As Serena sat across from Miss Malori Chen at the café-- The teacher that Uncle Robert assigned to teach Serena the knowledge in the business world--, her usual grace and maturity seemed clouded by distraction. Miss Malori, who often admired Serena's intelligence and maturity beyond her years, couldn't help but notice her student's unusual demeanor today. Serena seemed lost in thought, and Miss Malori's gaze couldn't help but drift to the wound on Serena's lips, a departure from her usual flawless appearance.

During their study break, Miss Malori decided to address Serena's evident disquiet.

"Are you okay today? You seem distracted," Miss Malori asked gently.

"Yes, Teacher," Serena replied, her tone cool as usual.

"Is everything okay? What happened with the wound?" Miss Malori inquired about the injury on Serena's lips.

Serena blushed slightly, caught off guard by the direct question.

"I-it's nothing... I did it myself," Serena lied, her mind drifting back to the kiss she shared with Charlie.

"Was it a cat?" Miss Malori guessed.

Serena couldn't help but picture Charlie with cat ears, whiskers, and a tail, causing her blush to deepen.

"Um, something like that," Serena mumbled in response.

Miss Malori nodded.

The reason Serena is feeling so off is obviously because of the kiss with Charlie; it seems to have thrown everything into confusion for her. She doesn't have any friends she can confide in... She then glanced at Miss Malori, wondering if her teacher had any experience in dating and could help her.

In the silent air, Serena finally spoke up.

"T-teacher... may I ask you something?" Serena said tentatively.

Miss Malori was taken aback, considering Serena never asked questions outside their lessons because she always understood everything perfectly.

"Uhm, sure... ask me anything," Miss Malori replied with a smile.

"Uhmm... you see... I have a friend... and my friend likes an alpha..." Serena began, struggling to find the right words.

That's when it dawned on Miss Malori... Serena might be having love problems. She chuckled at the thought, finding it surprising to imagine Serena dealing with matters of the heart. She had always perceived Serena as a composed and guarded individual, someone seemingly impervious to romantic entanglements and too difficult to get close to. What surprised her even more was the realization that Serena, who is like an ice princess due to her cold demeanor, seemed to know everything, yet here she was, possibly grappling with the complexities of love.

'She's still a kid after all,' Miss Malori thought.

"And then?" Miss Malori prompted.

"Well, my friend and the alpha she likes... they kissed... but what if the Alpha only did that because she's in her susceptible period? What if she only sees the Omega as a pheromone?" Serena asked shyly.

'So the wound isn't from the cat but because of this alpha... cute,' Miss Malori thought, smiling at the realization.

"I understand why your friend feels confused. While pheromones and the fever period can cloud feelings, they also reveal underlying truths. Heightened emotions may amplify existing feelings, indicating a deeper connection. Your friend should communicate openly with the alpha to ensure mutual understanding and clarity about their relationship," Miss Malori explained.

"But what if... the omega is scared? What if, instead of moving forward, their relationship takes a step backward? Isn't it safer just to maintain the status quo? That way, everything will stay the same..." Serena voiced her concerns, expressing her fear of jeopardizing their current relationship.

"If your friend is afraid to confess her feelings then.. then she can try a different approach..." Miss Malori said with a playful grin.

"What is it, teacher?" Serena replied curiously.

"Here's an idea," Miss Malori began, leaning forward. "Why not post something within your circle of friends? Ask for something you need or if you need help with anything. Then observe how that person reacts. You know, as cliché as it may sound, actions reveal more truth than words ever do." She offered Serena a practical approach to gaining insight into her feelings.

"Oh..." Serena nodded, considering Miss Malori's suggestion.

Their conversation was interrupted by Miss Malori's ringing phone. Serena couldn't help but glance at the caller ID, which read 'hunny'...

Caller: "Hunny, what do you want for dinner?"

Miss Malori: "Whatever you want, hunny..."

Caller: "Okay, I can't wait to see... I love youuu."

Miss Malori: "I love you tooo."

Watching Miss Malori talk with her lover, Serena couldn't help but wonder....

'Can Charlie and I be like that too?'

But then she felt embarrassed for thinking so far ahead... she blushed.

'This is embarassing... Why am I thinking so far ahead?! I'm not even sure if Charlie likes me...' Serena thought, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

Back at Hastings Academy, Charlie and Leora lounged together at the Pavilion, the gentle breeze playing with their hair while Alice bustled away in her club activities leaving the two alone.

"Sis Leora," Charlie began, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"What's eating you? You've got that look like you've just been assigned a mountain of homework," Leora teased, nudging her friend gently.

Charlie sighed. "Well... I have this friend, see? And she's caught up in a bit of a love predicament..."

"Let me guess, this 'friend' of yours is none other than you, and the object of her affection happens to be Serena," Leora quipped, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"N-no! That's not it at all!"

"Come on, Charlie, you and I both know your social circle isn't exactly extensive," Leora teased further, her laughter bubbling up.

"Can't I just have a little mystery in my life?" Charlie protested, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Leora chuckled. "Alright, alright, spill the beans. What's your 'friend' gotten herself into now?"

"Well, she sort of... impulsively kissed the person she's into during her susceptible period, and now she's completely torn up about it..." Charlie confessed, fidgeting with a loose thread on her sleeve.

Leora's eyes