JILLIAN

I kept my eyes on the floor as I walked down the polished hallway of Lycan Royal Academy, dragging my books close to my chest. My hands trembled slightly, and I could feel the flutter in my stomach. I didn't want to look up. I didn't want to see Mariel Jacob. If I did... she and her friends would notice me, and I would be humiliated all over again.

Not today. I couldn't handle today.

I whispered to myself, barely audible: "Just get to class. Don't be noticed. Don't make a sound."

My steps faltered. My stomach twisted, and I felt dizzy. Not feeling well... I shouldn't have come to class.

I rounded the corner a little too fast—and suddenly I slammed into something solid.

Something hard. Warm. Muscular.

My books flew from my hands, scattering across the floor.

"Oh no! I—I'm so sorry!" I stammered, dropping to my knees. "I didn't see you—I wasn't looking—I—"

I froze as I lifted my head.

It was King Carlton Davis.

My heart skipped a beat, then pounded like a drum. Tall. Broad. Powerful. And impossibly commanding. The king himself, right in front of me.

He smiled, a brief, almost teasing curve of his lips.

"No worries," he said, voice low but gentle. "Just keep your eyes forward, little one. You might fall again."

"L-Little... one?" I whispered under my breath. My face burned, my chest tightened.

Two pack guards stepped in and helped me gather my scattered books. They handed them to me carefully, bowed slightly, and then left as silently as they came.

King Carlton nodded once, just once, and walked away, his presence leaving a faint heat lingering in the air.

I clutched my chest. My heart was beating too fast, too hard.

"Is it fear? Or... something else?" I whispered to myself, my breath trembling.

I didn't have time to think because my legs carried me faster, almost running, toward the nearest bathroom. I needed to breathe. I needed to stop my heart from threatening to burst through my ribs.

I pushed the door open—and my stomach dropped.

Mariel Jacob stood there, smug and perfect, with her circle of followers like loyal shadows.

"Look who's here," she purred, eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "The poor omega, thinking she belongs here."

I took a step back. "I—I just—"

She blocked the door with a flick of her wrist. "Nope. Not leaving that easy."

"Please, I'm not feeling well—" I started, voice shaking.

"Perfect. Weak. Just how I like my entertainment," she said, a smile twisting her lips.

Before I could react, she shoved me. Hard.

I hit the cold tile floor with a thud. My books slid away. My wrist ached. Laughter exploded around me.

"Poor omega!" one student jeered.

"Can't even stand up," another mocked.

I gritted my teeth and scrambled to sit up.

Mariel tilted her head and smirked at one of her friends. "Emily. The trash."

Emily snatched a small bin and stepped forward.

"No! Please—don't!" I shouted, backing away.

The trash flew toward me—and then a voice cut through like a knife.

"Stop it!"

My head snapped up. My heart almost froze.

Larson Davis came, he was standing at the doorway. Hands in his pockets. Tall. Dark. Damn near perfect. My chest tightened. My wolf stirred in excitement I couldn't control.

Mariel froze. "Larson—"

"I said stop," he growled, and it was enough to silence the entire bathroom.

I bit my lip, cheeks burning, and slowly pushed myself up from the floor.

He stepped closer, his eyes stormy and sharp. "Are you okay?"

I nodded quickly, fumbling with my books. "I... I'm fine."

"You're clearly not fine," he muttered, gaze flicking to my scraped wrist.

"I'm used to it," I whispered, ashamed.

Larson shook his head, frustration evident. "You shouldn't be."

Behind him, Mariel huffed, annoyed. "He's making such a big deal over nothing."

Larson turned, jaw tight. "Nothing? She's not nothing."

My stomach flipped. His words... they felt like fire in my chest. I wanted to melt into the floor and disappear, but something in his gaze made me stand taller.

"Come with me," he said suddenly, stepping forward.

I hesitated. "I—shouldn't—"

"Please," he interrupted, almost a growl. "Just come."

Mariel gasped behind him. "Larson! You can't just—"

"I said stop," he snapped, eyes flashing at her.

She stepped back, indignant, but Larson didn't even look at her. His focus was entirely on me.

I clutched my books tighter, my wolf restless inside me. His scent—pine, rain, something darker—wrapped around me, stirring emotions I shouldn't feel.

I wanted to say no. I wanted to run. But I didn't.

Instead, I let him guide me toward the hallway exit, away from Mariel's prying eyes.

Her voice whispered after me, sharp as ice: "We're not done yet."

I swallowed hard, heart hammering. "I—thank you," I murmured to Larson without looking at him.

"Go," he muttered, his gaze still lingering on me, a warning buried deep in his stormy eyes.

Behind him, I heard Mariel huff and wrap her arms around him possessively. "I'm just having fun," she purred.

Larson frowned, stepping slightly away from her. "Father is here to visit. Don't make a scene."

Her cheeks flared red. "You're so serious."

Larson didn't respond. He just watched me go, letting me slip past with a quiet intensity that made my chest ache.

As I finally rounded the corner and pressed myself against the lockers, I let out a shaky breath. My hands clutched my chest as my heart hammered like it was trying to escape.

Why did Larson make it feel like my wolf was alive inside me? Why did Mariel's anger spike every time I blinked in his direction?

I swallowed hard. I had liked him for months in silence—my secret crush, impossible, unspoken. And now... he saved me.

The thought made my stomach twist and my chest ache with something I couldn't name.

Something dangerous. Something forbidden.

And I knew one thing for certain: whatever this was, this day—this hallway—this encounter—had changed everything.

Because at Lycan Royal Academy, nothing was ever simple.

Not when alpha hearts, royal blood, and omega desires collided.

And I had no idea yet just how far this pull would take me—or how much I was about to be caught in a storm I couldn't escape.