6. Tyler

I walk with Jacob to breakfast, trying to keep my head down and my emotions in check. It’s not working. The mess with Landon and then running into Noah later still has me wound tight. I didn’t sleep much last night, either. 

My mind kept replaying that moment when Landon forced me to submit, when my body betrayed me, and I let it happen. 

Then, there was Noah, who somehow made me calm down just by being… him. The whole thing has me on edge, and Jacob’s been giving me side-eye the entire walk from the dorm to the dining hall.

The dining hall is buzzing with the usual morning crowd—Alphas sitting together, already loud and obnoxious, Betas scattered around them like they’re trying to stay out of the way. And the Omegas? They’re huddled off in their own little group, quiet and subdued. I roll my eyes as we walk in. Same routine every day.

Food’s the last thing on my mind. The knot in my chest hasn’t loosened since yesterday, and even though I want to shove it all down, I can’t shake the feeling that Landon’s not done. Not by a long shot.

“Man, you reek of tension,” Jacob says, glancing at me sideways as we make our way to the food line.

I grunt in response, grabbing a tray and loading it up with whatever’s in front of me. It doesn’t matter. I’m not hungry. Just doing what I need to get through this day.

Jacob, clearly not getting the message, keeps talking. “Seriously, though, you smell like…” He trails off, his eyes narrowing as he sniffs the air, then glances at me. “Wait… why do you smell like Landon?”

I freeze for a split second before shaking it off, shoving a piece of toast onto my tray. “You’re imagining things.”

Jacob frowns. “I’m pretty sure I know what Landon smells like, Tyler. What the hell happened?”

“Nothing.” I move past him, heading toward an empty table. The last thing I want is to rehash what happened with Landon, especially here. Not in front of everyone. Not when the memory of that fleeting moment of submission is still burning in the back of my mind. It’s like it’s branded there, reminding me that, even for a second, I broke.

Jacob follows, but he doesn’t press the issue. He knows when to back off, at least. We sit down, and I pick at my eggs, but they taste like ash in my mouth. My mind is somewhere else—somewhere with Landon, his eyes flashing red. The way I whined.

I feel sick just thinking about it.

“Seriously, you’re on edge,” Jacob says after a minute of silence. “Something’s bothering you, and don’t tell me it’s nothing.”

Before I can tell him to drop it, the entire hall goes quiet. The kind of quiet that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I glance up and my stomach twists. Noah’s walking toward our table, completely ignoring the dozens of eyes on him. He walks like he belongs anywhere he damn well pleases, his calm, confident stride making every Alpha and Beta in the room do a double take.

He’s not like Landon, though. There’s no smugness in the way he carries himself, no arrogance. Just quiet confidence, like he knows who he is and doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

And he’s walking straight toward me.

Jacob nudges me with his elbow. “Uh, why is Noah walking over here?”

“Good question,” I mutter, trying to keep my face neutral. Noah and I aren’t friends. We’re not anything. So, why the hell is he—

He drops into the seat beside me, setting his tray down like he’s been sitting with us for years.

Noah doesn’t say anything at first. He just smiles down at me, like we’re old friends. The entire dining hall is still watching, like they can’t believe this is happening.

I can’t believe this is happening.

“Morning,” Noah says casually, like it’s no big deal that he just made the entire dining hall go silent.

I glance at Jacob, who’s still staring like he’s just seen a ghost. “Uh, hey?” I manage to say, my voice more confused than anything.

Noah grins and starts eating, completely ignoring the stares. “You sleep okay?”

I don’t answer. I don’t know how to. Why is he doing this? I stormed away after our weird encounter yesterday, and now he’s here sitting with me like we’ve been best friends for years?

Jacob clears his throat. “Uh… not to sound rude, but why are you sitting with us?”

Noah shrugs, his grin not faltering. “Figured I could use some new company.”

“Right.” Jacob’s eyes dart between me and Noah. “Well, welcome, I guess.”

Noah shrugs, taking a bite of his toast. “Thanks.”

“Uh-huh,” Jacob says, clearly not buying it. He looks at me, raising an eyebrow, and I can practically see the gears turning in his head.

Noah doesn’t seem to notice—or care—about the attention we’re getting. He’s just sitting there, eating like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I, on the other hand, can feel my skin crawling under the weight of the stares, and it’s taking everything I have not to bolt from the table.

I grit my teeth, trying to ignore him, but Jacob suddenly bursts into laughter, clearly sensing the tension and wanting to break it. “Man, you two are something else. It’s like watching a bomb about to go off.”

