Lina stood in front of the cracked mirror in her small room, adjusting the collar of her oversized hoodie. The fabric was faded, a dull gray that had seen better days, but it was the one piece of clothing that made her feel invisible.
In a world where being an Omega meant living under the scrutiny of Alphas, the last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself.
With her long, dark hair tied up in a messy bun, she scrutinized her reflection, searching for any sign of vulnerability. She couldn’t afford to show any weakness; not now, not ever.
As she pulled her hair tighter, her thoughts drifted back to the moment she’d received her acceptance letter from Eldridge Academy, the most prestigious school for Alphas.
It had been a flurry of mixed emotions. Excitement flooded her when she saw the words "Congratulations" scrawled across the top. But as reality sank in, the weight of the situation settled heavily on her chest.
She had to make a decision: embrace her identity as an Omega and risk being crushed under the weight of expectations or hide her true self and blend in with the Alphas.
She had chosen the latter.
Lina had spent weeks practicing how to behave like a Beta, how to keep her head down, and how to avoid the wrath of the Alphas who dominated her new school. She knew the stories—how Alphas treated Omegas, how they loved to control them.
She wasn’t going to be another victim of the hierarchy. No way. She was determined to carve her own path, even if it meant pretending to be someone she wasn’t.
Taking a deep breath, she turned away from the mirror and grabbed her backpack, which was filled with the essentials: a few notebooks, her old tablet, and a single book she’d found in a thrift shop about rebellion and self-discovery.
It was her lifeline—a reminder that there was a world beyond the rigid structure she was entering.
“Lina! You ready?” her younger brother, Ethan, called from the living room. His voice was cheerful, cutting through the heavy silence of her thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m coming!” she replied, forcing a smile. She took one last glance in the mirror and stepped out of her room. The small apartment was cluttered with the remnants of their lives—old furniture, boxes stacked in corners, and faded pictures on the walls. It felt like a cramped cage, but it was home.
Ethan was sprawled out on the couch, his sandy hair sticking up in all directions as he played a video game. His laughter echoed in the small space, a sound that usually brought her comfort. But today, it felt out of place.
She wished she could be as carefree as he was, unbothered by the looming shadow of the academy and the expectations waiting for her there.
“Are you nervous?” he asked, pausing his game to look at her. His big brown eyes were wide with curiosity, a mirror of innocence she wished she could protect.
“A little,” she admitted, though it was an understatement. She felt like she was about to step into a lion's den, armed only with her wits. “But I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll do great! Just be yourself!” he said, flashing her a grin.
His words were meant to encourage her, but they twisted in her stomach. Being herself wasn’t an option. Not at Eldridge. “Thanks, Ethan. I’ll try,” she replied, giving him a soft pat on the head.
After grabbing a quick breakfast, they stepped out into the bright morning. The sun shone down on their neighborhood, casting long shadows from the cracked pavement and the haphazardly parked cars.
YOU ARE READING
Bound By Fate
RomanceBound by Fate Lina's an Omega, but she's tired of being treated like one. She hides her identity to blend in at an Alpha academy, planning to stay invisible. Then she meets Kai, an Alpha with his own problems. They're not supposed to get close, but...
