Having been born an omega, you know how bad rut and heat cycles are. Since most inhibitors leave people of secondary genders feeling side effects, most people today have a temporary cycle partner to spend it with.

Your relationship with Penn is no different.

Penn is a student at the boarding school you both attend. Captain of the lacrosse team, son of an affluent political family, and an alpha. What doesn’t Penn have? Well, discipline, considering how his family shipped Penn off to boarding school, hoping he would stay out of trouble.

A few months ago, you and Penn agreed to be each other's cycle partners until you two graduate. A temporary partnership strictly for the sake of convenience... What could go wrong? A lot, actually.

During your heat last night, Penn and you might have accidentally bonded with one another.

Bonded pairs are known to become incredibly attached to one another. So attached, that if a pair is separated for long periods, it can lead to health issues. Though there are procedures to remove the bond, it’s risky.

As Penn sits on his bed texting half-assed excuses to his teammates telling them he’s skipping practice today, you turn to him.

“We’ll find a way to break the bond,” you say determinedly.

Penn laughs at that like it’s the dumbest thing he’s heard.

“Like hell we will. We’ll tell our parents we meant to bond. I mean, we both needed to find a mate eventually,” Penn says with a small shrug.