And it truly turned out to be a trap.
"Jaden! Take the fucking guy behind me, damn it!" Kael shouted, pressing hard on his controller.
He was deep into a video game with one of his gaming friends, and it looked like they were about to lose.
"Kael, come downstairs! I have something to tell you!" His mother's voice echoed through the speaker stationed in his room.
That hadn't been there the first time.
Since striking a deal with his father, three months had passed, and a lot had changed. Kael had adapted to his new life: his cute face, wavy hair, blue eyes, and soft, almost too-soft voice. While he hadn't yet gained the freedom he longed for, his current life wasn't bad.
He had gone out, learned to drive, bought books to immerse himself in, and most importantly, played video games.
And dealt with his institute-related matters.
To be honest, it wasn't a fair deal. The institute was a headache. If just trying to get in was exhausting, how much worse would it be once he was actually inside?
Slamming his hand on the controller one last time, he shouted, "I'm coming!"
Then, he trudged downstairs. His mother, a stunning woman despite her age, sat on a chair, while another woman in a corporate outfit stood before her.
Kael swept his gaze over the stranger before settling on his mother. His brows arched in confusion. "Is something wrong?"
He was already on edge. Ever since he started preparing for college, it had been one problem after another, his mother discreetly asking for favors, him pushing his limits, his body failing to keep up.
And finally, after a week of waiting, his entrance exam results were due.
"Your dad sent her. I didn't ask anything yet because I wanted you to be here," his mother said, her warm, doe-like eyes fixed on him.
Over the past three months, she had begun to wonder if the boy before her was truly her son.
Her thoughts were disrupted when the woman turned to Kael.
"Following your acceptance into the prestigious Imperium Crest Institute, Mr. Sinclair has arranged for you to take a final driving test at our academy. Upon passing, you will receive your license and one of the finest cars in our possession. Are you free to join us now?"
Kael blinked. He wanted to get into the institute, but after the mistakes he made during the entrance exam, he wasn't sure he'd passed. But now, he stood before his acceptance letter.
"Yes!" He pumped his fists, unable to contain his excitement.
"I'm free!" he shouted again, before composing himself. "I can go now… I just need to do something first."
"What is it?" his mother asked.
"Something."
He pulled out his phone to message his gaming friend. He wasn't the type to openly celebrate with his mother... not yet. And his silence only deepened Mrs. Sinclair's confusion.
Still, he typed:
[Sorry, pal. I can't continue the game. You can replace me. I'm going to get a new car now!!!]
[Did you just get your admission letter too?]
[Yeah… did you?]
[Yep. And you weren't even gonna tell me?]
[I was…] Kael smirked. [Not like you planned to tell me either.]
[I was about to, actually. So, you're getting a car as your admission gift?]
[Yeah.]
[Wow… What kind of family gives out cars like candy?]
[I never had one before. Now get off…]
He turned to the woman. "Let's go get my car!"
_____
Bump!
Kael shut the trunk and turned to the teary-eyed woman before him.
"Are you okay?" he asked, reaching out before pulling back with a small laugh. "What do I expect? Your only son is leaving for college."
"Why'd you even agree to let me go if you were just going to cry?"
Mrs. Sinclair wiped her tears, though it only smudged her makeup.
She took his hands, holding them tightly. "Should I stop you just because it makes me sad? Of course, I'll cry. But this is your life."
"Should I stay, then?" Kael teased.
"As if you would." She chuckled, then narrowed her eyes. "Did you take the new suppressants your dad got you?"
"Yeah, they're packed."
"How long will they last?"
Kael scratched his head. "One month. He wants me home every month. I wish that would change."
Mrs. Sinclair glanced toward the house to check if her husband was nearby. When the coast was clear, she pulled out a small bag of white pills and handed it to Kael.
"These are extra suppressants, enough for a week. If you don't want to come home right away, use them."
Kael's face lit up. "Thank you, Mom!"
He hugged her tightly before getting into his car and drove off.
"Finally!" he squealed, revving the engine.
The Imperium Crest Institute was at the far end of the capital, and the first semester will start on Monday. It was Saturday, meaning he needed to settle in fast.
"I should text my gaming friends when I arrive," he muttered, tapping on his phone.
Bad move.
Crash!
His forehead slammed into the steering wheel as the seatbelt yanked him back, his car jerking violently.
"What the fuck?!" Kael shouted. As he reached for the door, he spotted the other car speeding away.
He stepped out, arms wide in disbelief as he watched it disappear.
"Seriously?" He ran a hand through his hair, massaging his temples. His forehead throbbed, his left hand stung from a fresh scratch, and when he turned to assess the damage, his mouth opened in awe.
His bumper was barely hanging on, and his trunk had popped open, exposing his luggage.
"Just kill me," he muttered.
He glanced at his phone, then at his car.
"I can't call Dad, that'll just prove I'm incapable. And I can't call Mom, I don't want to worry her. I haven't even reached school yet. What the fuck!"
He stood there under the sun, his skin glowing, his wavy hair shielding his face from the heat. He was troubled. He kept glancing between his phone and his car. Eventually, he managed to tie the trunk up with a rope to keep it shut, then moved to start the engine.
As he inserted the key, the car kicked for a second, then died.
"Wow…" He was dumbfounded. He hadn't known that being rear-ended could cause his car to stop working.
As the reality of his situation sank in, not knowing where he would sleep, unable to reach school, and possibly even having his freedom revoked, Kael began to panic. His face flushed red, his hands became sweaty, and his sweet, flowery scent started to seep from his body.
The thing about Omegas was that their pheromones could also leak out when they were troubled or in distress, and that was exactly what was happening to Kael without him even realizing it.
Just then, a car drove up and parked in front of him. The door opened, and a man stepped out. He was dressed casually in jeans and a black sweatshirt. He had straight white hair brushed to the sides, brown eyes, and fair skin—not overly pale. He was handsome and had a well-built physique.
He walked over to Kael's car, and bent slightly over his car door.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Kael looked up, his blue eyes twinkling under the sun, his eyelashes fluttering.
"No…"
"I thought as much…" the man said.