CHAPTER 3

CALEB'S POV

The two arrogant, untouchable thorns in my side at the elite Alpha Academy, lounging in Louie’s modest wooden booth as if they owned the place.

Evander swirled a glass of water, a sickeningly smug smirk plastered across his handsome face. Lysander leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes gleaming with predatory amusement.

Evander chuckled, a low, grating sound. "Who would have thought? A star student, a high-and-mighty Alpha from the elite academy, degrading himself as a pathetic little waiter in a dingy grease-trap."

"Careful, Evander," Lysander added smoothly, though his voice dripped with condescension. "At school, he struts around like a god walking among mortals. So proud. So untouchable. But look at him now... dripping in cheap dairy, bowing his head for pocket change."

I felt a low, dangerous snarl rumble deep in my chest. "Shut your mouths," I hissed, stepping away from the mess. "I work for my living. I'm not that kind of person, and you know it."

Lysander arched a dark brow, leaning forward. "Oh, aren't you? We heard the customers' offer, Caleb. Tell me... was their price too low? Is that why you turned them down, or do you just hold out for a higher bidder?"

Evander laughed outright, leaning his chin on his palm. "Maybe our pristine Alpha has expensive tastes. Come on, Caleb. We're offering financial transparency here. What’s your number?"

My fists clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white. Every instinct in my body screamed to lunge across the room, to wipe that arrogant smirk off Evander’s face with my bare fists. But I couldn't. Not here. Not in Louie’s café, he had given me a job when no one else would. I swallowed the bitter bile rising in my throat, turned my back on them, and started walking toward the back room.

I didn't even make it three steps.

A heavy hand clamped onto my shoulder, spinning me around with brutal, effortless strength. Before I could even draw breath, I was shoved backward, hard, my spine slamming against the empty table near the exit.

Evander and Lysander boxed me in, their towering Alpha frames caging me against the wood. The scent of cedar and expensive cologne suddenly suffocated the air around me.

Evander leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear, his voice a low, mocking purr. "What is your rate, Caleb? Name a price. We can pay for it."

Lysander brushed a sticky strand of hair away from my forehead, his touch cold and mocking. "And in exchange..." he whispered, his eyes flashing dangerously, "...you'll be our loyal lapdog. Every single time we snap our fingers."

"Back off! Stay away the hell from me!" I yelled then pushed them away.

Evander staggered for a second but he eventually find his footing. He and Lysander throw a satisfied smile before walking out of the cafe.

The café had long since closed when I finally untied my apron.

"See you tomorrow," Louie called as he locked the front door. He left earlier so he just heard what happened from the manager.

"If I'm still alive," I joked weakly.

He laughed. "I'll hold you to that."

I shoved my week's salary into my wallet before slipping it into the inner pocket of my jacket. It wasn't much, but it was enough to pay my tuition installment and buy personal stuff.

As I walked through the quiet neighborhood, I replayed the events of the day in my head.

Amelia, Evander, Lysander, Professor Durant and the two arrogant women. It felt as though the universe had decided to squeeze an entire month's worth of humiliation into a single day.

By the time I rounded the familiar shortcut corner leading home, it was already past nine, then I froze. Ten men.

They were exactly where they always were, leaning against cracked walls... Smoking... laughing and waiting, Dorian's gang.

Every family in the neighborhood knew them. They lived off fear, collecting "protection fees" from anyone unfortunate enough to cross this street after dark.

My pulse quickened... not tonight... Please, not tonight. I slowly took one step backward. Another... maybe they hadn't noticed me.

"Well, well..." Too late. Dorian straightened, shoving his cigarette beneath his boot. "Look who finally showed up."

The other men looked over, one smirked while another cracked his knuckles.

Dorian pointed at me. "Come here, Alpha."

I forced a calm smile. "I don't have any trouble with you."

"You don't need trouble." He stretched out his hand. "Just give us your wallet."

My fingers instinctively pressed against my jacket, that money wasn't just cash. It was next month's tuition.

My father's dream... my future. "I can't."

Dorian laughed. "Wrong answer."

The gang began closing in, ten against one. Even as an Alpha, I wasn't stupid enough to think I could fight them all.

Think, Caleb. Think. My eyes darted past them. An idea... I pointed behind Dorian. "Your boss is here."

Every single head turned. "What?"

That single heartbeat was all I needed. I bolted!

"That bastard!" one thud cursed.

"GET HIM!" Dorian shouted.

Footsteps exploded behind me. I sprinted through the narrow alley, my shoes slamming against uneven pavement.

"Run all you want!" Dorian's voice echoed behind me. "We'll break every bone in your body when we catch you!"

My lungs burned, The sound of pounding footsteps grew closer.

Faster... They were gaining, I burst out of the alley and onto the main road.

Empty.

Every house was dark, and every window shut.

"Help!" My voice echoed into the night. "Please!"

Nothing... No lights turned on, No doors opened... Nobody wanted Dorian's gang on their doorstep. I couldn't blame them because fear was contagious.

The footsteps were only a few meters behind now. I looked over my shoulder... too close.

Without thinking, I ran across the road. A deafening horn shattered the silence, my head snapped forward.

Blinding headlights... a black Maybach, heading straight toward me. Everything slowed.

Fuck! This is it... I threw my arms over my face.