My crush said no one would want to kiss an Omega nerd like me. Then his Alpha brother did...

Chapter 01

Kylie's POV

“You made it, Ky!"

Rob’s voice cut through the blasting music as I walked through the door of the clubhouse. 

"I'm starting to think coming here is a bad idea." I muttered under my breath, my eyes scanning the room quickly.

Moon goddess be my guide! It was a total chaos; boys and girls drinking and partying like they weren't highschool kids. 

Rob cackled with laughter at my expression. 

"C'mon, little sis. You look like you're going to faint."

And boy, he was so right.

All I wanted to do was pivot right now and run back home to the comfort of my books. 

But before I could digest the thougt, he grabbed my wrist, pulling me forward so that I almost plowed into someone.

"I'm sorry." I said, looking up.

It was Reese, Rob's bestfriend.

He said nothing as his winter-grey eyes dragged over me from head to toe. Then he just quickly nodded and returned to staring at the ceiling like he was bored to death.

Typical Reese.

There used to be football posters of him all over school when I was younger.

Before Caspian, before the championships.

Before he suddenly quit.

Nobody ever talked about why especially openly.

But every now and then I'd catch older players whispering about what Moonrise lost when Reese Dawson walked away from football.

When was he not looking bored?

Honestly, I didn't know how he became best friends with my brother. Rob was soft and chatty, but Reese?

He looked like he walked out of the lifestyle magazine for dangerously handsome rogues. 

But it didn't matter to me anyway. I loved to avoid him as much as he loved to treat me like I was invisible.

I kept my distance from him as we moved along, pressing through bodies.

"This is for the best, Ky." Rob told me, hanging his arm around my neck.

"You need extracurricular points to get into Moonrise Med school and cheerleading is your best bet. So, you need to meet people here to get you in."

My chest tightened.

I really had to get into Moonrise Med school by all means. That was the only way to prove to mom that I wasn't just a worthless omega.

And maybe, she'll be able to warm up to me like she does to Rob.

I took a deep breath. "I hope it doesn't flop!" 

Rob gave me a reassuring smile as we stopped at a drinking corner and I sat on one of the couches.

"So, what now?" I asked him.

"First, you need a drink to calm your nerves, then, we'll go speak to Caspian. It's his eighteenth birthday party so he'll definitely help."

Well, technically it wasn't just a birthday party.

It was also a celebration for tonight's win.

The Wolves had just beaten Ironcrest Academy and secured their place in the Alpha League playoffs.

It took a while for his words to register.

"Wait, what?" I shrieked in horror. "You mean Caspian— as in, Caspian Dawson?" 

He just winked at my face. "Let's get you a drink first."

And before I could stop him, he bolted off, dragging Reese along.

My heart pounded.

How could he not tell me it was Caspian? Maybe then I wouldn’t have walked in here looking like I came straight from the library.

Caspian Dawson— Football captain, future alpha of Moonrise Pack, and... my longtime crush.

Not just my crush.

Practically the entire school's crush.

The guy had led the Moonrise Wolves to three consecutive championship appearances. His jersey sold out every season. Little kids copied his touchdown celebrations. Half the girls in school attended football games just to watch him throw a ball.

Meanwhile I couldn't even throw a paper into a trashcan without missing.

We lived in completely different worlds.

If I had ever imagined speaking to him, I wanted to look perfect. Not like this.

“Fuck you, Rob,” I muttered.

“Why?" Someone said into my ear, startling me.

The voice was smooth and low, brushing against my skin like velvet. And then, his scent hit me, intoxicating my senses.

Slowly, I turned.

My soul almost left my body when I saw him.

Caspian Dawson!

Brunette hair, brown eyes— he was the embodiment of sexiness. And now, he was smiling at me. 

My heart fluttered wildly as sparks shot through me like fire. My wolf, Pine stirred restlessly, pressing against my skin.

Mate, she purred. Mate!

I blinked in disbelief. My birthday was still a month away. How could I already feel the mate bond?

And with him? An Alpha heir?

My throat rumbled before I could stop it. “Mate.”

He heard me.

I saw it in the way his eyes darkened, flickering with need. A shiver ran down my spine, mixed with excitement and fear.

Fear because Caspian was already betrothed.

Everyone knew his chosen mate was The girl who ran the football cheer squad like her personal empire.

With an influential father, flawless beauty, and the football captain wrapped around her finger, she was everything I wasn't..Cheerleading queen Kristina.

She basically hung around him like a hand bag.

And I'm even surprised she wasn't here.

How could I ever compare to her? What if Caspian rejected—?

“First time at a nightclub?” His question cut my thoughts off. 

The warmth in his tone soothed my nerves and I found myself smiling and relaxing around him.

“Yes,” I admitted. “I’ve never been to a school night party.”

He chuckled. “Hmm. No wonder you caught my eyes the moment you stepped in. You're the prettiest I've seen here tonight without makeup."

My brain fried on the spot. 

Heat rushed to my cheeks and I had to resist the impulse to fan my face. Compliments weren’t something I was used to. 

And this— this was more than a compliment. Was he flirting right now?

Smiling at my reaction, he leaned in closer, causing my stomach to dance with nerves.

"It's kinda too noisy here and I really wish to get to know more about you. How about we go upstairs?"

