Marked

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 19

Opening up my phone, I saw only two people listed there other than my mates: my parents. I scrolled up and down, hoping for more contacts to appear, but it was futile. This was what they meant by "few contacts." What about my friends? That's it; I'm leaving this oppressive dorm.

Opening my door, I saw the guards stationed there.

"Lysander said I could go to my dorm and get a few things, but only if one of you comes with me." They looked at me skeptically, seemingly not believing what I said. "Do you really want me to contact my mates over this? You know they won't be happy."

One of the guards spoke up. "I'll take you, but let me inform your butler first."

Shit. If they do that, my plan will go to dust.

Looking him up and down, I said, "Who the hell is your boss, me or the butler? I may be a prisoner, but I am still your boss's mate, so get moving."

They exchanged glances before nodding. "Okay, follow me. I'll take you," said the guard who had spoken before.

The air was thick with tension as I walked with him, my heart racing with a mix of anxiety and determination.

As we drove along the familiar path back to my original dorm, the landscape blurred past, each turn igniting a flicker of nostalgia. I could hear students going about their day while I was stuck here. When we finally arrived, the guard turned to me, a cautious look on his face. "I'll be here when you're done getting what you need," he said, his tone neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of concern.

Nodding at him, I stepped out of the vehicle, the cool air hitting my face like a splash of water. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, breathing deeply to clear the fog of uncertainty that had clouded my mind. I hoped this worked, or I'd be in deep trouble. Without a backward glance, I headed toward the entrance of the dorm, the familiar scent of old wood and worn carpet inviting me in.

Once I was out of the guard's sight, I quickly took a detour down a side corridor, my heart pounding in my chest as I made my way to find Andy. I knew he didn't have class at this hour, and it was my best chance. I walked quickly, hoping to get away before they were notified of my escape. The closer I got to the cafeteria, the more determined I became.

When I finally spotted him, he was surrounded by a group of friends, his laughter ringing out like a melody amidst the chatter. But when he saw me, his smile faltered, and he excused himself from the conversation, crossing the room to meet me. "Where were you? You've been gone for a few days," he said, concern etched on his face.

I could feel his gaze scrutinizing me, and as he sniffed the air a couple of times, his expression shifted from curiosity to disgust. "What's that smell?" he asked, wrinkling his nose slightly. Smell? I didn't smell anything.

"Let's just say I had stuff I needed to deal with," I replied, my voice dripping with disdain. I wasn't in the mood to explain the mess I had gotten myself into. "I came to you because I need your help talking to the director."

His eyes widened in surprise, a mix of disbelief and concern flashing across his features. "The director? Are you sure? What could be so important—"

I cut him off, urgency lacing my tone. "Help me or not, Andy."

After a moment of hesitation, he finally nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Okay, come on. I'll show you, but your scent might make a few people uncomfortable," he warned.

With that, he led the way through the bustling cafeteria, where students were scattered at tables, engaged in animated discussions. I could feel their eyes on me, curiosity and judgment mingling in the air. Andy moved quickly, as if he could feel the eyes too, and I followed closely behind, my mind racing with thoughts of what I needed to say to the director.

As we approached the office, I could feel my heart pounding even louder, a mix of fear and hope battling within me. This was it—the moment I would either find a way forward or be left stuck in the chaos I had tried to escape.

The heavy wooden door loomed ahead, the brass nameplate glinting in the overhead lights. My palms were clammy, and the knot in my stomach tightened with every step. Andy paused at the door, shooting me a concerned glance. "You sure you want to do this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, though doubt flickered in my mind. "I have to. There's no other choice." Taking a deep breath, I reached for the handle and pushed the door open. The room was warm, filled with the scent of polished wood and old books, and the director sat behind a large desk, her gaze lifting from a stack of papers.

"Ah, you're here," she said, her voice smooth yet authoritative. "I was expecting you today."

"They told you, didn't they?" I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I need to talk to you about something important."

Her expression shifted, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Very well. What is it?"

I stepped further into the room, and Andy closed the door, giving me silent support in the background. "It's about what happened last week. I need to clear things up."

The director leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "You mean the incident that led to your absence? You know that was a serious matter."

I swallowed hard, recalling the chaos that had unfolded. "I understand, but I want to explain my side. I didn't mean for things to escalate."

The director studied me, her gaze piercing. "Go on," she said, her tone encouraging yet firm.

I took a deep breath, pouring out the details of what had happened—the misunderstandings, the panic, and how everything spiraled out of control. I explained how I had felt trapped, pushed into a corner, and how my actions had been a result of not wanting to be in the relationship.

As I spoke, I could see her expression soften slightly, the rigid lines of her face relaxing. "I appreciate your honesty," she said when I finished. "But you must understand I have no power to help you. Frankly, I don't want to. You're an omega who has found their mate; most aren't as lucky as you, and if they are, their mates are not as generous as yours has been."

"But," I replied, my voice trembling slightly with emotion, "if you can't help me, then I want to leave the school."

She nodded, considering my words. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "Whatever it takes."

"Very well," she said, a hint of a smile breaking through her stern demeanor. "I'll arrange for a meeting with your mates to discuss your situation and to try to persuade them."

Relief washed over me, a wave of hope flooding in where despair had lingered. "Thank you," I breathed, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.

When I stepped out of the office, the hallways were quieter, the earlier chaos faded into distant murmurs. "You did it!" Andy exclaimed, clapping me on the back. "I don't know what you discussed, but it seemed to work!"

"Thank you; you helped a lot," I replied, grateful for his unwavering belief in me.

"He did, didn't he, bunny?" My heart dropped. "Did you really think talking to the director would change anything?"

"He's just been causing trouble. I had to kill the guard that brought him here. He had a promising future too."

Turning my head, I saw all three of them walking toward me. Shit. I heard Andy say, "What did you get yourself into?" I felt scared for him and for myself.

"I... I was just—" I tried saying.

"Come."