2

BENITO

“Ben!”

The sharp beam of Clarisse’s voice was what jerked me out of thoughts. Cold chills raced down my spine. My breath became labored as I straightened my back against the wall and launched back up to my feet

I tried to form words. Nothing came out.

It was almost as if the moon goddess was mocking me directly. My day couldn't get any worse. The sound of Clarisse’s beaming voice was the last thing I wanted to hear.

It grated against my eardrums.

I fixed my face into a tight frown, watching as bright gleams of rage bubbled in her soulless green eyes. “I-i was jus—”

Clarisse took steps towards me. “Cat got your tongue?”

I straightened my back, sniffling softly. I wasn't going to let her boss me around anymore. I had had enough of her bullshit. “I said I was just about to come when I saw…”

I was just about to finish speaking when Nick’s cold words echoed in my mind.

My lips trembled. I never thought he'd do something like that to me. He promised to love me. Turns out I was just a means to an end. A bed warmer.

My heart stung. I felt livid. 

The cold air in the hallways licked at my sides. I straightened my back, sniffling softly.

“To what?”

Clarisse spat. “This is your last strike, Omega. One last strike and you'll be out on cleaning duty. And trust me it'll be way worse than catering. I'm sure days of cleaning the pack hall will teach you to not t—”

I chirped. “I'll go back in.”

I let out a low grunt and turned towards the other end of the hallway. The bright rays of light coming from the hallway seeped in, biting at my eyes. I brushed some dust off of my shirt before shuffling towards the door leading back into the pack hall.

When I got in, I noticed everyone was heading towards the pack ice rink. The other omegas serving drinks were also following. I slipped into their midst, listening closely to hear what they were saying. 

I was lucky to overhear what two ladies who were also heading into the ice rink were saying. “I can't wait to see the triplets in action. I've heard stories of how talented they are.”

“I heard they are doing it for the attention of the high ranking sport officials present. Something about boosting the triplet's credibility score across all packs.”

Upon getting in, I located a seat in the stadium. The march was just about to begin. The scoreboards flashed on and I caught sight of the opposing team. It was the Cliffords team. A rival team.

I stared back at the sight of the coach leading the games. He blew the whistle and just then, the games started. I spotted Nick in the distance, he played defence. A group of ladies behind me cheered for him.

However, the number of cheering ladies increased when the triplets came. I eyed them from where I stood. They picked through the rink, winning almost immediately.

The floorboards lit up again, brighter as a point was added for them. The rival team led by Brandon, the triplet’s rival, tried to play rough but Knoxx knocked him to the ground.

Gasps rippled through the room. Everyone was curious to see the card the referee would pull out. Ryker kicked through the scene edging towards the other side of the rink.

Enzo helped in stalling the defense team. When Ryker got cornered by one of the opposing team's men, he passed the puck to Enzo who scored effortlessly.

Everyone cheered. Another point topped over the points and the timer went off. I shot my gaze at the official seated at a much higher platform from everyone. They all looked impressed. 

Right after the match, I rushed towards the door. I had to go to the locker room. From the in-room murmurs spreading around, the triplets were going to be picking their mate (Rejoice) right after the match.

I arrived at the locker room and rushed in to go fix the towels. I made sure Enzo's towel was cold, just the way he liked. Ryker's towel burned my palms when I took it out of the towel warmer. I hung it neatly in its place before tucking in the third towel.

Knoxx’s.

It was warm.

I wiped off the sweat on my forehead before heading out. The coordinated hum of the guests filled my ears. The clinking of glasses echoed too. 

The sheen and curl of jewelry shimmered under the hues of the chandeliers. I caught sight of Nick in the clearing. He stood beside Rejoice. Rage bubbled up in me at the sight.

Breath Ben, Breath. 

I chanted the words like a mantra reminding myself of his words. If I said a thing, they'd have me punished and not just that, I'd also be tagged a thief.

The chances of anyone believing the words of a mere omega like myself over that of the school's belle, Rejoice were slim. Very slim.

It took far more breath control for me to finally take my eyes off of them. I heaved out a sigh as I turned my gaze in the direction of the stage. The alphas were there.

All dressed in sharp suits. Knoxx had his hair packed back in a bun. Enzo had hia falling down the side of his face. Ryker's hair remained slicked to the back.

Bright rays of ethereal moonlight washed over their features. The ladies gasped. 

“They look so stunning.”

“I wish they would pick me.”

The edges of my lips tugged into a bittersweet smile. I turned towards the girl that'd just spoken. Funny how everything that was going to happen tonight had already been pre-planned.

Nothing was organic. 

I

It all had a script. A line prewritten.

They all followed it.

Everyone— the men in suits, the boasting ladies, the omegas. We were all bound to a script. Stronger wolves rule. Weaker ones like myself and the other omegas spend all our years getting doted on and fighting for scraps.

While they get the picture perfect life.

A wave of rage rolled down my spine as I tugged uncomfortably in my seat waiting for the triplet to announce Rejoice as their mate. I couldn't wait to get it all done with.

I slid my fingers into my pockets and slid out my phone. I scanned the screen quietly, biting hard into my lower lip. I checked the time.

8:00 PM.

I had to get back to the dorm. The other omegas were already filing out. I followed them. 

“With the moon goddess's blessings, the triplets can now pick out their mate from the scene.”

I wanted to leave right away like every other omega but a part of me wanted to stay. To watch them pick her. It didn't make sense why I was doing that but I paused before the door and turned to stare back at the stage. 

“Rejoice.”

I rolled my eyes before swivelling. I reached for the doorknob. It was cold against my palm. I was just about to reach for it when all of a sudden, I heard a beep from my phone. Identical beeps echoed throughout the hall.

I lowered my gaze to check what it was. My phone screen flashed on to the sight of an article from the school's gossip blog.

The title caught my attention.

WOLFBANE ACADEMY BELLE AND ALLEGED GIRLFRIEND OF THE WOLFBANE BROTHERS, REJOICE, CAUGHT IN INTIMATE POSITION WITH THE TRIPLET'S FRIEND, NICK. (PICTURES BELOW)

My heart jumped at the sight. Gasps rippled through the air. My heart pounded heavily in my chest as I turned to find out everyone in the room had received the same message as me.

A wave of heavy mumblings ensued. 

I searched for the triplet Alphas. They weren't in the room. 

I glanced up at the stage. At Rejoice. Little droplets of tears dripped down her cheeks. Her cheeks flashed red hues. When our eyes met, my breaths quivered. I lowered my gaze to her sides to find her fists tightly clenched.

I glanced at Nick. He was staring at me too. His eyes gleamed with rage. 

This was good. 

“You're behind this.”

I tried to firm words but when I saw him shuffle towards me, I ran off into the hallway to hide from him. Nick was faster than me. Outrunning him was basically impossible. 

Luckily for me, I used one of the hidden passageways for omegas. I rushed down it. I wandered deep into the hallway. When I confirmed I'd lost him, I gripped my chest and heaved out heavy sighs.

I hadn't even calmed my nerves when a whiff of air hit me. I smelt the scent in the air. It reeked of deep, dark and dangerously seductive.

I didn't need to check to know who it belonged to to know. They were here. Brushing off the dust on me, I prepared to leave when the scent hit me again. This time, it flamed my senses. My vision became hazy.

My knees wobbled.

A sharp headache jolted my head upright. I felt my wolf. I hadn't even settled into the little celebration when I heard a voice ring in my head. 

 “Mate.”

No. This couldn't happen. I couldn't be mated to them. Of all the people in the pack. I had to leave before they smell me.