The way he said it was VERY suggestive.

But I didn’t care. I’d been chasing his attention for years. Passing this up would be foolish.

Besides, Rob said I needed his help with getting into cheerleading.

The football cheer squad wasn't just another school activity.

Members received leadership credits.

Scholarship recommendations.

Special athletic endorsements.

Everything Moonrise Med School loved seeing on an application.

Without it, my chances dropped dramatically.

 And without cheerleading, there was no Moonrise Med school.

So I let him lead me upstairs into a luxurious VIP room. Leather couches. Expensive rugs. It all screamed luxury.

I had barely stepped inside when Caspian grabbed my waist and pinned me to the wall.

“Mate,” he growled, eyes blazing.

My heart thudded wildly. Did he just feel it now? Or had he been too shy to admit it earlier because he wanted something more private?

Either way, his acceptance made heat coil in my belly and below. Pine clawed inside me, aching for his touch.

And as if on cue, his lips found my neck.

He pinned my arms up against the door as his tongue trailed fire along my neck, making my core throb restlessly.

Was this what a wolf's heat felt like? I was never this wild.

He lifted me, carrying me to the couch, his trembling hands already tugging at my clothes, fumbling with his belt.

But something felt off. It was going too fast. He didn't even know me yet, having sex already was a bit...

I broke the kiss. "Wait!"

His eyes darkened, a flash of disappointment. Maybe anger.

“I—I want us to get to know each other more” I blurted quickly.

His mood dropped, but I knew it was the right call. Suddenly he smiled and asked if it was OK if I just had a taste of him. Immediately he pushed me down, my face directly on his crouch, zipper down and the sight before me was maddening. In one swift motion he held my hair and placed his dick directly on my lips. Before I could understand what was happening the closet door suddenly slammed open, breaking the spell.

“Well, well, well,” a sneering voice rang out. “What a sight.”

My blood froze.

I could recognize that sharp, biting, wicked voice in a crowd.

Kristina Harper!

Chapter 02

Kylie's POV

She leaned casually against the doorframe, eyeing me with disgust.

Humiliation scorched my entire body as I jerked up my feet. Had she been watching the whole time?

I whipped my gaze at Caspian. But he was already adjusting his pants, exchanging a cruel smirk with her.

Did they plan this? My heart crushed as I looked back at Kristina.

She smirked. “I always knew omegas were cheap sluts. But you? I didn’t think you’d be this dirty.”

Her words sliced deep, and I wished the ground would swallow me whole.

Caspian sidestepped me and went to stand behind Kristina, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I'm sorry," he said flatly with no hint of remorse. 

"You were sweet and all that, but it meant nothing to me. Kristina dared me to kiss a nerd and you seemed... easy to get!"

His words shredded my heart apart and I clutched my chest as pain clawed at me, blocking my lungs.

Did the mate bond mean nothing to him? Was that what he was saying?

Regret burned through me. I was a fool, a very big fool to think he wanted me. A fool to think he would choose me over Kristina.

Crush? It was all a stupid illusion— totally unreasonable and meaningless.

My eyes stung with tears but I pushed it back with every thing in me. I couldn't give them more reasons to laugh.

But they both snickered at my weak attempt anyway as Kristina spoke.

"Don’t hold back your tears, sweetheart, or your head might explode. Cry your heart out.”

To Caspian, she added

"Let’s get out of here before her disgusting omega scent rubs off on us.”

Caspian snorted in agreement, and like that, they left, giggling like they hadn't just broken me. 

My chest ached, the tears threatening to pull me apart.

But I refused to cry. Even if he didn't want me as his mate, he had no right to use me for their little game and dump me like trash.

No! They didn't deserve my tears. They are nothing but heartless assholes who deserved to burn in hell.

And they would! 

I resolved as the pain in my chest morphed into fury. Grabbing the coffee cup on the table, I rushed out after them.

Payback was only fair play.

****

Reese’s POV

One minute, I and Rob had left Kylie to get drinks, and the next, we came back, but she was gone.

She literally threw both of us into full panic mode. Rob went home to look for her while I stayed back.

I'd searched the whole of the first floor but she wasn't there. Now, I was left with the second floor.

Halfway through the stairs, Caspian appeared with Kristina hanging on his arm. They were laughing, whispering some private joke.

Something tightened in me.

Could they have done—?

Before I could process my thoughts, a movement behind them distracted me.

And there she was, Kylie, holding a coffee cup, and looking like she was ready to murder someone. 

"You crazy psychos!" She yelled, dumping the coffee on Kristina and Caspian.

Gasps exploded across the hallway and the bar room, every eye turning in the direction of the scene.

Several Moonrise Wolves players stopped mid-conversation.

A few cheerleaders actually stood up from their seats.

The football coach who had been invited to the celebration nearly dropped his drink.

Dumping coffee on Caspian Dawson wasn't just embarrassing the football captain.

It was practically a declaration of war.

And I? I was bone-deep stunned. 

Never had i imagined that nerd queen Kylie would be the first girl to finally drag that jerk Caspian off his high horse like it was nothing.

For years, girls had thrown themselves at Caspian.

Football groupies, cheerleaders? Even girls from rival schools.

Yet here stood Kylie Harper looking ready to commit murder with a coffee cup.

