CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 132 THE PROFESSOR CORPSE.

Away from the school’s main ground, in a quiet garden where students came to enjoy the cool air, Charles had taken Draven there for a serious talk.

"Don’t you have something to say, Draven?" Charles began, voice thick with frustration. "I went to that mansion—your lover’s place—and guess what? I almost got killed. They captured me and almost threw me into their horrifying cell. If not for a phone call, I wouldn’t have been released."

He took a deep breath, his anger bleeding through his pain. "I went there because of you, Draven. I was scared you’d miss your exams. I did all that for you—and now you’re back, and you didn’t even tell me? Is this how much you value me? Am I no longer needed in your life?" Charles questioned, his face twisted in hurt.

Draven felt himself sinking into a dark place. Where could he start? How could he even explain everything for Charles to understand?

"It’s a long story..." Draven began, but Charles cut him off sharply.

"Don’t give me that excuse—it’s too poor. If it’s long, cut it short and summarize it. What happened? We were close before Daniel came into the picture, and now I feel like I don’t even know you anymore."

Draven’s chest tightened. That wasn’t true. He loved Charles deeply. When his parents were never around, Charles had been the only one there for him. He couldn’t lose him—it was impossible.

"Okay," Draven started softly. "I got into an incident... I was kidnapped. Daniel saved me, but I was shot. When I recovered, I joined them on a vacation—their honeymoon vacation."

Charles’s expression twisted, a mix of disbelief, anger, and pain flooding his face.

"You dickhead! Do you know what it was like getting that phone call, hearing you’d been in an accident and almost killed? Do you know what I felt that day, calling you over and over? And what did you do? You went on a honeymoon!" Charles’s voice broke as tears filled his eyes.

"I feel like I’m the only one forcing this friendship, that you don’t even care anymore." His voice trembled, and he hiccupped as he wiped his tears.

Draven’s heart shattered. He should have known Charles would feel this way.

"Charles, no... gosh, I’m sorry. I know no amount of explanation will fix this or erase how much of a dick I’ve been. But please, don’t say that. I love you, Charles. You’re more than a best friend—you’re family. I won’t be able to live with myself if you leave me." Draven’s own tears slipped out, raw and unfiltered.

People around them turned to look, surprised at the outburst, but no one dared interfere. They only watched in silence, curious and sympathetic.

Charles, still sniffling, finally looked at Draven properly—and what he saw made his heart drop. Draven looked terrible. He hadn’t been home since returning, and this was Charles’s first time seeing him up close. His face was pale, lips dry, and the radiant glow that always surrounded him was gone.

"Draven, are you okay? I’ve been so caught up being angry, I didn’t notice..." Charles asked worriedly.

Draven brushed it aside weakly. "No... this isn’t about me. I abandoned you, Charles. I need to explain everything first. Don’t worry about me."

But his voice cracked—his words heavy and forced. Charles grew even more afraid.

"What’s going on, Draven? Please answer me. Don’t die alone with your problems," Charles said firmly, gripping his shoulders tightly.

Draven trembled. "My parents called, Charles. It was sudden—and for once, they asked after me. I thought maybe they realized how much they’d neglected me..." His voice broke as tears returned. "But no—they came with a request. They want me to marry Beatrice Bradford. Their business is falling apart, and the partnership would save them."

He inhaled shakily. "The problem is... I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with Daniel. I’m completely gone for him. And not only that..."

He hesitated. The words slipped out before he could stop them.

"I’m a dad, Charles. He’s pregnant with my baby."

The moment he said it, realization struck—he wasn’t supposed to tell anyone.

Charles’s eyes widened so much they nearly popped out. "What the... fuck?" he breathed. A male... pregnant? That meant Draven was an omega.

"An omega..." Charles whispered, lowering his voice. Around here, that was forbidden. But inside, his eyes flickered with something else—recognition. Someone like him. He too was an omega, hiding in plain sight. Only Draven knew.

But remembering his friend’s predicament, his heart filled with pain again. How could parents be so cruel? First, they forced him into a course he didn’t even like; now they wanted to control his marriage? He knew how broken Draven became whenever he was separated from Daniel.

How would he survive this—pregnant and trapped in such a mess? The thought was unbearable. And worse, he couldn’t even reveal he was a father. If people found out, they’d eventually trace it back—and when they realized the "mother" was a man...

"Breathe, Draven. I’m with you, okay? I’m here." Charles pulled him into a hug, patting his stiff shoulders that felt as tense as stone. "Relax, please."

Draven sighed, forcing himself to breathe. He felt lost—stranded in a wilderness with no way out.

After a while, he calmed down, and Charles helped him walk back slowly.

"How about your exams? Did you take them?" Charles asked.

Draven shook his head. He’d already given up. He’d accepted he might have to repeat the year. Nothing could be done.

"Isn’t there something that can be done? It’s not fair that you’ll have to come back again," Charles said softly, sadness in his tone.

Draven shrugged. His nerves were wrecked, and writing under such stress would’ve been suicide. It was like walking into a cage with no escape. So he accepted it.

"Do your parents know about Daniel and the others you stayed with?" Charles asked, and Draven shook his head. They were clueless. He’d kept it hidden on purpose.

As they made their way back to class to grab their books, they noticed a buzz spreading through the school. An ambulance had been called, and a stretcher was being rushed in.

Commotion erupted everywhere; students panicked and scattered. Draven, however, stood still, confused. Charles, a few meters ahead, kept talking—until he realized Draven wasn’t following. He turned around, sighing, and retraced his steps.

Draven tapped a stranger. "Please, what’s happening?"

The man spared him a glance. "A murder was just committed on school grounds. People think it’s either Adrian Valez or Matteo Valez," he said before hurrying off.

Draven’s eyes widened. Matt? That couldn’t be. Adrian was still locked up in the Golden Palace cell.

Then—he caught a scent. Sweet, sharp, and familiar. Strawberry and pheromones mixed in the air. His senses froze. Daniel. He could feel him nearby.

Charles finally reached him, gripping his hand, trying to pull him away from the crowd—but before they could move, the stretcher rolled out.

And to their horror—it was Professor Robin Williams. Draven’s course handler. Dead.

His head was cracked open, blood still trickling down. It was a ghastly sight.

And as Draven stared, the realization hit him.

That scent.

Daniel’s scent.

His heart dropped.

It had to be a coincidence... right?

There was no way Daniel could actually kill someone—

Right?