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Chapter 3

Adele Wilson

I stood behind the partition wall, watching Jason. He was sitting in the same spot where he sat yesterday, calm and focused.

Ten minutes ago, I had sneaked inside the arena, and shortly after, he walked inside, and had since been waiting for me.

My heart reeled, my mind about to explode as many questions flooded it in a second.

Why was he this persistent? Was there more to this, or was I the one making things up in my head?

He checked his wristwatch, before taking his phone out of his pocket, fixing his gaze on it.

'What if I told you I could help reshape your life?'

My fingers clutched tightly around my phone. Yes, I knew Jason was powerful. He was capable of all he said, and I needed his help if I really wanted to survive in this school, but what if I was making a mistake?

'Just go to him, Adele'

A voice spoke in my head, and I stood up, adjusted my backpack, but I hadn't taken a step when I was slammed back into reality as Chloe's words rang in my head.

'Stay away from what is mine'

My fingers clenched around my backpack, heart twisting in my chest. Chloe was the last person I wanted to mess with. She could do anything. Just anything to make my life miserable if I dared get close to Jason. And the Alpha... He loves his daughter so much, and would become enemies with whoever hurt his daughter.

"It's better this way, Adele. Staying invisible is better than being a target... It's just for another few years, and you'll be out of it forever. You can do it." I whispered.

Jason looked back, almost catching a glimpse of me, but I was quick to hide.

After minutes of endless waiting, Jason stood up, then looked around one more time before leaving.

My heart stung… a part relief, mostly regret, but still, I convinced myself that it was better this way.

"Right, Adele... You made the right choice."

I forced a smile on my face, slowly stroking my hair.

"Why does he care so much? Why me?"

Another few more minutes in the arena to be sure he was really gone, before heading out. However, I was brought to an abrupt halt the moment I stepped out of the arena, and was welcomed by Chloe. She stood outside the arena, with Celine and Jasmine... Her watchdogs in the academy.

My heart galloped, cold seeped through my body, as I forced down the lump in my throat.

Her eyes blazed with fury. "It was you?"

"Huh?"

"You were the one keeping Jason in there for over thirty minutes?" She huffed, arms crossed on her chest.

"Uhm... I..." My voice faded into silence, the pounding in my chest became even louder.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Chlo..."

Her hand swung across my face, shutting me up with a banging slap that had me gasping out loud.

My face burned as pain exploded through it. A burning sensation burned in my throat and down to my stomach, boiling my blood as rage surged through me.

'Slap her back, Adele. You can't let her keep treating you like this!'

The voice in my head spoke, but I didn't do it. I knew that voice was setting me up for a calamity, and I wasn't in for that.

"I told you to steer clear off my man, Adele."

A smug smirk danced around her lips, before she turned to her girls and said, "Bring her, girls."

Her command, the only thing they needed to swing into action.

I cried out. "Let me go." But they didn't stop.

They dragged me through the empty hall, past unused classrooms, and shoved me into the old study room, silent cries tore through my throat as my knees cracked against the marble floor.

"Adele..."

Chloe sat on a chair in front of me. "Look at me..."

My body trembled, tears blurring my eyes as I lifted my gaze to her face. She had that annoying smirk on her face.

"Why don't you save the tears, sweetheart? You will need them later."

She pouted her lips, then burst into her laughter, along with her girls.

"I didn't do anything with Jason, I promise. I didn't even meet him... You can ask him yourself if you don't believe me."

As if she would listen to my explanation.

"Please let me go, Chloe." I begged, getting on my knees.

She huffed, dragging her fingers through her hair, then snapped. "You think I'm a fool? You didn't meet him?"

She squatted in front of me, pressed her phone a few seconds, then grabbed my chin before turning the screen to my face.

"Then fucking explain this, bitch!"

I froze, my eyes widening. It was a picture of Jason and I in the arena yesterday. Someone took it secretly.

The camera angle made Jason's face so close to me as if we were about to kiss. Fuck! I'm cooked!

"What were you two doing? About to kiss?"

"No... No... You are getting it all..."

My ear rang and my face burned as her hand swung across my face again, leaving a hot slap on my cheek.

"You still dare lie to my face?" She gritted out, then stood up. "Well, since you want to sneak around, let's play the game together."

"Strip her."

"Let's see if Jason will still want to be around you after seeing your fat bare flesh."

She laughed.

"Let me go! Don't touch me." I cried, resisting as Celine and Jasmine tried to strip me.

They succeeded. Celine ripped my shirt off, revealing my chest.

Chloe's eyes narrowed, her hand flying to cover her mouth as she gasped loudly. "Your chest is wrinkled. Eww!"

My hands trembled as they covered my chest, while Chloe's phone clicked on my face, taking pictures of me.

I sat on the cold floor, whimpering, with no hope of being saved. Just like always. I have to endure this?

"I'm sure Jason would want to see this." She chuckled.

"Please, Chloe..." I got on my knees, begging. But for what exactly?

And just when I had lost hope, the door burst open, and Jason walked inside.

"That's enough, Chloe."

My cheeks flushed hot, and my stomach sparked with excitement as he came to hold me, helping me up to my feet.

He removed his jersey and gave it to me. "Change into this."

He turned to Chloe whose face was pale and frozen with shock.

"Wh...what are you doing here?" She stuttered, blinking her eyes.

He ignored her. By the time he turned to me, I had already changed into his jersey, so he held my hand and muttered. "Let's go."

Chloe blocked our way, face burning with fury. "You can't take her away, Jason. I'm not done with her."

Just one strong and powerful look from Jason, and Chloe melted.

I saw it… the flicker of fear in Chloe’s eyes, just before she stepped aside. She was afraid of him.

We were almost out of the room when Jason paused. "Delete the pictures and videos you took of her. I won't repeat it later, Chloe." And without doing so little as glancing back at her, he led me out of the room.

My heart raced, with every thump heavier than the last, my eyes glued to Jason as he led me to wherever.

I inhaled his scent. Clean. Crisp. Like winter and something darker.”

His hand was warm against mine, stirring something inside me. I couldn't explain what this feeling was. Perhaps because I've had a crush on him, or maybe something deeper than that.

We got to the rooftop, and he let go of my hand.

"Are you okay?" His voice was firm, and eyes void of emotion.

"Yes, I'm. Thank you for saving me." I whispered.

Silence thickened around us, his eyes on me.

"You didn't show up... I guess it's a no then, yeah?"

I lowered my gaze, biting into my lip.

"Alright... You can return my jersey tomorrow."

Without another word, he turned his back on me and started walking away, when I blurted out.

"What do you want in exchange for helping me?”