Noah grins, and I’m half-expecting him to say something sharp, but instead, he leans back in his chair and shoots me a wink. “Relax, Tyler. You’re wound up tighter than a spring.”

I’m still trying to wrap my head around this whole situation. Noah’s not just some random Alpha. He’s one of the top students here, well-liked and respected. And now he’s sitting with me, an Omega no one wants to deal with. 

It’s unsettling.

“So,” Noah says, breaking the silence. “How’s your morning been so far, Tyler?”

I blink, trying to figure out if this is some kind of trick. “Fine,” I say again, not wanting to engage in whatever game he’s playing.

Noah raises an eyebrow, his smile softening. “You don’t look fine.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I snap, my patience already wearing thin.

Noah chuckles, and I feel my irritation spike. He’s calm, collected, while I feel like I’m fraying at the edges. It’s like he knows exactly how to push my buttons without even trying.

“You’ve got a lot on your mind,” Noah says, taking a bite of his food. “I can tell.”

I narrow my eyes. “And you care why?”

Jacob lets out a nervous laugh, clearly trying to diffuse the tension. “Tyler’s just had a rough couple of days, that’s all. Right, Tyler?”

I ignore Jacob’s attempt at smoothing things over. I’m about to snap back at Noah when he suddenly says, “Why did the scarecrow become a successful motivational speaker?”

I blink, completely thrown off. “What?”

“The scarecrow,” Noah repeats, his grin widening. “He was outstanding in his field.”

There’s a beat of silence, and then Jacob lets out a surprised snort, shaking his head. “Oh my god, that’s terrible.”

Against my better judgement, I feel a laugh bubble up in my chest. I try to shove it down, but it escapes before I can stop it. It’s small, just a quick laugh, but it’s there. Noah’s grin gets wider, and Jacob looks at me like he’s just seen a miracle.

“Did you… did you just laugh?” Jacob asks, half-joking but also half-serious.

I shake my head, still smiling despite myself. “That joke was awful.”

“Awful but effective,” Noah says, winking at me.

I roll my eyes, but the tension in my shoulders loosens just a little. I don’t know how the hell Noah managed to get me to laugh, but for a split second, everything didn’t feel so crushing.

But the moment doesn’t last. Because as soon as I settle back, I feel it. The heavy, suffocating presence of someone watching me.

I don’t even have to turn around to know who it is. My stomach drops, and all the calm I felt seconds ago disappears. I clench my fists under the table, keeping my eyes down on my tray. I won’t look at him. I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s getting to me.

But I can feel Landon’s eyes burning into me from across the room.

“Tyler?”

Noah’s voice pulls me back, and I realise he’s watching me carefully, his brow furrowed in concern. Jacob’s gone quiet too, sensing the shift.

“You okay?” Noah asks, his voice soft again, like he’s trying to reel me back in.

I force a nod, trying to shake off the feeling of Landon’s gaze. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

But I’m not fine. I’m far from it. Because I know Landon’s not just watching. He’s planning. Waiting. And after yesterday, I know he’s not going to let this go.

Noah’s still watching me, his eyes scanning my face like he can see right through me. It’s unsettling how easily he reads me, but I don’t have the energy to push him away right now.

Noah’s voice is calm when he whispers, “He’s watching you, isn’t he?”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

Jacob clears his throat, clearly trying to break the tension. “So, uh, Noah. What’s up with you sitting here? Not that I mind, but… it’s a little unusual.”

Noah glances at Jacob, shrugging. “Like I said, figured I could use a change of pace.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t think everyone else in the room agrees,” Jacob mutters under his breath, glancing around at the other students who are still staring at us.

I grit my teeth, trying to block it all out. The whispers, the stares, Landon’s eyes still boring into the back of my head. It’s like the whole room is closing in on me.

“Tyler,” Noah says again, his voice pulling me back. “You sure you’re alright?”

I nod, but I know he doesn’t believe me. I don’t believe me.

I force myself to focus on my food, pushing it around my plate, even though I’m not hungry. I just need to get through breakfast, get out of here without making a scene.

But as the minutes pass, the weight of Landon’s stare never lets up. It’s suffocating, like he’s daring me to acknowledge him.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I shove my tray aside, standing up abruptly. “I’m heading out.”

Jacob looks up, surprised. “You’re not eating?”

“I’ll grab something later,” I mutter, already walking toward the door.

I can feel Noah’s eyes on me as I leave, but I don’t stop. I just need to get out of here before I suffocate. Before Landon corners me again.

Because if he does, I’m not sure I’ll be able to run this time.