Chapter 34: The School President has Fainted
In the car, Adrian sat in the rear seat, his arm wrapped protectively around Ash. Ash’s head rested against his shoulder, his face flushed, his breaths shallow and uneven. Adrian held him firmly but gently, his jaw set, anger still simmering beneath the surface.
"Don’t drive home," Adrian said quietly, his voice low but his commanding. "Take us to the penthouse."
Bravin’s hands tightened slightly on the wheel. In the rearview mirror, he caught sight of his young master’s face; stern, eyes burning with both furry and worry. Then his gaze shifted to Ash, trembling faintly in Adrian’s hold, looking small and fragile under the streetlights flashing past.
Bravin exhaled through his nose, keeping his thoughts to himself, but his grip on the wheel grew steadier. Whatever had happened back there, he knew it had cut deep.
When they reached the penthouse, Adrian stepped out first. Without hesitation, he leaned back into the car and lifted Ash into his arms.
Ash stirred faintly but didn’t resist, his head resting against Adrian’s chest.
Bravin quietly closed the car door behind them, watching as Adrian carried Ash inside. He didn’t say a word, only followed a few steps behind until the elevator doors slid shut, leaving Adrian and Ash alone.
Inside the penthouse, Adrian carried Ash straight to the bedroom and laid him gently on the bed. He switched on the cooling system, then went to the bathroom to wet a towel. Returning, he pressed it lightly against Ash’s face and neck, hoping to bring down the heat.
He leaned closer, letting his pheromones flow in steady, calming wave. But Ash only stirred restlessly, his body shifting beneath the sheets. His hands tugged weakly at the pajama top as though trying to remove it.
Adrian caught his wrists. "Ash...stop," he said firmly but soft.
Ash’s flushed face turned him, eyes shining with helpless need. "Adrian...please...take me."
Adrian’s chest tightened. For a moment, he almost faltered. Then he shook his head. "No. I won’t take advantage of you."
Ash whimpered softly, his body trembling. Adrian’s jaw clenched as if fighting himself.. "There’s another way I can help you...without hurting you," he whispered.
Ash blinked, wide-eyed, but then gave a faint nod, trusting him.
"Close your eyes," Adrian murmured.
Ash obeyed, shutting the world away.
Adrian lowered Ash’s garments, revealing the heat that throbbed with need. His breath caught at the sight, but he bent forward, taking Ash into his mouth. The warmth pressed against his tongue, sharp and intoxicating. He began slow, gentle, careful; then gradually quickened, following the rhythm of Ash’s ragged breaths.
Ash’s voice broke into helpless murmurs. "Adrian...ah...it feels...so good...don’t stop...please, don’t stop...more...just like that..."
The sound of his pleas only drove Adrian further until Ash’s body shuddered, release overtaking him.
Adrian didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned back up, lips pressing against Ash’s, sharing the taste of what he had taken. Ash gasped into the kiss, overwhelmed, breathless.
When they finally parted, Adrian’s voice was low against his lips.
"How does it taste?"
Ash’s face flushed hot as he hurriedly covered himself with both hands, unable to meet Adrian’s eyes.
A quiet chuckle escaped Adrian. "You’re shy...even of your own release?" he teased softly, not unkindly.
Ash’s embarrassment only deepened, but before he could answer, Adrian drew him close, wrapping an arm around his trembling body. The steady warmth of his embrace settled Ash’s racing heart.
A faint trace of Adrian’s pheromones lingered in the air, soothing and heavy, coaxing Ash’s body toward rest.
"Enough for tonight," Adrian whispered against his hair. "Rest now."
...
Morning light slipped through the curtains. Ash stirred, finding himself still resting in Adrian’s arms, his head lazily lying against his chest. For a moment, he simply gazed at Adrian’s sleeping face, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Without opening his eyes, Adrian’s voice came low and rough with sleep. "If you keep looking at me like that...I’ll have to do something about it."
Ash startled, his smile vanishing as he flushed, quickly shifting as though caught. Adrian only chuckled and pulled him closer, his arm tightening around him.
"Relax. Let’s sleep a little longer."
Ash hesitated, then mumbled, "I can’t...Today I have a CAT exam in the first lesson."
That made Adrian open his eyes fully. He sighed but nodded. "Fine. Get prepared."
Ash pushed up, rubbing his eyes, then paused with a puzzled look. "But...I don’t even have a uniform. You’ll have to take me home first..."
"That’s already sorted," Adrian interrupted smoothly.
Before Ash could question further, a knock came. Adrian rose and opened the door. Bravin stepped in, carrying a neatly folded set of clothes.
Ash blinked in surprise, sitting up straighter. "A...new uniform?"
...
The car rolled to a stop at the school gate. Ash reached for the handle, ready to slip out, but Adrian’s voice stopped him.
"Wait."
Ash turned, only to find Adrian leaning closer. His heart raced, breath catching as Adrian’s presence pressed in; steady, unhurried. Instinctively, Ash closed his eyes.
