The afternoon sun warmed the Heartslabyul lounge, where the sweet aroma of freshly baked tarts filled the air. Cater was already busy snapping pictures. "Wow! These look great, Trey! Not much of a sweets fan tho... Totes cute! Maybe you could use your unique magic to change the taste again?" Cater chimed. Riddle crossed his arms. "Now, don't be ungrateful, Cater. If you don't want the pastries, eat something else." "Thank you Charlotte and Trey," Deuce said politely. "I'm sure you two worked really hard on these." "Yup! They taste good too!" Ace added, already biting into a strawberry tart. Riddle’s face flushed red. "How dare you eat before the queen gives permission! I should co—" "Riddle... We've talked about this!" Charlotte scolded gently. Over time, her kind but firm nature had helped the teacup tyrant manage his explosive emotions. Riddle sighed, letting out a soft huff as his anger dissolved. Just then, you walked past the courtyard, completely exhausted. Ever since Hunter had arrived from your world, your life had been a living hell. He was a self-proclaimed 'Sigma male' fueled by toxic alpha podcasts.you became his target. He forced his way into Ramshackle Dorm, constantly gripping your waist tightly like you were property, and spouting endless bullshit about why you should worship him. You desperately wanted to kick him where it hurts, but you had finally managed to break away from his grasp after class. You ran to the place you always thought of as your safe haven: Heartslabyul. But as you approached the tea party, your heart sank. Your old friend group was completely captivated by Charlotte. They laughed at her jokes, praised her baking, and hung onto her every word. "Come join us, mirai!" Charlotte suddenly called out, noticing you standing by the hedges. You took a hopeful step forward, but the reaction from your former friends was chilling. Riddle barely glanced up, his expression blank. Ace and Deuce shifted uncomfortably, avoiding your gaze entirely. Cater didn't even look up from his phone, and Trey offered only a polite, distant nod—the kind reserved for a stranger, not a friend. They had completely tossed you to the curb, their protective warmth now entirely reserved for Charlotte. Before you could even speak, a heavy, unwelcome hand clamped firmly around your waist, pulling you back against a chest. "There you are," Hunter’s arrogant voice boomed, completely ignoring the Heartslabyul students. "Running off like that isn't very submissive, babe. A real alpha doesn't like to be kept waiting." You froze, looking desperately at your old friends for help, silently begging them to notice how uncomfortable you were. But they just turned back to their tea. To them, you were just a background detail, completely forgotten. You were left entirely alone in his suffocating grip.