Zinnia didn't sleep well that night.
Not because she was scared.
But because her mind refused to rest.
Every time she closed her eyes…
She saw him.
Not the version everyone feared.
Not the silent king of the Alpha boys.
But the one who stood in front of her.
Watching.
Measuring.
Studying.
Like she was something he needed to understand.
Zinnia turned on her bed, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
"This is ridiculous…"
She had faced worse things.
Life hadn't exactly been easy on her.
She wasn't weak.
She wasn't fragile.
So why—
Why was he the one person she couldn't ignore?
She shut her eyes again.
And this time—
Sleep came.
But not peacefully.
Morning came too quickly.
Zinnia stood in front of the mirror, tying her hair slowly.
Her reflection looked the same.
Calm.
Composed.
Unbothered.
But inside—
Things were different.
She could feel it.
Something had shifted.
And she didn't like it.
The moment she stepped into school—
The whispers returned.
"They're saying she went to the Alpha floor…"
"She came back alive…"
"Roman didn't do anything?"
"That's impossible…"
Zinnia kept walking.
Ignoring them.
But ignoring didn't mean she didn't hear.
Sophie rushed toward her the moment she entered the hallway.
"Zinnia!"
Zinnia stopped.
"You're okay, right?"
"I said I'm fine."
Sophie narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You keep saying that like I'm supposed to believe it."
Zinnia sighed.
"I am fine, Sophie."
A pause.
Then Sophie leaned closer.
"They're talking about you."
"I noticed."
"No—you don't understand."
Zinnia frowned slightly.
"What now?"
Sophie hesitated.
Then said quietly—
"People are starting to think… you're connected to them."
Zinnia blinked.
"What?"
"They don't just call random people to the Alpha floor."
That made sense.
And yet—
She didn't like it.
"I'm not connected to anyone," Zinnia said firmly.
Sophie studied her face.
"…You sure about that?"
Zinnia didn't answer.
Because for the first time—
She wasn't sure.
At the Alpha floor—
Roman hadn't slept either.
But unlike Zinnia—
It wasn't restlessness.
It was focus.
He stood in front of the large window, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on nothing in particular.
Jordan walked in first.
"You're up early."
Roman didn't respond.
Charles followed, stretching slightly.
"This is new."
Chance leaned against the wall silently.
Observing.
Jordan smirked.
"Let me guess… this is about the girl."
Silence.
Then—
Roman spoke.
"She didn't break."
Charles chuckled.
"You've said that already."
"And she won't," Roman added.
Chance nodded slightly.
"She's stable."
Jordan folded his arms.
"So what's the problem?"
Roman turned slightly.
"She's not reacting the way she should."
A pause.
Charles tilted his head.
"Or maybe… she just doesn't care."
That—
That didn't sit well.
Roman's jaw tightened slightly.
"She cares."
Jordan raised a brow.
"You sound sure."
Roman didn't answer.
But his mind replayed it.
Her eyes.
Her voice.
Her refusal to apologize.
She cared.
Just not in the way others did.
And that—
Was the problem.
Or maybe…
The reason.
Back in class—
Zinnia tried again to focus.
But her thoughts were louder than the teacher.
Every small sound felt amplified.
Every movement distracted her.
And then—
The door opened.
Zinnia didn't need to look.
But she did anyway.
One of the Alpha boys stood at the entrance.
Charles.
The entire class went silent.
The teacher froze.
Charles smiled slightly.
Relaxed.
Dangerous.
"I'm here for someone."
No one spoke.
No one moved.
His gaze scanned the room.
Then stopped.
On her.
"Zinnia."
Her name sounded different coming from him.
Like it didn't belong to her anymore.
"Come with me."
Sophie grabbed her arm immediately.
"No."
Zinnia gently removed her hand.
"It's fine."
It wasn't.
But she stood anyway.
And walked toward him.
The entire class watched.
Just like yesterday.
Just like always.
The hallway felt longer this time.
Charles walked beside her.
Hands in his pockets.
Calm.
"You're interesting," he said casually.
Zinnia didn't respond.
"That's not a compliment," he added.
"I didn't take it as one."
Charles smiled slightly.
"Good."
They reached the door.
The Alpha floor.
Again.
Zinnia's heart didn't race this time.
But it didn't stay calm either.
It just…
Adjusted.
The door opened.
Roman was already there.
Waiting.
Their eyes met.
And something unspoken passed between them.
Again.
"You called me?" Zinnia asked.
Roman didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
"You left too easily yesterday."
Zinnia frowned.
"You told me to go."
"I didn't say you were done."
Her brows pulled together.
"And now?"
Roman stopped in front of her.
Now—
You understand.
Silence.
Then—
"Stay."
Again.
Zinnia exhaled slowly.
"You really like control, don't you?"
Roman didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Honest.
Direct.
Zinnia shook her head slightly.
"You're exhausting."
Behind them—
Jordan laughed.
"I like her."
Chance watched quietly.
Charles leaned against the wall again.
Roman ignored them.
His focus stayed on her.
"You keep coming back."
Zinnia met his gaze.
"You keep calling me."
A pause.
Neither of them looked away.
And that—
Was where the real tension lived.
Not in actions.
But in silence.
In control.
In something neither of them fully understood yet.
Time passed again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Less like punishment.
More like…
Something else.
Roman didn't push her to the wall again.
Didn't trap her.
He just—
Watched.
And somehow—
That felt heavier.
Zinnia shifted slightly.
"Are you going to say something?"
Roman stepped closer.
"You didn't run."
"I don't run."
"You should."
Zinnia's lips pressed together.
"From you?"
A pause.
"Yes."
That answer—
Was honest.
And dangerous.
Zinnia swallowed slightly.
"And what happens if I don't?"
Roman's voice dropped.
"Then you stay."
And this time—
She didn't argue.
Because something told her—
She already had.