The Alpha Prince’s Bullied Mate

The Lone Wolf Arrival

The lucky student of this year’s special scholarship grant is Astoria Winters.

Astoria could still remember how it felt like yesterday when the announcement was made, even though it was over two months and a year since her twin sister had died.

Why had she applied despite not wanting to be in that school? For one reason: to find out why her sister had died and who was responsible. As if dying wasn’t enough, they labeled her sister as a w***e who slept around with students of the school for grades and money, and eventually, they stopped the investigation.

Astoria remembered how she had gone to every police station, begging for her sister’s death to be reinvestigated, but everywhere she turned, they all had the same answer: It was suicide.

For months, she stood in front of the school, holding a board, begging for her sister’s death to be reinvestigated. She stopped only when the orphanage home was threatened to be demolished. That’s when she realized those involved in her sister’s death were people way beyond her level, and after all, she was only an omega, the lowest of the low.

When she saw the announcement about a scholarship to the elite school, Astoria studied hard, hoping to be picked among thousands of students. When the announcement finally came two months later, she topped the examination and passed the entrance exam.

Now, she was here at the school for one reason.

Revenge.

“We’re here,” Anna, Astoria’s guardian from Hope Home, announced as she parked her bus in front of the school gate. “Are you alright?” She straightened Astoria’s tie and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I am so proud of you, dear. I’ve watched you grow up, and now you’re becoming independent.”

“Thank you, Anna.” Astoria hugged her, tears welling up in her eyes.

Today was the last day she would see Anna often since she was leaving the Hope Home now that she was of age.

“The orphanage home decided to pay for your first month’s installment for your new apartment. When I come to pick you up after school today, I’ll drive you to your new apartment. Is that okay with you?”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Astoria hugged her again. Ever since she was a child, she had been with Anna, who, at only twenty-seven years old, was like a mother to her.

“Are you still going to find out the reasons why you…” Anna paused, knowing that Astoria disliked hearing about her sister. “I just want you to be fine. Maybe this is the time to start a new life, Astoria, and I…”

“I get it,” Astoria cut her off, not wanting to hear the long lecture she wasn’t ready for. “I’m going to be fine!”

“Have fun!” Anna shouted as Astoria stepped out of the bus. Her eyes scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, and everything seemed the same at first glance. When she looked behind the bus, it was a far cry from the constant bus ride she was used to. Exotic cars with sleek lines and gleaming paint jobs stretched on forever, proving that wealth and status defined the school's students.

As she walked towards the entrance, Astoria could feel the curious stares upon her, the sneers and snickers of the students passing by her side. She knew she stuck out like a sore thumb; her tie was different from the original Blue belonging to the nobles and royals who attended the school.

This was, after all, the number one school in the kingdom of Hacienda, where hierarchy, power, and money ruled supreme. Astoria didn’t come to stare at the children of the school but for one sole purpose: to find her sister’s killer.

Astoria placed a hand on her beating chest as she made her way toward the main entrance, her eyes fixed on the white stone gate that shimmered in the sunlight. Her eyes widened in awe at a gigantic statue of a wolf that stood tall at the center of the school. The words “Luminaria Academy” were etched in bold letters across the statue's base, and she found herself drawn to the majestic sculpture.

She had always loved art and hoped to become a fantastic sculptor.

Lost in admiration, Astoria didn’t notice the student approaching her until she felt a sudden jolt on her shoulder. She spun around her heart racing, to find a student with a blue tie running past her.

“Wait…” she tried to call her back, but suddenly, a commotion erupted in the field. Students rushed to the center of the school, their voices raised in excitement and curiosity. Astoria’s gaze followed the crowd, her eyes trailing around until they landed on a black sports car hurtling towards the boy standing at the center of the gathering.

The boy had the same tie as hers—the red tie, meaning he was just like her, a scholarship student at the bottom of the school. The students with blue ties brought out their phones, setting them to record.

The way they found it amusing baffled Astoria. A lot of thoughts ran through her mind. How could they pretend they didn’t see him? Why were they acting like he was not about to get hit by a car? The boy who stood in front of the car was seemingly unfazed by the approaching vehicle. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“He is so unlucky. Before the break, he picked the red letter, meaning he is the victim.”

Astoria heard a girl chatting happily with some other girls close to her. It piqued her interest, and she listened to their conversation about the boy.

“If he’s lucky, he should survive with a few broken bones or stitches.”

“I doubt he’ll be able to move throughout this semester.”

The girls laughed off like it didn’t mean anything while Astoria’s heart raced with so many thoughts. She focused back on the sports car driving around the boy while the students cheered the driver on.

The driver? Astoria wondered who could be behind the wheel of the car. She glanced at the tinted glass, but it was impossible to see through.

The girl beside her cackled as she stared at her wristwatch. “Time for a few bones to break!”

Hearing that, Astoria’s heart skipped a beat as the car reversed and then surged forward again, heading straight for the boy. Her instinct screamed at her to look away and do nothing to avoid getting involved. She reminded herself that she had come for revenge against those who had murdered her sister, but she couldn’t just stand by and watch someone get hurt. She would be like the other students who pretended they didn’t see what was happening.

With her athletic training kicking in, Astoria sprinted towards the boy. Her legs pumped hard, and she reached him just in time, grabbing his arm and pushing him to the ground as the car screeched to a halt mere inches from their faces.

“Are you alright?” Astoria asked.

The boy’s eyes widened in shock, and instead of gratitude, he pushed Astoria away, tears streaming down his face. “Why did you save me? You’ve just made everything worse!”

