My heart thudded in my chest as the Alpha strolled into the classroom. He radiated confidence, a magnetic presence that made me want to hide, yet I couldn't look away.
The moment he stepped inside, all thoughts of blending in vanished, replaced by a rush of anxiety coursing through my veins.
He scanned the room with piercing eyes before settling on me. For a moment, it felt like time froze.
I wanted to shrink into my seat, but the way he stared made me feel exposed, as if he could see right through the carefully constructed facade I had built.
“Is this seat taken?” he asked, his voice smooth and commanding.
“N-no,” I managed to stammer, hating the way my voice trembled. I didn’t want to show any weakness, especially not in front of someone like him. But there was something about his presence that made it hard to act like my usual self.
He sauntered over and took the seat beside me, leaning back casually as if he owned the place. I shifted uncomfortably, my mind racing. Was he going to mock me like the others? What did he want with me?
“I’m Kai,” he said, extending a hand.
I hesitated for a moment before shaking it. His grip was firm, warm, and electrifying. “Lina,” I replied, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
“Nice to meet you, Lina.” His smile was genuine, and for a brief second, the weight on my shoulders lifted. But then doubt crept back in. “You’re new here, right?”
“Yeah, just transferred,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I—uh, I’m still getting used to everything.”
He raised an eyebrow, studying me. “Eldridge can be overwhelming at first. Don’t let them intimidate you. Most of them are just kids with big egos.”
His words hung in the air, offering a glimmer of hope. Maybe he wasn’t like the others. Maybe he could see me as more than just another student.
Before I could respond, the teacher walked in, snapping me back to reality. Mr. Thompson was a middle-aged Alpha, strict but approachable. As he began to lay out the day’s agenda, my thoughts wandered.
The classroom was filled with chatter and laughter, and despite my efforts to focus, I felt out of place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone was watching me, judging me. It was suffocating.
Halfway through the lesson, Mr. Thompson divided the class into groups for a project. My stomach twisted at the thought of being paired with someone, but when he called my name alongside Kai’s, my heart raced for a different reason.
“Great,” I muttered under my breath, trying to suppress the flutter of excitement. “Just what I need.”
Kai turned to me with a smirk. “Looks like we’re partners.”
“Lucky me,” I replied, forcing a smile despite the nerves churning in my stomach.
As the class continued, I tried to focus on the material, but my mind kept drifting to Kai. He seemed relaxed, jotting down notes effortlessly while I struggled to keep my thoughts in order.
When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, I felt a rush of relief wash over me. I gathered my things quickly, eager to escape the scrutiny of my classmates. But Kai was already beside me, his presence both comforting and intimidating.
“Hey, want to go over the project after school?” he asked casually.
“Uh, sure,” I replied, trying to play it cool. Inside, my mind raced with possibilities. This was my chance to learn more about him and maybe even figure out how to navigate my new life at Eldridge.
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...
