Mika discreetly pulled out his phone, punching in the number for his brother Alex. After a few rings, Alex's familiar voice picked up.
"Y'ello? What's up, pipsqueak?"
Mika rolled his eyes. "Hey, jackass," he retorted with mock annoyance. "I need to ask you something."
"Oh?" Alex replied, voice teasing. "You're asking *me* for something? Must be desperate."
Mika rolled his eyes again. "Shut up, smartass. I'm serious about this."
Alex chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll shut up. What's the favor?"
"I've got a friend," Mika said, voice low and careful. "An Omega. Very sweet… shy, but strong underneath." He glanced across the room at Felix, who was now scribbling in his notebook—oblivious. "His name's Felix."
Alex whistled low. "Oho? You're setting me up now? Since when did you become a matchmaker?"
Mika smirked—not kindly. "Call it… helping out a friend in need." His fingers tapped against the phone. "*He* doesn't deserve someone like Felix anyway."
There was a pause.
Then Alex let out that slow, dangerous laugh—the kind only an Alpha could pull off.
"So," he purred, "you want me to charm him… and see what happens?"
"Exactly," Mika said, a cold sort of satisfaction creeping through him. "Just spend some time with him. Get close. Make him *feel* something… something Jake clearly isn't giving him."
Alex chuckled darkly on the other end. "You're a real piece of work, you know that? But fine—I'll play along." A pause. "But when this blows up in your face… don't come crying to me."
Mika didn't answer right away.
He watched Felix laugh at something a classmate said—soft and bright, like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"...he's not *really* mine to break," Mika muttered finally—almost too quiet to hear.
But he didn't stop it.
He never did.
And as he ended the call, one thought burned hotter than regret:
*I want Jake.*
*And if I can't have him freely…*
*I'll take him by force of chaos.*
Mika tucked his phone back into his pocket, a small frown pulling at the corner of his mouth.
This plan was *wrong*. He knew it, deep down, in that part of him he worked so hard to ignore. He could sense it in his bones—the knowledge that it was cruel, that it was destructive. But it was also… *inevitable.*
That last thought made the frown deepen into a scowl.
He didn't like feeling so out of control.
The classroom door opened again just before lunch, and a tall, broad-shouldered figure leaned against the frame—dark eyes scanning the room with lazy confidence.
"Alex?" Mr. Alden blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Alex flashed a charming grin. "Just dropping by to see my baby brother," he said smoothly, stepping inside. His gaze slid across the desks—until it landed on Felix.
And *stayed* there.
Felix froze mid-bite of his sandwich.
Something about this Alpha set his nerves on edge—the way he looked at him like he already *knew* him… like Mika had told him everything.
Mika smirked from across the room, watching it all unfold like a puppeteer pulling invisible strings—
—and deep down?
A single thread of guilt snapped quietly in two
Alex sauntered across the room—eyes *still* on Felix, who fidgeted nervously in his seat.
"You must be Felix?" he said pleasantly, coming to a stop mere feet away—close enough that Felix had to tilt his head back to look at him.
"That's me," Felix managed to say—voice level despite the nerves. "Um. Can I… help you?"
The corner of Alex's mouth curled upward. "Maybe. Mind if I join you?"
Felix hesitated for a moment… then nodded, gesturing to the empty seat across from him. "Sure. Go ahead."
Alex sat down with easy grace, resting his chin on a fist. "Thanks," he said, studying Felix curiously. "Gotta say… Mika didn't mention you're so pretty."
Felix flushed bright red. "I-I-uh—" he stammered, taken off guard by the compliment.
Alex chuckled, amused by Felix's flustered expression. "No need to be embarrassed," he said lightly, still studying him with that same unreadable gaze. "I'm just being honest."
Felix fidgeted with his napkin, unsure of what to say. "Thanks," he repeated awkwardly, cheeks still flushed.
"No need to thank me." Alex leaned back in his chair, still watching him keenly. "Do you mind if I ask a blunt question?"
