Suddenly, John's rage explodes. On the other side, Kael freezes, panic flooding through him. John glares at him with pure fury and growls, "Bitch, how dare you slap me?"
Kael stands there in shock and fear. John's alpha scent spreads through the cafeteria like wildfire, and many Omega's nearby begin struggling to breathe. Their legs tremble as the overwhelming pheromones threaten to push them into heat.
From the second floor, Eren and Yuna watch.
"Shit," Yuna mutters. "If John keeps this up, he could force the Omega's here into heat."
Eren's expression hardens. "I'll go stop him. You bring a teacher," he orders before heading downstairs.
Meanwhile, John is completely consumed by anger. His growls echo through the hall, his alpha scent growing stronger and more dangerous. His eyes glow a furious red. Around him, omegas are suffering visibly, clutching themselves and shaking.
Kael's face goes pale, sweat dripping down his forehead. His legs won't stop trembling.
One alpha standing nearby finally steps forward and shouts, "John, that's enough! Everyone here is suffocating because of you. Retract your pheromones!"
But John doesn't hear him. His gaze is locked on Kael, and he starts walking toward him like a predator closing in on its prey. The crowd parts, fear flickering in their eyes.
"You," John snarls, "you'll pay for slapping me. Today your life is in my hands."
Kael stumbles backward, voice shaking. "D-Don't come near me!"
Just as John's hand is about to land on Kael's shoulder, another hand grips his wrists like iron. It's Eren.
John struggles, but Eren's hold is unbreakable. His voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and commanding: "Enough."
Eren's alpha scent floods the cafeteria, stronger and far more powerful than John's. Instantly, John's scent is suppressed, his body forced into submission under Eren's dominance.
At that moment, Yuna arrives with a teacher.
"Eren! Is everything okay here?" Yuna calls out, worried.
The teacher's stern voice booms across the hall. "What is happening here? Who allowed you to release your alpha scent in a public place? Do you realize how dangerous this could have been? If an omega had gone into heat, the situation could have spiraled out of control—especially with so many Alpha's present."
His gaze falls on John. "You, in particular. Tomorrow, you will bring your parents to the principal's office. Only then will we decide the punishment for you and your gang."
The teacher leads John and the rest of the bullies away. But before leaving, John throws Kael a vicious, lingering look one that makes Kael's already pale face turn ghostly white.
When the bullies are gone, Eren glances at Kael. Without saying a word, he takes off his jacket and drapes it over Kael's shoulders.
Kael looks at him in shock. When his eyes meet Eren's face, he finds no emotion there just a cold, unreadable expression.
Yuna quickly rushes over. "Hey, are you alright? Do you need to go to the infirmary?"
Kael forces a small smile. First, he looks at Eren, then at Yuna. "Thanks… but I'll be fine. And… I'll return this jacket after I wash it." He glances at Eren again.
But Eren's face remains emotionless, his expression frozen and detached.
Yuna, sensing the tension, speaks quickly. "Okay, but don't rush yourself. Just take it easy." He laughs loudly, partly to lighten the mood and partly while looking at Eren.
Eren doesn't respond. He simply turns and walks away.
"Wait up!" Yuna calls, running after him. Before leaving, he waves at Kael. "I'll see you later!"
Kael's eyes follow Eren's back as he exits the cafeteria. Slowly, a faint, secret smile spreads across Kael's lips, though he keeps it to himself.