Guarded by Two Alpha Knights

Ara's POV A fist comes flying toward my nose, but I turn my head just in time, resulting in Bianca's punch landing on my cheek instead. “Are you idiots? Hold this b***h down!” she yells at her cronies. I’m honestly baffled by how poorly this gang operates. There I am, a featherweight at under 90 pounds——thanks to my dad’s neglectful parenting, pinned against some lockers by what seems to be an entire platoon. Why do they need so many people to hold me down? Despite their efforts, I’m not scared. I’ve become a seasoned veteran in the art of taking a hit. Growing up with a dad who confused parenting with boxing practice has its advantages. Oddly enough, familiarity breeds courage. “Why...why are you do...doing this to me?" I ask. "I don’t...don’t even know you.” “Everyone should know me!” Bianca snaps, her stylish blue eyes blazing with fury as her chest rises and falls. Well, I didn’t expect my reply would anger her. Is that really the point of the conversation? I suspect her beauty is inversely proportional to her IQ. Bianca wears a smug expression. Apparently, she thinks my stuttering is due to fear of her. But really, it's not—my stuttering is caused by my dad. Let’s thank him again. “The b***h is scared,” a minion says eagerly. I decide not to correct their delusion—might as well let them have their little moment while they hold onto whatever hostile fantasy they’ve conjured up. “I...I am a transfer,” I state simply. “I haven’t heard...d about you. Sorry.” Bianca beams as though she’s just been crowned prom queen. She reignites her self-esteem flame with my apology. “Okay, so you listen up, rookie. I’m the cheerleader of The Golden Knights. And Captain Jack is mine. So stay away from him, b***h. You heard me?” I nod, confused like a kid given broccoli-flavored candy. “But why’re...are you warning me? I didn’t know this Captain Jack…” Bianca roars,“You tried to seduce him this morning! I saw you! You threw yourself into his arms, you shameless b***h!” Ah yes, the moment of impact surfaces in my mind. Today is my first day at the academy. While I frantically made my way to class, I collided with a blond blue-eyed guy at the stairwell, drenching him in spilled soda. “What the f**k!” he shouted, clearly irked. “Are you blind?” I stood there, paralyzed, mentally tallying up the cost of the situation. His clothes didn’t scream luxury brand, but appearances can be deceiving. With students here coming from incredibly wealthy families, even a seemingly plain T-shirt he wore could easily cost as much as a month of my dad’s unemployment benefits. No kidding. “So…sorry,” that’s the only thing I could utter. Blue-Eyes’ wrath melted a fraction, seemingly intrigued rather than enraged. He gave me a casual once-over before asking,“You alright?” “Yeah,” I replied, swallowing hard. “And you?” “Do I f*****g look alright to you?” His sarcasm wasn’t lost on me. “Get the f**k out of my sight before I change my mind.” I instantly beat a hasty retreat. Knowledge dawns like a clumsy epiphany—Blue-Eyes is Bianca's loudly proclaimed boyfriend. Who would date someone with such a fiery temper? Now I know—a person with a temper to match. Fabulous. “Sorry about knocking over his soda…but I...I never intended to...to,” I attempt to explain, but Bianca cuts me off mid-sentence with a slap. Flashbacks to certain low moments at home flood over me, but I push them away. Not now. “You just want to steal his attention. I know that! You w***e!” she screams. “Nope, definitely don’t,” I counter, my lips a solid line of defiance. “I am...am not interested in...in your boyfriend. You should...should apologize to...to me for...for calling me a whore.” I have to clear up this misunderstanding. It’s only my first day at this school. I cannot let them bully me without fighting back. Bullies only escalate when they smell submission. “You think you’re somebody special? Poor trash who can’t even pay tuition!” Bianca seethes, misreading my rebuttal as a challenge. She shoves me hard, causing the back of my skull to offer a drum solo against the lockers. She smirks, holding a soda can. All of a sudden, sticky sweetness invades my shoulders, back, and clothes. Laughter erupts and my cheeks burn. I blink rapidly, eyes stinging as I tremble. Bianca stands firm, triumphant above me. “You’re welcome,”she smirks. “You want the soda, I give you the soda. Am I not merciful?” I try my best to hold back the tears threatening to spill. I can’t cry now. Not in front of these jerks. “Hey there!” a voice calls from the other end of the hallway. Bianca’s head swivels, but her scowl tempers as she spots the newcomer. A girl with golden hair clad in a black tee approaches. “What are you up to, Bianca? Anything interesting? Need any help?”asks the girl. My stomach flips. This could mean more fists. I thought she was here to help me. I certainly don't want her giving Bianca any more help than she already has. I’m already seriously outnumbered. “Thanks, Nicole. Not a big deal. Just teaching the rookie a lesson,” Bianca says. “The b***h tried to seduce Jack.” “And how’s this your business?” “Because Bianca is his girlfriend,”one of Bianca’s cronies explains. “Really? Since when did my brother become your boyfriend?" Nicole's brow arches in challenging skepticism. I glance at the girl in shock. It's only now that I notice her blue eyes—resembling the guy I bumped into this morning. She's Jack Golden's sister. No wonder Bianca's expression changes when she sees her. Discomfort shades Bianca’s cheeks a telling crimson. “Well…your brother and I love each other.” she declares, her voice someplace between defense and desperation. “Really?”Nicole arches her eyebrows again. “Jack loves me! He is not ready to let others know. He’ll soon officially announce our relationship. You just wait and see.” “Of course,” Nicole replies, expertly blending her words with lighthearted mockery. “After all, you’re the Golden