A moment later, fingers brushed his collar. A tug, a smooth pull; the knot of his tie tightened neatly against his throat.
Adrian’s voice came low, edged with faint amusement.
"You’re a big boy already...and still don’t know how to tie a tie properly?"
Then he leaned back, calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.
Ash opened his eyes, cheeks flushed at his own reaction. He quickly pushed the door open and slipped out in a rush.
From the driver’s seat, Bravin’s lips curved in a faint smile as he watched Ash hurry toward the gate. But when his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, he caught Adrian’s serious glance. At once, Bravin straightened, his expression smoothing out as he started the car.
At the school gate, Ash met Naomi and Martin.
Martin grinned, teasing, "So today, you’ve been dropped by Alpha Adrian...looks like my bet is winning."
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Stop celebrating already. Wait until evening and see who will drive him home."
Ash’s thoughts drifted back to the previous day, remembering what Lucien had done and what he had planned. A shadow crossed his expression, subtle but noticeable.
Naomi, sensing the change, asked softly, "Ash... are you okay?"
Ash forced a small smile, nodding. "I’m fine," he murmured, keeping the delicate truth to himself.
As they entered the classroom, the usual murmurs of students quieted. Everyone glanced at them in passing, curiosity in their eyes, but Ash and his friends simply made their way to their seats.
When Ash reached his locker, he paused. A bouquet of white lilies rested on top, perfectly arranged. A small note tucked inside read: "I’m sorry."
His gaze lingered on the bouquet, already knowing who had sent it. Before he could settle the flowers on his locker, a sharp voice cut through the murmuring classroom.
"Rule No. 25 of the school code; items such as flowers, gifts, or any authorized gestures are strictly prohibited!"
Ash turned slowly. The students had quieted, watching in silence. Standing before him was Alpha Marcus, an English teacher and A-ranked Alpha. Rumor had it he got this position through connections with his father, the principal.
Before Ash could respond, Marcus stepped closer, plucking the lilies from the locker. He unfolded the note, his eyes scanning it briefly. "Hmmm...it seems this is from your lover, huh?" His voice carried a subtle edge, almost teasing.
"Rule No. 42: Relationships while at school are strictly forbidden," Marcus continued, his tone firm. "And as a school president, you should be a role model to others. Therefore...this calls for a punishment. One that sets an example."
Ash’s heart thumped, his cheeks warm, but he kept silent, unsure how to respond as Marcus’s gaze held him in place.
After the English CAT exam, Marcus called Ash forward once again. "Rule 1 to Rule 58," he barked. "Recite them aloud while running the field. Uniform on. Sun overhead. Junior classes will watch. Make this an example."
Ash nodded stiffly and began running, his full uniform clinging to him, sweat rolling down his face, legs burning with every step. His breaths came in sharp gasps, each lap heavier than the last.
The juniors watched silently, murmurs of pity rippling through them. "Poor senior..." one whispered. "He’s going to collapse..." another added softly.
Marcus’s voice cut through the murmurs, harsh and commanding. "Keep running! No stopping Ash!"
But the heat, the exhaustion, and the relentless pressure finally overwhelmed him. Ash’s legs gave away, and he collapsed onto the grass, unconscious.
A shocked hush fell over the field. Then, a junior’s voice called out, trembling, "The school president...has fainted...senior...has fainted..."
...
Lucien sat at his office desk, fingers flying across the keyboard as he worked on the deputy principal’s reports, schedules, and planning upcoming school activities. The hum of the computers filled the quiet room.
Suddenly, faint murmurs floated from the corridor outside. "...the school president has fainted..."
Lucien froze, his hand hovering over the keyboard. The school president has fainted? Ash?His heart skipped a beat. Curiosity and concern surged through him. Without hesitation, he rose and stepped out of his office.
Spotting a second-year junior nearby, he asked urgently, "What happened?"
The junior looked nervous. "The school president...he’s fainted, sir."
"Where?" Lucien pressed, his voice tense.
"At the field," the junior replied.
Lucien didn’t waste a second. He sprinted toward the field, the shouts and murmurs of students growing louder with each step. When he arrived, a crowd had gathered. Naomi and Martin knelt beside Ash, trying to aid him, while Marcus stood nearby, his face with worry and fear.
The students quickly parted as Lucien approached, giving him a clear path. He reached Ash’s side, disbelief etched across his features. "Ash! Ash! he called, his voice trembling slightly.
The students were frozen, shocked at seeing the deputy principal, an S-rank Alpha, show a rare vulnerability toward a Beta student. Lucien’s face was pale, eyes wide with disbelief. In a deep, shaky voice, he demanded. "Who did this?"
The crowd fell silent. He repeated the question, his tone sharper, more commanding. Finally, one brave student stepped forward. "Sir...it’s...Alpha Marcus, sir. He gave the school president a punishment...made him run reciting all the rules under the sun."
Lucien’s eyes narrowed, his hands clenching into fists. Anger surged through him, a low growl escaping his throat. He spun toward Marcus, his S-rank presence radiating fury, every student instinctively stepping back.