CHAPTER ONE
It was a beautiful spring morning, and as I was walking down the street to the campus of my university, I could not help but admire the waking nature I witnessed while strolling with a cup of coffee in my hand. I was wearing the ridiculous outfit – a pink crop-top with strings and a baby blue skirt and kitten heels – but it didn't matter because at least I was comfortable. I tried my best not to spill the coffee I was carrying as both of my hands were occupied, one of the cups I decided to bring to Rue, who was also an Omega like me and who was my best friend since we were little. Not only were our families friendly with one another, but we also went to the same all-Omega middle school and high school.
I found Rue near the auditorium of our morning class, she was reviewing her notes and scribbling feverishly in the margins.
"Good morning," I said, beaming up at her.
Rue looked up and sighed, taking the caramel macchiato from my left hand. She looked nervous and a little chaotic – her hair was all over the place, and her clothes were wrinkled, but it seemed coffee was helping her a bit.
"You're a saver," she murmured gratefully, taking a sip and closing her eyes from pleasure. "Perfect." Then she looked me up and down. "I thought you said you were studying all night?"
I nodded. We were both second-year English literature students. Rue was always the one to start studying the night before the exam, but I had to admit that she was a much better student at university than in high school.
"I was. I love Emily Dickinson." We were studying XIX century American poetry, and today, we had a test on Emily Dickinson. "So it wasn't that hard to force myself to study." I actually loved this subject but never fancied bragging about it in front of others, especially Rue, who found it all to be quite difficult.
Rue eyed me warily.
"You still look stunning. As if you had beauty sleep or somethin'."
I drank my coffee because I didn't know what to say.
"And I'm pretty sure you'll get 100%, just like you always do," Rue continued. "I honestly can't understand how you do all of this – living with your posh parents, being the most beautiful and the most intelligent girl ever…
I smiled. I was neither the smartest nor the most beautiful girl, in fact, I just loved fashion, and a few exceptional female writers, nothing else, but I did love it when Rue complimented me. "I'm just trying to do my best," I admitted. And it was true, for the most part. "And you yourself are the coolest person alive, so we're equal." Then I looked around nervously. "Where is Jules? Shouldn't she be here by now?"
Rue yawned and shrugged her shoulders.
"I've no idea."
I raised my eyebrows.
"Don't you guys live together?"
In the first year, Rue lived with me at my parents' house because my Dad didn't want to let me, his most precious daughter and an Omega, live on my own, and I didn't want to leave Rue alone. After all, she was also an Omega, and it wasn't safe or healthy for her to live by all herself. Then Rue met Jules, the most fascinating and non-asshole Alpha they've ever met, and it all just clicked immediately. They mated after roughly two months of dating and have lived together ever since in Jules' apartment.
Rue shrugged again.
"Yeah, but she left somewhere this morning, I woke up all alone. Maybe she had some business she didn't wanna tell me 'bout." I rolled my eyes. Alphas and their business. "Anyways, I don't care what she's doing, but I do want to pass this fucking test."
"Wait, you drove here alone?" I asked, surprised.
Rue nodded non chalantly. I couldn't believe it because my Dad would drive me every morning, whether to a coffee shop or university, wherever I needed to be, he was so frightened for my safety as an unmated Omega that he did all he could to never let me out of his sight.
Rue saw I was worried, and she tried to sound even more uncaring.
"Yeah, whatever. Nothin' happened, right?"
"Could've happened," I said.
"Oh, calm down, Cassie. It's not like I was raped or anythin'. I'm a mated Omega now, and it's a lot safer for me to walk aroun' alone than it is to you."
That was true, of course, and I felt myself become paler.
Rue went pale as well when she saw our professor.
…
The test was pretty easy, even though Rue did not think it was, but I tried to calm her down, telling her that I believed she did great. We were leaving the classroom, and I was listening to Rue mumbling how she indeed failed this time and did not get a single answer right when suddenly the doors opened from the other side, and behind them was Jules. Rue and I stopped abruptly, completely dumbfounded.
"Hi, what did I miss?" she smiled at me and at her Omega.
I rolled my eyes.
"The test, Jules. On Emily Dickinson."
Jules frowned.
"Oh right," was all she said. Whereas Rue, even if she wasn't the best student, still cared about her studies very much, Jules, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of that – the Alpha did not care enough to study at home, and she would skip classes quite often. Sometimes I thought she only continued her course because of Rue so that she could be close to her at all times. But other times, on days like this one, I had actually no idea what was happening inside Jules' mind. If she cared so much about Rue and wanted to protect her so badly, why did she constantly leave her alone like that, without saying a word? Maybe that was just typical Alpha behavior.
Rue had crossed her arms on her chest.
"Where were you?" she asked, clearly pissed.
Jules waved her hand in the air.
"Oh, you know, here and there."
Rue raised an eyebrow. I totally understood how angry she's feeling and could not blame her for it.
"What do you mean 'here and there'? I woke up to an empty bed! I was losin' my mind, fuckin' worryin' 'bou you!"
Only now did I understand the hurt Rue felt, the hurt she tried to hide when we first talked right before class.
Jules took one step closer to Rue, cupped her face in her hands, and kissed her softly. I moved aside and looked away, feeling like this moment was too personal for a third person.
"I'll explain when we get back home. Okay?" Jules used her all-powerful Alpha voice. Even I felt my knees wobble a bit.