Match.” For some reason, Bianca’s face turns pale. She bites her lip nervously and says, “I’m going to the hockey rink to see Jack. See you tomorrow.” Nicole remains unfazed, responding with cool detachment, “See ya,” as she watches Bianca and her followers head off. Then, Nicole turns to me, curiosity twinkling in her eyes as she gives me some tissue. “So, you’re Ara Shadow, the mysterious ace who couldn’t attend because of unpaid tuition.” “That’s me,” I admit, taking the tissue to wipe myself. “And how do you know?” “My Mum is Sarah Golden, board director here. Does that ring a bell?” “Sure does,” I reply slowly, taking a breath. “She’s the one who convinced the school to waive my tuition.” “Yep, that’s her,” Nicole affirms, her grin as warm as a spring morning. “I really appreciate that.” I say, sincerity crystal-clear in my tone “Then why weren’t you here sooner?” Nicole probes. Because my dad tossed aside the school’s admission letter meant for me like it was junk mail. Dad always believes education is a waste of money and has zero interest in me going to school. An internal wince causes my thoughts to flicker like a broken projector. Dad owed a ton of money to Alpha Fedrick, a man who is old enough to be my dad. To pay off his debts, my dad even tried to sell me to Alpha Fedrick, as his personal maid. If you know what that title implies. I can’t shake the memory of being taken to that opulent estate. Alpha Fedrick hobbled over, clutching a cane, with his wife at his side. Her glare could have cut steel as she sized up my father and me, while Alpha Fedrick's eyes practically drilled into my chest. "So young, so beautiful," he muttered, and then gave my butt a squeeze. I flinched, feeling a shiver of revulsion creep over my skin. His wife gritted her teeth, not that I blamed her. My instincts screamed that sticking around this place would be a death sentence. Desperation kicked in. So I dropped to the ground, writhing in fake convulsions. They were so shocked, Alpha Fedrick looked ready to keel over for a real heart attack. And both of us were sent to the pack doctor. Of course, the deal fell apart. I received a severe beating from my father as a result. He was left to find other ways to repay his debts. Before he could figure out a way, another letter from the school arrived, inviting me to attend. It felt like redemption in an envelope. I packed my things and left home without a backward glance. Monsters dressed as my dad make such straightforward answers impossible. “My dad wouldn’t let me,” I condense, unwilling to elaborate. “He thinks girls don’t need education when their ultimate fate is finding their mate.” “I see,” Nicole nods in understanding. “I’m sorry to hear that. “But I’m glad you’re finally here.” “Thanks,” I reply, giving her a small smile. “Why aren't you stuttering now?” Nicole asks. “I only stutter when nervous or in emotional turmoil,” I shrug, a brief chuckle escaping me. “Oh, so it’s not a birth defect?” “No,” I shake my head. “It’s just…pressure from my dad lands heavy trauma on me.” “I get that,” Nicole nods, extending her hand. “Nicole Golden. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Mum’s been singing praises about your potential for a while.” “I’m flattered,” I respond, shaking her hand. “Sorry about your rocky welcome today,” Nicole sighs empathetically. “Bianca had a crazy obsession with my brother, so you just, unfortunately, caught the fallout.” Echoes of the day’s earlier mayhem circle back. I think back to the grumpy boy I bumped into this morning. Aren't athletes supposed to be the sunshine of the crowd, why the one I met turns out to be a storm-cloud? “So, how about we check out your dorm?” Nicole inquires, sparking a welcoming grin. “I’m your roommate, by the way.” “You’re living with me?” I volley back, surprised. “Sure am,” her flirtatious wink conveys amusement. “Mum’s plan involves ensuring you adjust comfortably.” “Well, your mom really is great,” I concede with goodwill. “She is,” Nicole echoes, but her voice slides toward playfulness. “But she also has a hidden agenda—to make us friends, so you can be my academic savior.” The forthrightness wrings laughter from me, irresistible in its charm. “I’m dead serious,” Nicole intones with zeal. “Repeated a year. Mum’s wrath will eclipse Christmas break with tutor sessions packed tight if I fail again this year.” I give her a sympathetic look. “Why can’t the curriculum bend toward genuine interests?” she poses to the universe in her sigh. “What catches your interest?” I query. “Business,” she states articulately. Clearing her throat, she shares with overt pride, "Here's a little secret—I sell intel on my brothers to she-wolves who are interested in them," Nicole confides, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Trust me, there are plenty of buyers, and I might just save up my first fortune by graduation." "You’re kidding," I exclaim, my jaw dropping in disbelief. "Nope, it's true," Nicole says earnestly. "Won’t your brothers be mad at you?" "Oh, they’ll be mad, but what can they do about it?" Nicole sticks out her tongue playfully. "Jack might pull my hair—he’s still a bit rough around the edges. But my elder brother, Benedict, is more mature than Jack. He’s already CEO of the company. He’ll just warn me not to do it again. Of course, I never listen,” she adds, pausing with a proud grin. "You’re perpetually fascinating," I confess, wrapped in awe of her persona. "Oh, most who hear this story would accuse me of being immoral or suggest that I stop my business," Nicole teases with a sly smile. "But I bet we’re destined to be friends, Ara." “I feel the same way,” I grin. “I sensed it when you shouted ‘Hey’ from down the hall. Though I did second-guess myself when you so politely asked Bianca if she needed help.” “That was sarcasm, darling," Nicole says with a playful eye roll. “It's the unofficial language around here—you’ll pick it up soon enough.”