His Obsession, Her Doom: Forbidden Flame

Chapter Eight

Kayla

Monday came faster than I thought, and now I have to face the entire school because the news of Aiden dumping me had spread like wildfire.

“Don’t think so much about it. Just ignore them,” Sadie encouraged, but it wasn’t that easy. I had managed to avoid the stares and whispers over the weekend by staying holed up in my dorm. But I knew I couldn’t hide forever. Eventually, I would have to face it.

I nodded absently, my eyes drifting toward Emily, who was grinning from ear to ear as a crowd of girls surrounded her like a swarm of bees around their queen.

“You’re so lucky. I mean, I can’t believe Aiden was actually in a relationship with that pathetic omega, it’s a good thing he dumped her,” one girl sneered.

“I know, right?” Emily chimed in with a mockery chuckle. “Aiden was never in love with that slave. He was just toying with her. And to think she actually believed he cared. You should’ve seen her face that night.” She mimicked me with exaggerated expressions, twisting her face in mockery like I was some deranged fool.

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I clung to Sadie's arm tightly.

“Wait here,” Sadie said sharply, then stormed off before I could stop her. She marched straight toward Emily, who smirked the moment she saw her coming.

I didn’t want Sadie to get into trouble, especially not because of me. Emily was the Beta’s daughter and best friends with Alice, Aiden’s sister. That kind of connection could crush anyone who crossed her.

But Sadie didn’t care.

“Well, if it isn’t the ever-trashy Sadie,” Emily drawled as she strutted forward. “What are you doing here? Here to congratulate me on becoming your future Alpha’s mate?”

“Actually,” Sadie said coolly, “I’m here to shame you.”

Emily’s smirk faltered slightly. “Jealousy’s a bad look on you.”

“Jealous? Please.” Sadie rolled her eyes. “You can keep the cheating liar, Kayla doesn’t want him. Honestly, since when did Aiden become the prize? There are plenty of guys who are better looking, more powerful and way less of a fuckboy than he will ever be.”

Emily stepped closer. “You better watch your mouth.”

“Or what? You’ll cry to Daddy Beta? Or maybe Alice will help you punish me? Try me.”

Emily’s eyes flared with rage and I don’t even know when it happened, but I burst into laughter. I quickly slapped a hand over my mouth, trying to swallow it down, but it was too late.

Her eyes snapped to me.

“You!” she shrieked, pointing a furious finger at Sadie instead. “You’re just bitter, your pathetic best friend got dumped after being used. Lucky for you, I’m in a generous mood today. Otherwise, you’d be in serious trouble for what you just pulled.”

She hissed through her teeth and spun on her heel, stomping away with her little minions trailing behind her like shadows.

When Sadie returned to my side, I lightly smacked her arm.

She gasped. “What was that for?”

“You could’ve gotten into real trouble, Sadie, Please… don’t ever confront Emily like that again. She can have Aiden. I don’t care anymore.”

Sadie gave me a small smile and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “It’s okay. She needed to hear it.”

We stepped into the classroom, and all eyes immediately turned to me. I didn’t meet a single gaze. I just kept my head down and walked to my seat at the very back of the room.

There were only three omegas taking this course, and the distance between us and the rest of the class wasn’t just physical, it was intentional. No one sat near us, no one spoke to us. We were invisible until it was time to be humiliated.

This was my only class today. Just one.

But somehow, it still felt like too much.

I wanted to walk right back out and never return.

********

The hours passed in a blur. Before I knew it, I was saying goodbye to Sadie and heading to my part-time job.

Then I saw my mom in the hallway, holding her cleaning equipment. One look at her face, and I knew she was angry.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, leading me to a quiet corner where no one could hear us.

I knew what was coming.

“What’s this I’m hearing? You got dumped by Aiden?” she said sharply. “When did you even start dating him? Didn’t I warn you to stay away from people with higher status?”

“I’m sorry,” I said in a small voice.

“Sorry?” she echoed bitterly. “Why can’t you stop chasing after people who are far above us? Kayla, they don’t love us, they use us. That’s all we are to them. Tools, toys, and nothing more.”

“I didn’t mean to,” I cried. “I just fell in love with him… and I thought he felt the same way about me.”

