SCARRED OMEGA

The campus compound was a world of its own. Sounds echoed differently here, the slam of a weight being dropped in the outdoor gym, the low hum of generators, the crunch of gravel under boots. It smelled of damp earth, pine, and the sharp, clean scent of rain on concrete. I was walking through the compound with Annie, I could feel the shift in the air before I saw it. We were passing the open garage where the senior Alphas usually hung out. I heard their laughter first, that loud, easy rumble that meant they were in a good mood. Then I looked up. The laughter didn’t just stop. It got sucked out of the place, like someone had opened a vacuum. One by one, their heads turned. Not in a creepy way. More like… surprised. Like they’d just seen something impossible happen. Mark, who was leaning against a motorcycle, actually straightened up. He didn’t smirk. He didn’t say a word. He just stared, his mouth slightly open. I kept walking, my eyes forward. But I felt it. That heavy, silent attention wrapped around me like a blanket. Annie stiffened beside me, her steps going careful. “They’re all looking, Peach,” she whispered, her voice thin. I almost flinched at my own name. It sounded too sharp in all that quiet. “I know,” I said. I did know. It happened everywhere. In class, in the dining hall, on the paths. My appearance did that to people. To wolves. I never asked for it. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little spark of power from it. A tiny, warm glow in my chest that said, I am here, and you see me. I continued walking with Annie, feeling the stares follow me like a slow wave. We passed a group of girls sitting on a low stone wall. They were all beautiful in their own way, laughing and talking with their heads close together. As we got closer, their laughter died down. Their conversation stopped. They didn't stare with surprise like the Alphas had. They looked at me with cool, sharp eyes. One of them, a blonde with perfect curls, looked me up and down. Her lips pressed into a thin line before she turned her back to me completely, saying something low to her friend. Her friend's eyes darted to me, then away. I heard a whisper. Just one word. "Peach." It didn't sound friendly. I kept my face still, but my stomach tightened. I knew what they were thinking. Who does she think she is? We moved past them, and I could feel their eyes on my back. The air felt colder there. We turned the corner toward the dining hall. Two Alphas, Leo and Ben, were coming the other way. They were both strong, confident guys who usually filled any space they walked into. They saw me, and their easy walk faltered for a second. Ben's steps slowed. Leo looked right at me, a hopeful, searching look on his face. Last week, Leo had asked me out. I smiled and said, "I'll think about it." I never gave him an answer. Now, as we passed, he opened his mouth like he wanted to say something. I gave him the same polite, distant smile I gave everyone. It was a smile that said nothing and promised less. I didn't slow down. I didn't stop. His face fell. He closed his mouth and looked at the ground. Ben nudged him with an elbow, but it wasn't a friendly nudge. It looked like he was saying, I told you so. Annie, walking beside me, let out a small breath she'd been holding. "Leo looked really upset," she murmured. "I didn't promise him anything," I said, my voice flat. It was true. I never did. But that was the game. I made them hope. I made them try. I made them wait. And when they finally got my attention, it was just a closed door. It made them angry. I could see it in their eyes, in the stiff way they held their shoulders after I walked away. The girls were jealous of the attention I got without trying. The Alphas were angry that the attention I gave them was never enough. My eyes drifted away from Leo’s wounded look, scanning the edges of the compound. They landed on the far side of the garage. Isaac Willis was bent over the engine of an old black motorcycle, his hands covered in grease. He was focused, completely shut off from the drama around him. As if he could feel my stare, he straightened up and wiped his hands on a rag. His grey eyes found mine across the distance. He didn’t look surprised or hopeful. He just looked… intense. My heart did a hard thump against my ribs. Isaac. He was the only one who made me feel this stupid, nervous heat. I really really liked him. I saw him look at me, then I flipped my hair over my shoulder, just a little. I tilted my chin up and let a slow, warm smile spread across my face, a smile meant only for him. A slow smile started to form on his own lips in return. His hard look softened. He took a small step forward. Yes, I thought. Come here. But then my stupid habit kicked in. So, just as his smile fully formed, I cut mine off. I looked away from him, as if I'd seen something more interesting. I turned my whole body to Annie, my back now partly to him. "Annie, wait, is that a new bag?" I said, my voice suddenly bright and loud. I pointed at her totally ordinary backpack. Annie blinked, confused. "What? No, it's the same one..." I didn't listen. I hooked my arm through hers and started walking faster, pulling her away from the garage, away from Isaac. I could feel his eyes on my back, burning a hole between my shoulder blades. "Peach, what are you doing?" Annie hissed, stumbling to keep up. "Nothing," I said, my smile now fake and tight. "Just remembered we'll be late for dinner." I didn't look back. I just walked, my heart pounding. I dangled a carrot right in front of him and then yanked it away. It was fun, but then I started thinking to myself again, “What am I doing!? He's the one I need. Will he take my cue? Will he follow me? was that even a cue!!! Arghhh!” Then I looked back to see if he was following me, I just saw a cold, disappointed glare that burned through me and left me in shock. Annie and I kept walking toward the dorm. I was still trying to shake off the cold feeling Isaac’s glare left in my stomach. As we got closer to my dorm gate, I saw someone else waiting. It was Harrison Lucas. He was an Omega, like me. He was holding a small paper bag and looked nervous. He smiled when he saw us, but his eyes were fixed on Annie. “Hey, Annie,” he started, his voice a little too eager. He held the bag out to her. “I, uh, got you those cookies from that bakery you liked. I was just…” But he didn't finish. His eyes flicked to me, and the nervous energy around him shifted. It was obvious. He wasn’t just there for Annie. He was there hoping to see me. I knew that look. Harrison had liked me for a long time. I felt a pang of guilt, but I knew I had to be clear. It was kinder that way. Before he could say anything else to Annie, I stepped in. I gave him my gentlest, most polite smile. “Hi, Harrison,” I said, my voice soft. He looked at me, his hope so clear it was painful to see. “I’m glad you’re here,” I said. I saw his face light up for a second. “I just… I think I need to say something.” I took a small breath. “You’re really sweet, Harrison. You’re a good friend.” His smile started to fade. I kept going, trying to make it as painless as possible. “But… what I need… I need someone strong, you know? I need an Alpha. Someone who can… match this.” I gestured vaguely at myself, at the energy and the attention that always followed me. My mind flashed to Isaac, to his intensity, to the way his shoulders filled out his shirt. That was the kind of strength I was talking about. Harrison stared at me. The paper bag in his hand hung limply at his side. All the light drained from his face, replaced by hurt. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He tried again, just a faint, broken whisper. “I just… I brought cookies…” he managed, his eyes glassy. He looked from me to Annie, who was watching with a strange, tight expression. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving us standing there.