Rue immediately melted into her Alpha's touch.
"Sure," she complied silently.
We went to our next class, but even if Jules made Rue wait for an explanation, I could still tell she was angry.
"Let me know what the hell happened here as soon as she tells you," I whispered Rue. I lived not only for feminine poetry and fashion but also for gossip. Especially when it involves my best friend.
Rue nodded.
I noticed how Jules held Rue's hand in her palm during the whole lecture even though it was apparent that Rue wasn't keen on touching and was still pissed. But Jules did not let her go.
Once the class ended and I started packing my things, Jules turned to me, still tightly holding Rue's hand, and asked me:
"Hey, Cass, need a ride home?"
I looked at Rue, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"Sure," I said. It was safer for me to drive home with an Alpha than wait for an Uber. Of course, I could call Dad, he would never refuse to take me home, and my parents were that wealthy that I didn't have to ask anyone to get me home, ever. But this was Jules, and she was my best friend's mate, and she was really very kind when she wasn't pissing off that said best friend. And I was tired, had to do a lot of work when I got back home… it was just easier this way.
Jules' car was a silver Toyota jeep. It was giant but very silent and comfortable. The drive to my home was quiet as well. Nobody talked. Rue was angrily staring from the passenger's seat window, Jules couldn't hold her hand because she needed to drive attentively, and I had nothing to say, so I just sat in the back, going completely mute. I did not feel the need to talk. I was also looking outside, noticing the beautiful waking nature. Her home was not far from campus, so it took a little more than fifteen minutes to get back.
"We're here," announced Jules.
Rue turned around to me.
"You'll be analyzing that Keats' poem tonight, right? Please, once you do, send me a briefing… I totally don't get it, and I'll need your help…"
I smiled, hoping that the dread on Rue's face will not be seen tomorrow. I hated when she was angry, or sad, or upset.
"Of course, Rue. I'll send it all as soon as I'm done."
Jules sniffed the air, surprising both Omegas. She looked at me.
"You've got visitors." She said simply as if we were talking about the weather.
I frowned but managed only to thank her for the ride once more.
The door was unlocked. I went in. it was very silent.
"Mom? I'm home!"
Nobody answered. I looked in the kitchen, but she was not there. Then I went to the living room and threw my bag on one of the armchairs.
"Mom? Dad?" I called out again.
No answer.
I looked out the window and saw Dad's car parked outside. There was also a shiny black Mercedes I did not recognize.
I decided to go to Dad's office. I knocked on the door, then slowly opened it.
"Dad? I'm home."
First, the smell hit me – unmistakable, irresistible, robust, masculine and all-consuming, dark, broody, dominating, and comforting scent. It was clear this smell came from an Alpha, but I'd never encountered an Alpha with such hypnotizing smell before. And then I saw that man in my Dad's office, he was sitting in a chair in front of my Dad. All I managed to see was dark-brown hair and deep dark eyes when our glances clashed. My whole body went numb, and I whispered:
"Oh...! I'm so sorry for interrupting… I'll come back later."
The strange man stood up and said:
"No need. We're already done." He looked at my Dad. "I hope you won't take long pondering and accept my offer."
His voice was just as mesmerizing as was his smell – deep, low, masculine, and very dominating. And when he stood up, I noticed how notoriously huge this man was – he was tall, broad-shouldered, all muscles, and his stance exuded power. The triple power – his scent, the sound of his voice, and his looks made me feel something deep inside. I couldn't hold myself back and gasped audibly. The strange dark man was towering over me in a matter of seconds.
"And who are you, Omega?" he asked, using his Alpha voice that made my insides rearrange themselves. Even the way he said the word Omega was something from another planet. I could not help but stare up at him with enchanted eyes.
My Dad and I said at the same time:
"She's none of your business."
"I'm Cassie."
Dad sighed. It was clear my Dad wanted me to have nothing to do with this man, but I was so enamored with this beautiful, magnificent Alpha that I just couldn't get a hold of myself.
My Dad moved fast and forced me away from him, shielding me from those captivating dark eyes that did not leave me for a second.
"She's my daughter," Dad said. "And she has nothing to do with you."
The stranger chuckled darkly.
"We will see," he said. Then he finally managed to tear his gaze from me and looked at my Dad. "Don't think too long, Howard. I may not have enough patience to wait for and= extended period." He praised me with one final glance. "And to you, Omega, I wish sweet dreams."
He winked. And left. But his scent still lingered in her home. In fact, it remained everywhere.
I couldn't believe he winked at me. I felt my legs go weak, and Dad managed to hold me.
"Calm down," he said caressingly.
"Who is he?" I asked.
"Nathaniel Jacobs," Dad answered, and I noticed his eyes go dark. "He's an Alpha mafia boss. And he's big trouble, Cass. Swear to me that you'll stay away from him."
I looked at Dad's eyes and could not say no.
"Okay, Dad, I swear."
Why would I want to pursue this kind of Alpha anyway?
But it looks like I'll need to start taking those heat suppressants after all…
Dad kissed my forehead.
"Go lay down a little."
I nodded and laid down on the sofa.
"But where's Mom?" I remembered to ask.
My Dad answered before leaving for the kitchen.
"She went shopping. Should be back soon enough. I didn't want her to see Jacobs. He creeps her out."