2.

Elena

The moment I push open my room door, I don’t even bother closing it properly.

I fling my bag to Goddess knows where, kick off my shoes, and launch myself face-first onto my bed.

Arms, legs, blanket…everything is flying through the air dramatically. I screech at the ceiling like it personally betrayed me.

Lila doesn’t even flinch. She’s sitting on her own bed, legs crossed, phone in hand, scrolling. Long honey-blonde hair falling over her shoulders, blue eyes narrowed at the screen. She always looks like she’s plotting someone’s demise. Which, honestly, she probably is.

“What’s wrong this time?” she asks, without looking up.

I flop onto my back, arms splayed across the mattress. “Everything. Everything is wrong. Lydia is…” I pause, trying to catch my breath. “Can you believe that witch is kissing another alpha while Rowan is literally waiting for her in her dorm?”

Lila finally looks up and freezes. Her expression says she already knows it’s bad, but she wants to hear it anyway.

Lila is my roommate, best friend and partner-in-crime. She’s also an omega and the one person I can actually vent to without feeling judged. We both went to the same high school with Rowan…

Except Lila and Rowan do not see eye to eye. She thinks he’s arrogant, treats me like trash. He thinks she’s loud, disrespectful, and the ultimate thorn in his side. Honestly, it’s like watching a slow-motion car crash every time they cross paths, and I’m stuck in the middle trying not to get crushed.

I roll onto my side and point an accusing finger at her. “I confronted her. Told her I’m going to report this shit to Rowan. And do you know what she did?”

“She insulted you,” Lila says like it’s obvious.

“Exactly. Can you imagine it? Insulted me after making out with another guy. I even told her I’d go straight to Rowan, and she just laughed like I’m the joke.”

Lila leans back on her bed and crosses her arms, giving me one of those ‘I told you so’ looks. “Did you go to the Luna wing?”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t want it to look like I’m doing too much. I already look dramatic enough.”

She huffs. “Dramatic is your default, Elena.”

I glare at her. “Can you believe she actually accused me of liking Rowan?”

Lila gives me a look, one eyebrow raised high. “If we’re being honest, you kind of do.”

I snort. “I don’t.”

Her gaze sharpens. “Then why do you follow him around and do whatever he says without question?”

I sit up a little, flipping my hair over my shoulder, trying to play it cool. “Because he’s my friend. Nothing more.”

“But I’m your friend too, and you don’t do everything I say,” she shoots back.

I grab the nearest pillow and throw it at her. She laughs, catching it like a champ. “Okay fine. You don’t like him. But complaining about Lydia all the time? That makes it seem so.”

“Because that’s all Rowan talks about,” I defend myself. “Seriously, I only listen.”

I flop back onto my bed, pulling the blanket over me, pretending to sulk, but secretly proud I managed not to punch Lydia today.

I roll onto my side again, staring at the ceiling. Lydia’s face pops into my head. The kiss. That smug little grin. I clench my fists under the blanket. Rowan deserves better. Why is everything in my life about making him happy while he doesn’t even see the chaos Lydia’s causing?

I sigh. “Fine. I’ll mind my own business. I’m officially done. I’m not getting involved in Rowan and Lydia’s drama anymore. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

Lila claps once, loud enough to make my eardrums regret existing. “Better. Way better. Preferably you never involve yourself with Rowan at all, but I’ll take the small victory.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I know,” she smirks at me, still scrolling her phone.

“Speaking of, what are you even looking at?” I ask.

“I’m looking for concepts for the party tomorrow.”

Oh. Crap. I completely forgot about the Mooncrest semester welcome party. My brain has been 100 percent dedicated to Rowan and Lydia drama, and apparently nothing else exists in the universe.

“Cool,” I mutter, sitting up and rubbing my temples.

Lila perks up. “You’re still not attending, right?”

I shake my head. “Nah. Not my vibe”

I don’t feel like following Rowan around while he gives every ounce of attention to Lydia. I would have gone with Lila, but then Rowan would feel bad, and I don't want that.

