CHAPTER 2

CALEB'S POV

The halls of Alpha Academy were already crowded by the time I arrived. Thankfully, Victoria was in a good mood because of his upcoming dinner with Augustus that she allowed the driver to take me a ride to the academy.

Laughter echoed through the marble corridors while students gathered in their usual circles... expensive uniforms, designer watches and confident smiles.

The children of influential families, then there was me. I tightened my grip around the strap of my worn shoulder bag, wearing a casual fitted clothes and continued walking.

Just survive the day, Caleb... that's all you have to do. I had almost reached the east hallway when a familiar laugh made my steps falter.

No... My eyes lifted, there they were.

Evander Devereux walked toward me with Amelia's arm linked around his own. She looked up at him as if the rest of the world had disappeared. A few steps behind them strolled Lysander with both hands lazily tucked inside his pockets, wearing the same infuriating smile that never seemed to leave his face.

I should've turned around. Instead, I kept walking... I won't let them have the satisfaction of seeing me affected by what happens.

The moment Evander noticed me, his lips curled upward, that smile... I hated that smile.

Without breaking eye contact with me, Evander gently tilted Amelia's chin upward before kissing her right there in the middle of the hallway.

The corridor erupted into whistles and cheers. Amelia melted into the kiss without hesitation. My feet suddenly felt heavier, it shouldn't hurt anymore. This wasn't the first time. So why did it still feel like someone had reached into my chest and squeezed my heart?

When they finally pulled apart, Evander brushed a loose strand of Amelia's hair behind her ear before looking directly at me.

"You should move on, Dawson... your pheromones were too weak to make a woman stay... you should have used to be in these kinds of situations by now." His voice carried just enough for nearby students to hear.

"I already have." I said coldly.

The surrounding students chuckled. I tried walking past him. Unfortunately, Evander stepped sideways, blocking my path.

He leaned closer. "So," he murmured, lowering his voice, "Amelia turned out to be incredibly boring."

I stared at him.

He grinned. "And clingy." Something snapped inside me. "Next time," he continued with an amused shrug, "find someone a little wilder." His smile widened. "It'll make stealing her a lot more interesting."

My fingers curled into fists.

One punch.

Just one... I could wipe that smug grin off his face, Do it.

No... Victoria's warning echoed inside my head. "You'll never provoke his sons."

I slowly unclenched my fists, not because he deserved mercy. Because I couldn't afford another problem.

Lysander finally stepped forward and casually patted my shoulder as though we were old friends. "I'm counting on you, Caleb."

I looked at him. "For what?"

"My next girlfriend." He chuckled. "You always have good taste."

A few students burst into laughter. I glared at him.

Lysander only shrugged. "Maybe work a little harder." His golden eyes gleamed with mischief. "An Alpha should at least be able to keep his girl... oh sorry, with your pheromones that would be impossible."

More laughter, I swallowed every insult threatening to escape my mouth. They weren't worth it. They never were.

Evander brushed past me first.

Lysander followed, giving my shoulder another light pat before walking away.

Amelia lingered behind. "Caleb..." I kept staring ahead. "I'm really sorry." Silence. "I never wanted to hurt you."

Neither did Sophia. Or Emily. Or Charlotte. Or Rachel. They all apologized... then they left. I walked past Amelia without looking at her.

Maybe weeks from now... Maybe months... Evander would grow bored, he always did. He collected hearts the same way other people collected expensive watches. When he was finished, he'd toss them aside. Amelia simply hadn't realized it yet.

Professor Durant's lecture hall was my favorite place in the academy because numbers didn't betray people and balance sheets didn't lie. Markets didn't leave because someone richer smiled at them.

Business made sense, people didn't.

I slipped into my seat near the front just as Professor Durant entered carrying a stack of case studies. "Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, Professor," the class answered.

His eyes landed on me. "Mr. Dawson." I stood. "I reviewed your strategic acquisition proposal." My stomach tightened. "I have to say..." He smiled. "...it's brilliant."

Several students turned toward me.

Professor Durant continued. "You truly are your father's son." My chest tightened for an entirely different reason. "Your father possessed one of the sharpest business minds I've ever encountered."

