I turned the corner toward the dormitory wing.
Footsteps echoed ahead—measured, purposeful. An alpha's gait.
Seo Haejun emerged from the stairwell, still in his practice clothes despite the late hour.
Sweat darkened the fabric at his collar. His injured shoulder no longer wore the sling, but he moved with calculated caution.
Our eyes met.
I dropped my gaze immediately, angling to slip past him.
His hand shot out, palm flat against the wall beside my head.
Not touching me. Just blocking my path.
"Wait."
I froze.
Haejun's blue eyes tracked across my face—too sharp and observant. Reading the tightness around my mouth, the redness I hadn't quite blinked away.
"What happened?"
"Nothing." The word came out clipped. "Just tired."
His jaw flexed.
"You're a terrible liar."
Heat prickled behind my eyes again. I refused to let it show.
"It's been a long day," I managed. "Can I just—"
Haejun's fingers closed around my wrist.