She squints at me. “You should go, though. You need to have fun. Who knows, you might meet your mate.”

I snort. Mate? Not even sure I want one, but thanks for the reminder that my life is a romantic comedy I never signed up for.

“I’m going to shower,” I announce, swinging my legs off the bed.

…

The next day after classes, Rowan asks to meet up. He’s leaning against his car, waiting for me to escort him to the alpha wing. Of course, I follow. What are friends for if not simple things like this.

By the time we reach the alpha wing and step out of the car, we stop at the entrance because, obviously, omegas aren’t allowed inside without special permission.

“Hey,” Rowan says, leaning back against the wall. “You didn’t ask me what happened yesterday with Lydia?”

Here we go.

I already decided to mind my own business, but of course Rowan drags me back in. I groan, rubbing the back of my neck. “Fine. What happened?”

“Can you imagine someone saw her with another alpha at the cafeteria while I waited for hours in her dorm?” His green eyes are sparkling with fury and I’m torn between rolling my eyes and feeling bad for him.

“Cafeteria?” I ask, confused.

“Yes. Cafeteria,” he growls. “She was apparently discussing assignments for hours.”

Oh fuck.

That girl is fucking crazy. She actually went to see another guy even after I caught her yesterday.

I bite my lip. If I told Rowan, would he explode? Would he punch a wall or maybe the other alpha? The thought makes my stomach flip.

“And then she’s blowing up my phone,” Rowan continues, “texting me like some desperate little drama queen.”

“So… you didn’t reply?”

“No,” he snaps. “I want her to pay for playing with me. I’m done with her fucking bullshit. I’ve decided I’m not going to the party with her.”

“Really?” I murmur, because holy shit, is he serious?

“Yes,” he says. “I’m going with you.”

My eyes go wide. “Me? Seriously?”

“Yes,” he says, voice almost soft now.

My heart skips.

“I want you to come with me. To make her jealous.”

Oh…

Of course it’s about Lydia. Always about Lydia. And somehow, I am the pawn. Typical.

“You’re coming with me, right?” he asks.

I freeze. Lips dry. Brain short-circuits. And then a screech of tires suddenly cuts through the calm, followed by whispers. We turn around.

Kael.

Alpha Kael Northwood steps out of a black sports car like the world paused for him. His aura hits me first. Sharp, commanding, pure Alpha energy that makes my wolf bend on instinct. My skin prickles. Every she-wolf around him gasps, every male wolf whispers in awe, and even other alphas tilt their heads down like they just met a god.

He's heading towards the entrance, perfectly tall and terrifyingly beautiful. I try to look away, but I can’t suddenly. His cold gray eyes lock on mine for half a second, and I feel my pulse spike, my chest tighten, my wolf stirring in the weirdest way.

I draw a deep breath, willing myself to look away…because the fuck!

Finally, I drop my gaze, bowing just slightly.

“Sorry,” I mutter the moment he walks past me, voice barely above a whisper. He doesn’t even acknowledge my existence.

Rowan mutters under his breath the moment he's gone. “That bastard.” His glare is sharp, but I know he didn’t dare say it to his brother's face.

Kael commands respect without saying a word. Even Rowan had to lower his head slightly, even if he won’t admit it.

“Don’t pay him any attention. So you’re coming with me tonight, right?” Rowan nudges me, voice dragging me back into his ridiculous little world.

“I don’t know,” I murmured, hesitating.

“Come on. I need you. Please remember I'm your best friend.”

I sigh, because yes, he’s my best friend, but also yes, he’s making me go to a party to make another girl jealous.

Still, I nod. “I’ll come with you.”

His face lights up, and he grins like I just gave him the moon on a silver platter. “Thank you so much. I know I can always count on you, Lenny.” He reaches forward and hugs me before I can even think about running.

Oh brother. Tonight is going to be a disaster.