Taming My Alpha Bully

Chapter 3 Changing

Briar

I stared at my reflection in Lila's full-length mirror, hardly recognizing the girl staring back at me. Gone was the mousy, invisible Omega. In her place stood... well, I wasn't quite sure who this was, but she looked amazing.

"Lila, how did you do this?" I breathed, turning to face my beaming friend.

Still holding the makeup brush, Lila gave a mock bow. "I'm a wizard, darling. But honestly, Bri, all I did was enhance what was already there. You've been hiding this bombshell under baggy clothes and messy hair for years!"

I blushed, running my hands over the silky fabric of Finn's gift. The midnight blue dress hugged curves I didn't even know I had, the silver accents catching the light with every movement. Lila had worked her magic, transforming my usually messy curls into soft waves that cascaded down my back. My eyes, lined with smoky shadow, looked huge and mysterious.

"Are you sure this isn't too much?" I asked, fidgeting with the hem of the dress. "I mean, it's just a graduation party. What if everyone thinks I'm trying too hard?"

Lila rolled her eyes, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Briar, honey, you look hot. Own it! Besides," she added with a wink, "I have a feeling a certain Alpha-to-be might finally notice what he's been missing."

I felt my cheeks heat up even more at the mention of Damian. "Yeah, right. He'll probably just find some new way to insult me."

But even as I said it, a tiny part of me couldn't help but wonder... what if?

An hour later, we were walking into the school gym, transformed for the night into a glittering wonderland of twinkling lights and shimmering decorations. The bass of the music thrummed through my body, and the air was thick with the scent of excitement, hormones, and just a hint of illicit alcohol.

"You've got this," Lila whispered, squeezing my hand. "Remember, you're a badass b***h who doesn't take crap from anyone."

I snorted. "Right. A badass b***h who's about to puke from nerves."

But I plastered on a smile and followed Lila into the party. The moment we stepped inside, heads started to turn. I heard whispers, felt eyes raking over me. It was unnerving, but also... kind of exhilarating?

"Who's that with Lila?"

"Is that the Omega girl?"

"Holy s**t, when did she get hot?"

I tried to ignore the stares, focusing on not tripping in the heels Lila had forced me into. We made our way to the punch bowl, and I gratefully accepted a cup from Lila, gulping it down to soothe my dry throat.

"If it isn't our resident Omega," a familiar voice drawled. "Trying to play dress-up, are we?"

I turned to see Damian and his best friend, Ethan, approaching us.

As always, Damian looked unfairly gorgeous. But tonight, there was something different. Maybe it was the way his crisp white shirt clung to his muscular frame, or how the low lighting caught the angles of his face just right. Whatever it was, it made my heart do a stupid little flip in my chest.

Ethan's eyes widened as he took me in. "Whoa, Briar. You clean up nice."

I blinked, surprised by the compliment. Ethan had always been as cruel as Damian, delighting in pranking and humiliating me. But now he was looking at me like... well, like I was actually worth looking at.

Damian, on the other hand, seemed frozen. His gray eyes traveled slowly from my face down to my feet and back up again. For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in their depths. But then his expression hardened, and he looked away.

"Try not to cause any trouble tonight, Omega," he said coldly. "I don't want to have to deal with your drama on top of everything else."

With that, he grabbed Ethan's arm and dragged him away, leaving me feeling deflated. What had I expected? That he'd suddenly see me differently just because I put on a pretty dress?

"Ignore him," Lila said, rolling her eyes. "He's just mad because you look hotter than all his side chicks combined."

I laughed, but it was half-hearted. Why did I care what Damian thought anyway? He was a jerk, plain and simple. I needed to forget about him and try to enjoy my night.

I was just starting to relax, chatting with some classmates who'd never given me the time of day before, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Selena, looking stunning in a skin-tight red dress, smirking at me.

"Having fun playing princess, Briar?" she asked sweetly. "It's so cute that you think a makeover will make people forget what a pathetic little nothing you really are."

Before I could respond, I felt a body slam into me from behind. I stumbled, arms flailing, certain I was about to face-plant into the punch bowl and ruin my newfound glamour in spectacular fashion.

But instead of cold liquid, I felt warm, strong hands steadying me. A rich, spicy scent enveloped me – sandalwood and something wild, like a forest after rain.

"Whoa there, careful," a deep voice rumbled, sending shivers down my spine. "Are you alright?"

I nodded mutely, unable to form words as I took in the man before me.

He was tall and muscular, with tousled dark brown hair and a jawline that could cut glass. But it was his eyes that really caught my attention – a warm amber color that seemed to glow in the low light of the party.

My mouth went dry, and I was pretty sure it had nothing to do with the alcohol I hadn't drunk.

"Th-thank you," I stammered, acutely aware of his arm still around me.

"My pleasure," he said, his voice warm and rich like honey. "I'm Eric. Eric Ryder."

My eyes widened. Eric Ryder? As in, the Alpha of the Nightriver Pack? One of the most powerful Alphas in the South? Holy crap.

"I'm Briar," I managed to say, praying I didn't sound as breathless as I felt.

"Briar," he repeated, and the way he said my name sent shivers down my spine. "A beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

I blushed furiously, unused to such attention. "Oh, I'm not- I mean, I'm just-"

"Would you like to dance?" Eric asked, cutting off my awkward rambling.

I hesitated. "I... I've never really danced before," I admitted.

His smile widened. "Then allow me to be your first. Don't worry, I'll lead. Just follow my cues, and you'll be fine."

Lila nudged me, her eyes wide with excitement. "Go on, Bri! Live a little!"

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Okay, sure. Why not?"

Eric led me to the dance floor, one hand on my waist, the other holding mine gently. As we swayed to the music, I gradually relaxed, letting myself enjoy the moment.

"So, Briar," Eric said, his voice low and intimate. "Tell me about yourself."

I laughed nervously. "There's not much to tell. I'm just a regular girl, really."

He raised an eyebrow. "Somehow, I doubt that. There's nothing regular about you."

The way he looked at me, like I was something precious and fascinating, made my heart race. Was this what it felt like to be wanted? To be seen as desirable?

As we danced, I found myself opening up to Eric. He listened attentively, laughing at my jokes and frowning when I mentioned some of the harder parts of pack life. For the first time in forever, I felt... special.

"You know," Eric said, pulling me a little closer. "I think you're wasted on this pack. A girl like you deserves so much more."

I looked up at him, mesmerized by the intensity in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

He leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. "I mean, maybe you should consider other options. Other packs. Other Alphas."

My breath caught in my throat. Was he suggesting what I thought he was? Before I could process it, I felt a sudden, violent tug on my arm.

"What the f**k do you think you're doing?" a familiar voice growled.

I spun around to find myself face to face with a furious Damian. His eyes were almost black with rage, his grip on my arm painfully tight.

"Damian, what-"

But he wasn't listening. He glared at Eric, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "Keep your hands off what's mine, Ryder."