Enchanted by the Alpha

Getting punished

Throughout the day, my thoughts were incessantly drawn to Hunter, an enigmatic presence that seemed to infiltrate my mind, causing a constant distraction in my mind. Attempting to concentrate during classes became an arduous task as I mulled over how he possessed knowledge about a deeply personal aspect of my life, one I had never disclosed to anyone.

The peculiar nature of Hunter’s awareness sent shivers down my spine, creating an unsettling feeling that clung to his strangeness.

As the day’s classes concluded, I methodically closed my books, neatly placing them inside my handbag. As I rose from my chair, preparing to depart, my attention shifted abruptly as I noticed Amara and her clique making their entrance.

Amara’s unwavering gaze fixated on me, her lips moving rhythmically as she chewed gum, signaling an imminent confrontation. There was an air of displeasure around her, and it seemed like that displeasure was squarely on me.

“We need to talk, Jess,” Amara asserted and it didn't sound like a negotiation or a request. It was a command that I can't say no to and a statement that I do not dare reply to. Compliance was my only option, and I couldn’t bring myself to defy her authority.

My heart pounded within my chest as I braced for the unknown, a realization that whatever awaited me in this conversation couldn’t be harmless.

“Follow me right this instant,” Amara ordered, her tone brooking no disobedience.

Reluctantly yielding to the weight of her command, I tightened my grip on my bag, adjusted my glasses, and trailed behind Amara in silence as she confidently strode out of the lecture hall.

Our destination turned out to be the rear of one of the campus buildings, where she abruptly halted and pivoted to face me.

In response, I lowered my gaze, attempting to voice a question, “What…”

Before I could complete my inquiry, an abrupt, resonant slap landed on my face, causing me to gasp in shock. My head swayed to the side, and my glasses were sent clattering to the ground. With widened eyes and a blurry vision, I stared at Amara, utterly taken aback, feeling her heated glare fixed upon me.

Her voice, seething with anger, cut through the silence. “How dare you try to mess with me, huh?!” Despite my impaired vision, the intensity of her emotions resonated clearly.

Still recovering from the unexpected blow, I shook my head in disbelief, genuinely perplexed by her accusation. “Please, I do not know what you mean. I didn’t… I wouldn’t do anything…”

“You wouldn’t! You are even lying to my face?!” Amara’s frustration escalated as she seized the back of my hair, prompting a gasp from me as I instinctively held onto her hand. “Since you’re pretending to forget, I’ll jog your memories. What gave you the right to report me to Enzo, huh?!” Her sudden push sent me sprawling to the ground, a wince of pain escaping me upon impact.

Clutching my elbow, I felt the sting of an injury. With my gaze lowered, I endeavored to explain, “It wasn’t really my intention. It just happened; I really didn’t mean it.”

Tremors coursed through me as I discerned one of Amara’s clique advancing in my direction. Hindered by my impaired vision without glasses, I couldn’t precisely identify the person, yet I felt a forceful lift, and suddenly, I was pushed toward Amara.

“You didn’t mean it?!” Amara’s voice resonated with incredulity as she berated me.

Desperately attempting to convey my innocence, I shook my head and pleaded, “I really didn’t! Please believe me…”

My plea fell on deaf ears as another forceful slap struck the opposite side of my face, accompanied by another forceful shove from Amara.

“Ow!” I exclaimed, my hand colliding with a rough surface, each breath laden with heaviness, and my vision clouded with tears.

I discerned the voice of one of Amara’s accomplices Steph, interjecting with a harsh tone, “Just because Enzo appeared to be on your side, you dare to go against us? You’re asking for your death, Jessalyn.”

Dana, the other accomplice, joined in with a callous laugh, remarking, “Yeah, no one will even care if she actually dies. She’s what they call a living dead!”

Gasping for breath, I grappled with the throbbing pain from the push and the stinging aftermath of the slaps, all while enduring their mocking jeers.

Amara’s voice, filled with disbelief and betrayal, echoed in the air. “I can’t believe… I really can’t believe you’d use Enzo against me, Jess. I can’t believe it.” My attempts to shake my head seemed futile, understanding that explaining myself would fall on deaf ears.

“He came to me, insulted me, threw the books at my face—all because of a worthless piece of trash like you!” The intensity of her words made me flinch, and I felt consumed by an overwhelming sense of fear.

“What is it about you that captured his interest? You’re not even that beautiful, you can’t even see clearly, your family does not like you—basically, you’re a human piece of trash. So, why would someone like Enzo bother with trash like you?” she questioned with a malevolent tone.

“Maybe she’s the kind of trash that one can salvage, recycle for some dubious purpose.” Dana, ever ready with a cutting remark, chimed in.

Steph, adding her own venomous contribution, remarked, “Yeah, Enzo’s interest is likely fueled by some selfish motive. He couldn’t genuinely find value in someone like her.”

My breaths were rapid and uneven as a forceful grip seized my hair, compelling me to rise from my disoriented state. The resonance of Amara’s voice confirmed the identity of my assailant, her words filled with seething anger, “I don’t care who you are to Enzo, but what you’ve done, the humiliation you made me go through…” With a sudden release, my hair slipped from her grip, causing a shaky breath to escape me as I stumbled backward, really wanting to get out of there and just go home.

“I’m sorry,” I pleaded, the words tumbling out in a shaky breath. “Please, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean it. It wasn’t my intention, please…”

“You b***h…” I heard Amara‘ venomous retort and flinched as I saw her hand lifted up, anticipating another strike. However, to my surprise, nothing came.

Suddenly, Amara’s voice shifted in astonishment, “Hun… Hunter? What are you doing here?”

Blinking through my blurry vision, my gaze focused on a blurred male figure, his vice-like grip on Amara’s hand audible in her strained response as she winced.

“Ow, wow, your grip is so strong, Hunter,” Amara remarked with a struggling voice, her surprise palpable.

Observing him release her hand, I heard Amara gasp…