CHAPTER 48: THE PRESENTATION DAY! 3

The air in the classroom was still thickened with the sweet, intoxicating scent of Elias’s pheromones. It was like it was pulling everyone’s attention to the front, where Elias lay unconscious. Students shifted in their seats, some leaning forward, while others whispered to their neighbours. The Alphas in the room were the most affected, their eyes glinting with an instinctive hunger that made Jace’s stomach twist.

He kept his arm around Elias, his grip firm but gentle, trying to shield him from the weight of those stares.

The professor, Dr Hargrove, who’s a Beta, blinked rapidly, her eyes narrowing as she processed the situation. Even she, usually unaffected by pheromones, could sense the overwhelming presence of Elias’s omega scent. She stood abruptly, her voice cutting through the murmurs.

"Everyone, open the windows. Immediately."

Students scrambled to obey, pushing chairs aside to reach the windows along the walls. Fresh air poured in, diluting the scent just slightly, but it didn’t erase the tension in the room. Dr Hargrove turned to Jace, her expression a mix of concern and authority.

"Jace, take Elias to the school clinic. He needs attention."

Jace shook his head, his jaw tight.

"No, ma’am. I can’t do that. I need permission to take him home."

Dr Hargrove raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between Jace and Elias, who was still leaning against him, his breathing uneven.

"Home? Do you know where he lives?"

Jace’s lips curved into a small, secretive smile.

"Yeah, I do."

The professor studied him for a moment, then nodded, her expression softening.

"Alright, you have my permission. Get him out of here and make sure he’s safe." She turned to the class, clapping her hands. "You, grab their bags. And don’t worry about the project. I’ll keep it safe until tomorrow."

A couple of students jumped up to help, one of them grabbing Jace and Elias’s bags while another carefully lifted the hybrid energy model from the table. Jace nodded his thanks, his focus entirely on Elias, who was struggling to stay upright.

"Come on," he murmured, slipping an arm as he scooped Elias off the floor and walked toward the door.

As they reached the car, Jace glanced back and saw Rowan holding their bags, his usual smirk replaced with a curious, almost calculating look. Jace took the bags from him, muttering,

"Thanks, man."

Rowan didn’t move, his eyes flicking to Elias, who was barely conscious, his head resting against Jace’s chest.

"So," Rowan said, his voice low and teasing, "you’re the one following him around, huh? Not the other way around. Everyone’s been talking about Elias trailing after you, but it’s you chasing the omega."

Jace froze, his grip on the bags tightening. He turned to face Rowan, his eyes narrowing.

"What do you want, Rowan?"

Rowan’s grin widened, but there was a sharpness to it. He leaned closer, peering at Elias.

"Did you know he was an omega? I mean, before today?"

Jace’s frown deepened.

"Why does it matter?"

Rowan chuckled, biting his lip.

"It doesn’t. Just saying, he’s got the whole school’s attention now, Voss. Not just mine. Better protect your little omega well." He gave Jace a mock salute and walked off, his laughter echoing down the hall.

Jace’s stomach churned. He knew exactly what Rowan meant... word was already spreading like wildfire. By the end of the day, everyone on campus would know Elias was an omega. And that meant trouble, especially with Viktor Drago still hunting for him. Jace didn’t waste another second. He opened the car door, gently easing Elias into the back seat, where he slumped against the cushion, his eyes half-closed. The sweet scent of his pheromones filled the car, making Jace’s head spin. He gritted his teeth, fighting the instinctive pull as he closed the door and slid into the driver’s seat.

He pulled out his phone and dialled his mother, his fingers tight around the device.

"Mom, it’s me," he said as soon as she picked up. "Elias’s pheromones leaked during our presentation. The whole class knows he’s an omega. He’s out of it right now... And also, he forgot his suppressants. What do I do?"

Mrs Voss’s voice was calm but urgent.

"Get him to the matching centre, Jace. Now. They can help stabilise him, and you need to get that matching test done. It’ll give us leverage if Viktor comes sniffing around."

Jace nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. "Got it. I’m heading there now." He glanced at Elias in the rearview mirror, his chest tightening at the sight of him curled up, his face flushed and his breathing shallow. The scent was overwhelming, and Jace gripped the steering wheel harder, trying to ignore the heat pooling in his body.