I couldn't decide if she was brave or completely insane.

I used to think she was quiet, shy. 

But this girl in loose jeans and tangled piggy tails? She looked different— feisty and wild.

And I couldn't take my eyes off her as my lips twitched into a small smile. 

Comments started to fly around me just then.

“This omega bitch must have a death wish,” 

"How dare she do this to our dear Caspian and Kristina."

"She's bold, but stupid. Caspian must have her locked up for this!"

A sudden urge to walk up to every one of the girls insulting her and give them a resounding slap to shut them up filled me.

But I surpressed my violent urges and glanced at Kristina.

I never liked her from day one.  

She was an egomaniac snob always strutting around like the pack should bow to her shoes. She and Caspian were a match made in heaven.

"You pathetic omega slut! How dare you!" Her voice rippled across the room.

Coffee dripped down her hair as she lunged at Kylie and raised her hand as if to slap her, but the very next second, Kylie caught her wrist mid-air.

"You'd better keep your hands to yourself!" Ice glittered in her voice. "You think you can trample on me just because I'm an Omega?"

A collective gasp cut across the room, everyone shaking with profound shock.

I sucked air through my teeth, studying Kylie closely.

Her audacity unsettled me. It made my pulse quicken and my blood pump faster in a way that felt wrong.

"If you ever mess with me again," she continued, "It wouldn't just stop at coffee!" 

Shoving Kristina away, she started to leave. But all of a suden, Caspian grabbed her clothes and pinned her against the railings. 

Power exploded from his body, raw and carnal alpha aura and the room seemed to freeze.

Typical Caspian.

He loved to show off his little alpha strength on occasions like this. Everything had to be a performance.

The guy couldn't breathe without making sure there was an audience watching.

And judging from the crowd gathering around us, he was loving every second of this.

And surprisingly, Kylie wasn't cowering either. But I could tell she was in serious pains from resisting his dominance.

"Let go of me, Caspian!" She choked.

"It's Alpha Caspan to you!" Caspian bellowed. "I see you forgot your place just because the moon goddess made a mistake of pairing me with a sniveling runt like you!"

The room fell silent. Thick and suffocating silence that seemed to freeze everyone, including me.

It took a while to get my brain to work.

Caspian was Kylie's fated mate?

My stomach twisted.

The whole school knew Caspian treated girls like temporary hobbies.

Yet somehow the Moon Goddess had paired him with Kylie.

The thought didn't sit right with me.

An unfamiliar emotion that I couldn't place surged through me at the thought. Why would the moon goddess do that?

Kylie's voice sounded out. 

"I'm not afriad of you, Caspian!" She fired. "And I can't call someone like you whose body count is higher than his age my Alpha!" 

Woo-hoo! Damn, she got teeth! 

Rob would simply faint if he heard this. He hated trouble.

The hallway went into a frenzy, more people gathering. It was getting juicier for them.

And there was no doubt that the words had cut through Caspian's heart. His face had turned crimson with rage.

Kristina chirped in. "If you think acting tough will make him not to reject you, you're wrong. You will never be his mate!"

Fear skittered across Kylie's face as she said that. Of course, the pain and humiliation of getting rejected was real.

She would be turned into a laughing stock in the pack.

To my uttermost confusion, Caspian looked conflicted for a fleeting moment as if he didn't want to reject her.

My heartbeat spiked, but just then, his jaws tightened,

"I, Caspian Dawson rejects you, Kylie Harper as my mate. Never to be mated to a filthy omega like you!"

Pain crossed Kylie's face and I winced because for a split second, it felt like I could feel her pain.

Or was it my imagination?

The noise level of the room increased, some threw pitying glances at Kylie while many just openly mocked her.

"Accept the rejection, you cursed omega bitch!" They jeered at her.

My heart clenched as Kylie fisted her hands by her side, her face deathly pale as she spoke.

But Caspian stopped her.

"Accept the rejection on your knees like the omega that you are!" He ordered.

"No!" Kylie snapped. "I will never kneel to you."

A dangerous look crossed Caspian features.

And when he raised his hands, something feral shifted inside me. I couldn't let him hurt her. I just couldn't.

My feet moved before my brain could catch up.

And the next minute, I already had my fingers clamped around Caspian's wrist, shoving him against the railings.

"Don't you lay your hands on her!"

For the first time in years, every eye in the room turned toward me.

The forgotten Dawson brother, the quarterback who never played.

The disappointment who disappeared from the football field six years ago.

Judging by the stunned expressions around me, some people were finally starting to remember.

Shocked gasps rented the air, everyone's faces screaming, "who the hell is that?"

Even Kylie looked stunned.

Hell! I was stunned by my own reaction too.

I'd always been in the shadows and I preferred it that way but there was something about Kylie that made me want to keep her safe.

I knew she was my best friend's sister and I had some brotherly instinct towards her, but this felt different.

Caspian eyes narrowed at me with shock and fury.

"What the hell are you trying to do, brother? This is none of your business!"

His words cut through the crowd and murmurs erupted with an outrageous effect.

Kylie eyes searched my face in confusion as she muttered, "Caspian Dawson—Reese Dawson."

"What?" She exclaimed as comprehension hit her.

Yeah, right.

Unfortunately, Caspian was my half-brother.

