My Unexpected Alpha Harem

The reason

I began to struggle frantically.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed other boys standing in a circle around us, arms crossed, watching the spectacle unfold with amusement. Not a single one stepped forward to help.

Emily's furious voice suddenly cut through the tension. “Luke, this isn't what you told us. "You said you had extensive wilderness survival experience and just wanted to take some adventurous friends into the Dark Forest for an exploration trip.” Her voice shook with anger. “What the hell is this? Ganging up on a girl?”

She pointed to Hannah,“And don't you have a girlfriend already?”

“Girlfriend?” A cold chuckle sounded from outside the crowd, followed by the familiar voice of Luke. His tone was filled with mockery and disdain.

Luke stepped out from the back of the crowd. He was undeniably handsome, but there was always a hint of something sinister in his expression, something dark he usually concealed well. But tonight, he made no attempt to hide it.

He smirked as he walked toward me and Mike, his lips curled into a cold, twisted grin. “You mean her?” He tilted his chin in Hannah's direction. “Don't be ridiculous. How could I ever be interested in someone like Hannah?”

Hannah's face paled instantly, but she didn't utter a word.

Luke stopped in front of us, his icy blue eyes fixed on me. “The one I've always wanted is Elara.”

Mike immediately released me, his earlier smug expression vanishing under Luke's oppressive presence. Without a second thought, I turned and bolted, desperate to escape. I didn't even care about my backpack—I just wanted to get away.

But I didn't get far. Luke's long arm shot out, easily catching me by the wrist and yanking me back with brutal force. I stumbled, nearly falling, but he pulled me against him like I was nothing more than a rag doll.

“Where do you think you're going?” His voice was low, but filled with a dangerous amusement. "You know, I should really thank Hannah for this. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been able to get you out of here.”

“What... what are you talking about?” My voice trembled.

Luke leaned down, his mouth close to my ear. His breath was scalding. “You don't remember, do you?” he said coldly. “I liked you, a lot. I even wrote you a letter—poured my damn heart out and asked Hannah to pass it to you. But what did you do?”

His grip on my wrist tightened.

“You threw my letter into the trash without even opening it. And you had Hannah tell me that I was unworthy of you.” He laughed bitterly. “That's fine. I got over it. Or so I thought.”

I froze. I had no idea what he was talking about—I never received any letters. I never rejected him.

But Luke didn't care. His voice grew colder, more menacing. “And then I heard you got accepted to that fancy university and would be leaving this town. You know, I could've just let it go. Let you live your perfect little life.”

“But you didn't stop there, did you?” His face twisted with hatred. “You had the audacity to text me later, just to humiliate me—calling me a disgusting toad who could never have a chance with you. You said I was dreaming if I thought I could ever touch someone like you.”

“What—no! I never—” My voice cracked, but I couldn't finish before his hand shot into my hair, yanking my head back.

“Don't lie to me!” he snarled. “You want to act like a pure little swan, don't you? Well... tonight, I’ll show you just how easy it is for a toad like me to devour a swan like you.”

And before I could react, his mouth crashed down on mine.

I screamed, my hands beating against his chest, but he didn't even flinch. His teeth bit down harshly on my lower lip, and when I gasped in pain, his tongue forcefully invaded my mouth. I choked, unable to breathe, my body thrashing in his iron grip.

Tears blurred my vision. I couldn't believe this was happening. I wanted to scream, to fight—but Luke was too strong. My head was spinning from the lack of oxygen, and just as I thought I might pass out, he finally pulled away.

I gasped for air, coughing and retching. His eyes darkened with something sickeningly possessive as he watched me crumble.

Emily, who had been frozen in horror, finally found her voice. “This... this is insane. Even if she did send that message—which I doubt—this doesn't justify what you're doing. You're committing a crime!”

Luke merely chuckled. He still held my wrist in a death grip, his fingers digging into my skin. “Crime?” he sneered. “Oh, please. She came here willingly. "Everyone saw her throw herself at me earlier, didn't they?” He looked around, and the crowd—aside from Emily—laughed in agreement.

I wanted to vomit.

Luke turned his attention back to Emily. “Besides, you have your own priorities, don't you?” His voice turned mocking. “You hired me to take you into the Dark Forest so you could search for your boyfriend who went missing last year, right?”

Emily's face twisted in guilt and hesitation.

“Don't worry,” Luke added, flashing her a sly grin. “I'm a man of my word. I'll take you as far as the creek—the last known point where people have disappeared. But that's it. Beyond that, you're on your own. No amount of money will make me go deeper.”

Emily hesitated, her gaze flickering toward me. “Luke... she looked terrified. Maybe you should just let her go.”

Luke laughed coldly. “And I suggest you mind your own business. Focus on finding your dead boyfriend.” He yanked me closer, his breath hot against my neck. “I have... other plans for tonight.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. No. No. This can't be happening.

In sheer desperation, I waited for him to push his tongue into my mouth again—and when he did, I bit down. Hard. Hard enough to tear flesh if I could.

But before my teeth could clamp down, Hannah's voice interrupted.

“We'd better head deeper into the forest now,” she said in a weak voice. “If anyone happens to pass by and see us like this......”

I froze.

For the first time, I caught a clear glimpse of her face.

There was no concern, no regret—only jealousy and twisted satisfaction.

And in that instant, I suddenly understood everything.

This was a trap. A carefully orchestrated trap, designed by Hannah.

She had been in love with Luke. Either my acceptance into the university or Luke's affection towards me—or perhaps both—had driven her to do this. She lured me here and made up all those lies, to piss off Luke, and destroy me. She was fully aware of what would happen.

Luke sneered, releasing my hair but still gripping my wrist like a vice. “Good point. Let's move. Everyone, stay close and follow my lead. Don't discount the news completely, this forest isn't as harmless as it looks. If you wander off, I'm not coming to save you.”

He gave my wrist a painful squeeze before pulling me along, deeper into the Dark Forest.

“Move it, Elara,” he growled. “Your wonderful vacation is just beginning.....”