My mom sighed and pulled me into her arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

We held each other for a while as I cried quietly. Eventually, we pulled apart, and she went back to work while I headed off to mine.

I got to my part-time job in time, though my boss already looked like he was about to explode. I rushed into the changing room, slipped into my uniform, and went out to front.

I worked at a small coffee shop to help support me and my mom. Her job barely paid enough to keep us going, so I had no choice but to pitch in.

The cafe was extra busy today. Customers kept coming in and out, probably because it was Monday. Coffee and cake made the perfect comfort snack to survive the start of a long, stressful week.

“You need to move faster Kayla, the customers won’t serve themselves.”

I lifted my head to stare at my boss James and gave him a fake smile.

“Sorry Boss,” I offered an apology even though I have done nothing wrong.

“Sorry doesn’t fix your sluggish behavior, getting better at your job does. There are thousands of people out there who want this job. So you do better or f*****g walk out of the cafe.

I nodded and quickly turned to attend to the next customer.

James, my boss, was a rude, condescending bastard who thought the world revolved around him. But he paid better than most cafés in town, and that was the only reason I was still here, working my ass off for him even though he was a total dickhead.

The bell above the door chimed, signaling the entrance of another customer. I was in mid-order when I heard a sudden gasp from the girls I was serving.

“Sweet Goddess,” one of them whispered.

Curious, I looked up and my breath caught in my throat.

Prince Leonard.

The moment he stepped in, it was like the entire cafe shifted. Light followed him, or maybe it was just the force of his presence. His aura rolled through the room like a wave, dominant, powerful, undeniable. I watched as every wolf around us instinctively bowed their heads in submission.

Everyone except me.

Of course, I didn’t have a wolf. If I did, I probably would’ve dropped to my knees like the rest of them.

He wore a white shirt that hugged his body perfectly and a pair of black sunglasses. I wouldn’t lie, he looked good. Simple, yet elegant. Effortlessly wealthy.

I shook my head, trying to push away the stupid thought forming in my mind. I remembered what Sadie and I had discussed, to stay far away from him no matter what. It’s a good thing I didn’t feel the mate bond being with him would only bring trouble.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder… What was he doing here? There’s no way he came for me. A prince wouldn’t walk into a random cafe just to visit some low-ranking omega. And he definitely wouldn’t stop by for every wolf.

Before I could think further, my boss came rushing out of the back, shoving me aside so hard I nearly lost my balance.

“Prince Leonard! What an honor to have you in my humble cafe,” James beamed, practically falling over himself. “What would you like to order, sir?”

Prince Leonard smiled, his eyes slowly scanning the room like he was searching for something, until they landed on me.

And then… he smirked.

Wait, did he just smirk? At me?

Was he actually here for me?

“Actually, James,” he said, still looking in my direction, “I’m not here to order anything. But I do want something from you.”

My boss licked his lips nervously, still grinning like a fool. “Anything, my prince. Just say the word.”

Prince Leonard lifted his hand and pointed straight at me.

“That young lady over there,” he said calmly. “I need a few minutes alone with her.”

James’s smile faltered. His eyes shifted to me, and the irritation in his face was impossible to miss.

“The omega?” he asked, disbelief in his voice.

“Yes,” Prince Leonard replied without hesitation. “Her.”

“You can have her, my Prince,” James said quickly, then waved for me to come closer.

I hesitated for a second, but then my legs moved on their own. I walked toward them, my eyes locked on Prince Leonard’s. He stood perfectly still, staring at me like he already knew what I was going to say or do.

James walked away, leaving the two of us alone.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. “Are you stalking me now?”

“I came to see you,” he said calmly. “And no, I’m not stalking you. It’s easy to get information when you have the right resources.”

Of course. He was right. With his status, he could find out anything about me. I should’ve known hiding wasn’t really an option.

“So what do you want from me?” I asked, trying to stay calm.

He stepped closer, towering without effort. “It’s nearly lunchtime. I’ve arranged time in my schedule for you. We’ll dine together.”

I blinked. What?

Before I could respond, his voice dropped low, almost possessive. “And we have some unfinished business.”