DAWSON
Staying this close to her was only increasing the frenzy that came from our mate bond, and my desperation to clear the air with her.I was at a loss for words at the moment, but I badly needed to say something that might excuse my actions that night and reduce the hate and disgust she was feeling toward me right now.I needed to convince her that what I had with Joyce meant nothing and it already ended. For good.She picked up the last clothes and quickly stood straight. I followed suit, like a man without his own mind. Like I was being controlled by her every move and every facial expression."Please, excuse me, Master." Her words were rushed as she took hurried steps. It was fucking obvious that she was trying to run away from me.I stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Just a second, Carla. Please." I was fucking pleading and that was crazy, because why the fuck?She was just an Omega. I don't ever beg Omegas. But for Carla, I could do anything, even the craziest. And that leaves me wondering how she hasn't understood the influence she had on me. She wasn't that naive. And it was getting clearer that I was crazy about her. She was my fucking kryptonite. How could she not fucking see it?"What– what do you want, Master?" She asked, and her face was still lowered.I wasn't sure if she was doing that out of respect or if she was just trying not to look at me, but it was tugging at my nerves.Her turquoise eyes have always been quite a sight, and right now, I wanted to look into them. To see how much hate was lying deep inside them and know if I stood a chance of getting on her good books soon. But she was hiding them from me and there was nothing I could do about that."Uh– how are you doing?" I asked nervously. There were a lot of things I wanted to say but I didn't know how to start them. So I'd rather start with the simplest of them all."I'm fine." She replied bluntly.That's all? Wouldn't she ask me back? Wasn't she a bit curious about my well-being? It hurts to know that she didn't care enough to ask.But then again, can I blame her? No. Because I've never really given her a reason to give a clean fuck about me. All I've been to her is a certified jerk."Uh– I see you're going to do the laundry. Need any help?" It was a stupid question because I don't even do the laundry, so how do I intend to help?"No, thank you, Master, but I'm fine." She replied. She was getting impatient and uncomfortable. It wasn't nice delaying her while she was on duty. So I better cut to the chase and let her go do her chores."I'll be seeing you in school soon, right? Tomorrow, perhaps?" It was important to know that she would be returning to school.Enrolling in all her classes was the only way I could keep an eye on her and I'm scared she might decide to drop out or change schools just to stay away from me.Heaven knows that I'm also gonna switch to whatever school she decides on going to and if she decides to drop out, then home sweet home!I'll be dropping out too. It was no joke. My life literally revolves around her, more so after confirming that she was my mate."Yes. I'll be returning to school in a few days. I just need to take care of some chores here."Great!I couldn't help the smile that stretched out my lips. "Cool. I guess I'll be seeing you in school.""Okay." Another blunt reply from her and she was trying to walk away again."Carla, wait." I persisted, blocking her path again. Her brows shot up in irritation and it got me a bit agitated. "I'm sorry. I just need to talk to you.""About what?""That night." I gulped, growing more nervous. "The coronation night. When you came into my room and uh–"I had to stop talking as I noticed the deep, pink hue that covered her cheeks. She got flushed by my words – why? What could she possibly have thought about?Could she be affected by the fact that she saw my cock? Was she getting flushed because of shame or disgust? I wasn't sure which was the reason behind her reaction. But I waited till she was a bit calmer before I continued."What you saw – me, fucking Joyce….it wasn't…" I was stuttering because there were no right words to excuse my actions."You don't owe me any explanation, Master." She said, with a blank expression, and for the first time, she was looking at me. "It isn't any of my business. As a matter of fact, I should be the one apologizing for interrupting the moment–""Fuck, no. Don't fucking apologize. You don't owe me that." I stopped her and took a step closer. She flinched."And I do owe you an explanation.""Why?"My head tilted to the side at her question.Why?Hell no, I can't tell her why. If I told her right now that she was my mate, it would end in chaos. I'd rather come up with another reason."Because I don't think it was right. You're one of my personal Omegas and you shouldn't have seen me in that improper situation.""It's really none of my business, Master. We don't have to discuss who you sleep with and who you don't sleep with. It's your personal life and I'm not really interested in it. So please, do excuse me. I need to work.""Wait, Carla." Pulling her back was unintentional but the second I grabbed her hand, I felt the shock from our mate bond.She didn't feel it and that was because she's yet to turn twenty. She can only feel the bond at twenty. And I have to win her over before she turns twenty. If I don't, I'll be doomed."Master, please. Just let me go. This is getting uncomfortable and I hate it. Please, let