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Jeongguk was restless. Even that was an understatement, given that he had been pacing his chamber for half an hour.

His chambermate cast him a curious glance but chose not to question him, knowing the obviously dominant alpha did not like him. With a shrug, he returned to his own business, ignoring the alpha now standing by the window, staring out at the grounds below.

Jeongguk admitted he had felt panic and restlessness before. But never like this. This felt like a snake coiling around his neck, cutting off his oxygen supply.

He hadn't felt this way when he was five, standing before his mother as she told him he had to begin training.

Hadn't felt this way when he was seven and his father returned from war, heavily injured.

Hadn't felt this way even when, at seventeen, he stood before an army of intruders, facing them alone.

What he had felt then was determination along with fear. But this... this was something else entirely.

Barely allowing himself to breathe, Jeongguk scanned the middle grounds, searching for a way to reach Taehyung.

His eyes landed directly on the omega's window, and in that instant, it was as if a bulb had flickered to life in his mind. He contemplated his next move carefully before glancing at the other alpha discreetly.

With his chambermate still awake, it was a risk—one he couldn't afford to take. So he waited,patience stretching thin, until the other finally succumbed to sleep. Only then did Jeongguk slip out of the room.

Had he been any mere alpha, the guards stationed at the quarters' entrance would have caught him instantly. But as a pureblood, it was effortless.

He was fast, his senses sharper than any ordinary alpha's, allowing him to detect even the slightest movement. With a stillness that could rival a thief's, Jeongguk made his way toward the middle grounds.

Midnight had long passed, and the academy was deep in slumber. Fewer guards patrolled inside, most stationed outside the walls.

A pair of guards stood talking near the omega quarters. A risk, but one he was willing to take. He picked up a small rock and threw it in the opposite direction of Taehyung's window.

The sharp sound startled the guards. He cautiously watched as one of the guards immediately moved to check, while the other remained behind, now more alert and scanning the surroundings.

As the lone guard's gaze swept around, Jeongguk seized his chance, dashing toward the building,He almost tripped once.The moment he reached its base, he ducked beneath a tree lined against the front and waited.

The guard returned moments later, exchanging words with his companion about it being just a fallen fruit. Their conversation low and hushed,but one the trueblood could easily hear. Jeongguk remained crouched, waiting until they resumed their positions, eyes fixed ahead.

Calm and collected, he looked up. It was Two floors.high. He searched for a way up and spotted a metal pole further to the side. It would have to do.

Moving swiftly, he climbed, his senses attuned to the guards below. Reaching the ledge, he gripped the windowsill and hoisted himself up, settling onto the small platform beneath the window. He took a deep breath, scanning his surroundings.

Even in this moment, he did not wish to endanger Taehyung. Especially not by allowing anyone to see him entering his chamber.

Carefully, he moved along the platform, ducking beneath random windows. His foot slipped once, and he almost cursed aloud, but being a trueblood had its advantages—especially in situations like this.