Diego
Max grins at me in the mini hall the moment our teachers exit the room. I don't grin back—not because I'm unhappy, but because I'm relieved.
Being paired with Max is better than chasing down that brute to finish our assignment like some deranged secretary. I just hope Max isn't the type to disappear halfway through.
Still, I can't quite believe I've been paired with the Max Carver—rugby captain, Alpha of the hour.
Jules lets out a low sigh as he stuffs his books into his backpack, stealing a quick glance my way. There's something sulky in his eyes.
Lucas teases, chuckling softly. "What? Not happy with your Alpha?"
"Not my Alpha," Jules snaps, fast and sharp, rising from his chair like he's been stung. "I want to be alone."
We both watch in disbelief as he storms out of the hall.
Jules' Alpha isn't bad-looking at all. Alexander Reed—best friend to Max—is one of those quiet, stable Alphas. Not loud. Not aggressive. Honestly? Probably better than Max.
Max is handsome. Way too handsome. Charismatic, cocky, sometimes full of himself. He's the kind of Alpha omegas either love or love to avoid. But I have to admit—he's got charm. And he's damn good at rugby.
The only Alpha in this school who could challenge Bruce...But Bruce will always win.
Ugh. I push that thought away.
That arrogant brute stormed out of here like someone slapped the school crest off his chest. Yeah, we get it—you're the school president. Doesn't mean you own the entire planet. And the audacity of him… ignoring me like nothing happened.
Did anything happen though?What the hell was that moment between us?Why did he touch me like that? Look at me like that?
I'm still spiraling when I glance over and notice Lucas—busy chatting, cheeks flushed, smiling like sunshine. And it's not just anyone he's talking to—it's Lian Kaito. His pair. His… possibly fated Alpha.
My gaze lingers too long. I quickly look away, pretending not to care.
Maybe I should just leave.
Jules is gone. Max—I'm not ready for Max. Maybe I'll head to our dorm, shower, and bury myself in homework.
I tap Lucas on the shoulder. He turns to me, startled, his grey eyes wide. Always expressive. Always soft.
I smile faintly. "I'm heading out."
He nods, but barely hears me. Lian's got his full attention now.
I exit the mini hall, hitching my thumbs through the straps of my backpack, trying not to think. Trying not to feel.
Then—"Hey, my pair."
The voice hits me from behind. A bass tone, gravelly.
I nearly jump out of my skin, whipping around so fast I nearly trip. My breath freezes.
It's not Bruce.It's Max.
I should've known.
He grins at me like I'm the highlight of his day. "Hey," he says, adjusting his backpack strap.
"You're my pair," he adds cheerfully, like I didn't already know.
"Hi… yeah."That's all I manage.
"When will you be free?" he asks.
We just… stare at each other.
His piercing blue eyes scan me softly, patiently. He's not forcing it, not pressuring me. Just waiting.
I bite my lip. "…Later."
He smiles with his whole face. "Cool. I'll be free too. Library?"
I nod.
And even as I do, something feels… off.
Something about being paired with him just doesn't sit right. The thought of holding his wrist, inhaling his scent—it makes my head pound. Not because Max did anything wrong, but because... it feels wrong to do that with anyone but—
I stop that thought. Immediately.
"Well, see ya!" Max calls out as he greets Alexander with a firm arm around the shoulder.
They walk away, and I catch the shape of Max's jawline as he turns his head. Confident. Athletic. Charismatic.
But he's not the one I want.
Back in the dorm, I shower. Pull on jeans and a big shirt, then curl into my chair, eyes locked on the pages of my English homework.
But I'm not reading.
Bruce.
Bruce.Bruce.
As much as I've wanted him to stay the hell away from me, there's this stupid part of me that misses the way he used to… exist around me. Breathing on my neck. Staring like he owned the ground I walked on. Calling me kitten. Princess. Stealing eggs off my tray.
Now he's gone cold.Now he doesn't look at me.Now he doesn't confuse me—and I hate that.
I throw my head back with a groan. "Aaaah!"
Lucas and Jules aren't in the room. Lucas is probably still flirting with Lian. I don't know where Jules stormed off to.
I check my phone. 5 PM.
Sighing, I slip on sneakers and my cardigan. Maybe a walk or some food will settle the chaos in my chest.
As I wander the hallway, chatting with Caleb over text, I almost miss it—Jules walking like the sky just fell on him. Head down. Shoulders slumped.
"Jules?" I stop in front of him and catch his wrist gently. "What's wrong?"
He yanks his arm away. "It's nothing."
His voice is flat. That usual energetic, nasal tone? Gone.
I turn as he walks past me. "Jules—talk to me."
"I said it's nothing!" he snaps.
I flinch. Blinking twice. My chest jumps.
Okay…
I won't push him. I know Jules. He'll talk when he's ready. I'll be here when he does.
I keep walking. My phone buzzes again.
I forgot I was texting Caleb.
But then a name flashes on screen. Bruce.
My whole body jolts.
Heart in my throat, I open the message.
Bruce:Where are you?
My heart does something unnatural—like it's running away from me.
Why the hell does he still have that effect on me?
Me:Heading to the cafeteria. What do you want, Bruce?
Bruce: Come and eat with me in my dorm.
I chuckle. Quiet. Disbelieving.
Seriously?
The nerve of this Alpha. As if he can command me like I belong to him.
I don't answer. I toss my phone into my pocket and head straight for the cafeteria.
There's a tug in my chest. Something wanting me to go to him. But I resist it.
I eat in peace. No drama. No brute. Phone turned off so his messages can't haunt me.
And now I'm outside, walking off the heaviness. The breeze slips under my clothes. The sky's starting to dim, soft and glowing as the sun sets—foggy gold over fading blue. Perfect photo weather.
That's when I hear it—
"I've been looking for you everywhere," a voice says.
Max. Of course. Grinning again, bright like the moon.
But behind him…
No.
No, no, no.
A tall, massive figure is walking straight toward us. Fast. Focused.
Bruce.
Why is he here?
Why does he look like he's about to murder someone?
My brain short-circuits. My body screams run. But not alone.
My hand finds Max's.
He gasps.
I turn.And we run.
Let the brute chase.
He won't catch us.