And Dad was so fucking going to kill me once he finds out that my real identity had been exposed in public!

Chapter 03

Kylie’s POV

Brother!

The word ran through my head like a mental marathon I didn't sign up for.

Reese, my brother's forever bestfriend and Caspian fucking Dawson are… brothers? 

My mind reeled, the absurdity of everything that was happening so fast not quite sinking in. Why did Alpha Elias not announce it to the pack?

But Caspian's voice broke through the tension in my head 

"Brother," he began in a frosty voice, "I thought dad warned you to only interfere in matters that concerned you directly?"

He leaned in closer. "Except you want your mother to suffer for this!"

"It concerns me directly." Reese enunciated, his lips curving into a dangerous smile. 

"Because you just raised your hand against my girlfriend!"

All the air swooshed out of me and time seemed to slow down to seconds of infinite bewilderment.

I turned my head sharply at him, my heart pounding hard. Did he really just—?

Before I could speak, he leaned close, his breath brushing my ear. “Play along and pay him back for whatever he did to you."

And hell, he wasn't wrong. This was the only way to spite both Caspian and Kristina.

Caspian's face twisted with disbelief. "Your girlfriend?" He snorted a laugh.

"The same slut that was ever so eager to kneel before me and take my dick in her mouth?"

The room broke in muffled gasps, many nasty glares coming my way. My face burned, shame and humiliation crawling over me. 

They were all calling me a slut, and my body started to quiver with panic, but Reese's arms suddenly came around my waist, steadying me.

My body went into full red alert as he pulled me in even tighter in a way that felt possesive... or was it me?

I met his gaze.

"What are you—"

"Shh." He cut me off quietly, then turned to Caspian.

"You think you played her? No! We both knew you were her mate since her last birthday. But she purposely didn't tell you because she wasn't into you!"

I just stood there, stunned to stupor, my mouth hanging open like I had forgotten how to breath.

And yet, deep down, I felt safe.

Kristina's hysterical laughter jolted me.

“Cut the crap, Reese!" She sneered. "This omega bitch is your girlfriend? Who are you lying to?"

Her voice went up an octave. 

"You think I don't know about your mysophobia? How can you have a girlfriend if you can't even touch people without gloves?"

A few older football players shifted uncomfortably.

They remembered, everyone who had been around six years ago remembered.

Before Caspian became the face of Moonrise football. Before Reese disappeared.

Before something happened that nobody ever talked about anymore.

My head snapped back at Reese. Mysophobia? That was why he wore gloves?

I had assumed it was merely a dark fashion trend— I mean, what could I think of? Fashion wasn't really my thing.

Caspian could smile in triumph now.

The smug look on his face made me sick.

He looked less like a future Alpha and more like a spoiled celebrity convinced the world revolved around him.

Maybe being worshipped every Friday night beneath stadium lights had finally gone to his head.

“Exactly!" He said, "If she’s really your girlfriend, I won’t make her kneel to break the matebond. But if not, both of you will face the Alpha's wrath. So prove it.”

My stomach dropped. I had misjudged Caspian. He wasn’t just an asshole, he was evil.

How could not care about his own brother at all? Just because he was bent on humiliating me?

But to my horror, Reese didn't back down.

He scoffed sarcastically. "Be my guest."

Before I knew what he was doing, he threw us into a full body contact and started pulling his gloves off.

Oh, heavens! Was he going to put himself in harm's way because of me?

Why? Did Rob ask him to? Can Rob really ask him to—

Kiss me?

I realized with a start as he touched my cheeks. Rob wouldn't ask him to kiss me just to protect me from humiliation. 

But he was already lowering his head.

Panic surged through me and I tried to step away, but he caught my waist and pulled me flush against his rock-hard chest. 

And in seconds, his lips claimed mine.

I stopped breathing.

There was nothing soft about his kiss. It was fire, warming its way into my wolf and I felt Pine melting.

What? Was I slowly losing my mind?

Caspian was my mate and he had just rejected me. So, why was Pine reacting to Reese like this?

Every thought in my head blinked on and off like a broken light switch. This was wrong. So fucking wrong.

But Reese didn’t stop. 

If anything, he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth as though he’d forgotten it was supposed to be fake.

“What’s going on here?” A voice snapped me out of it.

Rob?

My heart skipped as I broke the kiss.

Rob stepped out of the crowd, approaching us with confusion etched into his face.

Shit! How long had he been there? Had he seen us kiss?

I looked back. 

Caspian and Kristina looked pale, their smugness gone. And Damn, their defeat was almost fun to watch.

For once, the crowd wasn't staring at Caspian Dawson.

They were staring at Reese.

And judging from the look on Caspian's face, he hated it.

If not for Rob's eyes piercing through me now.

"Let's go." He said tigthly, dragging me down the stairs and out of the clubhouse.

He said nothing to me after that. Not as we drove home. And not even when we got home.

He just went to his room and locked the door.

****

The next morning, I woke up to a noise from the living room.

I went downstairs only to find everywhere in a mess. The glass table at the centre was smashed to pieces. 

Then my gaze landed on mom— she had her back to me.

She hadn't been home when we came back last night and I had just reckoned it was work as usual.

You see, mom practically lived for her job as a doctor. She was rarely home, and on the few days she was, she usually looked exhausted.

