Chapter 9
Ciro P.O.V.
It was finally the weekend. I had finished writing out and sticking my journal entries—ready to hand them in on Monday.
Jacob had invited me to a party. It would be my one and only for the semester. I was anticipating more than I wanted to admit. After this long, exhausting week, I deserved to let loose a little.
Never again would I try to bake. Staying up later than usual just left my body wrecked. I'd rather buy from a café than pretend I'm someone's Pinterest dream. Baking clearly wasn't one of my specialties.
I had an outfit planned in my head for days—and tonight, I was executing it. Honestly, the most exciting part about a party for me is dressing up.
I checked the mirror one last time. Hair? Great. Outfit? Even better.
The party was already in full swing when Jacob and I arrived. The room buzzed with music and soft lighting. I wasn't even two steps in before I spotted him.
Kenon.
Of course he was here. Why wouldn't he be?
Everywhere I went, he just showed up. Not that I minded. He wasn't exactly hard on the eyes. Tall. Smooth skin. Always unreadable, like he was hiding ten different thoughts behind those sharp eyes. Like he was always searching for something—or someone.
We locked eyes across the room. Just for a second. But it was a heavy second. Thick with something unsaid. I didn't smile. But I didn't look away either.
I drifted through the crowd, nodding to a few familiar faces, heading for the kitchen. Still felt his gaze. Like heat licking at my skin.
Leaning against the counter, I sipped something fizzy from a red cup, pretending I wasn't checking the door every five seconds.
I wasn't.
…Okay, maybe I was.
After yesterday, I was nervous to be around him.
And just like that—there he was again. Kenon. Moving through the crowd like the party bent around him. Eyes locked right on me.
He didn't hesitate. Walked straight up and stopped a foot away, wearing that half-smirk like he knew something I didn't.
"Didn't think I'd see you here," he said, voice low and just a little too close to my ear.
I shrugged, holding his gaze. "Jacob invited me, so… why not?"
It's not like I'm a full-time bookworm. I need a break too.
"Guess I should be honored," he said. "You came to my party."
I blinked. "Wait—your party?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know?"
"Nope. Jacob invited me."
Kenon stepped a little closer. "So technically… you were invited by me."
I laughed—kind of. "So this is your first time hosting me, huh? Should I say thanks for the hospitality?"
Why does he even live in the dorms if he's got a whole penthouse?
He leaned in just enough for our shoulders to brush. "I should show you around then, Ciro."
Typical. Him and his fake polite small talk. But whatever. I decided to play nice.
The music shifted. Lights dimmed slightly. And somehow, I ended up spending the rest of the night near Kenon, under the excuse of him showing me around.
I met a few of his friends—mostly alphas and betas. Chill people I probably wouldn't have met if not for Kenon.
When I ran out of drink, I headed to refill. I was tipsy by then, but still aware. A little warm in the face, that buzzing-in-my-skin kind of floaty.
Cup refilled, I stepped out onto the balcony. The cool breeze kissed my cheeks, already flushed from the alcohol.
That's when I felt it.
His pheromones.
They were stronger now. Not overwhelming—but impossible to ignore. Smooth. Seductive. Wrapping around me slowly.
"Why are you out here alone?"
His voice hit my spine like a drop of warm water.
God forbid I want fresh air.
"Oh, nothing. The balcony looked peaceful."
He was right in front of me now. And half the time, I hated to admit it—but he was exactly my type. Too bad I didn't like his personality.
We stood there for a moment. Quiet, but it wasn't awkward. It felt weirdly easy.
"You good?" he asked, voice lower than usual.
"Better now," I said, before I could stop myself.
He turned to look at me. I looked back.
Neither of us looked away.
Then his eyes dropped. Just a split second. To my lips.
I saw it. Felt it.
I was buzzed, yeah, but not hallucinating.
"You keep doing that," I muttered.
"Doing what? I'm just looking."
"Looking at me like that."
Kenon stepped in closer. Real close. His scent was everywhere—subtle, addictive.
"I'm not doing anything you're not letting me do," he murmured.
And before I could come up with some snarky reply…
He kissed me.
It wasn't perfect. Our teeth bumped a little. He tasted like alcohol and mint.
It was my first kiss.
And it was him.
When we pulled back, neither of us said anything for a beat. Just… stared. Processing.
