Rejected by the Pack, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 3

Veronica

It was him.

The scent I’d picked up at the end of Lit. I’d known it the moment he walked in, even with my head buried. It got stronger when he settled on the seat beside me, every muscle in my body urging me to take a look.

And now, he was introducing himself to me. Not ignoring me… like everyone else.

“Thank you for not warning Sebastian earlier,” he said with a twitch of his lip, enough to make his dimple appear. “I needed the peace and quiet.”

“Hey!” Sebastian said, sinking into the chair next to the broken one.

A chuckle escaped me before I could stop it. The sound was so strange that I paused, then my head snapped up. To him. He was already watching me like he was trying to peel back the layers of spent years building.

My chest tightened and I tore my gaze away, fixing it on Sebastian.

“I haven’t seen any of you around,” I said, trying not to seem too obvious.

Sebastian gave me a lopsided grin. “We’re-“

“Scouts,” Damien cut him off again, “From the Valley Pack. You must have heard rumors that the Alpha of their pack is arriving soon.”

I nodded slowly without turning to him.

So that’s what the holy trinity were babbling about in the hallway.

I could feel his gaze on me. I risked a glance and caught him staring. Awareness prickled over my skin. I didn’t enjoy being visible. Especially not by someone who looked like he belonged in a different world entirely.

And still, for some reason, my wolf seemed calmer when I stared into his green eyes. They reminded me of the forest after a rainy day. A strange feeling curled up my spine, making my skin sizzle and I didn’t know whether to run from it or lean closer.

Thankfully, the universe made a decision for me.

The doors swung open and the teacher walked in. The chatter died down slowly, Sebastian turning to focus. The class dragged on as usual but my senses were too wired.

Every shuffle he made beside me, every accidental glance, it felt intensified.

I tugged at the sleeves of my sweater, praying under my breath that the class would end. At least then I could run away.

My eyes flicked to see him staring at my hands, the same one swallowed by my oversized sleeves. I didn’t like the way his eyes narrowed on them.

I tucked them under the desk, releasing a steady breath to ease my racing pulse.

“Everyone is expected to form groups of four for the project,” Mrs smith announced, gathering her things. “It’s best to start as soon as possible. Dealine is in three weeks.”

The class managed to stay silent until the door clicked shut behind the teacher. Then they erupted in chatter.

I scrambled to pack my things, attempting to make a run for it when Sebastian rounded my desk with a sparkle in his eyes.

“You’re with us.” He annoy her without room for argument as he scanned the class. “Now, we just need one more person.”

I hesitated, searching for an alternative. Anything. Students were already forming pairs, chatting and laughing among themselves.

Typically I ended up with the short stick. Maybe this time it would be different.

“Okay.” I muttered finally, swinging my bag over my shoulder. “I’ll have the project finished by next week.”

Damien frowned. “We’re not letting you do all the work.”

My pulse skipped.

Sebastian joined in. “We’ll come up with a topic and strategy in the next class.”

“Or we could meet at a cafe.” Damien suggested, then cleared his throat. “Or any other place that’s comfortable for you.”

I blinked, feeling alien to having an opinion on things.

But then the harsh reality slammed right into my fantasy of a normal life. Fred would strangle the life out of me if he found out I was meeting people outside school.

My chest tightened painfully. Especially guys.

I tore my gaze away, fingers digging into my palm until pain shot up my hand. “I’m sorry.” I whispered, hating how weak I was. “I won’t be able to. It’s better we see in school.”

Damien was quiet now, his eyes shifting to my hand, it lingered there for longer than I would have liked with an unreadable expression. When his gaze shifted to my face, something had changed.

“If that’s what you want.” He said evenly. “See you next week.”

I swallowed. Then nodded stiffly before bolting out of the classroom before my legs could give out.

The hallways faded into the background as my vision blurred. That tightness from this morning slowly returning.

“Breathe.” I whispered to myself.

I barely exhaled before I was yanked sharply out of the hallway, right into the janitors closet.

My pulse hammered at the sudden darkness, my senses heightened, my wolf howling with unease. Rum. Musk. My spine straightened.

Fred.

I felt his presence even before his rough hands brushed against my forehead.

I jerked back instinctively. His bruising grip wrapped my arm, pulling me into him. He pinned me against the shelf, his hot breath

“What the hell do you think you’re doing with the Alpha of the Valley Pack?” He snarled in a low, dangerous voice.

My blood turned to ice.

Alpha?

“Wha-“

His hands wrapped around my neck in a flash, applying pressure until breathing was impossible. My fingers clawed at his hands but it was no use. I was too weak. Too pathetic.

“News fly fast, Omega.” He snarled, slamming my head into the metal shelf behind me.

Pain exploded through my skull but still, I swallowed the whimper that worked itself up my throat.

“Someone like you isn’t worth an Alpha’s time.” He spat with venom.

His gaze hovered over my face like he was furiously searching for something. Then his jaw ticked and his hold tightened around my neck.

I choked out a strangled cry as my vision began to fade, his voice slowly floating in my ringing head.

“Since you like parading yourself like the cheap slut that you are,” he said, turning me around sharply.

I crashed face first onto the shelf. He didn’t give me time to recover, even as air rushed into my lungs. Fred reached around the waist of my trouser, popping off the button.

My heart cracked. No.

“I’ll make sure to mark you.” He growled, a hint of frustration coating his tongue. “I’ll ruin you for any other man.”

She shoved my jeans down.

I screwed my eyes shut, praying to every known god in existence. Please, no. Anything but this. I can’t- I won’t survive it. Not mentally.

I tuned out the rustling of his clothes and his harsh breath as he positioned himself between my thighs.

A tear rolled down my cheek, my body slowly going slack. I held my breath, waiting for the pain. A second passed. Then another. It never came.

I turned slowly, in time to catch Sebastian’s hard face. His jaw ticked as he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around me in a single motion.

Confusion and relief slammed into me as I slumped against the shelf, my legs finally giving out.

Fred.

Where-

A thundering growl vibrated through the walls, shaking everything around.

Sebastian gently led me out of the closet and my steps faltered as we stepped into the hallway.

Fred was clutching the side of his rib, his face slipping from irritation to pure fear. And in front of him, Damien stood, a terrifyingly large frame I hadn’t noticed before hovering over Fred.