He tapped my report. "You inherited that gift."

Heat crept into my cheeks. "Thank you, Professor. I'll go one step further."

He folded his arms. "If anyone can restore the Dawson family's former glory..." His gaze remained fixed on me. "...I believe it's you."

For a brief second... I imagined my father hearing those words. He would've smiled and he would've been proud.

A loud yawn interrupted the moment... Lysander.

He was leaning so far back in his chair that it looked ready to tip over. Evander spun a pen across his fingers before flicking it toward the ceiling.

Professor Durant sighed. "Mr. Devereux." No response. "Mr. Devereux."

Evander looked up lazily. "Yes, Professor?"

"Would you care to explain yesterday's reading?"

Evander smiled without a hint of embarrassment. "I didn't read it."

The class laughed.

Professor Durant pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am not surprised."

Lysander stretched lazily. "In our defense..."

"There is no defense," Professor Durant interrupted.

"You two possess extraordinary potential." He shook his head. "And yet you insist on wasting it. Augustus would have to correct you to keep his legacy."

Evander leaned back. "Life's more fun this way... chilling and sometimes taking other's possession"

He said then throw a provoking smile on me.

Professor Durant muttered something under his breath before continuing the lecture. Some people were born with every advantage imaginable. The Devereux brothers were living proof. Yet somehow... they treated everything like a game.

Six hours later, I tied on my apron inside Louie's Café. Louie was my friend, he tossed me a towel. "Long day?"

"You have no idea." I said.

He studied my face. "Those Devereux brothers again?"

I sighed. "When is it not?"

He shook his head. "One day they're going to run into the wrong person." He winked.

"I hope I'm there to watch." I said teasingly.

The evening rush passed peacefully. Orders, coffee, pastries, smiles... just normal... until two elegantly dressed women entered the café. Everything about them screamed old money, they chose a corner table.

"Cappuccino."

"Vanilla milkshake."

I nodded politely. "Right away."

A few minutes later I returned with their order. As I placed the drinks on the table, one woman lightly touched my shoulder, then ran her manicured fingernails on my arm. "You're handsome."

I stepped back. "Thank you."

She smiled knowingly. "Are you interested in... extra service?"

I blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"We pay very well." The second woman laughed softly. "An Alpha like you shouldn't be wasting his time working as a waiter."

I forced a polite smile. "I appreciate the compliment. But I'm not interested."

The first woman's smile disappeared. "You should think carefully. Just one night and you'll have earn maybe a month of your mere salary here."

"My answer remains the same." I said respectfully.

Silence. Then.. Splash!

Ice-cold vanilla milkshake soaked my shirt. It was cold... and sticky. My clothes clung to my skin. The café fell silent.

The second woman sneered. "How dare a mere waiter reject us? You should know your place. You should be grateful for being an alpha that caught our eyes!"

My clothes clung uncomfortably to my skin. Before I could speak, the manager hurried over. "Ladies, I'm terribly sorry."

He bowed repeatedly. "I sincerely apologize." Then he turned toward me. "Caleb."

I understood immediately. "I'm sorry."

The words tasted bitter. The women exchanged satisfied smiles. "Hmph."

They stood, One picked up her designer handbag. The other adjusted her sunglasses before walking past me.

As she leaned close enough for only me to hear, her lips curved into a chilling smile. "I always get what I want..." She paused. "...one way or another."

Then she walked away.

I stood frozen in the middle of the café, drenched in a melting milkshake, unable to shake the strange feeling that her words weren't a threat born from wounded pride... they were a promise.

As the heavy glass door of Louie’s Café swung shut behind the departing women, I stood there, shivering slightly as the cold vanilla sludge seeped through my shirt. I reached up to wipe a sticky drop from my jaw, my teeth clenched so tight my jaw ached.

"Rough night, Golden Boy?" Someone familiar said...

The rich, amused drawl cut through the quiet murmur of the café like a blade. My blood ran ice-cold.

I slowly turned my head toward the corner table, the one I had been too blind, too overwhelmed to notice all evening...

There they sat. Evander and Lysander... My face went completely pale... they had heard everything, Every single humiliating word.