While they were discussing about the mysterious transfer student, Hyacinth Chua's phone suddenly buzzed.
She stood up and informed the three that she had to leave immediately due to an emergency at home that required her attention.
Since the call came from her Alpha grandfather, the other three figured it was best to wrap things up and head home as well.
Hyacinth Chua offered Aurora Perish a ride in her car, but Aurora Perish declined, saying she had enough money for a taxi or could simply walk.
The distance between Hyacinth Chua's and Aurora Perish's houses was considerable, which was why Aurora Perish didn't accept the offer. Hyacinth Chua didn't push further and bid farewell to the three before leaving.
Soren Halloway and Sora Winslow decided to share a taxi since they were neighbors. They asked Aurora Perish if she wanted to join them, but she declined.
Their houses were farther apart from Aurora Perish's, and their paths were different. It would take longer for them to travel together.
Aurora Perish's house wasn't too far away; she could walk there in about thirteen minutes. As she walked, she felt like she had forgotten something but couldn't recall what it was, so she decided to brush it off.
The area still had walkable paths, so it wasn't difficult for Aurora Perish to make her way home.
Since she had decided earlier that she would exercise, walking to her house was part of her plan.
While Aurora Perish was walking, in the distance, a couple of people were arguing. One person stood out—despite the curses words from the alpha male directed at her, she didn't seem annoyed or bothered in the slightest.
The beautiful, quiet woman didn't even spare a glance at the couple.
Earlier, while she was singing in the restaurant, both of them had been staring at her—the kind of stare that makes you uncomfortable. But the singer acted as if she didn't notice, showing no reaction at all.
When she stepped off the stage, the couple didn't bother asking for her name or age. Instead, they simply invited her to some unknown party they had been talking about, as if they expected her to accept without question.
But the singer wasn't as clueless as they thought. She could hear their thoughts—clear as day, as if they were speaking directly to her.
The alpha man's mind was filled with greed. "This woman would sell for a high price to that VIP client! Even though she's an alpha, she's too beautiful to pass up. That regular customer of mine prefers alpha women over omegas." He was already thinking about how much money he could make from her.
His omega partner, however, had something else in mind. "She's gorgeous… and she's an alpha, right? If she agrees to come, there's a chance I could sleep with her. It's rare to find an alpha this beautiful, especially with a body like that."
Both of them looked at her with selfish desire, unaware that she had already heard everything they were thinking.
The quiet woman, Freya Hazel, simply walked away while the couple continued talking.
She didn't bother looking back or stopping to acknowledge their chatter. Instead, she headed straight to her locker. Just as she was about to open it, another alpha woman entered the locker room.
"Are you okay?" the woman asked.
Freya Hazel didn't even glance at her. From the outside, the female alpha appeared concerned, as if she genuinely cared. But her thoughts told a different story.
"Tch. So this is the woman everyone keeps talking about? She's nothing special. Just because she's beautiful and talented, they all fawn over her. It's annoying."
"If she weren't around, I'd be the center of attention. Maybe I should find a way to make her disappear…"
"That couple from earlier… They're known for targeting omegas with low social status. Once they take someone, there's barely a chance of them coming back. Most just go missing. And the police? They don't even bother investigating—after all, powerful people are pulling the strings behind the scenes."
"Freya Hazel… she'll never come back. Once she's gone, all the attention from the omegas will be mine!"
The female alpha smiled to herself. She didn't care if Freya Hazel ignored her—because soon, she would be gone anyway.
"Actually… I've heard they're dangerous people. You should be careful, okay?" she said with a voice full of concern. If Freya Hazel couldn't read minds—if it were someone else she was speaking to—they might have actually believed she cared.
But Freya Hazel didn't care in the slightest. In fact, she was looking forward to it.
Deep inside her, the violent urges thrilled her, sending a rush of excitement through her veins.
But on the outside, she remained calm and composed.
Freya Hazel smiled at the female Alpha. "Thank you," she said before turning to leave.
The female Alpha, now left alone, had been wearing a smile—but it vanished instantly. Frustration flared in her eyes as she slammed her locker shut.
Gritting her teeth, she thought, "Just you wait, Freya Hazel! I'll make sure that smile of yours is gone by tomorrow!"
Freya Hazel, now outside, was suddenly blocked by the couple from earlier.
They were still stunned by how easily she had walked away from them before, and frustration had overwhelmed them. After questioning the staff about Freya Hazel, they learned that she would be leaving around this time after stepping off the stage. Determined not to let her slip away again, they decided to wait for her outside.
Since their polite and friendly approach had failed, they resorted to threats instead.
And that was how the situation escalated.
As they argued—though it was mostly the couple doing the talking—more and more people began to gather around. Since it was a holiday, the streets were crowded, and the growing number of spectators only added to the commotion. However, the couple wasn't bothered in the slightest. In fact, this was part of their plan.
They approached Freya Hazel, putting on an act as if they were her concerned parents.
"Why have you been ignoring our calls?! Do you know how much you've worried your mother?" the alpha male declared confidently. Meanwhile, the omega female clung to his arm, tears streaming down her face. "We were just worried about you," she sobbed.
"Please, go home with us."
Honestly, the couple should have been actors instead of doing dirty work. They were more convincing than most professional actors nowadays—a complete waste of talent.
Freya Hazel, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Are you really my parents?" Her voice wasn't too loud, but it was clear enough for the nearby crowd to hear.
The alpha male's expression twisted in rage. "You!! What are you talking about?! Of course, we are!!"
Beside him, the omega female sobbed even harder. "After everything we've done for you… You ungrateful child!"
Freya Hazel smirked. "Is that so?" Then, she leaned in close and whispered, her voice laced with cold amusement. "But I already buried my parents."
The couple's eyes widened—not just at her words, but at the chilling murder intent burning in her gaze.
Their bodies stiffened, and in their shock, they lost their balance, staggering backward.
The couple ran in panic, pushing their way out of the crowd.
The onlookers, who had been watching the scene unfold, exchanged confused glances.
Freya Hazel didn't bother looking in the direction they had fled. Instead, she stood still, surrounded by murmurs and fragmented thoughts merging into a chaotic hum. She was used to it—the whispers, the hidden emotions lurking behind those eyes.
She scanned the crowd, her mind piecing together their scattered reactions.
"That was her parents… yet she acted like that?"
"I heard she ran away from home. Is she a runaway?"
"She's gorgeous!"
The thoughts swirling around her carried a mix of mockery, greed, anger, pity, and admiration.
Freya Hazel had intended to leave the moment the couple disappeared, yet for some unknown reason, she remained. Something in her gut told her to stay.
And if there was one thing she had learned to trust in her life, it was her instincts.
She glanced around, noticing the varied expressions—some blushing, others envious—all drawn to her beauty.
Freya Hazel scanned the crowd, yet nothing caught her attention.
Freya Hazel was ready to leave.
And yet… something held her back
Just as she turned, a glimpse of color caught her eye— A flash of soft, fluffy blue gray hair.
The strands shimmered under the sunlight, an ethereal glow that set them apart from the sea of faces. Freya Hazel's gaze lowered, tracing the gentle waves of that hair until she met a pair of downturned gray eyes.
And in that instant, the world stilled.
The voices of the crowd faded like whispers carried away by the breeze.
The world around them softened into a distant haze, as if washed away by the tide of time.
Amidst the countless faces, only one remained clear—like moonlight breaking through the mist, drawing their gazes to meet, silent yet bound by something unspoken.