Chapter 8

It was around 10:45 in the morning when my laboratory class ended. I was just trying to get through the day. My Molecular Biology lab had been pure chaos. Not because of the lecture or the project work, but because Ashley, Sophia, Ryan, and of course, Regina, were all in the same class as me.

It felt like I was being stabbed repeatedly by their face during our class.

I just kept my head down and did my lab work. When class ended, I was already starving so I made my way to the cafeteria and joined the lunch line.

But after a few minutes, I saw Regina and her little pack of followers behind me. Just as it was my turn to get food, I felt the sudden rush of people behind me. Regina and her friends shoved forward while laughing as they cut my line.

Damn! When will they ever stop bugging me?

And then, one of them accidentally bumped into me. My tray flew out of my hands. I lost my balance and hit the floor hard.

The whole cafeteria went silent for a few seconds until laughter echoed around the whole building. I could hear it everywhere. My cheeks went red as I stared at the mess of food splattered across the tiles. And above me was Regina.

"Oh no," she uttered sarcastically while towering above me. "Did the little omega trip over her own clumsy feet?"

Her friends just giggled.

I clenched my fists but inhaled slowly. "The line was meant for me," I faintly replied while pushing myself up. "I was here first."

Regina smirked. "Aww, she's so cute when she tries to act brave."

I wiped my hands on my jeans and walked past her. I didn't even acknowledge them after that. I just ordered a new tray of food and just left without looking back.

I thought I could sit alone, maybe by the windows. But my feet betrayed me. They led me toward my old table, our table. For years, it had been mine, Ashley's, and Sophia's spot. Now, they were there with their new pack members, all cozy in the seats we once claimed.

I just stood in front of them and froze.

Sophia looked up first. "All the seats are taken, Sarah," she uttered and not even pretending to sound nice.

Ashley glanced up too. "You can find another table, Sarah. There's plenty of them."

I felt something ached inside me. But I just forced a smile so tight that it hurt. "Right," I responded. "Of course."

I gently turned while fighting the sting in my eyes. But after a few seconds, gentle grip wrapped around my arm. I turned and was startled to see Tyler in front of me while his brown eyes were staring at me softly.

He said nothing at first. He just wiped the tear I hadn't noticed had slipped down my cheek. On the other hand, the whispers in the cafeteria grew louder, but I barely noticed them.

"Is that Tyler Blackstone?"

"Isn't he one of the triplet alphas? I told you they're all gorgeous!"

"Why is he with that weak omega Ryan just dumped?"

Tyler didn't care and gently pulled me along with him. I didn't even have the chance to resist. I just followed him and was too stunned to protest. After a few seconds, he led me past rows of tables all the way to the VIP area where only high-ranking alphas could sit.

I didn't know how to react.

Ryan was also here. He looked up when he saw us and I knew for sure that he was surprised to see me here. For the past two years, I had never been allowed near this space even if Ryan was still my boyfriend.

But now? I was standing in the middle of it while holding my lunch tray and was completely out of place.

Was this supposed to be an achievement for some lowly omega like me?

Jason grinned when he saw us. "Look who's finally joining the cool kids!" he uttered while standing to pull out a chair for me.

I hesitated and glanced at Tyler. "Am I... even allowed here?"

Tyler just smiled a me. "We permit it, lady," he replied. "From now on, this is your table too and you will be eating with us."

I just looked at him, then at Jason's bright smile, and then at Ethan who was watching me with a strange look. He was nonchalant as always and I shouldn't expect anything from him.

I took a seat and heaved a deep sigh. "I didn't know what to say but... thank you, Tyler. Thank you for letting me feel that I belong somewhere—"

"You don't belong here, omega," Ethan cut my words and sat straight in front of me before staring coldly at me right in the eyes. "My brother just felt pity for you. Don't assume other things," he added.

I didn't know what this meant or where it was going, but I just ignored Ethan and glanced at Tyler. "Still, I wanna say thank you."