Astoria had no idea what was happening, and when she tried to speak, her words were drowned out by the chorus of boos and jeers from the surrounding students. However, when the car door opened, the crowd fell silent. Black shoes appeared first, followed by long legs that seemed to go on forever, leading to a lean, muscular body and a chiseled face. Astoria’s gaze was drawn to his piercing amber eyes, which bore into hers with an intensity that made her heart race.

Those eyes were filled with anger, disappointment, hatred, and disgust, but Astoria felt something different.

“MATE, MATE, MATE!” Her shy wolf, Blue, who barely spoke, shouted excitedly in her head. The boy standing in front of her was her mate, her chosen mate.

Still amazed by the boy’s beautiful eyes, Astoria noticed the boy who had been pushed to the ground suddenly fell to his knees, muttering a name. “Prince Lyriq.”

Her eyes snapped back to the stranger, and all the fluttering emotions she had felt at that moment vanished. This was the same Lyriq her sister had mentioned by name.

Prince Lyriq moved closer to the boy, crouched to his level, and whispered something in his ear. The boy sprang to his feet, rushing out of the courtyard as if his life depended on it.

Astoria’s curiosity was piqued by what Lyriq had said to send him fleeing like that. Before she could ponder further, she felt a presence that should have made her skin crawl but instead made her feel tingles. “Move away,” Lyriq’s words cut through the air, his beautiful eyes flashing disdainfully.

This prince in front of her was supposed to be her mate, someone she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with, but instead, he turned out to be someone she hated at first sight.

“Do you have buds in your ears? I said, move!” he repeated.

A shiver ran down Astoria’s spine as she hesitated, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to stand her ground, to defy the arrogant prince and his tone. But another part wanted to focus on what she had come for.

Murmurs from students resounded around the courtyard as everyone pointed fingers at her.

“Who does she think she is?” someone sneered.

“Where did she get the courage to cross the prince?”

So many of them had something to say, but Astoria was unbothered as she stared at the prince, still not moving until he pushed her aside, his hand shoving against her shoulder with a force that sent her backward. Astoria tried to regain her balance, but it was too late. She fell hard onto the ground, her palms scraping against the stone.

The crowd gasped in delight, murmurs turning to open laughter and jeers. Lyriq walked past her without glancing back. He simply walked away like the asshole he had proved himself to be.

The crowd dispersed after Lyriq left while Astoria remained on the ground, her eyes fixed on where Lyriq had disappeared. Then, a gentle voice broke the silence.

“Hey, are you okay? Need some help up?”

Astoria turned towards the boy, her eyes locking onto a pair of wire-rimmed glasses and bright blue eyes that held a deep kindness. She noticed the blue tie around his neck and wondered if he was one of the many snobs in the school. Instead, the boy extended his hand for her to take.

“Pitying me, aren’t you?” Astoria asked.

The boy smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I guess I am. You don’t deserve to be treated like that.”

Astoria hesitated for a moment but read the genuine concern in his eyes. Even though he was one of the nobles, he didn’t give off the vibe of a snob. She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet.

“That prince and everyone in this school are crazy!” Astoria muttered, brushing off her clothes. “I wonder if the entire royal family is like that.” She scoffed. “And why was everyone staring when someone was about to get crushed by the prince?”

A bright smile formed on the boy’s face, and he shrugged. “No one can stop him since this is a tradition of sorts. Prince Lyriq always does that every new semester and no one dares to challenge him.”

“That’s ridiculous! Why does he get away with it?”

The boy’s blue eyes grew serious, and he glanced around before murmuring to Astoria, “Be careful, Astoria. You’re new and don’t want to get caught in the prince’s crosshairs. Everyone’s eyes are on you now—the scholarship girl.”

Astoria’s brow furrowed in confusion. “How did you know my name?”

He chuckled. “Everyone knows who you are, and that red tie you’re wearing gives it away. It’s the scholarship candidate marker.”

Astoria sighed, her hand instinctively going to the tie. “I see.”

“So, where are you headed?” the boy continued the conversation, noticing Astoria was already bored.

“The teacher’s office. I think I’m supposed to meet with…” she sighed. “I could have sworn I remembered his name.”

“Mr. Eric?”

Astoria nodded.

“Great, let’s head there together, or do you not want to be seen with me?” the boy asked, smiling.

Astoria nodded. “Let’s walk together,” she accepted his offer. “After all, you’re more familiar with the school than I am.”

The boy nodded and extended his hand for a handshake. “By the way, I’m Rowan.”

Rowan? Astoria’s eyes widened as she tried to remember where she had heard the name. “Rowan?” she repeated. “You’re Rowan? Like Prince Lyriq’s cool half-brother?”

Rowan nodded. “Don’t say it that way. I don’t want to be known as Prince Lyriq’s half-brother.” He chuckled. “Even though everyone thinks my mother is a mistake according to tradition.”

“Sorry,” Astoria quickly apologized, her mind racing with the implications of what she had mentioned. It was no wonder Rowan was different from Lyriq despite being related. She felt sympathy for Rowan, who must have grown up in his brother's shadow.

“It’s okay. I’m fine with you calling me Rowan. After all, I’m the irrelevant son,” he laughed and adjusted his glasses.

Astoria nodded and took his hand. “Nice to meet you, Rowan.”

The walk to the teacher’s office was about the school and its rules and regulations, and it helped take Astoria’s mind off Lyriq for a moment.