Trapped With The Biker Alpha

Chapter 003

LAYLA

I’ve been dreading today for the past five days. Every time I close my eyes, I end up waking from nightmares where Colt and Amber are happily mated while shoving me off a cliff.

I prayed, begged and even tried bargaining with the moon goddess for this day not to come, or for something to happen so I wouldn’t be forced to show up. But apparently, she either hates me or she’s just really bad at her job, because here I am, stuck with the full reality of it.

Now, I’m hiding out in the garden while everyone rushes around with last-minute preparations for Colt and Amber’s big day. The guests are practically all here, and the nausea twisting in my stomach is only getting worse by the second. I have to squat on the grass or risk throwing up before Amber even walks down the aisle in her perfect white dress to steal the guy she already took from me.

[Don’t worry, you’re too good for him] my wolf murmurs, trying to cheer me up, even though she’s been nursing her own bruised ego from rejection these past few days.

Yeah. Thanks. That’s… not helping, not that I think anything could.

With a grunt, I shove my hand into my purse and pull out a pack of gum. I peel one out and shove it in my mouth.

“Can I have one?” A voice echoes and I flinch.

A gasp that’s half-cry, half-scream, rips from me as I topple backward onto the grass, my glasses nearly sliding off my face. My hand shakes as I push them back into place, and my vision narrows on… holy hell.

Who is this?

The guy standing over me has the most perfect beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen, almost like the leaves in this garden came to life just to match him. Thick, curly black hair frames his face, and his lashes… are longer than mine which is completely unfair.

My lips part without permission as my gaze roams over him. His broad shoulders, the way his dark blue suit hugs his chest and arms…it’s like someone just designed him to make me feel flustered and hot all at once.

“Are you going to hand me a piece of gum, or are you planning to stay on the ground all day?” he asks, his brows pulling together.

I bolt to my feet, brushing off my black dress and silently thanking the universe that it didn’t get stained. Shyly, I peel out a piece of gum and extend it to him.

He takes it, tears off the wrapper, pops it in his mouth, and slides his hands into his pockets. “Thank you.”

I nod, suddenly not knowing what to do with my hands and myself. I end up stealing glances at him, my curiosity stronger than my nerves. I’ve never seen him around this pack before and even my wolf is losing her mind, thrashing around in excitement at just how good-looking he is.

“You’re staring,” he says dryly, his eyes locking onto mine.

Heat floods my cheeks. “I—I’m sorry. I just… haven’t seen you around the pack before and it’s a pretty small pack.”

He lifts an eyebrow, and the look on his face clearly says I’ve said something stupid. “Are you trying to be funny?”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

He pivots to face me fully, stepping closer, and suddenly my pulse is doing cartwheels. “Are you trying to act like you don’t know who I am… or that you haven’t seen me before?”

Okay, seriously. He’s being egotistical. Am I supposed to know every wolf in California? Or does he just assume that because he’s ridiculously handsome, he lives rent-free in everyone’s head?

“I’m pretty sure I’d recognize you if we’d met before,” I tell him, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He smirks, clearly amused. “Are you an undergrad?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“What school?”

I tilt my head, matching his smirk with my own thinly veiled sarcasm. “Every wolf in California goes to Camden College.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure if you actually go to Camden, you’d know who I am,” he says, fixing me with a look that’s equal parts disbelief and that I’m trying to lie for attention.

I scoff. “Why would I lie? Okay, fine… what’s your name?”

His eyes narrow, and the smirk slips from his lips. “You actually don’t know who I am?”

I rack my brain, trying to remember if I’ve seen him anywhere but nope. I shake my head. “Nah.”

“Then you must live under a rock… or in books.” His gaze drags over me from head to toe and a grin creeps back onto his face. “Judging by the glasses and that atrocious dress… I’m going with the latter.”

My lips part, but no words come out because I’m honestly speechless. Clenching my fists, I step closer. “Atrocious dress? Goddess, I can’t believe this. Just because I don’t know who the hell you are, you think you can—”

“Edward Strout,” he cuts in, extending a hand. “Nice to meet you, glasses.”

I freeze. My eyes widen. Did he just say Edward Strout? Like… the Edward Strout? Son of Alpha Strout, heir to the largest and most powerful pack in San Francisco?