’Focus, damn it. How the hell are his Pheromones this strong?’

He sped off, the campus fading in the distance as he navigated toward the matching centre.

.

Meanwhile, at the Drago estate, the sprawling mansion was quieter than usual. The twins had finally gone to school that morning, persuaded by their father’s rare moment of patience. Viktor sat in his office, papers spread across his desk, with contracts and reports that he barely glanced at. His mind was elsewhere... on Elias. He couldn’t stop thinking about where he could be hiding, and maybe why the Vosses were stonewalling him.

Clara, his fiancée, stood across from him, her arms crossed and her voice sharp.

"You ditched me for a nanny, Viktor. A nanny! Do you know how humiliating that is? I’m supposed to be your wife, and you’re chasing after some kid who doesn’t even matter!"

Viktor didn’t look up from his desk, his fingers tapping idly on a pen. He was used to Clara’s outbursts, but today they grated more than usual. His thoughts kept drifting to Elias and how he easily slipped from his hand.

’Just where are you, Elias?’ Clara’s voice was background noise, an irritation he didn’t have time for.

She slammed her hand on the desk, the sound jolting him back to the present. He glared at her, his hand twitching toward the gun holstered at his side. He wouldn’t mind killing her for ruining his peace but it would cause a war he’s not ready for. He stopped himself, exhaling slowly, and forced a smile.

"Clara, I’m sorry. But you should know I did it for the kids. You know how much they love their nanny."

Clara’s expression softened, her cheeks flushing as she remembered their engagement day... Viktor’s lips on hers, his voice calling her beautiful. She knew he loved her, not some random nanny.

"Fine," she said, her voice softer now. "But you need to make it up to me."

"Make it up to you?" Viktor raised an eyebrow. "How?"

She smirked, reaching for the zipper of her dress, pulling it down slowly. "Sleep with me. Right now."

Viktor’s brows furrowed, his expression darkening.

"Clara, we’re not married. Why would I do that?"

She stepped closer, her voice sultry.

"Does it matter? We’re engaged. Come on, Viktor." She leaned in, her lips brushing toward his as she sat on his lap. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing his neck and also trying to unbutton his shirt. He secretly rolled his eyes since he wasn’t getting any reaction from touching her. It was different from when he was with Elias.

His finger twitched as he tried to push her away but his phone buzzed loudly on the desk. He shoved her back gently but firmly, standing as he answered the call.

"What?"

Luka’s voice came through.

"Vik, it’s important. You need to come out."

Viktor grabbed his jacket, already moving toward the door. "Clara, I have to go. It’s urgent."

She groaned, her hands on her hips. "Where are you going? You can’t just leave me like this! Again. I want you, Viktor. Touch me..."

"It’s business," he said curtly, already halfway out the door.

As he left, Clara’s frustration boiled over, but a smile crept onto her face.

’I’ll keep trying, until I have his baby,’ she thought. ’And maybe... maybe if I can help the twins find their precious nanny, they’ll accept me as their mother...’

She pulled out her phone and dialled a number, her voice low.

"Hey, I need you to look into someone for me. What...? Is he important? Of course, he’s very important."

.

Outside, Viktor slid into the passenger seat of Luka’s car, his gun resting on his lap.

"What’s the problem?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Luka glanced at him, his expression tense.

"It’s not that serious, but it’s urgent. Look at this." He handed Viktor his phone, a video already playing.

Viktor’s eyes narrowed as he watched. The footage was grainy, clearly taken from a distance, but he recognised Jace immediately, carrying someone in his arms. His heart skipped as he realised who it was... Elias, limp and pale, his head resting against Jace’s chest.

"Where is this?" Viktor demanded, his voice rising. "Where’s Elias?"

Luka snatched the phone back, his voice calm but firm.

"Calm down, Vik. My guy in Elias’s class said he’s already gone. Jace took him somewhere. But this is good... it means Elias is with Jace. If you want Elias, you get Jace first."

Viktor’s jaw tightened, his mind racing.

"The Vosses aren’t cooperating. They’re hiding him."

Luka smirked, his eyes glinting.

"You don’t need the Vosses. I’ll make sure you see Elias. Just give me a little time."

Viktor’s lips curved into a cold smile. "Good. Hurry up, Luka. I want him back home where he belongs."