Felix hesitated again. Something about this guy's sharp eyes and casual manner put him on edge… but it was just a question, right? "…sure," he said at last. "Ask away."
Alex hummed, studying him for another moment. It was unnerving in a way Felix couldn't quite articulate. But just when the silence was getting unbearable, Alex finally asked:
"You have a boyfriend, right?"
"Yeah," Felix said, eyes narrowing slightly. "I do."
Alex smiled—slow and knowing. "Jake, right? The model?"
Felix's grip tightened on his napkin. "*Yes.*" His voice was sharper this time, laced with warning.
Alex only leaned back further, completely unbothered. "Relax," he murmured. "Just making conversation." But then his gaze flicked past Felix… to Mika, who watched them from across the room with quiet intensity.
And in that split second?
Felix felt it.
Not attraction.
Not curiosity.
But *danger*—
Like the air before a storm breaks
"Can I give you a bit of advice?" Alex said mildly, bringing Felix's attention back to him.
Felix's defenses went up immediately. "What kind of advice?" he asked cautiously.
Alex chuckled, eyes still gleaming. "Just an observation," he said easily. "You seem… nervous."
Felix stiffened, his grip tightening on the edge of the table. "And?" he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "What of it?"
Alex shrugged, still watching him keenly. "You seem pretty jumpy. On edge. Why?"
Felix bristled, feeling more and more like prey under those sharp eyes. "None of your business," he snapped, his nerves getting the best of him.
Alex's smile widened slightly. "Touchy," he murmured. "See what I mean? Defensive as hell."
Felix scowled. "Stop psychoanalyzing me," he said sharply. "I'm not *that* easy to read."
Alex leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand. "Oh, but you are," he chuckled. "Every reaction, every move…it's all plain as day." He tilted his head. "Especially your tells. You get this little twitch in the corner of your mouth when you're annoyed."
Alex smirked. "And just now? You blinked twice when you said 'I'm not that easy to read.' Means you're lying—or scared I'm right."
Felix froze, pulse kicking up.
He *hated* how calm this Alpha was—how controlled. Like he'd already mapped out every move in this game and was just waiting for Felix to stumble.
Across the room, Mika didn't look away.
And then Alex leaned back again, voice softening—almost kind.
"Y'know… it's okay to admit when something feels off," he said. "Even if it's with someone you love."
Felix's breath caught.
*Too close.*
* knowing.*
Like Alex wasn't just playing along with Mika's plan—
But digging for something real.
Felix opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
Alex smiled—just a little, and only with a corner of his mouth. "You know what I think?" he murmured.
Felix hated how much he was at the mercy of those eyes. "What?" he ground out, trying to keep his cool.
Alex hummed thoughtfully. "I think you love Jake," he said simply. "But somewhere inside…you're a little scared of him."
Felix's breath hitched, a sudden pang of hurt cutting through the nerves. "What?" he demanded, shocked Alex knew that. "Where on earth do you get that from?"
Alex's lips curled in that almost-smile again. "It's a hunch. But I can tell… you're holding back. *From him*."
Something twisted in Felix's chest, the words hitting way too close to home. "That's… that's stupid," he fumbled, trying to sound convincing. "Why would I be scared of my boyfriend?"
Alex's gaze was still steady, still *piercing* and knowing. "You tell me," he said. "You've been fidgeting ever since I sat down. Fidgeting… avoiding eye contact…"
Felix swallowed, the truth sitting too heavy on his tongue. "...so?" he muttered at last, trying to sound defiant. "That doesn't prove anything. Maybe I just don't like you."
Alex chuckled low in his chest. "Maybe you don't," he agreed. "But that's not why you're nervous."
Felix clenched his hands into fists, fighting against the sudden lump in his throat. "Stop it," he whispered. "Stop making assumptions."
Alex paused, watching him. Not with pity—no, not that. Something worse: *understanding.*
"You're not scared of me," he said quietly. "You're scared I'm right."
Felix looked away fast—too fast.
And for a heartbeat?
The mask slipped.
