Bloodlines and Betrayals

Chapter 002

Élodie Renaud was startled out of her dreams by the high-pitched ring of her phone. She pried her eyes open, winced at the burning pain, and moaned. She turned over and buried her head beneath the pillow. The phone rang three times before going to voicemail. Perhaps a minute passed before it rang once more.

She threw off the covers and put both feet on the ground. Her vision swam, and her head thudded. The phone had gone silent once more by the time she was able to stand. She stumbled across the room and retrieved it from the jeans she had kicked off the previous evening because she no longer trusted it.

There are two new voicemails. A preview of a text message from Julien Marchand appeared on the screen. Why is he up at seven in the morning?

Then she realised. It was the beginning of the sports season. She slapped her forehead and texted him to wait outside her building while she hurried to the loo.

Her best friend Julien had already arrived, leaning against his car and shielding his eyes with sunglasses. Although they had only been acquainted for six months, it seemed like they had known each other for ages. She trusted him instinctively, perhaps because he was an Alpha. Without hesitation, he lifted his sunglasses and drew her into a tight hug.

"Ready to go?"

Élodie exhaled deeply. "No."

He laughed and took a step back. "Get moving! You can come to me because I'll be on the pitch."

Yes, her best friend played football as well. However, he was grounded, never denigrated others, and was always encouraging, in contrast to others.

"Sure," she muttered. She kicked ass without anyone's assistance.

Élodie's application was accepted quickly because she was a runner. Because most beta runners were afraid of losing to the Alphas, there weren't many of them. She wasn't one of them, though. Seeing their angry expressions when she beat them thrilled her more than anything else.

The dull thud of the locker room door closing jolted her out of her reverie. According to the brochure, runners were merely an accessory and did not receive a locker room. Other athletes had to squeeze into the locker room reserved for football players. Her head snapped up, her eyes focusing on the newcomer as she sensed a presence in the room. She didn't immediately recognise him as an Alpha.

He muttered, his face uninterested, "I don't think you should be here," allowing his eyes to stray over her. He had bright moss green eyes, a pointed nose, a jaw sculpted by the gods, and chocolate brown curls framing sharp features. Élodie took a swallow. He was a good-looking man.

He went on, "Are you lost?"

Her jaw tightened at the way he said it. His bold tone surprised her. "Uh... no?"

"Then you must be aware that Alpha-Beta athletes use these locker rooms, right?" As he moved deeper into the space, he arched an eyebrow. He paused in front of a locker near her seat and slackly dropped his black Nike bag to the ground. Then he turned around once more and crossed his arms in front of her.

She said, "I know that," as her heart began to race. The Alpha looked like he wouldn't take any bullshit; he was extremely tall and was obviously an Alpha based on his posture. He was intimidating. An Alpha hovering over her did things to her traitorous body, even though she denied her true gender. She nearly wanted to give in because it made her feel inferior. She detested everything about it.

She mimicked him by crossing her arms and asking, "What are you implying?"

Not impressed by her bravery, he said in a bored tone, "I'm implying that you don't belong here." Then he walked over to the closest locker and took off his shirt. The room's air suddenly felt stuffy and hot, making it difficult for her to look anywhere but at his nude upper body. She couldn't take her eyes off the enormous symbol, possibly a pack symbol that was tattooed on his chest.

She turned away, gathering her courage, and shook her head. The fact that the Alpha she was up against was incredibly beautiful didn't matter.

"Sucks for you, then," she said arrogantly, "because I am the university's top runner. I'm perfectly entitled to be here.

She was certain that he had taken off his skinny jeans and was ready to put on his shorts because she heard the rustling of clothing. She had no intention of verifying her presumptions.

"The university's top runner? However, you're an Omega, correct?

As those words rolled off her lips, dread took root in the pit of her stomach. She could feel his eyes behind her, and her eyes grew wide. She took a deliberate breath and looked back into his eyes. What a waste! He couldn't know; that was impossible. No way! Was she odorous to the Alpha? Was that medication a failure? Was her dream meant to end before it had even started? Oh no! Or perhaps he's merely attempting to corner her.

"Why do you say that? When she finally found her voice, she protested, "I'm a Beta!" She wanted to conclude with an incredulous laugh to emphasise the absurdity of his words, but she held back because she believed it would only come out as a scratchy, breathless noise. She would only come across as suspicious if she did that.

She caught a glimpse of the Alpha moving out of the corner of her eye, and he was suddenly standing in front of her. All she could do was stare up at him.

"Oh, I'm not sure. It's mostly your appearance. You're delicate. He shrugged and said, "And you have the face of an Omega, pretty and delicate."

She glared at him and made an offended noise. "Thanks, Gee! Do you judge people like this? By the way they look? "So clichéd!" She believed she did a good job if she seemed resentful. Pretending to be offended was always a successful way to get people to back off. Additionally, make them feel bad.

The Alpha's lips were pressed together, and there was a furrow between his brows. She wished him to leave.

His voice was still uncertain as he said, "I didn't mean to upset you."

As he picked up his cleats, she boldly looked him in the eyes and said, "Then you can apologise."

Rather, he shrugged and left as though nothing had occurred. She was already against him.

She met Julien and Chloé Marin, her flatmate, in the cafeteria after practice. Élodie celebrated the end of her run by getting a smoothie to go with her sandwich. Two Alphas came into the cafeteria at that point. The man who gave her a lecture in the locker room was one of them. As they made their way directly to their table, she saw several people turning to face them.

She turned to Julien and arched her brow, asking, "Why is everyone staring at them like that?"

She didn't follow the rumours, even though she loved her university. Due to her other commitments, she missed most of the month as well.

"Because they are well-known here. Of course.

"Who?"

Chloé gave her an arm slap. "How are they unknown to you?!"

Élodie looked at Julien instead of rolling her eyes at her flatmate. He might be able to provide her with an answer.

Lucien Morel is the one on the left. He is an Alpha Chien de l'Enfer and the captain of the football team. In addition to owning Stade Morel, his family sponsors the largest football team, Clermont FC. Mathis Roux, his best friend, is standing next to him. In addition to playing on the team, his father serves as the college's trustee. They are this university's wealthiest men.

Chloé sighed dreamily. "And they're hot too."

Julien gave a snort. "If you say so."

"You simply don't have taste," Chloé made fun of him.

At that moment, Lucien and Mathis appeared before them, staring at Julien. Élodie made an effort to avoid giving Lucien a glare because of his behaviour in the locker room. It made no difference.

"Why are you sitting here, Julien?" Mathis narrowed his eyes and spoke.

Julien let out a sigh. "I'm catching up with my best friend, Élodie, and her flatmate, Chloé."

The Chiens de l'Enfer didn't bother to look at Élodie, who was just eating her sandwich. Julien was the only popular guy she wanted to hang out with.

"Oh, I recognise you."

To get a better look at her, Lucien rested his elbows on the table.

Élodie started to say something, but Julien pulled Lucien away. Her best friend clenched his teeth and they stood side by side. "She's actually a friend of mine, Lucien. Please refrain from using inappropriate pick-up lines. Élodie is not allowed.

Élodie interrupted the Alpha as he gritted his teeth and his eyes darkened. "Julien, we've already met."

"When?"

Lucien's forehead twitched. "In the locker room."

Julien showed no signs of admiration. She wondered why her best friend was protecting her from Lucien as well. Why would you want to protect Élodie from an Alpha like Lucien?