But something felt off this time. Her clothes looked too rumpled, her hair was a mess.

“Mom?” I called, starting toward her.

She turned, and I froze. Her eyes were bloodshot, a wine bottle dangling from her hand.

Panic surged. “Mom, what’s wrong—!"

“You crazy omega wench!” she screamed, hurling the bottle.

I tried to dodge, but it struck my head with a sickening crack, making me shriek in pain as I staggered backwards.

But she didn’t care. She advanced like she wanted to kill me.

“How dare you drag my name in the mud?”

“Mom, calm down!" I whimpered, pain making me tremble. "Let’s talk—”

“Shut your trap!” she snapped in a slurred voice, arms flailing. 

“Was it too much to ask for you to get into med school? To have something to your lowly name instead of being a disgusting omega? But no, you had to cause trouble last night!”

Her words felt like daggers in my chest.

Disgusting omega.

I'd lost count of how many times she called me that, but it still tore me apart each time. Why couldn’t she treat me like her daughter, just once?

"Mom, please!" My voice croaked as my eyes watered.

But Mom had zero fucks to give about my emotions. She never had. She probably never would.

"How dare you mess with Kristina Palmer!" She ground out. 

"Did you forget she’s the daughter of the chief director at Moonrise hospital? I got fired because of you, you worthless child!”

My breath hitched. 

Kristina, that devil's pawn. 

My stomach dropped.

Of course.

Kristina Palmer wasn't just the cheer captain.

Her father practically controlled Moonrise Hospital.

One complaint from her family carried more weight than years of hard work from people like my mom.

And everybody knew it.

I knew she wouldn’t let me off easily, but I never thought she would involve the adults.

"Mom, I'll find a way to fix this." I pleaded.

But she lunged at me anyway and almost slapped me if not for Rob's sudden intervention.

"Mom, stop this madness!" He yelled, holding her hands. "Can't you even for once care like a normal parent?"

"Can't you bother to know if your own daughter was humiliated in public?"

"She's no daughter of mine!" Mom yelled hysterically. "I have no omega in my bloodline! I should’ve drowned her when she was born!”

Her words crushed me, weakening my limbs. And I plopped to the ground as tears spilled down my face.  

Even now, mom still didn't care. She was still so selfish to see that she was hurting me.

That she always had been hurting me.

She jerked Rob's hands off hers.

"Listen," she said to me. "Even if you have go on your knees and grovel before Kristina Palmer, find a way to get her forgiveness."

"If it's not done by Monday, I'll throw you out of this house!"

Without waiting for my reaction, she turned on her heels and stomped up the stairs.

Pain overwhelmed me. If my own mother could not love me, what made me think I would ever have a mate that would?

"I'm so done for!" I mumbled, sobbing profusely.

"Don't cry. It wasn't your fault and I won't let mom send you out." Rob said as he snuggled me to his chest and patted my back.

"Mom will get her job back. I have a plan." He added and my gaze shot up.

"What plan?" I asked, my lips trembling.

"We need to get Reese's help!"

Chapter 04

Reese's POV

I paced my private Cabin like a mad man.

Even after so many hours of sleep, I could still taste her on my lip and even still smell the scent of her on my clothes.

Shit! What the hell was wrong with me?

She was Kylie Harper for crying out loud, my best friend’s little sister.

And yet, my body had reacted to hers in ways I couldn't explain. For the first time in six years, I touched someone with my bare hands.

And I had felt no skin-crawling disgust, no panic attacks, no sweating.

What was more shocking was how I'd felt my wolf, Snip stir within me for a fleeting second after the kiss. 

The feeling reminded me of football.

Which was ridiculous.

For six years I'd avoided the stadium like it carried a disease. I stopped watching games, stopped training. Stopped caring.

The sport that once meant everything to me became something I couldn't even look at.

Yet last night, for the first time in years, I found myself wondering what it would feel like to step onto a field again.

After six years of staying dormant inside me.

The memories of the kiss flooded my mind again and I started to feel hot all over. What the heck?

This felt so wrong. Rob had made it clear Kylie was off limits. But I had gone straight past the limit, and crushed it.

Now, I had to face the consequences. But it wasn't just from Rob, but Dad too.

Dad especially.

Not only had I leaked his secrets, but I hadn't also slept home last night. If I got home after sunset, he would literally murder me.

"Screw this shit!" I cursed as I stormed out of the Cabin.

I hit the road with my bike, speeding down the asphalt road that led to the Royal Villa. Hell! I dreaded that place.

Sadly, I got there in record time.

But I had barely walked in through the double doors when a resounding slap cut across my face.

It stung. It stung badly, but I'd be damned to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me hurt.

I looked up with a frown only to meet Carla's angry glare.

"What was that for?" I asked, licking at the blood in the corner of my lips.

Her eyes narrowed to slits. 

"How dare you cause such tantrum in public?" She hissed. "And you dared stay out without my permission too?”

I rubbed my jaw, smirking with the purpose of rattling her. 

"Newsflash, I don’t need your permission to breathe anymore, Carla. Now, everybody knows who I am. So, stop sulking."

Her nostrils flared. “You insolent son of a bitch!”

She raised her hand to slap me again, but this time I caught her wrist, yanking it effortlessly.

