Chapter 4

Adrian's POV 

The closer I get to the drink stand, the further the asshole's smirk spreads. Of all the Alphas, Alaric is the one I hate the most. 

The asshole made school a nightmare. I got lucky with elementary and middle school; our pack had our own. High school is a different story. They believe it helps create future bonds between packs if their children go to high school together. The idea is that they learn together and become friends so that when they're older, they have connections with other packs instead of just their own. 

This idea would work if the children from other packs got along, but that's not always the case. Don't get me wrong, some people from different packs get along, but some don't.

Some keep to themselves, some make friends, and people like Alaric make other people's lives hell. 

I missed my own graduation ceremony because me and this dipshit were having it out behind the school. 

This fucker thought it would be funny to shred my cap and gown and fill my trunk with cow shit. I got halfway to school for my graduation ceremony before realizing where the stench was coming from. When I opened my trunk, I found the present he left for me along with a note sending me his love. 

I went to my graduation, but I never made it on stage, and neither did he. I dragged his ass behind the school, where we proceeded to beat the shit out of each other until our parents found us. 

Now that we're both out of school, this asshole still finds ways to taunt me and make my life hell. Sometimes, I wonder if it's because he likes the challenge I give him. I don't back down and scare as easily as everyone else he tries to intimidate. I stand my ground, and fight back, which initially pissed him off. Now it's like a sport to him. He lights up and takes every chance to get under my skin, just like he's doing now. He knows I don't want him here; the smug look on his face says it all. 

Nikolai reaches Alaric first and places his hand on his chest, forcing him to back away from the drink stand. 

“You have your drink; now step back so others can get theirs,” Nikolai said, and Alaric rolled his eyes as he stepped back.

“Awww. What's wrong? Afraid to get a drink on your own? Did you need your future Alpha to hold your hand? Does he hold your dick when you piss too? I bet he does,” Alaric taunted. 

“I growled as I lunged for him, but Nikolai caught me.” 

“Awww, did I upset you? Did I hit a sore spot? I would think that sore spot would be your ass and not your dick,” Alarik said as he leaned closer. I growled as I lurched forward, my arm extending over Nikolai's shoulder. Satisfaction filled me when my fist connected with Alaric's face. His face jerked to the side, and he stumbled back a step. He touched the skin next to his lips, wiping it with the back of his finger before smirking. 

“You still hit like a bitch,” Alaric said.

My jaw clenched as I glared at him for a moment before turning to order a drink. I knew he was only trying to get me in trouble. Sure, his father might ground him from contact with me and my pack, but I'm sure that's the extent of his punishments. His father doesn't like my pack any more than Alaric does. He got his beliefs from his father: things should remain the way they are instead of making things better for Omegas.

“Jack, double,” I said, regretting how sharp my tone was to the Delta 3. He flinched before turning and quickly pouring my drink. 

I brought the glass to my mouth, tilted my head back, and took the bitter content down in one gulp. I felt the bite in the back of my throat as it went down, and exhaled as I set my glass down and tapped it for another. 

“Listen, I need you to stay out of trouble. I'm supposed to keep an eye on you and make sure you two don't tear each other apart, but Weston is asking for a change of clothes for the Omegas and himself. I'll be back in 20 minutes. Please stay out of trouble,” Nikolai said through the link as his hand rested on my shoulder, squeezing it before walking away. 

I nod my thanks to the Delta 3 before downing my drink in one go. I turn, and I'm startled to find Alaric with a perplexed look on his face as he sniffs me. I shove him backward, my lips curling up in disgust at how close he was to my neck just a moment ago.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“Why do you smell like that? What did you put on today?” Alaric asked, his eyebrows knitting together as he stepped forward with his nose flared, trying to sniff me again. I hit his chest as I shove him away. My hands curl into fists, ready to knock him out if he tries to touch me again. 

“Stay the fuck away from me!” I snapped .

I don't know what the fuck got into him, but he growled, stepped forward, and quickly grabbed my shoulders. He buried his face in my neck as his fingers gripped my shoulders bruisingly. I tried pushing him away, but this asshole is strong, much stronger than he was in high school.

