The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the academy courtyard. Students had gathered for the scheduled demonstration, a combination of combat drills, strategy challenges, and endurance tests. The bleachers were packed, everyone eager to watch the top-ranked students.
Daniel adjusted his gloves nervously, feeling the familiar hum of his suppressor beneath his shirt. He had managed to keep his secret hidden all this time, blending in as an alpha, controlling every pulse, every scent. But now, with the crowd so close, the pressure was suffocating.
He stole a glance at Leo, who was leaning casually against the edge of the training area. Calm. Confident. Relaxed. His presence alone made Daniel's chest tighten, suppressor pulsing faintly beneath his skin.
"Focus," Daniel muttered under his breath.
The demonstration began. Daniel moved first, weaving through obstacles, handling attacks from multiple opponents. His movements were sharp, precise, controlled—almost perfect.
But then came the moment he had feared: a surprise coordination drill. The instructor called out for pairs, and Daniel realized instantly that he and Leo were being paired again.
Not just paired—they had to demonstrate synchronized combat and response to surprise attacks in front of the entire gathered audience.
Daniel's chest tightened. This was… dangerous.
"Steady," Leo murmured as they faced each other.
Daniel nodded, trying to calm his heartbeat, but the crowd's eyes, the close proximity, and Leo's presence combined into a pressure he had never experienced before.
The first attack came—swift, simulated, meant to test reflexes. Daniel moved instinctively, blocking, countering, pivoting. Everything was fine. Everything was under control.
Then came the second—an unexpected maneuver from a fellow student. Daniel reacted too quickly, overcompensating, and for a fraction of a second, his control faltered.
The suppressor beneath his skin hummed, warning him. His scent shifted, subtle but unmistakable. A faint, sweet trace—the omega signature he had worked so hard to mask—leaked through.
Leo noticed immediately. His sharp eyes narrowed, pupils dilating just slightly. He didn't react outwardly, but the awareness of being seen made Daniel's chest tighten even more.
Daniel's movements grew slightly uneven as he tried to recover.
"Careful," Leo whispered softly, just for him, guiding Daniel back into sync with a gentle nudge of the elbow.
Daniel's breath hitched. He wanted to pull back, to pretend nothing had happened, but the proximity, the scent, the heat of Leo's presence—it was too much.
Someone gasped from the sidelines.
Daniel's head snapped toward the sound, realizing too late that the faint slip had been noticeable to a few students. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
Omega… is he an omega? one student murmured.
Daniel's chest tightened further. His heartbeat raced, a hot panic rising. He had never felt this exposed.
Leo, sensing the rising tension, leaned slightly closer, brushing just enough to steady Daniel without drawing attention. "You're okay," he murmured. "Just… keep moving."
Daniel's mind spun. Just keep moving. Words and instructions blurred as his body reacted instinctively, heart hammering.
They finished the sequence, barely, and stepped back. The crowd erupted in applause, but Daniel barely noticed. His entire body was humming with the adrenaline of the nearly-exposed truth.
As they walked back, Mika and Ryo's faces were a mixture of curiosity and knowing smirks.
"You okay?" Mika asked quietly, voice teasing.
Daniel swallowed hard. "I'm fine."
"You sure?" Ryo said. "Because everyone kind of… noticed."
Daniel's jaw tightened. "No one noticed."
Leo glanced at him, expression unreadable, lips curling faintly. "You almost lost control there."
Daniel's pulse raced. "I didn't."
"You did, even if it was just a fraction," Leo said quietly. "And that's okay."
Daniel wanted to protest, to argue, but he couldn't. That soft, patient tone—protective and understanding—made his chest tighten in ways he had no words for.
Later, Daniel retreated to the dorm, pressing a hand to his chest. The suppressor beneath his skin thrummed faintly, a reminder of how close he had come to revealing everything.
He sank onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Leo knows.
And the thought terrified him, thrilled him, and made him ache all at once.
Because Leo wasn't just watching anymore.
He was aware.
He was protective.
And Daniel… hated how much he wanted it.