Chapter 3 - Trouble in Room 001

Nova

Had he already figured me out? The thought barely had time to form before panic took over. I froze beneath his intense gaze, my mind racing through every possible explanation.

I just needed to get away before he asked another question. I pushed past him and hurried out of the changing area, my heart pounding so hard that I could hear it in my ears. I didn't even look back as I rushed into the hallway, where students were already making their way toward the hall for the assessment.

Maybe if I disappeared into the crowd, he would leave me alone. I had barely taken a few steps when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Hey!"

I kept walking, but the footsteps became faster. I glanced over my shoulder and saw him coming after me, his expression hardening as he closed the distance between us. My stomach twisted, and I quickened my pace, but before I could get away, his hand suddenly caught the straps beneath my shirt and yanked me backward.

My entire body jolted. I twisted against his grip, trying to pull myself free, but he held on.

"I said, what the fuck are you?" he snapped.

Something inside me broke, and I didn't think or plan it. I simply reacted.

I lifted my leg and kicked him as hard as I could.

He stumbled backward, completely caught off guard, and crashed onto the floor right in front of the students who had gathered in the hallway. A wave of gasps swept through the crowd, and I stood there breathing heavily, staring at him in disbelief, as whispers erupted around us.

Wait... isn't that Alaric, the Alpha heir?”

“What is the Alpha heir doing here?”

“It's part of his training. He has to stay in the same apartment hostel as the other students.”

“Yeah. The heir has to experience the same things we do before he can become the next Alpha.”

“Imagine that. If he can't even handle living among ordinary students, how is he supposed to lead a whole pack?”

“Still... I never thought I'd see the day someone actually knocked him down.”

I looked at the man on the floor again, my stomach dropping as the realization sank in.

My eyes dropped to the floor beside him, and I froze when I realized his towel had fallen off.

My face immediately burned, and I quickly looked away.

The problem was that I had just exposed my powers—the unnatural strength I'd spent years hiding, the exact thing my father had warned me never to let anyone see—on my first day at Wintercrest.

I turned around, ready to leave before anyone could ask me anything, but I barely made it a step before Alaric was back on his feet. He moved so quickly that I didn't even have time to react. His hand grabbed me, and the next thing I knew, my back slammed against the wall. His body blocked my escape, and his eyes burned into mine with an anger that made my heart pound even harder.

"You think I'll just let you go?" he demanded.

I swallowed, staring up at him.

"Who the fuck are you?" His voice dropped lower, his jaw tightening. “How the hell are you strong enough to knock down an Alpha heir when you're just a mere omega?”

Before I could answer, another voice cut through the tension.

"What the hell is going on here?"

I turned my head and saw Jaxon walking toward us, his expression changing the moment he saw me pinned against the wall. He immediately quickened his steps, his eyes moving from me to Alaric's hand.

“I see you have someone coming to your rescue,” Alaric said, his gaze shifting toward Jaxon.

"Let go of him and face me," Jaxon snapped, stepping closer, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Why would you corner him like that?"

Alaric stared at him for a moment before letting out a quiet laugh.

"Wow," he said, his eyes moving between Jaxon and me. "I see you both have no fear at all."

Jaxon didn't back down. Neither did I.

Then a man rushed toward Alaric and leaned close to his ear, whispering something I couldn't hear. Alaric's expression remained unreadable as he listened, but when the man pulled away, his eyes returned to me. He stared at me for a long moment, then released me.

"Pray we don't cross paths again," he said, his voice low and threatening. "Because if we do, I'll make sure you suffer for this humiliation today."

He turned and walked away with the other man following behind him, leaving the hallway buzzing with whispers.

I stood there for a moment, completely lost, until Jaxon reached for my hands.

"Nova, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "What happened?"

I looked at him but couldn't find the words. My mind was still somewhere else, replaying everything that had happened. I had only wanted a peaceful school life. Instead now everyone knew my name for the worst possible reason.

Jaxon gently pulled me toward the orientation hall. The whispers continued around us, following me like shadows.

"Everyone who crosses paths with the Alpha heir always ends up dead."

A chill ran through me. Dead? I looked at the students, but they quickly turned away. My fingers curled nervously around the edge of my shirt. Why did everyone seem so terrified of him?

By the time we were done with the orientation, I was still lost in my thoughts. Jaxon looked at me for a moment before sighing and checking his phone.

"Nova, I'm sorry. I have to go," he said.

I looked at him.

"I have a date with Angel," he continued, giving me an apologetic smile. "Let's go out some other time, okay? I'll make it up to you for the birthday I missed."

After everything that had happened, I didn't have the energy to pretend I was surprised. I simply nodded. "Okay." Then, before I could stop myself, "Don't worry about my birthday anymore. Forget it."

He gave me a small smile, before leaving.

He had chosen Angel again.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a message from the dorm master.

Room 001 is vacant. You can move in immediately.

Relief washed through me. Finally.

When I reached Room 001, I pulled out the key and unlocked the door. I pushed it open at the exact moment the other person inside was opening it from the opposite side. The sudden movement startled me, and I stumbled backward, losing my balance, but before I could hit the floor, someone caught me, their hands around my waist.

I looked up and my heart stopped. It was him. Alaric.

A small, knowing smirk appeared on his lips as he looked down at me.

"So, it's you," he murmured.

His gaze lingered on my face before he leaned close , his expression turning almost amused.

"The new roommate."

Then he inhaled slowly near my neck.

"Nice scent.”