Unable to get away, I punch him in the stomach, and he wheezes as he bends forward. As he curls forward, I shove him backward, pushing him to the ground. 

He looks at me in shock before scrambling to his feet and lunging for me. He's heavier than he was the last time I fought him. He sat on my stomach with my hands pinned above my head.

His chest heaved as he glared at me. His chest rumbled and his eyes flickered between his and his wolf’s. 

“No!... This can't be!” Alaric snarled. His eyes continue to flicker as they sweep over my face. 

“What the fuck are you going on about? Get the fuck off me, you fat ass!” I said as I struggled against his grasp.

As his eyes flicker, they land on the golden color of his wolves and remain there. As soon as that happened, my wolf pushed forward. 

My stomach dropped as realization hit me like a ton of bricks. 

I didn't feel what Nikolai had talked about time and time again... That sensation like something was waking up inside you and letting you know your other half was out there somewhere. No… This felt different.

I instantly realized how incredible he smelled. I found myself wanting to bury my face in his neck and breathe in his scent. I wanted to bottle it up and bathe in it until he was all I could smell. I felt an incredible pull to him like an invisible tether pulling our hearts together. 

I wanted to touch him, run my fingers through his bleach-blonde hair, and touch his face to see how rough it was. Is it as rough as his personality and his bad-boy image? 

Are his plump lips as soft as they look? What would his kiss taste like? What would his touch feel like? 

I was shocked when these desires quickly overcame me, and I was even more shocked when I felt my heart calling to him.

“No,” I whispered, looking at Alaric in shock.

“NO!” I yelled as I flipped us. I shoved his chest as I stood up and tried to walk away, but the asshole grabbed me and pulled me back. 

I saw red the moment he laid his hands on me. After the hell this idiot put me through the Goddess thought it'd be funny to mate him to me. I can see the disgust in his eyes as he realizes I'm what he got. 

I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. No… Never! I would die first!

I growled as I threw my fist forward, but he caught it. The next moment, pain radiates through my face when his fist connected with my jaw. 

“Never!” Alaric yelled as he took me to the ground. I grunt as his fist connects with my ribs. I grit my teeth as he punches me in my side again. Our snarls are loud as we roll on the ground, swinging our fists fast as we fight. 

Alaric is suddenly ripped off of me before a firm hand grabs my shoulders and yanks me to my feet. 

“This is bullshit!” Alaric yelled before jerking his shoulder out of his father's grasp and darting into the woods. 

“What the hell is-” My Alpha was in the midst of lecturing me when he turned me to face him and saw my face. 

I knew he saw what I was feeling. I was trying to control it… I was trying to hide the hurt I felt deep in my chest. It felt like Alaric reached his hand inside my chest, wrapped his hand around my heart and squeezed as hard as he could. 

My chest heaved, and my eyes stung with the tears I tried to hold back. 

I had never felt so vulnerable. My feelings were raw and exposed, right there on the surface for everyone to see, and there was nothing I could do. 

My heart raced. It ached. It was begging me to go to him. 

“Adrian… What's going on?” My Alpha asked, his voice soft and laced with concern. It's a tone I'm not used to hearing, which bothers me for some reason. It feels like he knows what's happening and pities me. Pity is the last thing I want. 

I growl in frustration as I jerk my arm out of his grasp. My chest rapidly rises and falls as I struggle to keep the tears back. 

How could this happen? Why him? Why? Why would the Goddess do this to me? Why did he treat me the way he did? Why couldn't he have been nicer? Why won't he accept me? 

I felt pathetic as those questions raced through my head. I hated this feeling of my heart crumbling and everything slipping through my fingers so fast. 

I paced back and forth as I tugged at my hair. I growled before yelling and turned to stare at the spot where he disappeared into the woods. My body moved on its own before I decided to go after him. I ran after him, disappearing into the woods. 

It was easy enough to find him. His incredible scent was intoxicating, filling my nose and leading me straight to him. I found him in the same predicament I was in just minutes ago, pacing back and forth, mumbling to himself, and tugging at his hair in frustration. 

