Back at the classroom, Charlie suddenly realized she had left her water bottle behind in the omega’s bathroom.

‘Damn it… with everyone returning from break, I need to retrieve it quickly before I'm seen entering the omega bathroom and labeled as a ert,’ she muttered, hastening her steps.

As Charlie neared the door of the omega’s bathroom, her acute sense of smell picked up on the distinct scent of an alpha's pheromone permeating the air. Instantly, her instincts kicked in, alerting her to the presence of danger—an omega in distress.

Without a moment's hesitation, Charlie pushed open the door and found herself face to face with an unexpected sight: Stacy Huang, a notorious alpha known for her bullying tendencies, standing over a crumpled figure on the floor—the omega, Serena.

Recognition dawned on Charlie as she recalled the tales of Stacy's ruthlessness, realizing that Serena was another victim of her cruelty.

“Serena!” Charlie exclaimed, rushing to her side, concern etched on her features.

Glaring at Stacy with a mixture of anger and defiance, Charlie confronted her. “What the hell are you doing? Don’t you know that releasing pheromones at school can be grounds for expulsion?” she admonished, her voice laced with authority.

Stacy, unfazed by Charlie's reproach, responded with a smirk. “Since when did you start caring about rules, Vanderbilt?” she quipped, her tone mocking.

Turning her attention back to Serena, Charlie spoke gently and reassuringly. “Serena, are you okay?” she inquired, her voice soft and comforting.

“Hey, Charlie… I’m just trying to discipline your here… She’s touching your water bottle without permission…” Stacy retorted defensively, attempting to deflect blame.

Despite the pain coursing through her, Serena attempted to explain herself, fearing Charlie's dismissal. “But I didn’t… I just…” she trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper.

Charlie, however, saw through Serena’s distress and offered her a glimmer of hope. “I know… I believe you,” she reassured, her words conveying genuine empathy.

Relief washed over Serena, yet she remained guarded, still gripping the shattered glass tightly in her hand, unwilling to let her guard down completely.

“Hey, Charlie! Has studying numbed your brain?! Why are you taking Serena’s side?!” Stacy exclaimed irritably, her tone dripping with annoyance.

Charlie paid little heed to Stacy's provocations as her attention was fixed on Serena's injured hand, blood seeping from the wounds caused by the shattered glass. With gentle care, she reached for Serena's hand, mindful of the pain she must be enduring.

“You can let this go now… you’ve lost a lot of blood already…” Charlie urged softly, her voice calm and reassuring.

But Serena refused to release her grip, the pain from the glass offering her a strange sense of security and control. She couldn't bear to relinquish it, unwilling to be subjugated by anyone.

Sensing Serena's struggle, Charlie empathized with her internal turmoil. “It’s okay… I won’t take it away from you… so you can stop holding it so tightly… you’ll lose a lot of blood if you continue gripping it hard…” she continued to reassure.

Slowly, Serena began to ease her grip, albeit reluctantly, under Charlie's gentle encouragement.

“Whatever… I’m out of here!” Stacy declared, attempting to make her exit.

But Charlie had other plans. She seized Stacy's hand and twisted it forcefully, causing her to cry out in pain.

“What the ! Let go! It hurts!” Stacy protested, her pride wounded.

“Apologize to Serena now!” Charlie demanded, her voice firm and unwavering.

Stacy hesitated, her pride warring with her fear of further pain. With only minutes remaining before the bell rang, she contemplated enduring Charlie's wrath and making her escape.

Yet, Charlie seemed to anticipate her thoughts, twisting Stacy's hand even harder, eliciting a louder cry of pain.

“I-I’m sorry!” Stacy finally relented, her apology barely audible.

“No one can hear you!” Charlie retorted, unyielding in her demand for sincerity.

“I-I’m sorry, Serena!!” Stacy repeated, this time with greater volume and clarity, her pride crumbling under Charlie's relentless pressure.

Satisfied with Stacy's apology, Charlie turned to Serena with a faint smile. “How about that, Serena?” she inquired gently.

“T-that’s enough…” Serena replied softly, her voice strained.

“Leave!” Charlie commanded, releasing Stacy from her grasp.

As Stacy made her exit, she issued a final threat. “You will pay for this!”

Unfazed, Charlie met her challenge head-on. “You and your threats! Then come at me, !” she retorted defiantly, refusing to back down.

After that, Charlie rushed to Serena's side, her worry evident in her furrowed brow and the urgency in her voice.

“H-hey, come on, let’s go to the infirmary…” Charlie implored, extending a helping hand to Serena, her concern for her well-being palpable.

But Serena, grappling with the whirlwind of her heat period, knew she needed to distance herself from Charlie's potent pheromones.

“S-stay away from me, Charlie…” Serena pleaded weakly, her voice strained as she struggled against the overpowering allure of Charlie's distinctive scent, reminiscent of toasted marshmallow with a hint of warm vanilla and burning wood. It enveloped her like a comforting embrace, drawing her in despite her efforts to resist.

“D-did you bring an inhibitor?” Cha