Mated To The Ruthless Female Alpha

2

CADEN

There wasn’t much I cared about.

It's not like I’d ever say that out loud. My father would have my tongue if I so much as dared. After all, there was no place for nonchalance when it came to one’s responsibilities.

“Heavy is the crown,” my father’s eyes never wavered. “Remember that, boy. And don’t you dare give them a reason to look down on this family.”

I let out a small breath before getting out of the car. The towering school building loomed like some sort of omen.

My uniform had been washed and neatly pressed to a crisp. Each step I took was only a mask of fragile elegance. Sure, there was a crowd of students making their way into the school, but it didn’t mean I’d be able to blend in.

It only took one person to notice me. Then, soon enough, they were all pointing fingers and whispering.

“Is that him?”

“He looks so… breakable.”

“He’s the son of Black Moon Pack’s Alpha? No way.”

Contrary to what anyone might expect, I didn’t lash out when I heard that. It wouldn’t be the first time I heard it anyway.

My pale skin, slim build, and the fact that my demeanour bordered on silent drew a lot of attention wherever I went. But not admiration.

As soon as I stepped into my designated class, all the murmurs died down to pin silence. I forced a calmness into my expression.

The teacher turned to me with eagerness, all smiles and warmth. “Class, we have a new student joining us.”

I watched her eagerness for a couple more seconds before clearing my throat. “My name is Caden BlackMoon. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

“Thank you, Caden,” the teacher turned back to the class. “Now not only is Caden’s previous school result remarkable, but he happens to have the highest transfer score in the school’s history. Isn’t that amazing?”

There were murmurs and whispers here and there. I easily noted the jealousy radiating from some of them. Really, they could do a better job pretending.

“Anyway,” she clapped her hands. “Please treat him warmly and make sure he feels welcome, okay?”

I’d been given a seat at the far right of the class. The first one had gone by eventually. So far, so good. Everything was going well.

“His royal highness.”

I’d spoken too soon.

A group of boys blocked me from going into the bathroom. I looked around, noting how people either averted their gazes or pretended not to see anything at all.

“Nice intro back there,” one of the boys stepped closer. He must have been from my class.

“You just waltzed into this school, probably expecting some kind of royal treatment since you’re BlackMoon’s heir. That it?”

I frowned. “I don’t know what you mean.”

The boy chuckled, sharing a laugh with the guys behind him. “You will soon. Your pack’s known for being the seat of power and embodiment of strength.”

His eyes glimmered with something dark. “Let’s put that to the test, shall we?”

My posture went stiff, my hands remaining by my sides. They were going to hurt me. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. I’d always had a way of smelling trouble before it came. And right then, I’d been a tad bit too slow.

“What’s wrong?” The boy shoved at my chest. “Gone mute all of a sudden?”

“I told you he’s a f*****g wimp,” another boy cackled.

I didn’t move. “Stop this now.”

Even while I clung desperately to my dignity, my hands trembled at my sides. The first boy seemed to notice it, letting out a mocking cackle.

“You’re right,” he laughed. “He really is a wimp.”

With blinding speed, he grabbed my books, kicking them to the other end of the hallway.

“What are you going to do now?” He shoved me again. “Hit me? Or will you just keep glaring with those shitty eyes?”

I swallowed, my hands tightening into fists. I had an image to keep. But if it came to it, then—

“What’s going on here?”

The boys froze for a few seconds. Then the first one turned. Ella’s aura was calm, controlled, and all sorts of commanding.

She entered the scene with an ease that was almost like nature itself. Her eyes lingered on me. Then she turned back to the boys, her eyes narrowing into a cold glare.

“Touch him again, and not being able to walk again would be the least of your worries.”

They didn’t wait to hear it twice, disappearing with a speed that almost made me chuckle. Maybe I’d have laughed right then, if I hadn’t been so stunned. She looked strong. But there had been some sort of authority in her voice. Protective, in some way.

Black curls that went all the way down to the small of her back. Brown eyes that rivaled honey. And she felt… safe.

“You okay?”

When I didn’t answer immediately, Ella walked to the other end of the hallway and helped me pick up the books.

I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off her even if I wanted to. Everything about her, from her posture, to her honey scent, and then the confident aura with which she carried herself.

She was enthralling.

“You should be bolder with them,” she handed the books back. “Else they’ll think it’s okay to keep messing with you.”

I nodded shyly. “I’ll try.”

Our hands brushed lightly as she handed me the books, my stomach flipping at the simple touch. Ella seemed to feel something weird too but simply chalked it up to simple giddiness.

It wasn’t every day one got to meet the Black Moon heir.

“Well,” she cleared her throat. “I’ll see you later?”

My eyes lingered on her for a while. Then I nodded. “Sure.”

Back in the comfort of my own home, I sank back into my seat. I opened my notebook, silently going through what I’d written on the first page.

Observation Target #01: Ella.

Affiliations: Blue Moon Pack.

I went back in with my pen. She’s much stronger than I expected.

And much more enthralling. If I closed my eyes long enough, I could almost picture those honey eyes staring back at me.

Then under it, I wrote again:

Approach: Step One begins tomorrow.