3. Tyler

I head out of the dining hall, my tray still clutched in my hands, adrenaline pumping through me. I didn’t even realise how fast I was walking until I reached the tray drop-off area and slammed it down. 

The clattering sound echoes louder than I intended, drawing a few stares from students nearby. I force myself to breathe, unclenching my fists as I walk toward the exit.

Landon’s stare is still burning in my mind, the way he sat there, smug and confident, like he was waiting for me to crack. I hate that guy. 

Every Alpha in this place is the same—thinking the world should revolve around them, that they can bend people to their will just because they were born with a little extra testosterone. Landon’s the worst of them. The king of Ridgecrest, strutting around like he owns the whole damn academy.

I walk out into the courtyard, letting the morning air cool my skin. Students are milling about, going to and from class. I blend into the crowd, trying to get lost in it, but my mind keeps circling back to that breakfast, the way Landon tried to corner me again.

He didn’t scare me. He pissed me off.

“Hey, wait up!”

I glance over my shoulder and see Jacob jogging up to me, that friendly grin plastered on his face again. Of course, he’d follow. He seems like the type that latches on once he’s decided to be friends with someone. 

Part of me wants to brush him off, but another part … well, it’s not the worst thing having one person in this place who doesn’t seem like a complete tool.

“Thought you could use some company,” Jacob says, falling into step beside me.

I shrug, keeping my pace steady. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah, I saw how ‘fine’ you were in there. You’ve got guts, man. Most Omegas would have folded under Landon’s glare. Hell, some of the Betas would have too.”

“Good for them,” I mutter, not really in the mood to talk about Landon.

Jacob chuckles. “Come on, don’t be like that. You’ve gotta know what you’re up against. Landon doesn’t back off easily.”

“I can handle it,” I say, more to myself than to him.

“I’m not saying you can’t,” Jacob replies, still grinning. “But, uh, you might want to watch your back. Just a tip.”

I stop walking, turning to face him. “Why do you care?”

Jacob blinks, his grin faltering for a second before he recovers. “I dunno, maybe because we’re roommates? And you seem like you’re walking into a storm without realising it.”

“I know exactly what I’m walking into.” I push my hands into my pockets, scanning the crowd around us. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

Jacob raises his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Point taken. No babysitting. But hey, you’re not the first guy to butt heads with Landon. Just don’t underestimate how far he’ll go.”

I look at him for a moment, weighing his words. He doesn’t seem like he’s trying to scare me, but there’s something in his tone that makes me wonder. I don’t need someone telling me to be careful like I’m some fragile thing ready to break. 

But maybe Jacob’s right about one thing: Landon won’t let this go.

“What’s his deal, anyway?” I ask, even though I know I’m probably going to regret getting involved in this conversation.

Jacob snorts. “Landon? He’s Ridgecrest royalty. Dad’s some big-shot Alpha, owns half the businesses in town. He’s been running this place since he got here, and everyone just falls in line. Well, except you.”

“Lucky me.”

“Seriously, though, he’s not used to being told no. Definitely not by an Omega.” Jacob smirks. “And you? You told him to screw off in front of half the dining hall. I’m impressed.”

“I wasn’t trying to impress anyone,” I mutter. “I just don’t care what he thinks.”

Jacob shrugs. “Fair enough. Just know he’s not going to drop this.”

I don’t respond. I already knew that. Guys like Landon never drop anything. They’re like wolves hunting prey, relentless until they’ve torn it apart. But I’m not about to be another one of his easy targets.

We walk in silence for a while, the academy bustling with life around us. Students hurrying to class, a couple of Alphas laughing loudly as they shove past a group of Betas near the library steps. 

The power dynamic here is painfully obvious.

“So, what are you studying?” Jacob asks, breaking the silence.

I shrug again. “History. Maybe some sociology.”

“Ah,” His eyebrows raise. “Thought so.”

I shoot him a look. “Why, because I’m wearing glasses?”

Jacob laughs, shaking his head. “Nah, not that. It’s just… you seem like you’ve got less of a chip on your shoulder than a love of academics.”

“I can have both.”

“Touché.”

We reach the main building where most of the classes are held, and I pause outside the door, glancing up at the stone archway above us. Ridgecrest is old, built like a fortress, with ivy crawling up the walls and ancient windows that seem to watch you wherever you go.

“Well, this is me,” Jacob says, jerking his thumb toward the stairs. “Physics class. Real thrilling stuff. You?”

I glance down at my schedule. “History. East wing.”

Jacob nods. “Cool. Catch you later, then?”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

He waves as he heads up the stairs, leaving me standing alone in the courtyard. I stare after him for a moment, then make my way toward the east wing. Ridgecrest is going to be a long year. But if I can keep my head down, stay out of trouble, and avoid any more run-ins with Landon, I’ll get through it.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Class is uneventful, just the professor droning on about the syllabus and our upcoming assignments. The rest of the students are more interested in checking their phones or whispering to each other than paying attention. 

I keep my focus on the front, taking notes even though I know it’s probably overkill for a first day. Old habits die hard.

When the lecture finally ends, I pack up quickly and head for the door, ready to disappear into the library for the rest of the afternoon. The library’s one of the few places in Ridgecrest where I can actually think, where no one bothers me.

But as I step into the hallway, I catch sight of Landon leaning against the wall, arms crossed, that same smug grin on his face. Of course.

“Tyler,” he says smoothly, pushing off the wall as he steps toward me. “You and I need to talk.”

I stop, forcing myself to stay calm. “We’ve got nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, I think we do.” His eyes glint with something that makes my skin crawl. “See, you’ve made an impression on me. I don’t like being ignored, especially by someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” I raise an eyebrow, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Let me guess: an Omega?”

He smirks, taking another step closer. “Smart and quick. You’re full of surprises.”

I hold his gaze, refusing to look away. “If this is about your ego, you can save it. I’m not interested in playing whatever power game you think this is.”

Landon’s grin widens, but there’s no warmth in it. “Oh, Tyler, this isn’t a game. This is me teaching you how things work around here. Omegas fall in line. That’s how it’s always been, and that’s how it’ll stay.”

I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to punch him in the face. “I’m not like the other Omegas.”

“I know,” he says, his voice low and almost… amused. “That’s what makes this fun.”

I take a step back, trying to keep some distance between us, but Landon moves with me, closing the gap again. I can feel the dominance rolling off him in waves, but I refuse to be affected by it.

“I’m not interested in whatever you’re offering,” I snap.

Landon chuckles, shaking his head. “That’s the thing. I’m not offering. I’m telling you how this is going to go. You’re not going to ignore me again, Tyler. Not without consequences.”

I stare at him, my anger bubbling up, but I keep it in check. “I don’t care about your threats.”

“You will.”

His voice is soft, almost a whisper, and it sends a shiver down my spine. Not out of fear—out of sheer hatred. I grit my teeth, stepping forward to meet his gaze head-on.

“If you think I’m going to bow to you, you’re wrong.”

Landon tilts his head, his smirk never faltering. “We’ll see, little Omega.”

Without another word, he turns and walks away, leaving me standing there, my fists clenched at my sides. I watch him disappear down the hall, my heart pounding in my chest. He’s not going to stop. I know that now.

But I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of breaking me.