“This is fucking bullshit! Not that pathetic Beta!” Alaric mumbled under his breath before suddenly turning to face me. 

My stomach dropped at the angry glare I was receiving. I knew what was coming before his mouth even opened.

Alaric stormed forward, but I couldn't move. He gripped the collar of my shirt, twisted his wrist so the fabric tightened around my throat, and jerked me forward, bringing his face within an inch of mine. 

I hated how good he smelled. I hated the fact that all I could do was stare into his exotic gray eyes that looked like they belonged to an Egyptian Prince. At times, they almost looked white.

My eyes moved to his lips when he began speaking, and that only made it worse. I found myself admiring how beautiful his lips were. So plump… I bet they are soft. I bet they taste delicious. 

My eyes rapidly blinked when he jerked my body, shaking me. 

Did he catch me staring at his lips? I wondered as I snapped out of it and listened to what he was saying. 

“I hate you! I hate you, your pack, and everything you stand for! You and your pathetic pack don't deserve to live. This change that you're trying to bring about will never happen! We will kill you and your piece of shit pack before that ever happens. You and your people are a disgrace. How dare the Goddess mate me to someone like you,” Alaric said coldly. 

His beautiful, piercing eyes held nothing but anger and hatred as he looked at me. His words ripped through my heart like a hot silver blade, and the fact that he meant every word he said sucked the air out of my lungs, and made it impossible to respond.

My legs were too numb to catch myself when he shoved me backward. I fell to the ground and looked at him. The only thing hurt was my ego and heart.

I hated the lump that formed in my throat, and the tears that filled my eyes against my will, knowing what was coming next.

“I, Alaric Black, next in line Alpha to the Nightmoon Pack, reject you, Adrian Russo, to be my mate.” 

Alaric began the words just as I got to my feet, but when the last word fell from his mouth, I dropped to my knees. 

I grabbed my chest with one hand and caught myself with the other as I fell forward. An embarrassing cry left my mouth as the most painful sensation shot through my chest before spreading through my body.

I knew it was painful, I heard the stories, but I never imagined it was this painful. Tears streamed down my face, and I struggled to catch my breath. 

When I finally managed to lift my head and look at him, I saw regret. I could see his internal struggle, whether to stay where he was or run to me. I could see his concern, and somehow, I knew he wanted to hold me and take it back, but I couldn't allow that to happen. Not after the cold way he just rejected me. 

It would be one thing if he hadn't been the constant source of my torment for the past five years. The cause of the many times I ended up unconscious and woke up either in my bed, or in a hospital room. Not to mention the reason I was suspended over and over again, or put on probation one too many times, but he was responsible for all of it. He was the reason for everything bad that has happened to me since the day we met. 

I watched his eyes widen when I began to speake. His head shook, and he reached for me as if trying to stop me. Hot tears ran down my face faster, and my voice broke as I spoke, accepting his rejection. 

I felt my world crumble around me. I was barely aware I was speaking. As the last words left my mouth, I heard him cry out in pain as he dropped to the ground. 

I crawled to him, reaching out a shaky hand. I wanted to take it back. I wanted to be his, but he slapped my hand away before pulling himself to his feet. 

“Don't fool yourself… I don't want you,” Alaric said before turning and disappearing into the woods.

I let my body drop to the ground and curled into a ball. The air seeped from my lungs and my shoulders shook. I sucked a deep breath in, my shoulders rose before I screamed as I let all my pain out in one burst.

I don't know how long I lay there crying, but at one point, I swore I felt him watching me. I couldn't look. It hurt too much. What if he was there? What if he wasn't? I don't know which would hurt more, so I didn't look. 

It was my Alpha who found me. When I raised my head and looked at him, tears began to fall again. I knew I sounded pathetic, but I couldn't stop. An ugly cry escaped me before he scooped me into his arms and carried me back to the pack house. He slipped inside without anyone seeing us, which I was thankful for. I didn't want anyone to see me like that. 

I thought it would be hard to fall asleep, but it wasn't. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out. My body was spent, and I had nothing left in me to keep my eyes open. The Alpha's face blurred before disappearing as my eyes closed.