Protection

My favourite ship sank before it even took sail. What even. Who knew Sylvain was as dense as a rock.... Maybe denser.

Now that he is out of the question... I only have a few other prominent families with dominant alphas that can rival Cain. That Castillo guy Sylvain recommended is one of them but... the idea of a playboy... I don't like their character...

"Hey sweetie. Looking rafish today." a lanky man with snow white hair and crystal blue eyes winked at me as I felt myself shiver.

R-rafish? Really?

"Uh..."

"You look like a little lost lamb. Do you need the guidance of one such brilliant star such as I?"

... A narcissist... No thanks. I seriously don't like characters like this.

"It's fine."

"Hmm? On second look, it's not a beautiful omega but Damien. Ah, to sway even the most beautiful of flowers... Damien, my eyes have been opened and... Eh? Where'd he go?"

Castillo is out. I honestly prefer Sylvain but it's best I check the other candidates. I'd say there are about three more people I have in mind.

Speak of the devil, there's one. Jun Kitamura, the authentic Japanese beauty... just kidding. He looks like the clichéd class president type. But definitely an ideal partner seeing as how glasses men are loyal and smart (biased).

"Jun. Can you spare me a few moments?" I touched his shoulder gingerly as he turned to look at me.

Jet black hair and a pair of dark onyx eyes hidden behind a thin film of glasses. Exactly the typical serious character who is smart, cool and serious (biased). I'm certain he will accept.

*explaining in session*

"I see. So that is what troubles you. However... I am already bethroned."

Bethr-- who uses bethroned these days?! Plus, the story never said anything about it?! (It did, but in super small wordings)

"But... but..."

"I apologise. I would very much like to aid you, however, I have the responsibility to my partner and I do not wish them to feel abandoned. I have to humbly refuse."

"... It's alright. Thank you for listening to me."

As expected... the glasses-kun lived up to expectation. Cool, calm, collected and serious. Sad that I will miss out on a fake partner of his calibre but I need to move on for my protection.

Two left... But from what I recall, one does not come to school often. So I'll cross him out in advance.

As the bell toiled, it was now the end of lunch break. I headed back towards my classroom, or where I thought it would be, as I ended up lost.

I stumbled upon a large tree in the area and noticed a figure below it.

Oh... it's most likely Dylan. The fierce looking guy. But it's definitely a cliche where he is actually an honest and kind guy but people avoid him because of his fa-- ce???

I had sat down beside him and inspected his face, my fingers brushing away his dark blue bangs before his eyes pried open, glaring at me.

Yo?! So handsome! I only read the character profiles of the characters but his character had not been featured yet. To think he was so...

"What d'ya think yer lookin' at?"

That slang...

"Uh... I..."

"Yer think yer at a museum? Lookin' round at things without care?"

"I'm sorry if I offended you."

"... Well, whatever. Whatcha doin' here? Class has begun."

"... I could ask the same of you."

"Ain't it obvious? I'm skipping. Bugger off."

"I need to ask you something..."

"I don't even know ya. No thanks. Better leave now before yer change my mind bout beating yer up."

"... Okay, sorry."

I walked away feeling frustrated as there was no one I could use as a body shield. The most safest option is to... obviously have no connection with him whatsoever, but... that option is gone now.

"What are you doing?"

.... ..... ....

"Darien, are you ignoring me now?"

... How is he here? Its too much of a coincidence.

"I'm... going to class."

"Let's just wait for next period. Come with me." Cain said as he held my arm.

"I... don't want to..."

"What?"

Agh! It's now or never! I'd rather be with someone I don't like rather than with him.

"Y-you have to convince me why because I've already got a boyfriend!"

"Oh? And who is that?"

"It's Uh... uh... uhm..."

"Who is it? No one right? Stop trying to rile me up, it's making me get horny."

What?!

"N-no... It's... It's..."

"Oh, Darien. I finally got my hand tended to and I'm heading to class. How about you?" Sylvain happened to be walking by as I quickly grabbed his arm.

"T-this is my significant other!"

I don't care if I'm on a sinking ship. Its definitely way better than getting involved with this psycho.

"Huh. Really?"

What is this... the air... suddenly got heavy... It's hard to breathe... Did he seriously use his pheromones again?

"Darien? You okay?" Sylvain asked as he held my waist to prevent me from slipping.

"He...lp..."

Eh? Why is he also emitting pheromones? These two are just...

"... I'll leave for the time being. Darien seems a little ill." Cain said as he turned his heel and headed towards the building.

Now it was just me and Sylvain. Yet... my head was still spinning from the strong release of pheromones. I tried to hold it in but... my body is getting hot.

"Sylvain..."

"Oh, you really do look sick. I'll take you to the infirmary."

I nodded and clung to his arm. He still looked oblivious as ever but at least he didn't refute what I had said to Cain. Out of all the other options, he was still the safest. It's better to force him onto the same page.

"Hey, um... Darien... You smell kinda nice right now..."

Oh... Am I letting out pheromones...?

"..."

"What shampoo did you use? It's so sweet. Anyways, hold on to my shoulders. I'll carry you to the infirmary."

Oh! Ohhh!!! Is it happening? My favourite ship!

"Okay." I extended my arms without hesitation, a sly grin on my lips as Sylvain easily lifts me into his arms.

I would have imagined he asking me to be carried either

A. from the back, piggyback style

B. from the front, Princess carry

But, what is this koala style? Ugh... it's fine, it doesn't change the fact that he still cares for Darien.

I will force the two of them into a relationship for my sake and for the sake of my favourite ship.

(What happened to the protection?)

Beneath the tree, Dylan stares at the shenanigans going on around the black haired guy who popped out of nowhere.

There was a short pause in conversation when he had clung to the shoulder of the slightly more buffed redhead. Dylan thought the conversation ended there until he noticed a strong surge of alpha pheromones.

The black haired guy seemed to slip to the ground before being caught by his waist by the guy he was holding onto. It seemed like a crisis had been averted.

However, the look on the blonde haired guy face sent shivers down his spine. Despite the distance, Dylan's eyesight was sharp as a hawk and he could tell a killer instict from miles away.

It seems like things would get dangerous around that guy... However...

Dylan was actually a sucker for good looks. When he had opened his eyes and say Darien for the first time, his heart had done multiple backflips.

His cold attitude whilst speaking to Darien stemmed from how nervous he had felt. At the very least, he could warn Darien about that guy and perhaps be friends.

He sighs and leans back against the tree, watching its leaves rustle gently in the wind. Its gentle lullaby making his eyelids grow heavy.