chapter 5

Chapter 5: Shadows and Speculation

Do-hyun stood in the crowded hallway, his chest still burning slightly from the physical strain of holding back his Alpha aura. He watched Ji-woo’s back fade into the distance, surrounded by his laughing new friends. Just as Do-hyun turned to head toward the cafeteria to keep an eye on him, a soft, pleasant voice spoke up from right behind his shoulder.

"Hey."

Do-hyun paused and turned around. Standing there was a girl with long, perfectly styled hair and wide, bright eyes. She was undeniably pretty, wearing a fashionable outfit that fit the campus aesthetic flawlessly. She smiled warmly up at him.

"I'm Chae-won," she introduced herself, tilting her head. "You're going to the cafeteria, right? Can I join you?"

Do-hyun didn't speak immediately. He just looked at her, his expression remaining neutral and unreadable. Inside his mind, however, his tactical instincts were already calculating. 'I was heading to the cafeteria anyway. Ji-woo must be going there with his friends. If I walk with her, I can blend in as a normal student, get a table nearby, and watch over him without looking like a stalker.'

With a silent nod, Do-hyun replied, "Sure. Let's go."

They began walking side by side down the bustling corridor. Chae-won chatted amiably as they walked, but Do-hyun’s focus was entirely elsewhere, his eyes constantly scanning the perimeter until they finally reached the massive, noisy university cafeteria.

It didn't take long to spot the young heir. Ji-woo was sitting at a bright sunlit table near the center of the room, surrounded by Sora and his other new friends. As Do-hyun and Chae-won walked in together, Ji-woo happened to look up. His sharp gaze locked instantly onto Do-hyun—and then shifted immediately to the pretty girl walking right next to his bodyguard.

Ji-woo’s eyebrows twitched, a sudden flash of annoyance crossing his face before he forced it back down. 'Wow,' Ji-woo thought bitterly, his chest tightening with a strange, unexplainable irritation. 'On the very first day, he’s already chasing after pretty girls. Not bad, Mr. Bodyguard. So much for being professional.'

"Hey, Ji-woo," Sora said, tapping the table to get his attention back. "Do you know about the freshmen welcoming party this weekend?"

Ji-woo blinked, tearing his eyes away from Do-hyun's table. "No, I don't. And I don't really like going to parties."

Sora’s jaw dropped. "What? Really? That's so bad! I completely thought we could all go together. It’s going to be so much fun. Literally every single freshman will be there, and even the seniors are coming to look at the new students."

Ji-woo looked back toward the edge of the cafeteria, where Do-hyun and Chae-won were now sitting down. "I'll think about it," Ji-woo murmured softly, his mind clearly distracted.

Sora didn't notice his distraction and smiled brightly. "Yay! You definitely have to come."

Meanwhile, a few tables away, Do-hyun was sitting across from Chae-won. He had his eyes fixed firmly on Ji-woo, watching the way an Alpha senior walked past Ji-woo's table a little too slowly. Do-hyun’s jaw tightened, his protective instincts locking on his target.

Chae-won leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. She had been watching Do-hyun’s intense expression for the last three minutes.

"Hey..." she started, her voice dropping to a curious whisper. "Are you interested in men?"

Do-hyun snapped out of his trance, his eyes widening slightly. "What...?"

"No, I mean..." Chae-won chuckled softly, waving her hand. "You’ve been staring at that boy over there without blinking. So I just wondered."

Do-hyun swallowed hard, a cold sweat breaking out under his collar. He had been too obvious. Lying as a fake Beta was getting harder by the minute.

"Oh, no," Do-hyun lied smoothly, forcing his voice to remain flat. "He is... just an old friend of mine from back home. I was surprised to see him here."

"Oh, okay," Chae-won said, nodding as she accepted the answer. She then leaned in a little closer, her eyes flashing with a playful, romantic interest. "So... are you interested in anyone right now?"

Do-hyun froze, his mind screaming in panic. 'Why is she asking me that question?' He looked at her, then glanced back at Ji-woo, feeling entirely overwhelmed by the suffocating atmosphere of the cafeteria, his hidden instincts, and this unwanted attention. 'I need to get out of here right now.'

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