Chapter 1 -The boy who isn't a boy

Nova

Today was the first official day of physical resumption at Blondage College, laughter in the air, and suitcases rattled across shiny floors, everywhere I looked, students hugged, flexed, compared outfits, and screamed like they’d been released from cages.

Me?

I quietly adjusted the strap of my bag and walked, that's how I've been, the quiet one.

Dad’s voice echoed inside my skull, deep and stern, like a warning I’d rehearsed too many times.

Keep your head down. Don’t attract attention. Remember who you are pretending to be.

Pretending to be a boy for seventeen years felt like living in someone else’s skin. But being born an omega, female, and unprotected was practically an invitation for disaster. Dad believed pretending was the only way I’d survive. Sometimes, I almost agreed. Other times… it felt like drowning slowly.

“He looks so soft…” someone whispered behind me.

My shoulders tightened instantly, like strings being pulled. That single word, soft, stabbed deeper than expected. I reached up subtly, fingers brushing the wig that hid my real hair. I’d been growing it secretly, feeding the small rebellious part of me that was tired of faking it. If anyone yanked it off, my entire life would unravel.

“No. They can’t find out,” I muttered under my breath. I fake-coughed to disguise the crack in my voice.

Before I could escape, three boys slid into my path, tall, smug, and blocking the hallway like they were defending precious treasure.

“You’re new here?” the tallest asked, leaning close enough that I smelled mint gum and arrogance.

My gaze darted to the floor. “Y-yes…”

“Ohh…” The second boy tilted his head slowly, smirk widening. “Look at me when I talk to you.”

Their eyes sharpened the second they sensed weakness. My heartbeat slammed against my ribs like it was trying to escape my chest.

One stepped so close I could count his eyelashes. His breath hit my face, sour like fermented onions. “Don’t ignore us, little—”

He didn’t finish.

A loud thud echoed as something smacked into the back of his head, a ball. He yelped, stumbling forward. The other boys flinched, spinning around.

Students froze and parted like the Red Sea.

Then he walked in…

Nolan.

My stupid heart flipped, even among hundreds of bodies, he glowed, messy brown hair that looked effortlessly rebellious, broad shoulders, eyes that could freeze or warm, depending on his mood. His gaze was cold at first, cutting straight through the bullies. Then he spotted me…and warmth softened his features.

“Don’t touch him.” Nolan’s voice was low, calm, and carried weight. “He’s my friend. Actually, besties.”

Besties.

Hearing that come from his mouth felt like someone had poured sunshine through my ribs. My cheeks heated. The group hesitated, they backed away, muttering curses like toddlers losing candy.

Nolan stepped beside me and casually hooked his arm around my shoulders. His body heat seeped through my clothes. My breath caught, and I prayed he couldn’t hear the frantic thumping in my chest.

“You okay?” he asked, leaning closer. His brows knit with concern.

We’d known each other since high school. He was the cool guy everyone followed. Girls blushed just hearing his name. Boys copied his hairstyle. I was invisible, the quiet omega disguised as a boy, I fell for him hard. I even wrote him two anonymous love letters back in middle school. I slipped them into his locker, but he never found them.

“Oh man, I hope they put us in the same room,” he laughed, excitement sparkling in his eyes.

My stomach twisted. I forced a weak smile, nodding. He had no idea his dream was my nightmare. Sharing a room meant nighttime vulnerability. What if my voice slipped? What if he saw my hair?

What if he finds out I’m a girl?

My chest tightened at the thought. Would he hate me? Would he feel betrayed? Would he think everything was a lie?

“What’s with your face?” Nolan asked suddenly, squinting. He lifted his hand and cupped my cheek without hesitation.

My entire body flinched. Heat raced from my face down my neck. My heart skipped, tripped, panicked, and then sprinted.

“Why’s your face so red? Are you sick?” His thumb brushed my cheekbone gently

Please stop touching me.

Please don’t stop touching me.

“I’m fine,” I croaked, voice shaking.

He shrugged, amused, and dug into his pocket. “You know…there’s this girl I’ve been chatting with for weeks. You look exactly like her. It’s crazy.”

