CHAPTER 4
1140 Words
Adah's POV
The classroom door slammed behind me as I stormed down the empty hallway. My ribs still ached from the fall three days ago, but the pain was nothing compared to the rage burning inside me. Ms. Carter was dead, and I knew exactly who was responsible.
"Focus," I muttered to myself, clutching my textbooks tighter against my chest. "Get stronger first. Then make them pay."
The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Everything looked exactly as it always had—the same cracked tile near the water fountain, the same faded bulletin board covered with club announcements. But everything felt different now. Dangerous.
I turned the corner, lost in thought, and slammed straight into a solid wall of muscle.
"Watch where you're going, Omega," a familiar voice sneered.
My head snapped up. Zayden Castillo. Those same dark eyes, that same cruel mouth. One of the five brothers who had pushed me from that rooftop, who had watched me fall into the waterfall below.
Rage bubbled up inside me like molten lava. My wolf snarled, clawing to get out, to tear him apart. But I took a deep breath, stepping around him without a word.
"Hey!" Zayden grabbed my arm, spinning me back around. "Aren't you going to apologize?"
I looked pointedly at his hand on my arm, then back up at his face. "Take your hand off me. Now."
His eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me? Do you know who I am?"
"Everyone knows who you are," I said, my voice ice cold. "The question is—do you know who I am?"
He laughed, the sound echoing down the empty hallway. "Yeah, the pathetic little Omega who thinks she belongs here. News flash—you don't."
"Funny," I replied, a slow smile spreading across my face. "I was just thinking the same about you."
His grip tightened painfully. "You better watch your mouth, or I'll—"
"You'll what?" I challenged, stepping closer. "Hit me? Right here? In front of everyone?"
I gestured to the students starting to trickle into the hallway between classes. A few had already stopped to stare at us.
"Go ahead," I whispered. "Show everyone what kind of alpha you really are. Show them how you treat someone who already survived a fall from the rooftop."
Uncertainty flickered in his eyes. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I was supposed to cower, to apologize, to run away crying. Not this—not standing my ground, calling his bluff.
After a long moment, his fingers loosened.
I smiled sweetly and jerked my arm free. "That's what I thought."
With a hard shove against his chest, I pushed past him and continued down the hallway, heart racing but steps steady. I could feel his glare burning into my back, but I didn't turn around.
One down, four to go.
Angela was waiting outside our dorm room, leaning against the wall with her phone in hand.
"There you are!" she exclaimed, fake concern dripping from every syllable. "I was getting worried. How are you feeling after your accident?"
"Like someone pushed me," I said flatly, unlocking the door.
She followed me inside, plopping down on her perfectly made bed. "I'm sure it was just an accident. Rooftops can be so dangerous."
"Especially when you're surrounded by five asshole alpha brothers," I muttered, dropping my bag on my desk.
"Anyway," she continued, quickly changing the subject, "I was thinking we should go watch the guys' game tonight. The Castillo brothers are playing, and practically everyone will be there."
I paused, studying her face. Why was she so eager to get me out in public with them? What was she planning?
"Hmm," I said, twirling a lock of hair around my finger. "Why not? Could be fun."
Surprise flashed across her face before she masked it with a smile. "Really? Great! We should head over around seven. I hear Kayden's going to totally crush the visiting team."
"I bet he will," I replied, turning away to hide my calculating expression. Whatever trap she was setting, I'd be ready for it.
The field was packed with students by the time we arrived. Cheerleaders practiced on the sidelines while the players warmed up, their muscular forms easily recognizable even from a distance.
"God, they're hot," Angela sighed, staring at the Castillo brothers. "Especially Kayden."
"If you like the type that tries to kill people," I said with a shrug.
She gave me a sharp look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," I said innocently. "Just observing."
She seemed unsettled but pressed on. "Oh, I need to use the restroom. Come with me?"
And there it was—the setup. Her overly casual tone, the way she avoided my eyes. She was planning something.
"Sure," I agreed easily.
We walked toward the restrooms behind the bleachers, a secluded area away from the crowds. My instincts screamed danger, but I followed anyway. Better to spring whatever trap she'd set and turn it against her.
"I think I saw Jessica from Bio going in there earlier," Angela said, pointing to the girls' restroom. "I need to ask her about the homework."
"You go ahead," I replied, slowing my pace deliberately. "I'll catch up."
She hesitated. "You sure?"
"Positive. I'm just walking a bit slow—cramps," I lied, clutching my stomach for effect.
"Oh, okay," she said, barely hiding her eagerness. "Don't take too long!"
I watched as she pushed open the door, and couldn't help the satisfied smile that spread across my face. Three... two... one...
A shriek pierced the air, followed by a splash and more screaming. Angela stumbled out of the bathroom, drenched from head to toe in bright blue paint.
"What the—?!" she sputtered, wiping paint from her eyes.
Students nearby turned to stare, whispers and snickers quickly spreading as phones came out to capture the moment.
I arranged my features into a mask of concern and rushed forward. "Oh my god, Angela! What happened?"
She looked at me, shock and fury warring on her paint-covered face. "I—someone—there was a bucket—"
"Who would do such a thing?" I asked innocently, pulling a tissue from my pocket and dabbing at her face.
She knocked my hand away. "Don't touch me!"
"I'm just trying to help," I said, stepping back. "Maybe we should find a teacher? Or... Kayden?"
At the mention of his name, panic flashed in her eyes. "No! Don't—don't tell him about this."
Of course not. Because then she'd have to explain why she was luring me to that specific bathroom at that specific time.
"If you're sure," I said, biting back a smile. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
Round one: complete.
And I was just getting started.
- Writer