“I’ve warned you never to hit me again,” I snapped. “And sleeping out was my choice. I don't see why that should bother you."

She scoffed. “Your choice? You humiliated Caspian in front of everyone! You made your brother look weak, over some omega?” 

I almost laughed.

That was what she cared about?

Not the humiliation or the rejection.

The football captain looking bad in public.

Carla will never cease to amaze me.

Her eyes burned. “Why? Did she remind you of your bitch omega mother?”

The words cut deep and I balled my hands into a fist, half-considering breaking her neck. But I simply retorted instead.

“It was about time someone taught Caspian what you never did as a mother,”

For years people acted like Caspian could do no wrong.

Throw a touchdown? Win a championship. Flash a smile. And suddenly everyone forgot he was an asshole.

Maybe somebody should've humbled him a long time ago.

Her face drained of color. “You crazy bastard!” she shrieked.

“You’ve no idea what you’ve done. And I'll make sure your junkie-ass mother rots in Riverside asylum.”

This time, I couldn't restrain my fury. I lunged at her and grabbed her neck.

 “If you touch even one strand of my mom's hair, I’ll kill you and your son. I swear to you!"

"Let go to me!" She screamed, fear flickering in her eyes.

“Enough, Reese!” An authoritative voice cut in.

I dropped her instantly, forcing composure. “Dad."

He didn’t even look at me. He went straight to Carla, fussing over her like she’d been mauled. 

My teeth ground together. He always saw her as perfect just because she was the one who helped him steal his place to the throne.

If you asked me, Carla might've been responsible for the sudden death of dad's elder brother six years ago.

She was that evil.  

My mysophobia? She caused it.

Her voice from six years ago rang through my mind.

"Scrub it harder, boy. Don’t stop until your skin bleeds. You’re filthy. You’re nothing. You'll never be an alpha!"

She broke me and made me numb inside. It was all her.

But Dad would never admit it. Just as he ignored how she ruined my mother, turning her into a shell of herself. 

He knew. He always knew.

“You scoundrel!” His voice snapped me back. “How dare you cause such disgrace in public?”

“Caspian started—”

“I don’t care!” he barked. “Prepare yourself. You're leaving for Riverside pack today.”

My chest tightened. I knew what that meant.

“Dad, I told you I won’t get engaged to that Alpha's daughter. She sleeps around."

“Enough!” Carla spat. 

“We’re doing this for your sake. If you had your wolf, we wouldn’t need to find you a mate. You should be grateful."

Grateful? Like she was not the reason I lost my wolf in the first place.

"Are you out of your mind?" I scoffed angrily. 

"If it's such a good thing, why not give her to your precious son instead? They both sleep around like sluts, so it'll be a perfect match!"

The irony was almost funny.

If my wolf hadn't disappeared six years ago, none of this would've happened.

I would've remained the heir, the football captain and the future Alpha.

Instead, Caspian inherited everything I lost.

Both of them gasped.

"Don't speak to your Luna that way!" Dad thundered later.

"The council has already signed the royal command. And you will obey, unless you have a genuine reason not to.”

Ice flooded my veins. 

If the pack council really signed it, then I was doomed. But there was no way I would dance to their tunes.

I wracked my brains, but found no excuse.

"Then, it's a done deal!" Dad said with finality and started to lead Carla up the stairs.

Panic rushed through me.

"I found my fated mate!" The words burst out through my mouth

Dad and Carla stopped dead in their tracks, turning their heads slowly to look at me.

I had no idea what I was doing, but I had to see this through 

"The reason I kissed the girl last night was because she's my fated mate. Thus, I can't be engaged to someone else."

Dad squinted his eyes, disbelief flickering in them. "Are you really telling the truth? You got your wolf back?"

"Yes, I can feel him now." I lied, then quickly added, "Although I can't shift properly yet." 

Carla's face had gone deathly pale like she saw a ghost. "How's that possible?" She asked.

But Dad was already speaking. 

"Then you have to bring the said girl before the pack council this evening."

I inhaled sharply. "Wait, what? Why?"

He gave me a nasty look. "Of course, you're an Alpha Prince. And the pack council has to check if your mate is qualified."

I began to argue. "No, I can't—"

"The engagement will happen then. And if you refuse to do neither, your mom will suffer the consequences! So, make your choice wisely"

He didn't even wait for my reaction before sauntering out of the hall with Carla.

I had only one option if I wanted to avoid this bloody engagement. Blood roared in my ears as I ran to my room. 

Once there, I switched my phone on and searched for Kylie's contact. Rob had playfully saved it on my phone last year.

For the first time in years, I was terrified. Not of Dad or Carla.

Just one omega girl. A nerd who somehow managed to cause more chaos in twenty-four hours than an entire football season.

And somehow, I was about to drag her into an even bigger mess.

I found it and dialled her. 

"Reese?" Her voice drifted out.

I gripped the phone tight, knowing that whatever I said next was going to change everything.

Chapter 05

Kylie's POV

"Midnight. The alley behind the old textile warehouse," the raspy voice on the line whispered. "Bring five hundred in cash. No cops. No wolves."

"I’ll be there," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Just make sure the files are real."

"They're real, little girl. Everything you need to bury the Palmer family."

The call clicked shut.