“No way.” I stagger back, goosebumps prickling over my skin.

He huffs, his eyes scanning me like it’s painfully obvious. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I snap out of it and immediately bow. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. Please forgive me.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, wishing I could just vanish into the garden. How on earth did I not figure out he’s someone important? The way he kept insisting I should know him… it should’ve clicked. Colt is an Alpha’s son so invites to his mating ceremony goes out to every pack. That’s why Edward’s here too.

Goddess, what kind of trouble have I just walked into?

“I hate when people bow to me,” Edward says, his voice flat. “Makes my skin crawl.”

Slowly, I lift my head, and our eyes lock again. He’s chewing his gum obnoxiously, like he knows exactly how irritating it looks.

“Thank you,” I manage.

“I didn’t say you’re off the hook,” he replies, c*****g an eyebrow. “For your punishment, you’ll have to entertain me until it’s time for this boring ceremony. So… why are you hiding here, glasses?”

I pause, just standing there like a statue, and staring at him with my brain scrambling. He’s powerful, popular… and practically untouchable. And me? I’m nobody and apparently, I’m already in trouble with him.

“I’m just… getting some air,” I lie.

“Air?” His gaze narrows, clearly unconvinced. “This is your family home, isn’t it?”

I nod, my throat tight.

“Hmmmm,” he murmurs, his lips curling. “From what I heard… Colt was mated to the sister of his new mate before, and there are only two sisters. So if this is your family home…” He flicks his hand, pointing directly at me. “You must be the ex-mate.”

My chest constricts, and I feel like I’m about to combust from shame.

“You just lied,” he says flatly.

“I’m… sorry,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I was just… ashamed.”

“What happened?” His tone sharpens, demanding an answer.

I suck in a shaky breath. “He cheated on me,” I admit. Not like I really have a choice plus he probably already knows the story, and I don’t want to make him think any less of me. “I’m… hiding because he cheated on me.”

His gaze lingers on my face. “I bet he called you boring.”

I ball my fists, biting down on my lips to keep tears from blurring my vision. “Is it that obvious?”

I brace for another jab, but he just shrugs. “That’s the usual lame excuse men have when they fumble a woman. Not creative… but very popular.”

My shoulders slump. “Oh.”

“At least you rejected him,” he adds, a hint of approval in his tone. “Good for you.”

This time, a dry chuckle slips out as I shake my head. “I didn’t reject him.” His brows furrow, so I keep going. “When I confronted him, he insulted and rejected me. Said I wasn’t good enough to be his Luna and that he wants Amber.” My throat tightens, but I push through it. “I honestly felt like ripping my heart out and never waking up especially when my dad did nothing to console me. And now, to top it all off, I’m being forced to attend their shitty ceremony.”

“Forced?”

“My dad said he won’t pay my tuition if I don’t show up.” I kick a dry leaf across the ground and adjust my glasses. “Last night, I prayed for the moon goddess to end the world before this morning. Or maybe send a shining knight in armor, someone way hotter than Colt, and he’d ask me to be his date. Or at least crash the ceremony with me.”

I let out a tired breath. “Spoiler alert: she didn’t answer any of them.”

He studies me like he’s analyzing a puzzle. “I’m not really sure about the last part.”

“What?”

He rubs the bridge of his nose. “What’s your GPA, glasses?”

I frown for a second, unable to tell him to stop calling me that. “It’s… 4.97 right now. That’s because of Defense and Arts which is super compulsory in junior year and really tough for a girl like me.”

“What’s your major?”

“Data science,” I answer, suspicion creeping into my voice. “Why are you asking?”

He steps closer, towering over me, and I have to tilt my head up, my heart hammering in my chest. “You’re looking for a shiny knight in armor, aren’t you?”

“What do you—” I start, my voice trailing off as realization hits me. My eyes widen. No way. He’s not serious, is he?

“Here’s the deal,” he says, smirking coldly. “I’ll crash this boring ceremony with you and make your ex-mate’s day so miserable he wishes you’d never shown up. I’ll put all eyes on you… make him jealous… and humiliate your sister while I’m at it. That’s my part.”

My heart is hammering so hard it feels like it might burst through my chest. “And mine?” I manage, voice trembling. “What do I have to do?”