Kai hated mornings.
Not in a dramatic, poetic way.
In a very real, very personal, why-does-the-universe-hate-me way.
His alarm screamed at 6:00 a.m., and Kai smacked his phone so hard it slid off the bed and hit the floor.
He groaned into his pillow.
"Five more minutes."
The universe did not care.
His phone vibrated again.
He blindly grabbed it, squinting.
Six missed calls.
All from Leo.
Kai sat up immediately.
"What the hell…" he muttered, calling back.
Leo picked up on the first ring.
"YOU'RE ALIVE."
"Unfortunately," Kai said. "Why are you screaming?"
"Because you didn't come home last night."
Kai blinked. "I did. I crashed at home."
"Bullshit. Your mom called me at midnight asking if you were with me."
Kai froze.
"…She did?"
"Yes. So unless you learned how to teleport, explain yourself."
Kai ran a hand through his hair.
"I went for a walk. Lost track of time."
Leo scoffed. "You hate walking."
"I had… thoughts."
"You hate thoughts too."
"Shut up."
Leo sighed. "Look, just get to campus early. Professor Han said anyone late today gets locked out."
Kai groaned again. "Cruel and unusual punishment."
"You love it."
Kai ended the call and stared at the ceiling.
Something felt off.
Not bad.
Not good.
Just… strange.
Like the air was heavier.
Like someone was watching him.
He shook it off.
Paranoia.
That night at the club still lingered in his mind for reasons he refused to examine.
The rich asshole with the murder stare.
The guy who looked like he stepped out of a villain magazine.
Tall.
Sharp jaw.
Cold eyes.
The way he stared like Kai was a puzzle he wanted to tear apart.
Kai clicked his tongue.
"Creep."
Yet…
The memory wouldn't leave.
Helios University buzzed with life.
Students crowded walkways.
Food carts lined the streets.
Laughter echoed between buildings.
Kai blended in easily.
He liked it that way.
Invisible was safe.
Leo waved wildly from the steps of the business building.
"There he is!"
Kai jogged over. "Why do you look like you drank five energy drinks?"
"Because I did."
"That explains everything."
They headed inside.
Leo talked nonstop about a rumor spreading across campus.
"They say Helios Corp is recruiting top students."
Kai snorted. "Yeah, and I'm secretly a billionaire."
"Don't joke. Their CEO is insane. People say he fires executives for breathing wrong."
"Sounds charming."
Leo leaned closer. "Some say he's not human."
Kai paused.
"People say dumb things."
Leo shrugged. "Still. Imagine working under a guy like that."
Kai didn't respond.
Because suddenly…
He felt it again.
That heavy pressure.
That crawling awareness.
The hallway felt too quiet.
Kai slowly looked up.
At the end of the corridor stood a man in a black tailored suit.
Tall.
Impossibly composed.
Crimson eyes.
Lucien Vale.
Kai's stomach dropped.
The rich asshole.
Their gazes locked.
Time stalled.
Students walked between them, unaware.
Lucien didn't blink.
Didn't move.
Didn't look away.
Kai felt naked.
Exposed.
"I don't like this," Leo whispered.
Kai swallowed.
"Me neither."
Lucien took a step forward.
Kai took one back.
Lucien stopped.
A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips.
Recognition.
Possession.
Something dark and satisfied.
Kai turned sharply.
"Nope."
He grabbed Leo's wrist and dragged him in the opposite direction.
Leo stumbled. "What is happening?"
"Future therapy."
Behind them, Lucien watched.
And for the first time in centuries…
He smiled for real.
He had found him.