2. Landon

I watch him walk away, my hands tightening into fists. He’s not even that remarkable: bigger than most Omegas, curly hair, glasses and incredibly nerdy.

Who the hell does this Omega think he is? What did Jacob call him—Tyler, right? 

I only caught a glimpse of him on the list, didn’t pay him much attention. Should have. But now that I know, now that I’ve seen the way he had the audacity to brush me off, it’s burned into my head.

Nobody ignores me, especially not an Omega. 

He didn’t even flinch, didn’t bat an eye at me. Omegas are supposed to defer, supposed to feel the pull, the instinct to submit. But Tyler just looked at me like I was nothing, walked right past me like I was another face in the crowd.

I grit my teeth, watching as he disappears into the dorm building with Jacob. Jacob’s laughing, talking to him like they’re best buddies already. Typical Beta behaviour, desperate for any Omega’s attention. Whatever. Jacob’s irrelevant. It’s Tyler who’s gotten under my skin, and that’s a problem.

I shove off the wall I was leaning against, my hands sliding into my pockets as I stalk across the courtyard. Other students—Alphas mostly—give me respectful nods as I pass by. They know better than to get in my way when I’m like this, but I barely acknowledge them. My focus is elsewhere.

Inside, I head straight for the admin office. I don’t need to make a scene yet, not until I know more about him. The woman behind the desk looks up as I enter, offering a stiff smile.

“Landon Hayes. What can I help you with?” Her tone is clipped, professional. She knows who I am—everyone does—but I’m not here for pleasantries.

“I need information,” I say, leaning on the counter. “On a new student. An Omega named Tyler.”

She blinks, then frowns. “I’m afraid that’s confidential, Mr. Hayes. We don’t disclose personal information—”

“Save it.” I cut her off, giving her a hard stare. “You think I’m asking because I’m curious? It’s a security issue. This Omega clearly isn’t following protocol, and if he’s here under false pretences, I need to know about it.”

Her eyes widen slightly, and she glances nervously at the files on her desk. “I… I’ll see what I can find.”

I wait, tapping my fingers impatiently against the counter as she flips through papers, her hands trembling just a little. Good. She knows better than to stall. Finally, she pulls out a folder and skims it quickly.

“Tyler Winchester. Omega. Yes, here he is.” She clears her throat. “He’s here on an academic scholarship. A… very high academic scholarship, actually. His test scores were remarkable.”

I snort. Figures. Some scholarly Omega who thinks he’s too good to fall in line. But that doesn’t explain the attitude, the resistance. Omegas like him are supposed to be grateful for any attention they get, especially from someone like me.

“And?” I ask. “What’s his deal?”

She hesitates, clearly uncomfortable. “I… I don’t know what else to tell you, Mr. Hayes. He’s twenty years old, just started here this semester like the rest of the Omegas. He’s…” She glances at the file again. “He’s been flagged as… resistant.”

Now that gets my attention.

“Resistant?” I repeat, raising an eyebrow. “To what?”

“Alpha pheromones.” She says it quietly, like it’s some dirty little secret. “It’s rare, but some Omegas… don’t respond the way they’re expected to. They can resist the instinctual pull, at least to a degree.”

I let that sink in. So, that’s why. It all clicks into place now. He’s not like the others because he physically can’t feel the need to submit. Doesn’t mean he’s immune, though. Just means it’ll take more effort to crack him.

I smirk, pushing off the counter. “Good to know. Thanks.”

She nods, relieved I’m leaving. I don’t bother with another word, striding back toward the dorms, my mind already working through my next steps. Tyler’s defiance makes sense now, but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. If anything, it’s more of a challenge. 

Omegas like him might think they can resist, but at the end of the day, biology wins. He’ll break, just like the rest of them.

By the time I get back to the courtyard, the sun’s already dipping low in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground. I head toward my usual spot by the fountain, where a couple of other Alphas are hanging out, watching the evening crowd.

“Landon,” one of them—Kyle—calls out as I approach. “What’s up? You look pissed.”

I drop onto the bench beside him, running a hand through my hair. “There’s a new Omega,” I say flatly. “Thinks he’s above everyone else because he can resist Alpha pheromones.”

Kyle raises an eyebrow, leaning forward. “Really? What’s his name?”

“Tyler. Some scholarship kid. Total hard-ass.”

The other Alphas exchange glances, clearly interested. Omegas like Tyler don’t come around often, especially not ones who can resist an Alpha’s pull. I can see the curiosity in their eyes, but I shut it down before they can even start.