Just a crack—just enough to see the worry beneath:
*What if Jake sees it too?*
*What if he gets tired? What if he leaves?*
Alex saw it all in that one glance.
And when he spoke again, his voice wasn't cruel…
It was almost gentle.
"Love isn't about being perfect," he murmured. "It's about showing up—even when you're shaky."
Then he stood slowly, chair scraping softly against the floor.
"I'm gonna be honest with you," Alex said, looking down at Felix now. "Mika called me to mess with your head." A pause. "But I don't care about his games."
He leaned in just slightly—
"Be real with Jake… or lose him to someone who will be."
Then he walked away,
leaving only silence… and the weight of truth behind
Mika's eyes widened slightly as he watched Alex approach him instead of leaving.
"What the hell?" Mika hissed, voice tight. "You're supposed to be charming him, not giving him relationship advice!"
Alex gave his younger brother a level stare. "You don't get it, do you?" he said quietly. "Felix doesn't need another Alpha pushing his buttons or tearing his confidence apart." He leaned in slightly. "*He needs space.* To grow. To breathe."
Mika stared at him, stunned. "You're *seriously* backing out?" he demanded, voice low and furious. "After I called you here? After everything?"
Alex didn't flinch. "I came to see what kind of person Felix was," he said evenly. "And now I know." His gaze flicked across the room—to where Felix sat frozen, still reeling from their conversation.
"...he's real," Alex murmured. "And Jake's lucky."
Then he turned back to Mika, expression hardening.
"And you? You're not going to ruin that just because *you* couldn't have what they do."
Mika bristled, clenching his fists at his sides. "What the hell do you know?" he growled. "All I'm doing is helping Jake see what he *actually* wants—"
"*Bullshit*." Alex's eyes snapped back to him, blazing. "You're selfish," he cut in. "You saw something you wanted and decided to toy with it. Well, I'm not going to play along."
Mika scowled—furious, humiliated… and maybe, just *maybe*, a little ashamed. "Since when are you defending some random Omega?" he retorted, voice dripping with bitterness. "I thought you hated this lovey-dovey crap."
Alex's jaw set, his expression darkening. "I do," he said flatly. "I think most of it's bullshit. But for some people it's not. And Felix—he's someone I won't toy with, *especially* because you're pushing."
Mika flinched, the accusation landing just where Alex intended. "You're just getting soft," he shot back, but the words sounded flat. "Tainting your own values for some stupid *relationship*."
Alex's scowl deepened. "It's not stupid," he snapped, eyes blazing. "It's called *kindness*. Maybe you should try it sometime."
Mika bristled, stung by the criticism. "Oh please," he retorted. "You act like you're so superior—like you're better than everyone else. Don't pretend you do it out the goodness of your heart."
Alex's eyes narrowed, the barb hitting a nerve. "And what about you?" he retorted, voice cold. "You think I'm such a heartless jerk… but it's better than being a selfish player."
Mika bristled, stung by the judgment. "I'm not—" he objected, faltering for a moment. "That's not me. You're making me sound like a *monster*."
Alex looked at him—really looked—and something in his expression softened, just a fraction.
"Not a monster," he said quietly. "Just… lost."
Mika froze.
That single word landed like a punch to the gut.
Because it was true.
He *was* lost—aching with want, full of pride, and so damn tired of feeling like never enough. He wanted Jake not just because he was beautiful or powerful… but because for one brief moment during that shoot, Mika had felt *seen*.
And when Felix showed up and took all of that away?
It broke something inside him.
Alex reached out—just once—and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't need to destroy someone else's love," he murmured. "To prove you deserve your own."
Then he turned and walked away—
leaving Mika standing there…
…finally beginning to understand what it meant to lose—not the person—but himself in the process.
Mika stared after his brother, the weight of those words sinking in. He'd been so focused on Jake—hell, on *proving himself in general*—that he hadn't realized how far off track he'd gone.
*Lost.*
No. He wasn't going to lose this. He couldn't. He'd worked too hard—too damn *far*—to let someone like Felix get in the way.
"This isn't over," he whispered under his breath.