The first class of the day was the shifter class. Surely I had some exemption because it would be ridiculous for me to attend. I hadn’t left yet everyone was shuffling to get to breakfast on time while I was struggling to find a way to blend in. I missed a whole day of classes yesterday I didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. Sunglasses would be pushing it. I braided my hair into a side braid that fell over my breast. I went to the mirror to check out my look and couldn’t help but think about my life if I wasn’t there. I would have gone to college and lived out like a regular girl. No one would look at me like I was the scum at the bottom of their shoes because where I would go no one would have known I was part of something else. I wore a black skirt that rode up my thighs with black sneakers and the regular omega identification t-shirt.I checked my phone for a text from Mom, but she hadn’t texted back yet. Geez, what had she done with her phone? I was just going to have to p
Kade POVI should have felt bad for Baxter, but I was focused on the little omega practically hiding behind Alex. She defended herself flawlessly, and it was the second time she’d done it. Also, she attacked a wolf from my pack, and I was obligated to take action.“You know how things work, Alex,” I said with a sigh.“I didn’t do anything.” She winced.I narrowed my eyes on her, wondering if she’d flinch or bulk, but all she did was stare at me with those big green eyes of hers.“Didn’t anyone ever tell you to never address an Alpha unless spoken to?” “Oh, even when the stupid Alpha’s taking the dumber Beta’s side.” Whoever was left watching gasped. The corners of my mouth twitched.“Gabriella,” Alex grumbled, shoving her behind him.“Look, Kade, she technically didn’t do anything but defend herself,” Alex said.I’d never seen Alex give a shit about anyone not even his mate and now he was sticking his neck out for this little omega. I wanted to know what was so special. I folded my
We were waiting on betas today. Omegas were supposed to be soft and caring. They practically cleaned up after the pack and took care of the needs of everyone else. So, the betas were our test dummies. Mom taught me how to cook, clean and sew, so this class was a breeze. The betas were difficult to handle because they were determined to make this class difficult for us.Everyone else took their crap because there was nothing else they could do. I wanted to kick a beta in the shin, but that would land me in detention. So, I kept my head down and did my work. Where were you at the Beta Squad? The smaller castle that housed the betas. That’s where we did the cleaning, the waiting and even folding their laundry. I carried a pile of clothes to take to the rooms on the second floor.I sighed, “Can’t wait to get back to the quarters.” “The redhead. She’s hot, bro.”I paused and nearly choked on my saliva. The only other redhead among the omegas was a boy named Greg. A couple of the betas we
“There are a ton of caves in there,” Blair said.“Oh no! You have no idea which cave it is, do you?”“It’s not like it’s the social centre of the school!” Blair and I stared at a huge silver rock with wide black openings. I wanted my wolf to appear, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to go in there. “Well, are you going to stand there staring, or are we going in?” Blair bumped my shoulder. Sensible me was silenced, and reckless me took over. I rushed ahead of Blair, despite her yells for me. I darted into the first opening I came to. It was bigger than the one to the right, with the spikes dangling out of the opening. The moment I was far in enough I was hit with the scent of moisture in the air. As I walked, I thought about my wolf and how I wanted it to come alive. The surface of the cave was damp, and it got worse as I went along. The ceiling was high, with sharp rocks sneering down at me. Seconds later, a crystal blue pool materialized in front of me.I swallowed. Blair didn’t mention
There were a few things I couldn’t stop thinking about after Alex and Kade’s encounter yesterday. It added salt to the open wound that no one wanted an omega without a wolf when Kade said he wouldn’t mess with me. It shouldn’t have, though. He was an Alpha. Taking omegas as mates wasn’t their forte, especially Sanders's wolves. Alex, he said the advantage, but how? And the battle season, what was that? I found the answer to that when we got to school the next morning.Apparently, there were a couple of ceremonies before the actual event in a month, and the omegas did all the work. Everyone else was supposed to show up and perform.“How come we don’t have battle season back home?” I asked Blair as we carried boxes from the castle attic into the kitchen. I hadn’t started panting yet after making two rounds down there.“It’s kind of an academy thing. To determine the extra strong wolves and sometimes… extinguish the weak ones.”I gulped. “Like us?”She shot me daggers, “Who are you calli
“I don’t know if I should go guys,” I said to Blair and Emery.Emery who was going through my clothes stopped to frown at me.“You are so going! Who knows when we’ll be able to dress up again? I know just what to do with your hair.”“It’ll be fun Gabbie. Live a little.”“It’s because I want to live I’d rather stay here,” I said.They both laughed. I was also worried about mom. Her phone was disconnected. She wouldn’t get a new number without telling me. Something happened to my mom. Going to a party didn’t feel right. Then again I didn’t want to be negative. She could have just broken it or something. Maybe I needed to write her a letter. Knowing Mom, she would write back.I didn’t want to believe anything happened to Mom, but I didn’t want to be naïve either. I couldn’t lose her too. I already lost one parent.“I hear the gamma females have been practising all week for this,” Blair said.“I’ve heard the food’s even better and we won’t have to eat according to rank tonight!” Emery exc
