Kael
He regretted walking away and leaving him on the ground. Why had he done that when he could have gone back and stopped the bullies?
Kael heaved a deep sigh as he stood near the building, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He hadn't moved to help him, nor had he interfered, but every inch of him had wanted to tear Chen apart.
Ryn had cried.
Not out loud. Not in front of the bullies, but he had seen it. Kael had seen how his body trembled, the tears that silently streamed down his cheeks as he thought no one was watching.
He had been watching, even after he walked away, and he regretted ever leaving him on the ground.
The moment Chen and the others turned around the corner laughing among themselves like it was a game, Kael stepped out of the shadow and blocked them.
"That was brave of you," he muttered, looking into their faces.
They stopped dead, fear etched on their faces, and some of them even began shaking at the sight of him.
"Dragon... Kael..." Chen stammered and took a step backward, then lowered his head. "Wha... what are you doing here? You..."
Kael narrowed his eyes, moved closer, and grabbed his shoulders. "I saw everything," he said, his gaze locked onto Chen's. "You laid hands on my bonded omega. You dared to strike him like he was nothing."
Chen visibly gulped while the other boys lowered their heads and stepped back. "He... he's just a runt, and I'm his brother, so I'm allowed to punish him if he's in the wrong. I will become our clan leader..."
Kael growled. "Say that again," he said softly, tightening his grip on Chen's shoulders, causing him to wince in pain. "I dare you to say that, and I'll break your jaw."
The other boys got on their knees and apologized. "Have mercy, Senior Kael. We were just messing around."
Kael pushed Chen away. He landed on top of one of the boys, then Kael leaned in closer. "Touch him again and I will break your fingers one by one. Then I'll rip your limbs," he threatened, the possessiveness evident in his tone. "Do you understand?" he yelled.
"Yes... Senior Kael," Chen swallowed hard, jumped to his feet, and fled without another word.
Kael didn't follow. He just stood there for a long time, his fists clenched, then turned back to the shed toward Ryn.
But when he reached it, Ryn was no longer there, though his pheromones, mixed with blood, still lingered in the air.
"Fuck this," he muttered. He knew he shouldn't have left him alone, but he did—because he was a coward. Now, he wondered if Ryn would hate him for what he had done.
Kael rushed out of the shed and headed toward the courtyard. When he got there, he saw him—but he wasn't alone.
There was a girl beside him, holding his hand. He clenched his fists tightly. That should have been him... If he hadn't walked away.
~~~~~~~~~
Leo (Ryn) the courtyard felt too big when he came back because half the students had already left. He winced with every step. His ribs ached. His palms were scraped raw. But what hurt the most wasn't his body.
It was Kael.
He had stood there, watching—and hadn't done anything. Why didn't he stop it? Was he ashamed to be associated with an omega? Or was he just... weak?
"Ow," he groaned and nearly fell, but someone was already by his side. He recognized her immediately from her scent.
"Ryn, Ryn, are you okay?" she asked as she leaned in and held his hand before he could fall to the ground.
He hated that question. He didn't know how to reply—how to say he was bullied by his half-brother.
"I don't want to talk about it," he said quietly and kept limping.
Mira didn't say anything. She just held onto him. It was as if she were used to seeing him like that. They left the courtyard in silence and arrived at the front of his hall in silence.
Throughout their twenty-minute walk, neither of them spoke until they entered his room.
"What..." Mira finally said, pointing toward a small cloth bundle.
Ryn frowned as Mira let go of him and picked up a small jade jar from his desk.
"What is that?" he asked.
Mira shrugged and handed it over to him. He stared at it for a moment, then opened it. The salve inside smelled faintly of mountain herbs, which he recognized. It was something expensive—not something to be used by just anyone, especially an omega.
"Oh, someone must have seen you injured in the courtyard and sent this to your room." Ryn frowned as he covered the jar and walked toward his bed, sitting down.
The only person who saw him and did nothing was Kael. The other alphas weren't around, and there was no way someone would send something so expensive for the most useless omega in Draconic Academy.
"What happened to you?" Mira asked as she sat beside him. "I know you probably don't want to say anything, but I hate seeing you like this."
Just as Ryn had thought—it wasn't the first time Mira had seen him get hurt.
Ryn groaned and wiped the blood on his lips. "So... Chen is my brother?" he asked.
Mira's eyes widened, and she huffed. "That bastard! He did this, right?"
Ryn didn't reply. Instead, he asked, "Has this happened in... in the past?"
She nodded. "The last time—before the pact ritual—he tried to drown you." She sighed. "I hate that fucker. And you need to stay away from him. He won't be punished by the school, especially since you're an omega. Nobody here cares if an alpha punishes an omega—especially if you're from the same clan."
Ryn groaned again and rose from the bed. He hated how they all treated him. He wished he could do something about it.
"How do I fight them?"
"Uhm..." she scratched her head. "If I were you, I'd run each time I see them."
"What?" That wasn't the answer he wanted.
"You want me to run like a coward?"
She nodded. "That's the only way to survive in Draconic Academy, Ryn. You're weak, and fighting them won't end well. Not even the alphas can protect you."
Ryn clenched his fists tightly. He didn't need anyone to save him. He would do everything he could to survive, no matter what.
"Thanks for helping me to my room, Mira. I want to be alone right now."
"Oh," Mira got up and headed for the door. "Make sure you apply the ointment. And if you need help, you're free to come to my hall."
He nodded.
"All right, bye," she muttered and walked out. Once alone, Ryn limped back toward the jade jar and stared at it, questions clouding his mind.
Who could it be?