My soul froze.

Please tell me he’s joking.

Please tell me he’s blind.

Please tell me the universe isn’t this cruel.

He pulled out his phone and flipped the screen toward me.

My blood evaporated.

There it was, my secret picture, taken late at night under soft lighting, wearing lip gloss I got from the grocery store. I’d made a fake account and messaged him. It was dangerous and stupid I know.

“You look just…like…her,” he whispered, eyes narrowing.

Sweat exploded across my forehead instantly. I wiped at it so fast he blinked in confusion.

“You’re pale as a ghost,” Nolan murmured, now touching my forehead and neck with both hands. “You’re burning up. Seriously, are you okay?”

I must have looked like a sweaty mannequin.

“I—I need to use the restroom!” I squeaked.

Before he could blink, I shoved my suitcase into his arms and sprinted down the hallway. Students stared at me like I’d suddenly confessed to murder. My wig wobbled dangerously and I had to slap my palm over it, breathing wheezing.

I skidded behind a corner and pressed my back against the cold wall. My lungs fought for air like they were drowning. My heartbeat hammered against my rib.

“What did I do?” I whispered, tugging at the wig. A strand popped through the cap. I gasped and pushed it back in immediately, I can't let my secrets be out.

“What if he finds out? He’ll hate me. He’ll…he’ll think it’s disgusting.” My voice cracked, panic tightening everything in my chest.

I pressed both palms over my burning cheeks. My eyes stung. I shut them tightly, trying to steady myself.

“Maybe I should tell him now! Okay! Let's do this! Let's confess to him!” I resolved, pressing my palm against each other, turning immediately to go back to Nolan.

Then…

Crash!

Pain shot through my shoulder as I collided with someone. A male grunt followed, sharp and annoyed. He fell backward onto the floor dramatically.

“Ouch! Watch where you’re going!” he snapped, voice coated in ice.

I blinked, snapped back into reality. Students nearby froze and cleared the area like someone had released a lion.

The guy stood slowly.

Tall and towering, with dark hair cascading in gentle waves, jawline sharp enough to cut a banana, eyes so cold they could probably freeze boiling water. His clothes fit him perfectly, muscles hinting under expensive fabric. He looked like he was carved by God himself, he looked insanely handsome.

Wow! He's so fine! I was literally drooling over how handsome he was, that I forgot for a sec that I almost made him fall, or made him fall.

Everyone stared like the world suddenly shifted.

He stepped toward me slowly, each step calculated, predatory. Students whispered urgently.

“That’s the alpha heir.”

Uh-oh.

He grabbed my wrist so fast I gasped. His grip tightened until pain shot up my arm.

“Who the hell are you?” he growled. “How dare you hit me!”

Heat flooded my face. My stomach twisted. His eyes narrowed in disgust, scanning me like trash on his shoes.

“You low omega!” he barked, squeezing harder.

My knees weakened. Even disguised, the word stung.

“I—I didn’t see you,” I whispered.

“You don’t walk in my path,” he snarled, yanking me closer by my collar. My feet left the ground slightly. Students gasped, some raising phones.

Shame burned through me like acid. My eyes blurred. My throat tightened painfully.

How could he be this handsome and also very cruel! I bit my lips, trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall.

“What’s your name?” he demanded.

“N-Nova…” I whispered shakily.

His jaw clenched.

“You better remember something,” he hissed in my ear. “I’ll make you pay! Get ready!”

Then he shoved me away. I stumbled, almost falling face-first.

Before I could breathe—

“NOVA!”

Nolan’s voice sliced through the tension, his hands on my waist , stabilizing me from falling to the floor.

"Are you okay?" Nolan panicked, before I could answer he sprinting toward the alpha heir his chest heaving, suitcase wheels clacking along with him. He positioned himself between us instantly, hand pressed against the alpha heir’s chest.

“How dare you push him?” Nolan’s voice lowered dangerously.

The alpha heir’s lips curved slightly, dark amusement flickering. “I see you brought your friends with you…you want war right!”

Oh no!

College was going to be absolute chaos.