Chapter 4

Mariah

By the time dance practice ends, every muscle in my body aches—the good kind. The kind that means you earned it.

Back at the dorm, I shower fast, wrap ice packs around my ankles, and tear open a protein bar for dinner. It tastes like flavored cardboard dusted with vanilla, but it's fuel.

From my bed, I watch Sky get ready for the mixer. She hums under her breath—some pop song I half recognize. Her eyeliner's sharp enough to kill. Glitter clings to her collarbone as she slicks pheromone gloss over her lips.

Guess she's hoping to catch an alpha's attention tonight. Good for her.

Not that I'm judging. It's instinct. The whole campus runs on it.

But I've had enough of that kind of attention to last a lifetime.

"You're really not coming?" she asks, catching my reflection in the mirror.

"No." The word comes out easy. "Not interested."

She smiles, hesitant. "You know, I watched you dance today. You were incredible. My friends thought so too. Maybe you should meet them?"

Of course they noticed. Everyone's curious about the "scholarship girl"—the omega who somehow landed a free spot in their program. They want to see if I actually earned it. 

If I deserve to be here at all.

Sky turns from the mirror, lips pursed. "Come on, Mariah. Just one drink. You don't have to stay long."

I shake my head and stare at my phone, even though the screen's dark. "Crowds really aren't my thing."

She tilts her head, studying me like she's trying to solve a riddle. "You mean people aren't your thing."

Exactly. 

But I don't tell her she's right.

Her phone buzzes. She grins at the screen—probably a reminder from her friends—and types fast before looking back at me. "You've got that mysterious vibe, you know? The quiet ones always end up being the most interesting."

I snort. "Yeah. That's exactly what I'm going for. Interesting."

She giggles, slipping on her heels. "Suit yourself."

The door clicks shut behind her. Silence rushes in—thick, familiar, but not comforting tonight.

I stare at the ceiling and chew the last bite of my protein bar, telling myself I'm fine staying in.

Ten minutes later, I'm not. 

The quiet presses in until it feels like a weight on my chest. 

I've never minded solitude before. But now, with nothing but the hum of the annoying-ass fan spinning and my own thoughts, it doesn't feel like peace anymore. 

It feels like being trapped in my own head. 

I toss the wrapper into the trash, sit on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees. 

I could stretch. Rehearse tomorrow's routine. Pretend I'm tired and call it a night.

Instead, I grab my jacket.

"What the hell," I mutter, pulling my hair into a loose braid.

It's just an underclassmen mixer. No one will even notice me. 

...Probably.

The music hits before I even reach the end of the hall.

The rec lounge smells like fruit punch and crippling anxiety.

Someone strung fairy lights along the ceiling, trying to make it feel like a real event. It only makes the space brighter—like there's nowhere to hide. 

A pop remix thumps from a speaker in the corner. A few omegas are already dancing, more performing than moving. Most hang in small groups, red cups in hand, talking too loudly, eyes flicking to the door every few seconds.

Waiting for someone worth noticing.

I hover near the entrance, pretending to scroll through my phone while my pulse adjusts to the noise.

Goddess. What the hell am I doing here?

Just as I start to turn back, Sky spots me from across the room. Her whole face lights up like I just made her whole week. 

"Mariah! You came!" she yells over the music, weaving through the crowd to grab my hand before I can escape. "Come on, meet everyone!"

I force a smile, even as my shoulders lock.

She drags me toward a group near the snack table. I recognize one—Jessica, from class. She's good. Fluid lines, clear transitions. The kind of dancer you can't help watching.

I remember her because she introduced herself before I had the chance to avoid the conversation. Just walked right up to me like we were old friends.

And I'd hated how easy she made it look.

Sky gestures between us. "Guys, this is Mariah—my roommate. Mariah, this is Jessica, Ashton, Nicole, and Courtney."

They all smile. Not fake exactly—just too smooth. The kind of easy friendliness that comes from people who've never had to wonder if they belong. 

Jessica's the first to speak. "Hey! You were in my class earlier, right? The one where Professor Lang made us stretch for half an hour like we were prepping for the corps?"

I nod. "Yeah. That one."

She laughs easily. "You were amazing. I could barely keep up."

Compliments always make me itch, but I manage, "Thanks."

Ashton, a tall male with bubblegum-pink hair, leans in. "You're the scholarship dancer, right?"

And there it is. The curiosity.

I shrug, pretending it doesn't bother me. "I guess so."

Nicole grins. "That's so cool. You must've worked your ass off."

"Something like that," I say, maybe too dry.

The talk drifts to professors, dorms, hookups. I listen more than I speak. They're nice enough, but it all blurs together. 

Jessica tosses her hair. "You guys going to the Vale Society House later?"

Courtney perks up. "Obviously. Cassian's parties are the best. Everyone ends up there."

I glance up from my cup. "Vale Society?"

Jessica gasps like I just confessed a crime. "You know—Cassian Vale's pack. The Sovereigns. They're kind of a big deal around here."

"Cassian Vale," I repeat, the name rolling off my tongue like silk.

It feels familiar—like I should already know it.

Ashton leans closer, blue eyes bright. "You'd definitely recognize him if you saw him. He's gorgeous—and his scent is unreal. His aura literally fills up every room he walks into. And his family basically owns half the university."

Sky adds, "And his beta, Jacek? Total opposite. Quiet. Controlled. But everyone says when he looks at you, it's like he sees everything."

Jessica nods eagerly. "Jacek's weird, but I heard he plays piano. Like... professionally. I can't wait to hear him perform one day."

Their voices blend together—gossip and laughter dissolving into the beat.

But one name sticks.

Jacek.

Quiet. Controlled. Sees everything.

My chest tightens before I can stop it.

It's probably nothing.

Lots of people fit that description.

Still, I can't stop picturing the guy from class—the one who barely said a word but somehow threw my whole system off balance with a single touch.

No. It's not him. It can't be.

I take another sip of punch, letting the sweetness burn down my chest, and try to shake the thought.

It's just a name. Just a coincidence.

Right?

"Hey, girl. You okay?" Sky's voice cuts through my thoughts, her face suddenly filling my vision—eyes soft, brows drawn in concern.

I blink. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry. Just zoning out."

She grins, already moving on. "Well, everyone's kinda bored. We're thinking of heading to Cassian's party. You in?"

I stretch out a fake yawn. "Actually, I'm pretty tired. Think I'll pass. See you back at the dorm?"

Sky studies me like she wants to push, then nods. "Alright. Night, Mariah."

"Night," I murmur, glancing at the others. "Night, everyone."

They wave, a chorus of friendly smiles and casual goodbyes.

A twinge of guilt twists in my gut, but I smother it.

I didn't exactly hate that I came. But a room full of alphas and betas?

Yeah—no thanks.

It's easier to stay invisible than risk being seen the wrong way. 

I turn toward the dorms, the noise fading behind me.

Like it was never meant for me.