I stared at the ceiling, my heart beating nervously. I actually felt a spark of confidence. Rob had his plan with Reese, sure, but I wasn't taking any second chances. Monday was coming. If Rob's plan flopped, I’d be on the streets. This informant was my insurance policy.

A fierce wave of determination washed over me. Kristina Palmer had pushed too far this time. She didn't just target me at the clubhouse; she targeted my family. She took away my mother's life's work. I needed those files. I was going to force the hospital board to give Mom her job back, and then I was going to completely ruin Kristina for messing with my life. She wanted a war, and I was going to bring it straight to her doorstep.

I pulled the blanket over my shoulders, finally closing my eyes to sleep.

Then my phone vibrated violently against the mattress.

I groaned, checking the screen. Reese.

My chest tightened. I pressed answer with trembling fingers.

"Reese?" I whispered.

"Kylie," his deep voice came through the receiver. "I want to see you. We need to talk."

I swallowed hard, my throat completely dry as the memory of last night’s kiss flashed in my head. "I can't, Reese. Everything is a mess here. Mom is... she's losing her mind."

"I know," he said flatly. "Meet me at the diner on 4th Street. Half an hour."

"Reese, wait—"

The line went dead.

I stared at the black screen. Typical Reese. He didn't care about my chaos. He just gave orders.

I got out of bed and pulled my bangs down to hide the bruise from the wine bottle. My head still throbbed with a dull, sickening pain. But if Rob wanted his help, maybe this was part of whatever they were cooking up. Still, I couldn't rely on them. I had to fix this myself.

I grabbed my jacket and slipped out into the dark.

The diner was dead quiet.

Reese sat in the farthest booth, draped in shadows. His leather jacket was open. His hands were bare on the table. No gloves.

The moment I stepped close, Pine restlessly stirred inside me, pacing back and forth anxiously. I ignored her. Last night had confused both of us, but I needed to keep my head straight.

I slid into the booth across from him. "I'm here. What is it?"

Reese looked straight into my eyes. "I need a favor. My dad is forcing an engagement on me. To stop it, I told him I found my fated mate."

I blinked. "Okay? Who?"

"You," he said without blinking.

The air left my lungs. My brain fried completely.

"Are you insane?" I gasped, my voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Caspian just rejected me last night! Everyone calls me a slut. The council will never believe this."

"They will if you play along," he insisted. "It's the only way."

"No," I said flatly. "No way. I flat out reject this, Reese. Your dad is the Alpha. If he finds out we lied, he'll kill me. I'm just an Omega. I have no safety net."

Reese’s jaw tightened. "I can protect you."

"You can't even touch people without gloves, Reese!" I shot back.

He flinched. The winter-grey in his eyes turned to ice.

A heavy silence settled between us. I felt a sting of guilt, but I was too desperate to care.

"Look," I sighed, sliding out of the booth. "Rob wants to meet you later. He has a plan. But I have my own."

"Kylie, wait," he called out.

I didn't stop. I walked right out into the cool night air.

Reese couldn't save me. Rob couldn't either. I needed my own leverage. I was entirely done being the pack's punching bag. Kristina Palmer thought she could destroy my family's livelihood and watch me grovel on Monday. She was completely wrong. I would crawl into the darkest corners of this territory if it meant finding the ammunition to tear her comfortable little world apart.

I walked three blocks away, turning into the dark, abandoned industrial district. The narrow alleyway smelled like garbage and rain. It was exactly midnight.

My heart pounded against my ribs. Pine growled in warning. I ignored her.

A tall figure stepped out from the deep shadows near a rusted fire escape. It was him.

"You brought the cash?" the raspy voice asked.

"Yes," I said, pulling the thick envelope from my pocket. All my savings. "Do you have the dirt on Kristina Palmer and her family? I need to ruin her father."

The man stepped into the dim light of the streetlamp.

He didn't take the money. Instead, a slow, incredibly creepy smile spread across his face.

"Oh, sweetheart," he purred, his yellow teeth gleaming. "Inquiring about the Palmers? That's a crime around here."

The shadows behind him moved.

Three massive men stepped out, completely blocking the alley exit.

My blood froze. I was trapped.

I backed up slowly. My spine hit the cold brick wall. My lungs seized completely.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice shaking terribly.

The tall man stepped closer. He looked at the envelope in my hands. Then he laughed harshly.

"The cash is nice," he said, snatching the envelope effortlessly. "But Mr. Palmer pays much better. He likes to know who is digging into his business."

Fear sliced through me. Kristina's father already knew. He owned this street. He owned these men. My grand plan to save my mother and get revenge was completely crashing down around me.

"Let me go," I whispered helplessly.

The men laughed in unison. One of them pulled a heavy rope from his jacket. A thick, coarse noose hung from his fingers.

They weren't just going to beat me. They were going to make it look like a suicide.

"Don't struggle, Omega," the leader said, grasping my shoulder roughly.

I kicked out wildly. I screamed for help, but the empty warehouses swallowed the sound entirely. They dragged me toward the dark entrance of the textile building.

My vision blurred with tears. I thought of Rob. I thought of my mother's cruel words.

This was the end. I was completely finished.

Chapter 06

Reese's POV

I stayed in the booth long after the door clicked shut behind her.

My hands were still on the table. My skin didn't crawl. My palms weren't sweating. 

