Chapter 3

"Damn! Why is every apartment along the school occupied?"

I couldn't hide my frustration as I walked on the street clutching all my things. The suitcase in my right hand, the gym bag in my left hand, and the black backpack on my back. It was slowing me but I had no choice.

I started dragging my suitcase again along the sidewalk, while my eyes were scanning the windows of every building. Most places had "No Vacancy" signs or outrageous rental prices that made my stomach twist.

After a while, I faintly checked my phone for the fifth time. It was 6:38 AM.

"It's fine," I muttered to myself. "I'll find a place before class. There has to be something."

But an hour later, I was still dragging my suitcase with nowhere to go. My arms were already sore and my feet were aching.

I checked my phone for another time.

"It's 7:50 already?" I gasped.

No, no, no...

Anatomy class was in ten minutes, and I was still wearing yesterday's hoodie and jeans. I looked around the quiet street, and then, across the road, I saw a public shower facility. The little faded sign says "open."

Without hesitation, I immediately grabbed my suitcase and sprinted across the street.

The water was cold and the tiles were cracked, but I didn't care. Five minutes. That's all I gave myself.

After showering quickly, I changed into my clean white uniform and shoved everything else back into the suitcase. I hastily twirled my wet hair into a low bun even if it was still dripping, and went out the door.

I ran all the way to the surgery building. But before I could arrive at the room, I slammed into something hard.

My suitcase fell over with a loud thunk and I stumbled back. When I slowly glanced up, I was stunned when I saw Ethan Blackstone. One of the Blackstone triplets. Alpha-blooded and dangerous.

He had dark hair, stormy eyes, and a healing cut on his lower lip. It was a fresh one, still red and raw. Next to him was a younger beta werewolf student while holding a stack of books.

Ethan glared at me. "Watch where you're going."

"I—I'm sorry!" I uttered quickly and grabbed my suitcase. "I didn't see you, I was in a hurry to get to class—"

"You ran into me," he cut my words. "You should apologize like you mean it."

I froze. He was really scary.

"I'm really sorry, Ethan," I muttered again. "I didn't mean to disrespect you."

He watched me for a second longer then he faintly scoffed. "Weak omegas shouldn't run blind in an Alpha's path."

He immediately turned away without waiting for a reply and walked toward the east wing as if nothing happened. The beta student also hurried after him.

I stood there for a few seconds while my heart was still racing. Then, after a few seconds, the doors to the dean's office opened and a group of injured students stepped out.

Their faces were all bruised. Some even had torn sleeves and bandaged arms. One of them had claw marks on his neck. All of them were werewolves.

I recognized the signs immediately. They must have challenged Ethan or one of his brothers... and lost.

I just heaved a deep sigh and looked down at my hands that were still shaking. My gaze then shifted to my soaked sleeves from my still-damp hair.

"What a day it is..." I muttered and walked straight to our room.

***

The bell rang at exactly 3pm.

Finally.

I immediately clutched my bag to my chest and hastily left the room. I had been avoiding Ryan, Ashley, Sophia, and the other pack members the whole day. Every time I heard Ryan's voice through the halls or saw a flash of Sophia's shadow in the crowd, I would duck around corners while slipping into restrooms or empty lecture halls until they disappeared.

I had already mastered the art of being invisible, at least for the day.

But I still didn't want to risk walking out through the main building where the pack members usually gathered. So I circled to the back exit behind the surgical wing to avoid any of them.

When I arrived behind the building, I immediately froze when I saw Regina and her friends.

Why am I so unlucky today? Damn!

She was leaning against the wall with two of her friends. When she saw me, her smile immediately disappeared.

"Well, look who decided to crawl out of her hole," Regina commenced and stood straight up.

"Don't mind me," I muttered and sighed, trying to walk past.

But I heard some footsteps. They were still following me so I halted.

"Still lurking around?" she asked and started circling around in front of me. "Didn't get the hint yesterday, Sarah?"

I sighed and looked up. "I'm not here to start anything, Regina."

"Then stop following Ryan, omega. Stop showing your sad little face in places you don't belong."

"I'm not—"

"You omegas are so clingy. It's pathetic." One of her friends cut my words.

"She probably still thinks she's relevant," Regina said with a tilt of her head. "News flash, you're not! Ryan was generous to keep you around as long as he did."

"You don't have to be cruel, you know," I replied.

Why was she acting like a bitch all of a sudden?

Regina faintly smirked. "Honey, I'm being kind. Trust me, if you keep showing up like some wounded stray, I might stop playing nice. Ryan and I? We're mates. We belong together. And You? You're just a two-year mistake."

I tried to restrain myself while stopping myself not to cry. Not in front of them.

"I'm not even—"

"That's enough."

I halted from talking when a loud growl echoed in the area. All of us turned.

Ethan Blackstone was standing in front of us while his hands were in his pockets. His lip still held that healing cut, but his presence was really cold.

Regina's confidence faltered. "Ethan, hi. We were just—"

"Bullying a girl who was a lot weaker than you," Ethan uttered. "Typical pack behavior."

Regina raised an eyebrow. "She bumped into me—"

"I saw everything," Ethan cut her off. "And unless you want Dean Halvorson hearing about harassment during school hours, I suggest you take your barking elsewhere."

Regina hesitated for a while before giving me one last glare and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Let's go, girls."

They walked away in a few seconds.

I just exhaled and rubbed my chest. "Thank you, Ethan. I mean it. I didn't expect anyone to—"

"I wasn't helping you, human." Ethan interrupted me. "You just looked pathetic. I hate watching pathetic things."

I froze. But before I could reply, he already walked away.

I just rolled my eyes and started walking outside the campus.

"I swear," I muttered to myself. "Every single high-ranking werewolf in this school is a damn jerk. Next semester, I'm transferring to another omega-friendly school."

And I wasn't going to look back.