Charlie blinked awake, greeted by the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the nearby window and the faint scent of disinfectant that permeated the air of the infirmary.

“W-where am I?” she murmured, her voice tinged with apprehension as she surveyed her unfamiliar surroundings.

Just as the unsettling thought of returning to the real world began to gnaw at her, a familiar, albeit cold, voice broke through the silence, anchoring Charlie to the present.

“You’re at the infirmary… you passed out earlier?” Serena's voice cut through the haze of uncertainty, her tone betraying a hint of amusement.

“Oh.. I did? Was it because of my low sugar?” Charlie's voice wavered slightly as she struggled to make sense of her sudden bout of weakness.

Serena's smirk was unmistakable as she teasingly remarked, “Well… I thought someone wasn’t affected by my pheromones?”

A rush of embarrassment flooded Charlie's cheeks as she recalled her previous conversation with Leora and Alice about Serena’s potent pheromones.

“So you heard everything?” Charlie's embarrassment was palpable in her voice as she addressed Serena.

“Just what you said…” Serena's response was laced with playful teasing, causing Charlie's blush to deepen.

“But I only said it because of Leora and Alice—-” 

In the midst of their banter, Doc Holly intervened, her voice carrying a tone of concern and authority as she addressed Charlie.

“Hey, hey kiddo… It’s good to help your classmate in need by letting her inject your pheromones but you also have to take care of yourself… didn’t you know that your heat period is coming?” Doc Holly's words were a gentle reminder of Charlie's own well-being amidst her efforts to assist Serena.

“Oh, right… I almost forgot it… as an Alpha, I also have heat periods…” Charlie reminded herself, a note of realization coloring her thoughts.

“Anyway, I injected you with an inhibitor already but next time you have to be careful, okay? You’re an S-Class Alpha, it would be dangerous if you forget your cycle and run lose in your heat period… you could cause some real trouble… And the bruise on your glands… you have to apply this ointment daily until the glands heal completely… you do know how important the glands are to an alpha, right?” Doc Holly continued explaining, her words carrying a weight of responsibility.

“But… Doc Holly… do I have to keep on visiting the infirmary until my glands heal?” Charlie asked, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

“Oh no, I have more important things to do… So, I’ll ask Miss Sutherland to help you with that task since you’re the one who helped her… will that be okay, Miss?” Doc Holly turned to Serena, seeking her agreement.

“Okay, Doctor,” Serena replied, her polite smile belying the complexity of her feelings.

As Doc Holly handed the ointment to Serena and prepared to attend to other patients, Charlie's mind raced with apprehension.

‘Se-serena… putting on ointment on my glands… will it be safe? She’s the one who’s gonna carve it out in the end of this story, though! Whatever… I’ll just have to do it myself T.T” Charlie's internal monologue betrayed her underlying unease as she braced herself for what lay ahead.

“You put ointment on her now… I’ll check on other patients there…” Doc Holly instructed, her voice fading as she left the two to their task.

Serena, holding the ointment and cotton swab, walked towards Charlie and stood behind her. She gently removed Charlie’s hair covering her bruised neck, revealing the sensitive area.

“Thank you again…” Serena said, her voice carrying a hint of guilt.

“No need to thank me… I would’ve done it for anyone else…” Charlie replied, maintaining her tough demeanor, yet feeling a sense of vulnerability creeping in.

“Um..” Serena nodded in acknowledgment, her expression reflecting a mix of emotions.

“When I called your pheromones rotten and claimed they didn’t affect me… it was a lie… I only said that so Leora and Alice would get off my back… I actually think your pheromones smell good… the intricate mix of strawberry and champagne… it’s sweet and elegant… it suits you…” Charlie admitted, her words carefully chosen to convey both honesty and a touch of embarrassment.

Serena’s heart raced, the rhythm echoing loudly in her ears with each beat. Her face flushed crimson as she processed Charlie's words. For a moment, her mind went blank, causing her to tighten her grip on the cotton swab and inadvertently press it hard against Charlie’s wounded neck.

“O-ouchh..” Charlie exclaimed, feeling the sudden pressure.

“S-sorry..” Serena stammered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

As questions swirled in her mind—What's wrong with my heart? Why am I reacting like this? Does Charlie genuinely care about my feelings?—Serena couldn't shake the feeling of confusion and uncertainty that washed over her.

Serena’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of the doorknob turning.

“Sister Char—” Leora's words trailed off as her eyes widened in surprise, resembling the expression O.O, upon witnessing the rare sight of Serena and Charlie in a seemingly cozy moment.

Quickly covering her eyes, Leora playfully quipped, “Don’t mind me… I didn’t see anything!”

Charlie's expression turned to >.<, while Serena's shifted to -_-.

“YOU DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING BECAUSE WE’RE NOT DOING ANYTHING! SHE’S JUST HELPING PUT THE OINTMENT ON MY WOUNDED NECK!” Charlie hastily explained, feeling defensive.

“Oh.. hehe..” Leora chuckled mischievously, clearly enjoying teasing Charlie.

However, Leora's demeanor suddenly shifted to a more serious tone.

“Sis Charlie, let me ask you three things… first, Is the broken water bottle in the Omega bathroom yours?”

“Yes…”

“Was the blood on the floor belongs to Serena Sutherland?”

“Uhmmm… yes… where are you getting at?” Charlie inquired impatiently.

“Then did you try to forcefully mark Serena and then things get bloody?” Leora concluded her questions.

Both Serena and Charlie exchanged wide-eyed glances, stunned by the accusation.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHERE DID YOU EVEN HEAR THAT?!” Charlie exclaimed incredulous