go of my hand." She said firmly, looking me dead in the eyes.She might be timid, shy, and a little less opinionated around others but with me, she always has this fire around her. Her hatred for me was so raw that it couldn't be held back by her timid personality. She can't hide it, even if she tries.Too bad, I can't leave her alone. Even if I wanted to."Joyce doesn't mean shit to me." I blurted out, still holding her hand. "She was my fuck-buddy but I already ended it. I'm not exactly that much of a jerk. Maybe I was, but not anymore. I need you to believe that."Her eyes flickered and her lips were shaking. She almost said something but her gaze lingered over my shoulder, staring in a particular direction.I felt the extra presence too and I turned to see Joyce watching us. She was fuming with anger and was glaring at Carla.Why did she have to come out now?! She just ruined my explanations! Now, Carla will think the absolute worst of me."You don't have to explain anything to her. She's just an Omega. A lowly, miserable, and unattractive Omega." Joyce said with heavy scorn.Carla's eyes grew wet with tears and she lowered her head again. It made me feel guilty. But more than that, it got me very angry and I felt like snapping Joyce's neck."You're just an Omega too, so don't fucking think you're any different!" I backfired on her.She might think she's somewhat special because I was fucking her pussy. But that stops now. It's about time she realizes that she is like everyone else. And there was no form of attachment between us anymore.Her eyes took a red shade as hot tears dropped from them. "Dawson…""Just leave, Joyce. Get out of here. Don't make me do something I might regret later." I warned, taking a strong breath to control my rage.Her anger was evident and she looked like she wanted to pounce on Carla. But then, she sucked it up and walked away, wiping her hands over her teary eyes.I felt relieved that I was finally able to get rid of her. She was becoming too persistent and clingy. A fucking nuisance!"I wish to be excused, Master," Carla spoke up again, and I was reminded that she was still next to me."I'm sorry about what just happened. I–""Please excuse me, Master. I have more important things to do." She cut me off and began walking away. This time, she didn't wait for my permission.She was walking away while I was in the middle of a talk. That was a huge insult and she would have been hugely punished if she was just another random Omega.But she wasn't. And that gives her the right to do whatever she wants with me and not get questioned for it."Son." Mother called behind me. I didn't even notice when she approached me. I was lost in staring at Carla's retrieving form."Mother." I sighed, finally looking away from Carla. Watching her leave was torture. I'd rather stop looking."You should try to be nicer to her, Son. She's a sweet girl and you know I fancy her a lot." Mother said with a heavy note of affection in her voice."Mother, I'm not doing anything to her." On the contrary, she's the one fucking my mind up without realizing what she's doing."Son, I know that you and your friends bully her for her tomboy looks. But I guarantee you there's more to her than just her looks. You should try to get to know her." Mother said as we headed downstairs and out of the house.How do I tell her that I've been trying but Carla won't give me a chance? Three years ago and the night of the coronation seems to have sealed my ugly fate with het. She might never let me close to her.The driver opened the door and I waved at my parents for the last time."Take care, son.""You too, Mother. Father." I flashed them a quick smile. But it vanished as I sighted Carla strutting the front yard with the basket. She didn't even glance in our direction and I was hoping she would.Her cold attitude towards me was disheartening but it wasn't enough reason to give up on her.In five months, she would be twenty years old, and then she would find out that I was her mate. I have to make her be head-over-heels in love with me before that happens. Or she would reject the mate bond, and I'd be without a mate.I had just five months to make Carla Jason my girl. 118 days to win her over. It felt like a life-or-death situation and it was. But I can't win her over here in the Packhouse. Too many prying eyes, including Mother.I have to wait till she returns to school. There, she wouldn't have many chores to attend to and I wouldn't feel guilty when I seized her for hours and forced her to talk to me."Son, what are you looking at?" Mother asked, distracting me from my thoughts."Nothing, Mother." I shook my head with another forced smile. "Later." I waved again and got into the car.We slowly pulled away from the drive of the Packhouse and we were headed to pick up my buddies so we could return to school together.I spent all hours of the ride thinking of my complicated situation with Carla. Figuring out how to make her fall in love with me before the time expires.CARLADragging up my suitcase through the wrecked and ruined staircases of my apartment was tiring, and I was panting like I had just finished a marathon.My chapped kneecap was a little bruised and bleeding from the few times I fell on my way up here and it was beginning to sting. But I couldn't pay much attention to it. I had a few more staircases to climb before getting to my apartment. My legs were wobbly and my arms were hurting from dragging my heavy suitcase.It would have been easier if we had an elevator, but the building was an almost demolished structure. The owner had a last-minute change of mind and decided to rent it out to students who couldn't afford a real, nice apartment. Students like me and my roommates, whom I guess should already be inside the apartment. We split the bills between ourselves and we've been able to take care of the expenses over the years we've spent here.I can't complain about the poor housing. It saved my ass and gave me a roof over my head. S
