5. Tyler

I rush out of the dining hall, heart hammering in my chest, barely tasting the food I just scarfed down. It feels like everyone’s eyes are on me, like the whole damn school knows I’ve got a target on my back. 

Landon’s not going to stop. I can feel it in the way he looks at me, the smug arrogance rolling off him every time he corners me. The way his pheromones hit me yesterday—fuck, I don’t even want to think about it.

I keep my head down, weaving through groups of students still hanging around after dinner. The sky’s darkening, and I’m grateful for it. Fewer people. Fewer Alphas. I just need to get back to my dorm, shut the door, and block it all out.

But as I make my way toward the dorms, my heart races faster. I hate how Landon made me feel—like I couldn’t control my own body. The way my knees buckled, the way I whined. I never want to feel that helpless again. I won’t.

I pick up my pace, barely noticing my surroundings, until—

Wham.

I smack into something—or someone—solid. My breath catches, and I stumble back, blinking up at the towering figure I just crashed into. Another Alpha. Just my luck.

He’s tall, muscular like Landon, but with darker hair and sharp Alpha blue eyes that lock onto mine instantly. He catches my arm, steadying me before I can fall, and I freeze, my whole body tensing.

“Whoa, easy,” he says, his voice low and smooth. “You alright?”

I try to step back, but his hand is still on my arm, holding me in place. My heart’s pounding again, faster now. I feel cornered, like prey.

“I’m fine,” I mutter, pulling my arm free. I don’t need another Alpha messing with me, not after what happened with Landon.

But his eyes don’t leave mine, and I can see it—the way he notices my fear, the way he can probably smell it. God, I hate that they can smell everything. I grit my teeth, backing up a step, but he doesn’t move. Doesn’t give me space.

“You sure?” he asks, his gaze softening, like he’s trying to calm me down. “You look a little… shaken.”

I clench my fists at my sides, trying to steady my breathing. “I said I’m fine.”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” he replies, taking a step closer. His voice lowers, and I hate how soothing it sounds, like he’s coaxing me. “It’s okay. You don’t have to be scared.”

“I’m not scared,” I snap, even though it’s a lie. I can’t shake the memory of Landon, the way he used his pheromones to force me to submit, how my body responded before my mind could catch up.

The Alpha tilts his head, studying me, his hand reaching up slowly. I flinch, but he doesn’t stop. His fingers brush against my cheek, gentle, stroking my face like he’s trying to ease the panic out of me.

My whole body tenses, and for a second, I can’t move. His touch is… soft, comforting even. It feels wrong. It feels like everything I’m trying to run from. And worst of all? It’s working. The tension in my chest eases a fraction, my breath coming slower, steadier.

“What the hell are you doing?” I whisper, panic rising again, but softer this time, like my body’s betraying me again.

“I’m just calming you down,” he says, his voice still quiet, still soothing. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

Safe? The word makes me want to scream. I jerk away from his touch, backing up so fast I nearly trip over my own feet. My heart’s racing again, harder than before, and this time it’s not just from fear—it’s from how easily he made me relax. How easily he took control without me even realising it.

“Don’t touch me,” I snap, my voice harsher than I mean for it to be.

The Alpha raises his hands in surrender, the calm smile still on his face. “Okay. No touching. Just take it easy.”

I glare at him, my pulse pounding in my ears. “You’re making me calm down,” I hiss. “Stop it.”

He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “I’m not doing anything, Omega. You’re just overthinking it.”

I clench my jaw at the word. Omega. I hate it. I hate how they throw it around like it defines me, like it’s supposed to mean something. “Don’t call me that.”

“What do you want me to call you?” he asks, his tone still casual, like he’s just chatting with me over coffee.

“Tyler,” I snap. “My name is Tyler.”

“Alright, Tyler,” he says, that same calm smile on his face. “I’m Noah.”

I stare at him, the name sinking in slowly. Noah. I’ve heard of him and know who he is even though I’ve been trying to avoid most of the Alphas at Ridgecrest. I have no idea if he’s from a legacy pack or not.

“Well, Noah,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, “I don’t need your help. So, back off.”

He watches me for a moment, like he’s deciding whether to listen or not. Then, to my surprise, he takes a step back, giving me the space I’ve been silently begging for.

“There,” he says, still smiling. “Better?”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Yeah.”

He’s still watching me, though, those blue eyes of his soft but piercing at the same time, like he’s reading every thought running through my head. I hate it. Hate how I feel so exposed and transparent in front of him.

“What do you want?” I ask, cutting to the chase. “You see some scared Omega and think you can play hero? Is that it?”

He shakes his head, his expression still annoyingly calm. “No. I’m not trying to play anything. I just saw you and thought you looked like you needed a break.”

“A break from what?”

“From whoever scared you before me.”

I blink, my mouth opening and closing as I try to come up with something to say. But nothing comes. Because he’s right. I was scared. I AM scared. And not because of him—because of Landon. Because of the way Landon’s eyes flashed red and the way my body responded like it had no choice.

I hate it. I hate that it’s still affecting me.

I narrow my eyes. “None of your business.”

He shrugs. “Fair enough. But I’m guessing it has something to do with Landon.”

My stomach clenches at the sound of his name, and I know I don’t hide it fast enough. Noah’s eyes flicker with understanding, and I curse myself for giving it away.

“Thought so,” he says, his voice still soft, but there’s an edge to it now. “He’s not someone you want to cross.”

“I didn’t cross him,” I mutter, my fists clenching again. “He’s just… he’s a bully.”

Noah sighs, nodding slowly. “Yeah, I know. That’s kind of his thing.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You know him?”

Noah laughs, shaking his head. “Not well. Just enough to know he’s trouble.” He pauses, watching me again with that calm gaze. “You should probably steer clear of him. I know guys like him—once they’ve got their eye on you, they don’t let go easily.”

“I don’t need your advice,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “I can handle him.”

“Can you?” Noah asks, his voice softer now, almost concerned.

I bristle at the question, hating how it makes me feel. “Yes. I can.”

He doesn’t respond right away, just studies me, like he’s trying to figure me out. I hate it. Hate how he’s just standing there, calm and composed, while I’m a mess inside. I don’t need this. I don’t need some Alpha acting like he knows better, like he can tell me how to survive this place.

“Well,” Noah finally says, “if you ever need someone to talk to, or, you know, someone to get Landon off your back… I’m around.”

I blink at him, thrown off by the offer. “Why would you help me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Noah shrugs again, that easy smile back on his face. “You’re not the first Omega to get on Landon’s radar, and you won’t be the last. But you… you’re different.”

“Different how?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

“Most Omegas fold the second he looks at them,” Noah says, his tone light. “But you didn’t. You pushed back. That’s… not something you see every day.”

I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. I stare at him for a moment, trying to figure him out. There’s something about him—he’s not like Landon, that much is clear. He doesn’t have that same arrogance, that sense of entitlement. But he’s still an Alpha, and that alone makes me wary.

“I don’t need your help,” I say again, firmer this time.

Noah nods, his smile never faltering. “Alright. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

I don’t say anything, just turn on my heel and walk away, my mind spinning with everything that just happened. I can still feel the ghost of his touch on my face, still hear his voice in my head, telling me I was safe, telling me to calm down.

But I’m not safe. Not here. Not with all these Alphas watching me, waiting for me to break.