Surrendering to alpha's

Chapter 2

Elizabeth, a stunning and captivating woman, gazed intently into Isabella's eyes. Her mesmerizing beauty and medium height added to her allure, making her the center of attention wherever she went. She was Isabella's only friend, a fact that seemed fitting given their close bond. However, unlike Bella, Elizabeth possessed an outgoing and vivacious personality, always ready to dive into the party scene.

"Your eyes are swollen, little pumpkin," Elizabeth remarked, her delicate hand gently cradling Isabella's face. Concern filled her voice as she inquired, "Have you been crying?" The tone she used was soothing and comforting, aiming to offer solace to her dearest friend.

Isabella, caught off guard by Elizabeth's perceptive observation, quickly averted her gaze, hoping to shield her puffy eyes from view. "No, I'm fine, thank you," she replied tersely. With a brief pause, she added, "I just need some extra sleep." Her words masked the emotional turmoil brewing within her.

Elizabeth's caring nature persisted as she reassured Isabella, "Okay, but you do know you can talk to me if there's an issue, right?" The concern in her voice was palpable, reflecting the depth of their friendship. Isabella nodded earnestly, appreciating Elizabeth's unwavering support. "Thanks for all you do, Eli," she expressed, using the affectionate nickname she had given her best friend.

Elizabeth, often referred to as Eli by Bella and other students, was renowned as one of the most popular kids in their college. Their freshman status made it even more astounding how quickly Elizabeth had managed to amass such a following. Isabella couldn't help but marvel at her friend's charisma and magnetic charm, often yearning to possess the same level of popularity. The stark contrast between them only heightened Bella's admiration for Elizabeth.

Hannah Austin, Isabella's step-sister, had also joined the college as a freshman. Known for her captivating presence and social prowess, she rivaled or perhaps even surpassed Elizabeth's popularity. Rumors swirled around the campus, suggesting that Hannah was romantically involved with the senior captain of the college's football team, adding an air of intrigue to her reputation.

"Oh, shit..." Isabella's voice erupted in a low, pained growl during the chemistry class, drawing the attention of those nearby. Despite her weak and hushed tone, the sound echoed just enough to catch Elizabeth's ear. Sensing something amiss, Eli leaned in, her voice lowered to avoid disrupting the classroom's decorum. "Hey, what's going on?"

Isabella's distress was evident as she confessed, her words laced with discomfort. "I forgot to eat breakfast or even bring the lunch I packed... I... I felt a really sharp sting in my tummy." However, this time, the rise and fall in her voice had garnered the attention of the professor who had been delivering the lecture. His gaze shifted towards Isabella, his tone tinged with annoyance.

"Miss Austin, is there something you'd like to share with the class, or do you simply wish to sit there and continue being a nuisance?" The professor's remark ignited a wave of laughter throughout the room. As instructed, Isabella rose to her feet, keeping her head low, yet acutely aware of the piercing gazes from both the lecturer and her classmates, their eyes seemingly penetrating her very being.

As her legs trembled beneath her, Isabella mustered the courage to respond. "I would like to ask why you're disturbing my class?" the professor spoke again, his words dripping with anger. Scanning the room, Isabella's mouth quivered, preparing to offer an explanation. However, before she could utter a word, another round of laughter erupted, mocking her worn-out clothes and feeble stance.

"Speak, or you will be ordered out of this classroom," the professor threatened, his eyes ablaze with fury. His heavy breath was palpable, even from a distance. In a meek and innocent tone, Isabella mustered her sincerity. "I am really sorry. I was only complaining to my friend here about my growling tummy. I did not have breakfast or pack lunch today." Her words held an earnest honesty, hoping for a glimmer of sympathy from the professor. Yet, instead of the understanding she anticipated, Isabella received quite the opposite.

The professor's voice resonated with escalating anger, his words biting and accusatory. "And whose fault is it that you forgot to pack your lunch or have breakfast? I wonder how someone who forgets to eat remembers what she's read!" His volume rose, echoing through the classroom, as if Bella had committed a grave offense. The tension thickened, and he demanded her presence at the front of the class, right next to him.

As the professor's tirade continued, he made it clear that the consequences would extend beyond the lecture. "Class, as you can see, this is the face of the reason I'll be ending this class early and without completing our scheduled work... But trust me, this evil perpetrator will not go unpunished. Leave—leave my class and report to my office before you go home in the closing hours." With his stern command, he expelled her from the lecture room, leaving her humiliated and abandoned while he continued lecturing the rest of the students.

Elizabeth couldn't bear witnessing the humiliation her best friend had endured simply for engaging in conversation with her. The class concluded sooner than scheduled, and Elizabeth swiftly searched for Isabella. She found her, dejected and tearful, in a secluded lecture room at the far end of the hallway. "Awwww, I'm so sorry that had to happen, my darling," Eli whispered, drawing nearer and enfolding Bella in her embrace.

Sniffling, Bella's voice trembled as she expressed her anguish, her words like needles that pierced Elizabeth's heart. "Why does stuff like this happen to just me? I wish I never existed... I wish—I wish I was never born into this world to suffer like this." Bella's body writhed with discomfort, but Elizabeth held her tighter, offering solace and support. For a moment, the two friends remained locked in a poignant silence.

"Let's go," Elizabeth finally spoke, her voice laced with determination. Rising to her feet, she extended her right hand toward Bella. Looking up with a meek and innocent expression, Bella inquired about their destination, knowing well that it was their break time and they had no obligations. "The cafeteria, of course. Let's have a hot meal and gossip about the hot seniors," Eli giggled, playfully urging Bella to join her. However, Bella remained unmoved, adjusting her position on the tiled floor, her silence speaking volumes.

"You don't expect me to leave you in this insect-infested room, do you? Bella, it's dirty and unhygienic to be here. Aren't you hungry anymore? I can get us both some food, you know. I still have some extra cash. Remember, remember the time we promised to always listen to each other and help each other?" Eli's words finally caught Bella's attention, and she agreed to accompany her to the cafeteria. "I'm not going because I'm desperate for a meal, but because I wouldn't want to let you down," Bella confessed, taking Eli's outstretched hand as her friend helped her to her feet. "Also, I'm very hungry," she added, and they both shared a genuine laugh as they made their way out of the abandoned lecture room.

Hours passed, and the school activities came to an end. Bella realized with a jolt that her father would be arriving to pick her up in exactly 20 minutes. Being even a minute late meant she would have to walk home. Panic surged through her as she remembered the professor's request to see her during the closing hours. "Oh, s**t! I can't make it to the professor's office anymore, Eli. My dad will be here soon, and I can't see that lecturer from earlier!" Bella abruptly exclaimed