a girl whispered behind him, clearly not trying to be discreet. “Poor guy. That Alpha’s going to eat him alive.” Kai didn’t look around. He couldn’t. Because across the room, he felt Leon’s gaze on him before he even turned his head. Leon was sitting near the front, legs stretched out, arms crossed like he owned the place. He raised one eyebrow, lips curled ever so slightly. Not a smirk this time. Something... unreadable. And again—just for a second—Kai felt that twist in his chest. A tether. Tugging. --- To be continued…