Kade POVI’d never felt that way before. It was like I was finally found and I didn’t even know I’d been searching this entire time. I didn’t know what I was doing when I saw her leave the ceremony and decided to follow her. I couldn’t stop myself or my wolf. She looked so vulnerable even when she was down earlier that day after standing up to Leiah she was still defiant.Seeing her so exposed jerked something in me. I didn’t intend to talk to her, but I let myself get caught. I ran a hand through my hair just thinking about last night’s encounter. She was so different. She didn’t even address me right and I liked that she didn’t. I knew when she turned around and saw me, there was a deep pull I felt in my soul. She was mine.I didn’t know what ticked me off more the fact that she didn’t know we were mates or everything that came with our bond. I remembered her walking into the dark omega quarters. I stayed out there watching the place to make sure a horny wolf didn’t go in there afte
Gabbie POV “I should have known the fairytale would only last until midnight.” Emery sighed as we struggled to juggle buckets and brooms out of the school basement.“Had I known I would have danced more?” She said with another sigh.“I don’t know if it would have ended differently for me,” I said.We carried everything we needed so we wouldn’t have to make another trip. Blair had gone ahead of us with the other omegas off to clean the mess left from last night’s Gamma rituals. They even left the stage for us to undo!Had I known I would have been stuck with all this work to do today I would have gotten up earlier to mail mom’s letter. I had given up on calling her. After I got back to the quarters last night I wrote her a letter. I knew she would write back… she just had to.The letter was still in my pocket. I couldn’t guarantee to finish early so I might as well mail it early. I didn’t know how we got stuck on cleaning up some of the other omegas got to go to class. I couldn’t beli
Gabbie POV“We have to go.”Kade appeared as I picked up the teacup. I hadn’t gotten a chance to try the blueberry muffins yet.“Where to?” I asked.“Your trial. It’s right now.”My palms sweat, and I set the cup down.“I thought it was tonight,” I said as I stood from the comfy patio chair.Eva and Gareth stared at us in disbelief.“I meant it when I said I would testify about when Harlow and Leiah attacked you the first time,” Eva said.“Are you sure you want to do that, mate?” Gareth said, rubbing her arm.“I’m not scared of them.”“Thanks, Eva, but Harlow did most of the attacking.”“It still shows that she’s capable of attacking you again,” Eva replied.“I have a strong and compassionate mate,” Gareth said and planted a kiss on Eva’s lips.She blushed and giggled.Kade hauled me away. I had no idea what to expect. I knew for a fact I would be punished because I used illegal blows but if I didn’t, I would be dead. Kade squeezed my hand as we neared the castle.“Don’t worry about i
Kade POVShe stared at me, digesting my revelation. It didn’t make sense to me either, but I knew Gabbie inside out. It was her scent that drew me to her, I wouldn’t mistake it for anything. I knew Alex was fond of her scent, too. It was a matter of time before he thought the same.“I don’t understand.”“Neither do I,” I replied.“Then why did you say that?”“Because it’s true. Both scenes reek of your scent.”Heat rushed to her face. She moved away from me and stopped safely by the bed. She ran her fingers through her strawberry-blonde hair. I hated coconuts, but that was her natural scent. I didn’t like strawberries, but they would permanently remind me of the love of my life.“I wasn’t there except for that one time, I swear.”“This doesn’t look good. Now, when I tell you to keep away from the scenes, will you listen?”I might have fuelled her curiosity by telling her this. She nodded, but I knew better than to believe her. My mate had a skill for getting herself into trouble.“The
Gabbie POVKade grabbed a clean shirt from his closet while I dressed in my uniform. He grumbled as he stalked to the door. He yanked it open. Alex waited impatiently on the other side.“They sent you, of all people, to get me?” Kade barked.Alex took me in for a moment before returning to Kade.“Who was attacked?” Kade demanded.“Sabrina,” Alex replied. “Ryan, too.”“Damn it,” he muttered.He turned to me. “Gabbie…”“Let me check out the scene. I won’t touch anything.”“No,” Alex and Kade said in unison.They stared at one another for a brief second.“Alphas only, and the wolf could still be out there,” Alex said.“It’s getting ballsy attacking during daylight.”“Ryan’s my friend, I want to know what happened to him.”“He was your one-time babysitter,” Alex said.“A bad one if he let the baby get slammed against a tree.”“What?” Alex exclaimed. “When did that happen?”“Uh… It’s in the past. I’ll check out anyway, so you might as well take me.”“Giving me orders now, huh?” Kade took m