DAWSONThe beeping sound from my phone was a huge distraction for me and I fucking appreciated it. Listening to the loud moans and feral grunts wafting through the door was becoming tiring. It was nice to listen to a different sound.Taking out my phone, I checked the message that had popped on the notification bar. It was a text from – Michael?I looked up and he winked at me. Silly guy! With a smirk, I clicked on the text and read it inwardly.–The bitch screams like a broken record. Wtf?!–Wheezing at his words, I threw my head backwards, taking a peep through the small window of the empty hall where the screams were coming from.I could only make out the silhouette of the girl, with her legs held by firm hands, and her hand was braced on the only desk in the hall.Another beep and my gaze was back to my phone. This time, it was from Nick. Why were these two morons texting me when we were standing in the same hallway, with almost no distance between us?I clicked on the text and was
DAWSONI did a mental countdown in my head, trying to assert a normal pace where my breathing could fit in so I wouldn't have to give off those gruff breaths anymore. I stood on one spot and watched Smith inspect Carla's bruised knees jabbed hard at my chest. It looked like one hell of a romantic scene, where the guy looks out for his girl. But that's bullshit! He had no right to care for her. Or get touchy with her. She wasn't his mate. Why the hell was he bothered about her?I should be the one doing that – taking care of her and keeping her safe from falls and whatever she'd done to have earned the bruise. It should be me, standing next to her. Not him. Not this god-awful Smith Derell. Why the hell won't he just back off? Why was he making me hate him more than I already did? "Isn't that our little chipmunk?" Nick whistled in a mock tone, pointing at Carla, who had already noticed us and was fidgeting."Hell, yeah. It's her." Nick laughed, doing the whistling shit too. They always
DAWSONWild chattering and screams came from each angle of the apartment, as more people flooded in. Over half of them were students from our school and the others were random people who knew what a good party was and didn't want to miss out on one. There was a crazy supply of booze and it was consumed at a crazy pace. Bottles were littered at every corner like this was some psycho ward. The stench of bunks and cigarettes added to the frenzy and the loud music peaked the mood. Everyone was on cloud nine, taking up whatever corner was perfect for them and doing their shit. It was a mature-minded party -strictly R-rated– so nothing was too much here or out of place. Every form of kinky shit was welcome. It was the rules of the party– have fun and go wild.The school session resumes officially tomorrow and we will all be swarmed with academic work. Tonight was our only free night until graduation. That was why the guys had organized the party and just as they expected, it pulled half th
DAWSON"Why would I be here with her?" Smith retorted. "You train a bunch of feral dogs here and they sure as hell gonna eat her up. I'm not that stupid. I know better than bringing her to your hood."His words were nasty as hell and made me contemplate knocking off a couple of teeth from his mouth. But at the same time, they gave me a bit of ease too. Carla wasn't here. She wasn't at this party. There was zero chance that she would see this dirty side of me. That fact gave me a huge solace. "Then tell me. What the fuck are you doing here?" I asked, regaining my anger and spite for him. "Believe me, I didn't wanna be here either–""Then leave." I cut in bluntly, pointing at the door. "What's stopping you?""I was invited. And I gave my word that I would be here. I'm an Alpha. I stick to my word.""That's bullshit." I snorted with a dry chuckle. He was spewing nonsense. "There was no fucking way you could have gotten an invitation. No one wants you here. Not me and definitely not my
CARLA Every step I took on the grounds of the school gave me a couple of mixed emotions. I was happy to be back here and resume where I had stopped last session. And of course, there were also fun activities that made me feel thrilled to be back. But then, I was also scared of what would become of me this new season. Every year, I face a lot of misfortunes and I get sent to the school's clinic a whole lot more than was normal. I was everyone's target because the most popular guys in the school hated me. I was always singled out and dealt with. This year, I was hoping it would be different. Last night, I did a couple of prayers to the moon goddess. I don't want to be a target of bullying this year. For the first time since I got enrolled here, I want to be happy. I want to experience something that would change my life completely, but in a good way, you know? Maybe I was asking for too much, but there has never been any harm in praying and hoping. And deep down, I hope my prayers ge