“Back off,” I warn. “He’s mine.”

Kyle smirks. “Oh? Already staking a claim?”

“Just want to remind him how things work around here.” I shrug, but the challenge in my voice is unmistakable.

The rest of the evening passes in a blur, but my thoughts keep circling back to Tyler. He’s different, sure, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be put in his place. The academy has a way of making sure Omegas fall into line, and I’ve always been more than willing to help enforce the rules.

***

The next day, I make it my mission to find out everything I can about him. Tyler, I find out quickly enough, is in the North Dorms with Jacob. He’s new to Ridgecrest, transferred in for his last year, right before his heats start, like all Omegas do. But he’s not like the others—quiet, keeps to himself, doesn’t fawn over the Alphas like he’s supposed to.

“Maybe he’s one of those Omegas that doesn’t know his place,” Marcus says, sitting next to me during lunch. I’ve been thinking about Tyler all morning, replaying how he brushed me off without so much as a second glance. “You know, the independent type. Thinks he doesn’t need an Alpha.”

I scowl, pushing my food around my plate. “He’ll learn.”

Marcus shrugs. “Or he’ll get snapped up by some other Alpha who’ll teach him real quick.”

I snort. “Not likely.” If anyone’s going to put Tyler in his place, it’s going to be me.

I glance across the cafeteria and spot Jacob sitting with Tyler. They’re talking, heads close together. Tyler’s doing his best to avoid attention, but he’s not fooling anyone. I can feel the tension from here. The way other Alphas glance his way, sizing him up, wondering what his deal is.

I stand up. “I’ll be back.”

Marcus raises an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

“Finding out who he really is.”

I grab my tray, load it up with food, and make my way over to their table, not even trying to be subtle. As I approach, Jacob looks up and gives me a nervous grin.

“Landon, hey—”

“Jacob,” I say, barely acknowledging him as I sit down across from Tyler. He doesn’t even look up from his plate.

I grit my teeth. “Enjoying your breakfast?”

He shrugs, shoving another forkful of eggs into his mouth. “It’s food.”

“Good to see you’ve settled in,” I say, keeping my tone casual. “Didn’t think we’d have another encounter so soon.”

Finally, he glances up, those pale green eyes locking onto mine. “Yeah, well, not everything revolves around you.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Bold words, coming from an Omega.”

“I don’t care what you think,” he says bluntly, pushing his plate aside. “So, if you’re done trying to intimidate me, you can move along.”

Jacob’s eyes widen slightly, and I can hear the sharp intake of breath from a few tables over. I lean back in my chair, watching Tyler with narrowed eyes. He’s not afraid, that much is clear, but I know he’s bluffing. Omegas don’t win against Alphas. Not here. Not anywhere.

“You’ve got a mouth on you,” I say slowly. “But I think you’re forgetting where you are, Tyler. Ridgecrest isn’t some playground. It’s an academy for people who know how to play by the rules. And you?” I give him a cold smile. “You’re way out of your league.”

Tyler just stares at me, unimpressed. “That so?”

“That’s so,” I reply, my voice dropping to a low growl. “You’re new here, so I’ll cut you some slack. But let me make one thing clear—you don’t get to walk away from me. Not here, not ever.”

He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

I don’t answer, just keep watching him, waiting for the crack, the flinch, the moment when he realises who he’s dealing with. But it doesn’t come. Instead, Tyler stands up, pushing his chair back with a soft scrape.

“Thanks for the chat,” he says dryly, grabbing his tray. “But I’ve got better things to do.”

I watch him walk away again, my hands clenching into fists under the table. He’s testing me. He’s pushing every button, daring me to make a move. And I will. I just need to bide my time.

Jacob lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Dude. He’s got balls.”

“Shut up, Jacob,” I snap, shoving my tray aside as I stand. “He’s going to learn. One way or another.”

Jacob watches me warily as I stalk off, my mind already racing with ideas. Tyler might think he can resist, might think he’s immune to the natural order, but I’ll prove him wrong. I always do.

No Omega has ever walked away from me. And I’ll make sure Tyler is the last.

For a second, I don’t move. Don’t speak. I can feel the eyes on me, people watching, waiting to see what I’m going to do.

When I finally turn back toward my table, Marcus is staring at me, wide-eyed. “Holy shit. He’s got a death wish.”

I grit my teeth, sitting down with a thud. “No. He’s got a lesson coming.”