Mate!

Tessa's Pov.

With a command, she motioned for her minions. The hands released me, the absence of their claws leaving behind an ache that pulsed with each beat of my heart.

Relief washed over me, and for the first time, I found the 3 R's presence useful.

The classroom emptied, students trailing after Victoria, eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous 3 R’s—sons of our pack's Alpha, the future rulers of our pack.

Nobody knows their true name as they chose to stay anonymous. They're menacing, just as girls are attracted to them.

But not me. I stayed rooted in place, my limbs heavy and my breaths shaky. If I had my way, I'd keep as much distance as possible from those three. Trouble seems to follow their name, and I had enough on my plates already.

The echo of retreating footsteps faded, leaving only a few stragglers who cast lingering glances my way before leaving, their curiosity outweighed by their desire to witness the 3 R's firsthand.

I exhaled, slow and shaky, my shoulders sagging as the tension finally uncoiled. The lingering sting from Rica’s claws pulsed beneath my skin, a dull reminder that the reprieve was temporary.

My fingers trembled as I reached up, brushing against the damp strands of my hair, still sticky with coffee and whatever else they had mixed into it. The acrid scent clung to me like a second skin, making my stomach churn.

“Damn Victoria! Damn her!” I cursed.

I needed to clean up.

Moving stiffly, I gathered my things, ignoring the stares of the few remaining students who seemed caught between amusement and pity. I clenched my jaw and forced my legs to move, pushing past them and out into the hallway.

The corridors burst with excitement. Students are murmuring in hushed, eager voices. Snippets of conversation floated around me.

“They say the 3 R's just got back from training with the elders.”

I heard they are stronger and even scarier too.”

“Victoria is so lucky. I bet they will announce her as their mate soon.”

I kept my head down, weaving through the crowd toward the nearest restroom. If I was quick enough, I could scrub the worst of the mess away before anyone else got a good look at me.

I pushed the door open, stepping inside. I gazed into the mirror, and the image that stared back at me was barely recognizable. Hair matted, skin botched in red where the coffee had burned, eyes dark with exhaustion. As the lowest Omega in the pack, I couldn't heal as others knew. I bet Victoria knows this and hence the reason she did that.

If only I could be stronger!

A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

Crying wouldn't change anything.

Turning on the faucet, I let the cold water run over my hands before splashing it onto my face. The chill grounded me, washing away some of the filth, but not the humiliation.

A sharp knock on the door jolted me.

A stiffened, my pulse spiking.

“Hey,” a voice called, muffled through the door. The voice wasn't Victoria's. Not one of her minions. But I still didn't move, not until the door started to creak open!

Adrenaline rushed through me, and I bolted, hidding myself into one cubicle.

The creak of the door finally stopped, and I heard footsteps walk inside. I peaked from the opening to see who it was, and my jaws dropped when I saw him.

He was tall, the kind of height that made his presence impossible to ignore. Dark eyes bore into the cubicle door like he knew someone was hiding there, unreadable and intense. The air shifted, the weight of something unspoken pressing between us.

“Fuck!” I mouthed, hand flying to my mouth. “One of the 3 R's!”

My stomach twisted. Of all the people to walk into this restroom, it had to be him?

I snapped my eyes shut, wishing I could just disappear. And what was he doing in the female restroom anyway? Being an alpha's son doesn't give him the right to do whatever he wants.

“I know you're in there.” His deep baritone voice boomed, making my heart pound even more. “Come out now, and maybe I'll forget that you're in the wrong restroom.”

‘What?!’ I almost melted in the cubicle. While trying to avoid them, I had unknowingly walked into the wrong restroom! “Fuck, I'm doomed!”

I contemplated staying, hiding in here like a weak puppy, but I decided against it. Making him walk in here would double my punishment, and I didn't want more punishment.

Taking in multiple deep breaths, I stretched my hand to open the door. But then I paused when I heard more footsteps.

“Where have you been, man? We've been looking for you. Something happened, and we need to leave, NOW!”

The voice of the 3 R's.

The first one hesitated, and then, I heard their footsteps receding into the distance.

I breathed out a sigh of relief! Whatever that had happened, I was grateful for that thing.

With my steps as light as a feather, I skulked out, just as the school bell rang. The school had come to an end. Finally, I was going back home!

*******

I tightened my backpack straps as I began my walk home. My family couldn't afford a car, and the bus routes were unreliable.

I glance at the wooded path cutting through the campus perimeter. It was quieter, and even if I've heard stories of rogue attacks in the woods, it was faster, and I was too tired to care.

At first, the woods were peaceful, the crunch of leaves beneath my worn out sneakers the only sound. But as I ventured deeper, a faint growl stopped me in my tracks!

My heart gave a deadly beat, flying out of my chest, until it dropped low in my stomach.

I crouched behind a tree, sweat dripping down my spine as three wolves stalked into the clearing ahead.

My eyes widened and goosebumps racked my skin. They were massive, their fur shimmering unnaturally in the fading light.

Before I could process what I was seeing, three other figures emerged from the opposite side of the clearing again!

I clamp a hand over my mouth. The… the Alpha Trio?! What are they doing here?!

The trio didn't hesitate. In one seamless motion, they began to shift, bodies contorting as fur sprouted, bones cracked, and claws extended.

In seconds, three enormous wolves stood where the boys had been moments before.

My breath hitched. I wanted to run or scream, but my legs betrayed me, they refused to move!

The first set of wolves turned back at the sound of the 3 R’s. Their fangs became bare and they charged at the Trio alphas.

The clearing erupted in snarls and growls, the clash of fangs and claws sending chills down my spine. I watched in stunned silence as the trio dispatched the other wolves with brutal efficiency. They've killed them!

When it was over, the three stood amidst the carnage, their fur matted with blood. They shifted back, their human forms reemerging seamlessly.

“Someone is watching,” Asher said, his voice sharp as he scanned the trees. His eyes are red and his claws are still retracting.

My stomach dropped as Landon turned, his piercing gaze locking onto my hiding spot.

“Come out,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for arguments.

My legs instantly moved on their own, carrying me out into the clearing. I clutch the straps of my backpack, my knuckles turning white as fear washed over me.

“I—uh—”

Before I can continue…

“You shouldn't be here,” Asher said, his usual playful tone absent. His expression was tense and his jaws were tight.

“What did you see?!” Landon demanded, stepping closer.

I took a step back, my heart pounding. “I…everything.”

The three exchanged looks, their expressions darkening.

“You've seen too much,” Rhyes said, his tone bordering on a growl.

My stomach twisted and my heart lurched. “I…I didn't mean to!” I blurted. “I was just trying to get home!”

Asher tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. “We'll have to figure out what to do with her.”

Hayes sniffed. “A human rogue?!”

My mind raced. Are they going to kill me?! Was I going to die just like that?

He raised his hand, claws catching the setting sun and I clenched my eyes shut, squeezing out the words as they tumbled out of my lips.

“Please I'm not a rogue! Only a student trying to make a living for herself.” I confessed.

“Liar!” they all growled.

“What are you even waiting for? Go ahead and kill her!”

I squeezed out a prayer to the moon goddess, to accept my soul and prepare for impact, but instead I heard their collective words of declaration…

“Mate!”