CARLAHaving Alpha Dawson next to me right now was torturing. His alluring cologne infiltrated my nostrils, setting up an uproar at the bottom of my stomach. I refused to glance to the side, so I didn't meet his gaze. Instead, I kept my eyes pinned on my books. "Mr. Dawson, please take your seat!" The lecturer demanded."Can you move over, Carla?" He asked, in that deep voice. I froze. No way am I gonna share a seat with him. It'll be the death of me."No " I shook my head. "The seats are taken.""All of them?" He scoffed, clearly hinting at how ridiculous my words were. The seats were empty and there was no way they could all get filled up. Not even in hours. There weren't many people who attended this class. Just a few of us and I'm still shocked that he's one of the few. How did he apply for all my classes? How do I handle the pressure of being in the same space with him every day? Surely it wouldn't be easy to avoid him. But I still have to try, right?"Carla, please move aside
DAWSONI listened to the sounds of her footsteps until they faded and were replaced by an echoing silence.Seconds turned into minutes and then became a moment, but I had yet to recover from the shock of the conversation we just had.Fuck that!It wasn't a conversation. I barely said a word. And the few I said were harsh and didn't sit right with her. It was too late to take them back. She didn't give me a chance to redeem myself, but instead, she went ahead to burn me with her words.And all because of Smith. It fucking hurts listening to her defend him with so much passion, but she won't let me come a fucking inch closer to her. She adores the guy like he was the best thing that happened to her. But with me, it's different. She's either scared of me or lashing out at me with so much spite. Knowing she harbors that much hate for me kills me a little more each day. I know I deserve it. I deserve the anger, the hate, the curses. I deserve all of them. But I'm trying here. I'm fucking
CARLASmith demanded that I stay and I did. Right next to him. On his bed. It made me a teeny bit sad that I couldn't stay next to Dawson this way when he got injured. I did wanna go to him. But his clique would have lashed out at me. That's why I stayed away. Smith hasn't said another word. His eyes were shut. But I could tell he was awake, cause he was holding my hand and his thumb was repeatedly caressing the back of my hand. It was soothing and got me dizzy. I kinda dozed off. When I woke up, he was sitting up and running a hand over my hair. My head was resting on his shoulder. I quickly leaned up. He chuckled softly."Morning, princess."I gaped. "Morning?" Did I spend the night here?"No, silly. It was a joke." His chuckle was light and had a slight wince.Oh, thank goddess. I looked around briefly. It was just us in the cubicle. There were no background noises from the hallway. It was all oddly silent. "What time is it?"He glanced at his wristwatch. "A minute to 6.""Eve
CARLA"That guy is weird as fuck." Brian scoffed, as we shuffled through the pile of students cramming the hallway. "Weird. Crazy. Obnoxious. You name it and you'll be right. He's all that and more." Smith replied. He had his arm around my shoulder, keeping me from brushing against any of the students. A single strapped bag hung off his other shoulder and his gym shirt was hanging on the same shoulder too.We just got off the field. After Dawson's interruption, Smith and his teammates stayed and practiced an extra hour. As much as I wanted to go find Dawson and maybe talk to him, I couldn't leave the field. I had promised Smith I would watch. I didn't wanna break my promise. Also, Dawson just might not appreciate my concern. With the way he's been ignoring me, I thought it was best I kept my distance. "I don't understand why he came to the field. It was certainly not to play. He's not healed yet." Brian continued, still pissed about the argument they had with Dawson earlier. It
CARLATrudging into the deadly quiet hall, I had a book in one hand and my bag in the other. A couple of students walked in just the same time I did and they went ahead to take their seats. I was in a sad daze. Last night's agony was yet to wear off, and I was still as doleful. And I just might remain this way, until—My steps slowed as my eyes slanted and paused at the farthest corner of the hall. The crazy thud of my heart was a result of the excitement hijacking my insides. I let out a soft gasp, as tears burned my eyes. They were tears of joy. Just like the swelling of my heart being a happy reaction to the sight I had taken in. Dawson. He was in class, sitting next to Liam. No Nick. No Michael. Just the both of them. He didn't look as pained as he did yesterday. No, on the contrary, he looked more handsome than ever, with the black hoodie and blue denim pants.The hood was over his head, and a hair strand peered from it.Liam was also wearing a hoodie, a brown one with the
