The sun spilled golden light over Lupine Academy, and the morning air was crisp with the scent of pine. Daniel stretched, rubbing his arms and shoulders, still sore from yesterday's exercises. Despite the exhaustion, there was a thrill in waking up knowing today would be… different. Leo was nearby, and that alone made his chest tighten.
"Hey, Daniel! Don't tell me you're skipping breakfast again," Mika called, waving from the dorm hallway. She had that mischievous sparkle in her eyes, like she knew something Daniel hadn't admitted even to himself.
"I'm not skipping," he said, adjusting his uniform. "Just… strategizing my energy."
Mika laughed. "Strategizing, huh? You mean avoiding him."
Daniel groaned but didn't reply. Mika only grinned, clearly entertained, while Ryo leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, eyebrows raised. His usual calm, assessing gaze made Daniel feel both scrutinized and oddly safe.
By mid-morning, the instructors gathered everyone for a team endurance challenge, designed to test coordination, strategy, and reflexes. Daniel's pulse quickened when he saw the pairing system drop a token: Leo. Again.
Leo's smirk was sharper than ever. "Thought you'd try to hide in the crowd," he said smoothly, amber eyes flicking over him. "Not today. We're working together."
Daniel swallowed, keeping his voice steady. "I wouldn't expect anything else."
The challenge began with a mix of physical obstacles and coordination tasks. Daniel moved carefully, masking every subtle advantage his omega instincts gave him. Leo stayed close, and Daniel felt the warmth of his presence like a tangible pull. Every accidental brush of their hands, every close step, sent sparks through him.
"Careful," Leo murmured during a balance exercise, leaning slightly closer than necessary. Daniel's pulse spiked. "One slip and I'll see more than you intend."
Daniel's heart pounded. "Noted," he replied, forcing casual composure.
Mika and Ryo watched from the sidelines, offering teasing commentary and quiet encouragement. Their presence made the tension easier to bear, a reminder that he wasn't completely alone in this maze of competition, rivalry, and unexpected attraction.
Midway through the course, Daniel stumbled slightly. Leo's hand shot out instinctively to steady him. Their fingers touched and lingered too long, and Daniel's chest fluttered in a way he could not control. He forced himself to breathe, keeping calm, hiding the rush of warmth and awareness that spread through him.
"You're clever," Leo said softly, amber eyes meeting his. "Hiding more than I expected. Cleverness can only go so far."
Daniel's lips twitched. "I'm full of surprises," he said, forcing a small laugh.
By the end of the challenge, their dormitory had scored high. Daniel's secret was still intact—but only just. Every glance from Leo, every subtle touch, had been a test. And Daniel realized something dangerous: he wanted these tests, wanted the tension, the thrill, the unspoken connection that had been building since he arrived.
Later, as they walked back to the dorms, Mika nudged him playfully. "He's… different today, isn't he?" she whispered.
Daniel nodded slowly. "Yes… and I don't think I'm ready to deal with it."
Ryo, silent until now, gave him a rare smirk. "You're stronger than you think," he said quietly. "But don't underestimate him. He notices everything."
Daniel let out a small, shaky laugh. "I know," he admitted. The thought of Leo's amber eyes lingering on him, full of challenge and something softer underneath, made his chest tighten in a way he could not deny.
That night, lying in his dorm bed, Daniel replayed every moment. Every glance, every touch, every teasing word echoed in his mind. The academy wasn't just about survival anymore. Every challenge, every exercise, every playful encounter with Leo carried stakes higher than any drill or competition.
And he realized, with startling clarity, that he wanted Leo—not just the teasing rival, not just the smirking alpha—but the person behind the gaze, the pull, the dangerous intrigue.
For the first time, Daniel didn't feel afraid.
He wanted it.
He wanted him.
And he couldn't wait to see what would happen next.