I WON'T BE YOURS, ALPHAS

Chapter One Eva With each second that passed before my speech, the whole school chanted my name behind the huge curtains that separated me from the beginning of the best school year of my life. Eva Vale, they screamed my name over and over again, and a bright smile widened my lips as I inhaled the feeling of excitement and perfection. Today marks the beginning of the perfect final year in Burwood Prep, and as School President. Head of the Werewolf Committee. Prom Queen. Valedictorian. Luna-in-training. Burwood’s gold-plated legacy. It was made for me. 
 And as the girlfriend to Josh Callahan, star warrior and future Gamma General, I was the envy of everyone. The world already knew my name. Senior year was just my victory lap. “Eva!” Josh’s voice called out across the backstage. He was leaning against the wall, in that fitted grey uniform that hugged him in all the right places. I barely had time to smirk before he was striding toward me and pulling me into his arms. “Hey, beautiful girl,” he murmured against my lips. “Hey, yourself.” I smiled up at him, looping my arms around his neck. He kissed me right there, in front of everyone, hand on my waist, lips on mine, like the cameras weren’t watching. Like he didn’t care that every girl in school wanted him. I loved him so much, and he was the major reason I kept pushing despite losing my mum. “I can’t believe we’re finally in our last year,” he whispered. “The mate ball’s just days away. We’re going to make the bond official… and after that, I’m never letting you go.” “I never want you to, and no matter what happens, you are still mine.” “And you are mine.” He trailed his hand on my chin. “I don’t care who the moon goddess gives me, I’m only picking you.” I leaned in. “Good. I was already shopping for lingerie.” He groaned. “You’re evil.” “I’m perfect,” I corrected, giving him another kiss on his lips. Behind us, Lila, my best friend and assistant, was fake-gagged and started snapping pictures. “Move it, lovebirds. We’ve a speech to give, and I've edits to make to your Vogue article. Also, Eva, you’re trending again.” “Of course I am,” I replied smoothly, walking up the steps. “And thank you, Lila, none of this would be happening without you.” Today was the first day of senior year. My year. My reign. As President and Head of the Werewolf Committee, I was scheduled to give a welcome speech that would kick off the school calendar and basically the rest of my legacy. This is the year when I am crowned official Head of the Werewolf Committee. It was supposed to be a competition, but everyone knew I was going to win hands down. My mother was the head of her set, and her mother before her. There was nothing I wanted more, and nothing I deserved more. It was my birthright. “Go get them, tiger.” Josh placed a teasing kiss on my earlobe. I adjusted my blazer, checked my gloss, and started heading toward the stage when… “Eva!” A breathless junior girl in a beta uniform skidded to a stop in front of me. Her eyes were wide, and she looked nervous. “Ugh, go away, Junior. Eva has a speech to deliver in less than five minutes.” Lila blocked the junior from getting to me. “I am sorry, but it’s urgent, from the principal. He said it cannot wait.” I blinked. “About what?” “I… I don’t know. He said it’s important.” Lila frowned. “What does he have to say that he couldn’t wait?” I waved a hand. “It’s probably some scheduling thing. He loves to fuss.” I sighed, “I wouldn’t take long. He understands how important this is.” “Okay, Eva. Counting on you.” Lila said. I adjusted my blazer and walked straight to the principal’s office, humming under my breath. This is going to be a great year. A great year it would be. Pushing the door open, I was met with the Principal pacing in front of the window of his office that overlooked the meadows near the borders of the school, his frown lines deeper as he didn’t even realize he wasn’t alone anymore. “You called for me, Principal,” I spoke up, making him pull his gaze away from the window and onto me, giving me a tight-lipped smile as he gestured to the chair across from his desk. “Miss Vale, thank you for coming so quickly.” “Of course, Principal,” I replied, flashing him my signature perfect smile as I flipped my perfectly styled blonde hair over my shoulder, as I sank into the seat. “Though if this is about my opening speech, I already emailed the final copy to your assistant. Twice. Or did Rhonda not get them?” “It’s not about your speech. Miss Rhonda got them.” I adjusted in my seat ever so slightly, curiosity piqued. “Then, what is it about? Must be serious since you pulled me away from my opening speech.” Principal Hayworth hesitated. He never hesitated with me. As a close associate of my father, who made sure to donate millions to the school, he knew his priorities. I always got the best of him. He sighed and pulled off his glasses, then rubbed his temples slowly. “There’s been… a development with the Werewolf Council.” My heart skipped a beat. I straightened slowly. “Go on, Hayworth. I do hope this is good news, and only that.” He avoided my gaze as he pulled out a thick folder and slid it across the desk. “You are still in the lead in running for Head of Council. That hasn’t changed. But… there will be… new candidates joining the race. New students, they are.” I blinked. “I’m sorry, joining? But no one informed me, and new students too?” “The orders came in this morning,” he said, pulling up his screen. “Directly from the werewolf Disciplinary Committee. Effective immediately.” I let out a controlled sigh. Head of the werewolf committee has been my dream. Mine. And seeing some nobodies joining when I’m so close to my goal— Deep breaths, I controlled myself as I picked up the folder in front of me. They would soon see that they could not win against me. Disciplinary committee behind them or not. I opened the folder with still hands, but every bit of confidence left my body as soon as my eyes met the three different pictures in the file. Three names. Three faces. My throat closed up as I pushed the file to the edge of the table, my heart pounding loudly as I could barely hear a single word over the sound of my world crashing down. I haven’t seen them in three years. I hoped I would never. I hoped they were gone for good. But those pictures were current. Not a cruel joke. Those names were real. Riven Cross. Kade Cross. Lucian Cross. The Cross Alphas. My biggest nightmares. “They can’t be here,” I whispered. How? Father made them go. We made them go forever… Principal Hayworth looked up, confused. “You know them.” I shot up from my chair. “Where are they?” As if on cue, the door creaked open. No knock. Just as they barged back into my life. I didn’t need to turn to know. I felt it in the air, the hairs that stood on my neck. The scent hit burnt cedar and danger. My breath caught. Not a dream. Not a memory. They were here." Gripping my fists tight to confirm if this was real, I turned to face them. It wasn’t a nightmare. It was my reality. All three, taller than I could remember. More dangerous aura. Riven’s dark eyes glittered with cruel amusement. Like they always did, since everything was just one big joke to him, even death. Kade, the one who hated me the most, leaned against the doorframe, a ghost of a smirk on his lips. And Lucian, the cold, silent monster, his gaze pinned on me, dark and murderous. My blood ran cold, and my whole body shook. My mouth opened. Nothing came out. “Good morning, Angel.” Riven drawled as he walked in. “We hope we’re not interrupting.” Angel, that godforsaken nickname. “You look like you’ve seen ghosts,” Kade added with a smirk. “Or have you?” Lucian didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. They were here. And this wasn’t a reunion between old friends who grew up together. No. It was revenge for locking them up for life. And they were here to collect.