DAWSONIt was the toughest, most torturous, painful, and most disconcerting thirty-minute wait of my life before Rick Taylor finally decided to get his ass out of the café.Wait — I glanced at my watch— make that thirty-one minutes. About damn time! What the fuck was he doing in there? Taking a shit?He got into the car, slamming the door behind him. "Your coffee?" The cup was stretched to my face. I looked at the cup and then at him. "I'll fuck you up if you don't get that shit out of my face."He smiled, retrieved his hand, and began sipping it. Yeah, either he drinks it or he throws it away. I don't care. I wasn't craving coffee. A lot of questions lined up in my head. But I had to ask them more naturally. To avoid getting him suspicious. "I saw Smith go inside the café. Did he say anything to you?" He shrugged, crossing a leg over the other. "He was being a jerk. But I ignored it. Not like I could fight him."Stupid jerk. Why wouldn't he let my people be? The guys. Rick Taylo
CARLA I arrived late at work and I was almost scolded by my boss. Brian had to step in for me and tell him about the incident that happened in school. It was enough to get me off his scolding list and then he put me to work behind the counter. It's been hard to smile at the customers with how heavy and gloomy I was feeling. Still, I tried to let out faint smiles and picked my words carefully so I wouldn't come off as rude and unreceptive. But in every idle second and minute, I found myself thinking of Dawson. Rewinding that moment in that hallway where he walked right past me like I was some stranger. Being bullied and having my face bashed into the lockers didn't hurt as much as watching him ignore me did. The pain was another level and it was depressing. If I got this affected by his action, then there was no more living in denial or downplaying it. Because it just became clearer that somewhere down the line between hating him and entertaining his naughtiness and cockines
DAWSON "Was that really Carla Jason back there in that hallway?" Rick Taylor asked with a heavy tinge of excitement. I ignored him, choosing to look out the window instead. With the crazy level of rage piling up inside me, I was an inch away from venting it on someone. Lucky him, he could be that someone if he didn't stop getting on my damn nerves with his questions! Rick Taylor was the worst choice of guy to be around right now, that I was in a snit. He was too innocent and clueless and might just tick me off without knowing. And if I did lash out, then I would feel guilty about it all my life, because he didn't deserve it, logically. He shouldn't be next to me right now but I was down to my last option. I needed to leave that stuffy infirmary and I needed a ride for that. I already argued with the guys so I couldn't get them to take me. There was no one else to do it. Except him. So I had to call him to come over and bring a few clothes that I could change into. I hadn't
CARLAWaking up to Smith's low and husky conversation with Brian felt like the most natural sound to wake up to. Except, I don't recall taking a nap. So why do I feel so woozy?I opened my eyes to a plain white ceiling decor. Turning my head to the side, I realized it wasn't just Smith and Brian. There were two more of them and they weren't wearing the soccer practice outfit anymore. They all changed back to their normal wear.What happened? Did the practice end already? Why don't I recall any of it happening? And again, where am I?Brian was laughing at something Smith said, but then his gaze found me and he grinned. "The princess is finally awake."Smith turned sharply and hurried to me. "Fuck, Carla. You gave us quite a scare. Are you alright?" He rubbed his warm hand on my forehead. "I feel fine. Where am I?" Even my voice had the grogginess that came with sleeping for so long. What really happened?"You don't remember fainting out in the field?" Smith started."And Smith bring
SMITHIt's bad enough that I started the day making a mess with Dawson. Worse, I got a week of detention and I now have a taint in my incredible school record.Even worse now, I've got the whole school thinking of me as an assailant and psycho out to kill Dawson Walcott.Even more painful that Carla was also judging me for my brutality against Dawson. She might not say it. But I could feel it. And she had every right to judge me.I was wrong. I know that. Giving him a fractured rib was a bit too far. But help me, goddess, it's just so fucking hard to see her giving me those judgy stares and making me feel like shit. It hurts to see her worried about that jerk. Overlooking the fact that I did what I did for her. Because I love her. If only I could make her understand that. But I can't. So I'm stuck. This whole rambling narrows down to the fact that I've had a crappy day since I drove into the parking lot today. I was looking to end it on a nicer note, with the soccer practice and Ca
CARLAI stepped into the hall and took a seat in the middle row. Placing my books on the desk, I glanced around the half-filled hall. It was a habit now. First, I sit. And then I check if he's here. If he isn't, then I keep glancing at the door, anticipating his mind-seizing entry.I already looked around before I stopped myself, recalling that there was no chance for him to be in here. He was at the infirmary. My eyes were fixed on my feet as tears welled in them. I've been spilling those tears ever since he got carried away from my sight.Watching him hit the ground so hard and groaning in pain felt like a wicked stab to my heart. Watching them carry him away felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. The unexplainable pain created a sad chaos inside me.I had to run off to the restroom to bawl my eyes out. It didn't make sense that seeing him get hurt would make me feel so sad. But then, I wasn't just sad. I was broken. There was this low-key, innate kinda anger that