Gabbie POVEva handed me a brand-new strip of pills. I received it, thankfully.“Why did you go to the nurse’s alone, if you don’t mind me asking?”“Um, I didn’t want to bother anyone. Since Kade announced me as his mate, everyone’s been giving me the side eye.”Eva pouted. “I’m sorry. You can ask me next time.”“Why?” She knew Harlow and Leiah before me.It was easier to go along with the masses than stand out and do the right thing.“Because I don’t believe any of this is your fault. Alex is— was your best friend, and Kade is your mate, destined by fate. Sometimes we don’t choose who we fall in love with. Harlow doesn’t love Kade. She’s obligated to be with him. She’s blinded by humiliation and rage. Kade didn’t reject her, the moon goddess did them both a favour by erasing the mark Kade gave her. Do you know how rare that is?”I lifted a shoulder. I was accustomed to being hated and taunted. I couldn’t easily accept someone’s kindness. Especially a girl part of the clique that trie
Gabbie POVKade had been quiet. He joined me in the tub and let me lie on his chest while he poured water on my back with his hand. He stared off into nothing. His mind was probably working a million miles per hour. His body was tense, but I couldn’t come up with what was bothering him. The monster? The trial I would have to go through? Was there more he kept to himself?Later, we wound up in his bed, tangled in each other’s limbs. He held me tightly as if I were a rope keeping him from falling into a river of crocodiles.“Tell me what’s bothering you,” I said.“Don’t worry about it, baby. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”I smoothed the hair on his thigh. “What if I can help?”He chuckled. “You’re helping me now. Are you spending the night with me?”“No, I shouldn’t.”“Why not?”I untangled myself from him and sat up to face him.“I don’t belong here, Kade, you do. I’ll be more comfortable at the quarters.”“At the dark, ugly quarters infested with rats?”I raised a brow at him. “You kno
Gabbie POV“Fuck. I have to check this out,” Kade said.“I’ll come with you.”Holden and Kade shared a look.“I could be dangerous, baby. I’ll feel more comfortable if you stay in my room until I come back.”I shook my head. “I’ll go to the omega quarters instead.”They’re all looking at me funny, but there were predators in the Alpha castle. I had a domestic exam coming up. I went to my room and dragged out my clothes. I needed to be perfect at folding and washing to ace this class.The dorm was quiet. I was the only one to fill the silence with the soft sound of clothes being folded and put away. A ripple through the silence happened when two girls burst into the room.“The academy’s never had attacks like this,” the girl with long knee socks told her friend with ponytails.“Or any attacks. Martin said he saw the beast run off after hurting that guy.”“Are you sure he isn’t making it up? How did he see it?“He said he was outside when he saw a huge black wolf run off.”“Ginger, don’
Gabbie POVI went to the Alpha’s cafeteria. Gasps went around when I appeared. It slowed my pace for a second, but I picked up when I saw Kade talking to his friends.“Kade,” I breathed out.He looked up and smiled. “I thought you wouldn’t come.”He pulled out the chair beside him. “Have a seat.”“I…” Alex sat five chairs away, talking to another Alpha. Eva sat next to her obnoxious mate, Gareth. Leiah and Harlow weren’t anywhere in sight.“No, we have to talk.”“Whatever it is, it can wait until you eat, baby.”Everyone was out of uniform except for me wearing the shirt that told everyone my rank. They gawked at me, and I felt small. Kade tugged on my hand.“Come on,” he said.I slowly lowered myself into the chair. Someone gasped but masked it with a cough. Kade rubbed my thigh and smirked. I felt Alex’s gaze just as hot as everyone else’s but I didn’t look at him. A full plate of two eggs, four sausages, baked beans and toast landed in front of me.“I don’t eat this much,” I said.
Gabbie POV“Why’d you follow me?” Tristan asked.“You really think I believed you when you said you were going to have breakfast with Kade?” Alex barked.“Why would you say that?” Kade snapped.“I had to come up with something!” Tristan threw his arms up.“Gabbie, we’re going.”“Enough, Alex. I’m not going to be your omega. You won’t use me for pleasure ever. I’ll take any punishment you give me, but I won’t be yours.”“No one’s punishing you. The only way you’re taking her is if I’m dead.”“That can be arranged.” Alex stepped forward.“Whoa, whoa, guys.” Tristan stepped between them.“He disrespected my mate,” Kade blasted.“You’re fucking crazy. Admit that you’re only using her.”“I love her. Look at that mate mark. She’s mine!”“Stop. Stop fighting! I’m not going and that’s final, Alex.” I flopped on the bed and lifted my chin.Alex ran a frustrated hand down his face. “I can’t protect you if you choose him.”“Kade’s been protecting me for a long time, Alex.”Alex’s brows furrowed.
Gabbie POVKade caressed my middle with his fingertips. His face pressed against my cheek, and my body curled up against his. No one bothered us last night. I was still in the lion’s den, but I didn’t plan on being a prisoner in the Alpha castle. If Alex hadn’t come to his senses, I wouldn’t be able to stay here. Would I be safe back home? Alex had more power there.Kade tightened his hold on me and exhaled.“I love this,” he murmured.“So, do I.”“I want to keep you here forever,” Kade whispered in my ear.I rolled over and smiled at him. “We have to leave, eventually.”He chuckled. “Is this you telling me you’re hungry?”I begged my stomach not to growl.“No…”He kissed my forehead. “I’ll take care of it.”“Are you going to take me back to the omega quarters?”Kade rolled out of bed. Butterflies formed in my stomach as his back muscles relaxed. His big and solid muscles were a result of hours in the gym.“No, I’m not.”“What?”“I’m going to take you to the shower first.”He stood an