It's been like that since I touched Kylie. 

The usual suffocating wave of disgust that came with touching another person simply wasn't there. 

Instead, my lips still burned.

I had wanted to ask her so many questions about.. why? Why did my phobia become non-existent when I'm with her?

But those questions remained unasked. 

I looked out the dirt-streaked window, watching the dark street. 

Kylie had turned left. Home was right.

Where the hell was she she going?

The diner door chimed loudly, interrupting my thoughts. 

Rob walked in, his shoulders hunched, looking entirely drained. He slid into the booth across from me, dropping his head into his hands.

"Rob," I began, my voice tighter than usual. "About last night. The clubhouse. The kiss. I'm sorry. I made things complicated."

Rob didn't punch me. He didn't even look angry. He just let out a hollow, exhausted laugh. "We'll deal with that later, Reese. Right now, my life is completely burning down."

I frowned, leaning forward. "What happened?"

"Kristina Palmer," Rob spat, his eyes bloodshot. "She told her father about the clubhouse fight. He's the chief director. He got my mom fired this morning. Out of nowhere."

My jaw tightened.

"Mom came home completely hysterical," Rob continued, his voice shaking. "She smashed up the house. She blamed Kylie. Reese... she told Kylie if she doesn't get Kristina's forgiveness by Monday morning, she’s throwing her out on the streets."

A cold weight dropped straight into my stomach.

Everything clicked. The diner meeting. The panic in Kylie's eyes. The way she gasped when I told her about the council. 

Now I understood why she was so jumpy. Why she was so desperate.

I stayed quiet, keeping my face completely blank. I couldn't tell Rob that I had just seen his sister ten minutes ago. I couldn't tell him that she had flat out rejected my mate plan and walked out into the dark.

"Maybe you can talk to Kristina?" Rob suggested suddenly, his eyes pleading. "The whole school knows you and Caspian are brothers now. You're an Alpha prince, Reese. Your dad runs the pack. Maybe if you request…"

"No," I cut him off flatly. "I reject that completely."

Rob flinched. "Reese, please"

"Think about it, Rob," I snapped, my tone turning to pure ice. "Caspian and I hate each other. We always have. His girlfriend isn't going to do me any favors. It'll only make her target Kylie harder."

Rob slammed his fist weakly against the table. "Then what the fuck am I supposed to do?"

Suddenly, a loud ding echoed from Rob's pocket.

He yanked his phone out frantically, staring at the screen. His face fell. "Damn it. Not Kylie."

"You haven't heard from her?" I asked, my pulse quickening nervously.

"Not since this morning," Rob muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. "She locked herself in her room after the fight with Mom. I thought she was just sleeping it off."

He quickly dialed a number and put the phone to his ear. I watched him intently.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"She's not answering," Rob said, his panic visibly spiking. "She always answers me."

I knew exactly why she wasn't answering. She wasn't in her bedroom. She was three blocks away, walking directly into the abandoned industrial district. 

Alone.

I couldn't tell him the truth without exploding the whole situation. I stood up abruptly, grabbing my leather jacket.

"Let's take a stroll," I commanded.

Rob blinked up at me, completely confused. "A stroll? Now? Reese, my family is—"

"The fresh air will clear your head," I lied smoothly, already walking toward the door. "Come on."

He groaned but followed me out into the cool night air. 

I didn't hesitate. I steered him straight down 4th street, picking up the pace as we approached the dark, decaying edge of the textile district. The smell of garbage and stagnant rain grew thicker.

"Reese, why are we walking toward the old warehouses?" Rob asked, shivering.

"Shh," I cut him off, stopping dead in my tracks. "Did you hear that?"

Rob went rigid. "Hear what?"

"A struggle," I lied again, though my gut was screaming that I was right. "In the alley. Follow me."

We broke into a run, turning the corner into the narrow, pitch-black alleyway. Shadows danced beneath a flickering streetlamp near the old textile building.

We stopped behind a stack of rusted crates.

My blood turned to pure liquid fire.

Three massive men were roughly dragging Kylie toward the dark entrance of the warehouse. 

She was kicking wildly, screaming into the empty night, her vision clearly blurred with tears.

But what made my wolf, Snip, growl savagely in my chest was the thick, coarse rope dangling from the leader's fingers.

A noose. They were gonna hang her. 

"Oh my God," Rob breathed, his face draining of all color. His claws instantly extended. "They're going to kill her. I'm going to rip their throats out!"

I planted a bare hand firmly on his chest, shoving him back into the shadows. "Chill, Rob. Stay back."

"Are you insane?!" he hissed furiously. "That's my sister!"

"And I've got it," I snapped coldly.

I stepped out from behind the crate. 

The movement caught the leader's attention. The men stopped dragging Kylie. The tall man stepped into the dim light of the streetlamp, a slow, incredibly arrogant smirk spreading across his face.

He looked at me, then at my bare hands.

"Well, well, well," the raspy voice chuckled, entirely unbothered. "Look what the wind blew in. If it isn't the prince who lost his crown."

I stopped a few feet away, my eyes locked on his yellow teeth.

"Silas," I said smoothly, my voice dripping with dangerous sarcasm. "Still doing the Palmers' dirty work? I thought you'd have upgraded to a better leash by now.”