Out of Bounds

14

Archer drank from his sports drink while panting heavily. Sweat dripped down his temples and neck after the intense training. He had to go through twice the usual drills because of his previous non-attendance, and his muscles were already screaming from the extra laps and conditioning the coach had made him do.

He wiped his face with the towel hanging around his neck and leaned back against the bench, trying to catch his breath.

"Yo, Capt! Have you seen this one already?" Dmitri asked as he walked over and sat beside Archer on the bench.

Archer glanced at him, still breathing heavily. Dmitri had his phone in his hand, looking unusually amused.

"What?" Archer asked, his brows furrowing slightly as he took another sip from his drink.

Dmitri grinned mischievously.

"Seems like the Captain of Stathmore found himself an Omega," Dmitri said, clearly entertained by the gossip. He moved his phone closer so Archer could see the photo circulating on social media.

On the screen was a clear photo of Shiloh and Cyan standing just outside the basketball gymnasium. Shiloh was smiling as he ruffled Cyan’s hair, while the smaller Omega looked up at him with a shy expression. The moment looked casual—almost affectionate—and anyone who saw it could easily misunderstand what was happening between them.

The caption above the photo was already flooded with comments and reactions, spreading the rumor even faster across campus.

"And?" Archer asked, irritated. "I don't care if he finds an omega," he added and stood up. Archer grabbed his bag and headed straight to the locker room.

Dmitri looked at Hans, who heard everything, and shrugged his shoulders.

"What happened to him? Why is he in a foul mood?" Dmitri asked.

"Maybe because Coach doubled his drills," Hans replied. He sat next to Dmitri and looked again at the photo on the screen.

Archer slammed the locker door and dropped his bag on the bench. The sound echoed inside the locker room. He turned the shower on and stepped underneath it, letting the water run over his body.

He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind, but the photo of Shiloh and the Omega appeared in his head again. The image of Shiloh smiling while ruffling the Omega's hair lingered in his thoughts.

"f**k," he cursed under his breath.

Shiloh went out of the locker room only to find his teammates staring at him and whispering among themselves. The moment he appeared, their voices lowered but their eyes remained fixed on him. He looked at them, confused by the sudden attention.

"What is it this time?" he asked and grabbed a towel to wipe his hair.

"Shi," Kayden said, hesitating a little. "You really don't have a relationship with him?" he asked.

Shiloh eyed his friend and then draped the towel over his shoulders.

"What are you talking about? I told you we are not," he said firmly.

"Then what's this?" Theo asked and handed him his phone.

Shiloh took it, and his forehead creased when he saw the post. The photo already had thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. It was the picture taken earlier—him standing outside the basketball gymnasium with Cyan, smiling while ruffling the Omega's hair.

When Shiloh opened the comments section, his expression darkened. Most of the comments weren't even about him—they were attacking Cyan. Insults, accusations, and cruel words filled the thread, blaming the Omega for getting close to him.

Anger immediately surged inside Shiloh.

"Who posted this?" Shiloh asked, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Shi…" Kayden started cautiously.

"I asked you. Who the f**k posted this?" Shiloh said, his voice low and serious.

His teammates exchanged uneasy glances before Connor finally stepped forward.

"I think it's Klare," Connor answered. "The school's number one gossip monger," he added. Shiloh clenched his hands into fists.

"Where is she? Take me to her," Shiloh said as he started dressing quickly.

Connor gulped and looked at Theo and Kayden as if asking for help.

Shiloh was known as the most rational man on their team—the captain who rarely lost his temper, the one who avoided unnecessary arguments, and the one who always stayed cool-headed no matter the situation. But seeing him this angry made them all instinctively step back.

Because everyone knew one thing: you do not want to see Shiloh Cross angry.

When Shiloh Cross gets angry, he will do everything to ruin you.

Connor and Shiloh went to the place where Klare usually frequented. As they walked across campus, every student they passed looked at Shiloh and whispered among themselves. Some glanced at their phones, others stared openly, clearly aware of the rumors spreading online.

But Shiloh couldn't care less.

Right now, he only wanted to find Klare.

However, before they could reach the spot, Shiloh suddenly noticed a commotion ahead. A group of cheerleaders had surrounded someone in the middle of the walkway. As he got closer, his eyes immediately recognized who it was.

Cyan.

Without hesitation, Shiloh walked straight toward them.

When he got close enough, he saw Cyan crying while Marisse—the cheerleaders’ team captain—was slapping him across the face. The sound echoed loudly enough to draw more attention from the surrounding students.

Marisse raised her hand again, about to slap him once more but before her hand could land, Shiloh caught her wrist mid-air.

The movement was so sudden that everyone around them froze.

Shiloh pushed her hand away and stepped forward, placing himself in front of Cyan protectively while Connor stood beside him.

"What are you doing, Marisse?" Shiloh asked, his voice low but firm.

"Shiloh!" Marisse exclaimed. "I'm just teaching this Omega a lesson. He should know where he belongs," she said, glaring at Cyan who was now touching his cheek where she had slapped him.

"And why?" Shiloh asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Shi! This filthy Omega seduced you!" Marisse shouted, loud enough for the surrounding onlookers to hear.

More whispers erupted from the crowd.

"He didn't, Marisse," Shiloh said sharply. "What the hell is wrong with you all?!" he added. Marisse looked taken aback by his reaction.

"Stay away from Cyan, Marisse," Shiloh continued, his tone now colder. "If I ever see you again near him, you wouldn't like what I would do to you," he added.

Without waiting for her response, Shiloh reached for Cyan's hand and pulled him away from the crowd.

"Shiloh…" Cyan called weakly, still shaken.

"Go to the infirmary," Shiloh said firmly.

At that moment, Kayden came running toward them after hearing about the situation.

"Kay," Shiloh said. "Take him. I'll be back," he said. Kayden nodded immediately and gently guided Cyan away from the scene.

Shiloh then turned back, his expression still dark.

"Let's go, Connor," Shiloh said.

Connor nodded and quickly followed his captain.