The Next Morning
I woke up with my brain running a full marathon.
Memories flickered in and out. My first kiss. Kenon. The balcony. His scent. My heart was racing.
I let out a tiny scream into my pillow.
"What's your problem?" Jacob grumbled from his side of the room.
I peeked over at him, hair a mess, eyes wide. "I lost my first kiss."
He blinked, sat up like I just told him aliens invaded the campus. "To who?"
"Kenon."
Jacob didn't even act surprised. "Of course you lost it to him."
I frowned. "Why'd you say it like that?"
"I mean... you baked cookies for him."
"That was for the project," I snapped, already nursing a headache.
I dragged myself out of bed and reached for water.
"So…" he said, leaning over with a grin. "What about last night?"
"I was drunk. His pheromones were everywhere."
Jacob smirked. "Mhm. But you still kissed him."
I groaned.
Monday came faster than expected.
I didn't arrive early as usual but I still showed up before the professor. My stomach was in knots as I walked into the lecture room . It was a bit empty for now. As if we switched roles this morning, Kenan was already there.
I paced a little, then sat. Then stood again. My palms were sweaty, and I wiped them on my jeans like it'd help.
He kissed me.
It wasn't just a kiss to me.
It was my first. And maybe I was foolish, but a part of me thought it meant something or at least hoped it did.
I'm twenty-one. Most people would say that's pretty late for a first kiss. Maybe it is. But all my life, my omega father told me my first kiss was supposed to be for someone special.Someone who made it feel like the wait was worth it.
And Kenan… he didn't fit that image at all.
We weren't close. I only really got to know him because of the project. We both just wanted a good grade. I'm sure it was the same for him.
But still…
It was my moment. My first. My little special memory. And now I can't stop overthinking it.
Then the professor walked in and the class started. It wasn't awkward as I thought it would be. It was the same as usual and that made me calmer.
I was being overly dramatic for no reason even though it was my first kiss.
A kiss is still just a kiss… right?
The whole class passed in a blur and my mind was somewhere else. And I didn't like that one bit. As soon as class was dismissed, I left quickly.
It was our usual time to meet up in the library.
Kenan strolled in like always confident, relaxed, with that same unreadable expression on his face. He tossed his bag down and gave me a lazy half-smile.
"Hey," he said, sitting across from me.
"Hey," I managed, my voice smaller than I liked.
He flipped open his notebook, not even glancing up. "So, where did we stop again?"
I blinked. "What?"
"The assignment," he said casually, like nothing was different. "We were going to outline the sections, remember?"
That was it. No mention of the party. No smirk. No teasing comment. No acknowledgment of anything.
My chest tightened.
He didn't remember.
He was drunk.
But why do I remember everything so vividly that it's plaguing my mind?
I stared at him, hoping for something,anything,that might hint he was just pretending. But there was nothing. No flicker of recognition in his eyes.
"Oh," I said softly. "Right. The assignment."
We were assigned to make a dish of our choice and cook it together. Then take a picture of it.
"What dish do you think we should make?" I asked Kenan.
"We should make those cookies you made last time."
The very same cookies that completely threw off my sleeping schedule.
"Kenan, baking and cooking are two different things."
"Are they really?"
We ended up deciding on cooking risotto.
I don't know how I made it through the rest of the session. I barely spoke, barely looked at him. My heart wasn't in it. My thoughts were too loud.
When it was over, I grabbed my bag and left before he could say anything else.
I don't know what came over me, but I ignored his texts the next day.
And the next.
I skipped our usual library meetup.
I wasn't sure what to say or if I even wanted to say anything. I felt stupid. Embarrassed. Hurt. It had been my first kiss and he didn't even remember it. And worse? He acted like nothing happened at all.
This was unusual for me. I don't even know why I was so torn up over something so small. Who cares anyway? It was Kenan. I shouldn't have expected anything.
Did I want something to change between us?
By Wednesday, I was actively avoiding him on campus. Ducking into hallways. Pretending to be on my phone. Avoiding places I knew he liked to hang out.
Until Thursday morning.
My phone buzzed.
Kenan: We need to finish the assignment. Meet me today. No excuses.
I stared at the message. Short. Sharp. No emoji. Just him.
I sighed.
Kenan: Meet in the café next to campus.
From his short replies, I could tell he was mad.