ONE
Faye
This is really it.
Scent Valley University.
“Next?” an impatient beta woman calls from behind the orientation desk.
I sling on my big, pink duffle bag, making my shoulders groan in objection. It was a grueling, ten-hour bus journey to get here. Gram was happy to give me a ride, but I didn’t want her traveling all the way back alone. As much as she believes that you’re only as young as you feel, her bad knees and back would argue otherwise. Not that she’d like being reminded of that…
I shuffle to the desk like a giant turtle, swaying slightly under the weight of my belongings. Hopefully, I don’t fall because if I do, I won’t be able to get up again. I don’t have many possessions, but packing everything into one bag was not easy, especially because I insisted on bringing all my little herb jars.
“This is the omega line,” the beta says pointedly, looking me up and down.
“I-I am a-an…” I feel my cheeks heat. “I’m in the r-right l-line.”
Despite what she thinks—and what some magazines claim—omegas get just as sweaty when carrying heavy bags as anyone else.
She arches one perfectly manicured eyebrow suspiciously then types away on her computer. “Name?”
“Faye,” I struggle to swallow, my throat as dry as the Sahara. “Faye Nightingale.”
Her long nails furiously clack away. When she frowns at the screen for a moment, I fear she’s going to say that I’ve got it all wrong, that I need to head on back to Clover Hollow. Maybe I should do myself a favor and turn back now.
“Ah, yes. Here you are.” Relief swims through me as she scans the screen. “You’ve been assigned to Stella House.”
She puts a set of keys into an envelope then slides it across the counter along with a campus map. She reels off vague directions in a bored tone that goes in one ear and straight out the other. With the line growing behind me, I don’t dare ask her to repeat herself and risk another filthy look. Instead, I stagger out of the building, hoping I’ll be able to find my way.
“Hey!” a giant man who is all muscles and no neck approaches. I’m guessing he’s an alpha, judging by his flaring nostrils, sniffing like he’s trying to vacuum up any scent he can find. “I can help with your bag.”
Something about his gaze makes me uneasy. I’m on suppressants and have doused myself in scent blockers, but they’re not flawless, and they must be wearing off after my journey. I need a shower, stat.
“Thanks for the offer. Really, that’s very kind,” I squeak as my eyes dart around, looking for an exit. “But I can manage.”
“Come on, let me help you,” he insists, advancing. “It’s my job to look after little omegas like you.”
“She said she can manage, Kyro,” a firm, feminine voice huffs out from behind me.
I spin to see a stunning redhead crossing her arms over her chest and popping her hip in a sassy ‘don’t mess with me’ way. She swings her flaming hair over her shoulder and narrows her amber eyes at the alpha, making the smattering of freckles on her nose dance. The faint smell of cherry pie surrounds her, instantly making me feel at home.
Kyro raises his hands. “I was only being nice!”
Unimpressed, she scoffs, her sweet scent taking on a bitter edge.
“Why’re you hanging around here, anyway?” she snaps. “You’re supposed to be helping orient the new alphas.”
“I’m allowed a break, aren’t I?” Kyro sneers, crossing his meaty arms over his puffed-out chest.
I’ve never seen an omega stand up to an alpha before, so I’m awestruck. Although where I’m from, I didn’t really have the chance to meet any alphas to know how you’re supposed to act in front of them.
“Not today.” She rolls her eyes. “You know better than to be sniffing around here, preying on new students. Or is your pack just that desperate, after being rejected by every other omega on campus?”
“You know nothing about my pack.”
I flinch when Kyro lets out a low growl that makes the hairs on my arms stand on end. Gram warned me about pack dynamics, and I’ve read enough to know that insulting an alpha’s masculinity is one of the worst things you can do. I know better than anyone what alphas are capable of and what lengths they’re willing to go to get an omega.
However, unlike me, the girl doesn’t seem fazed. Instead, she stands her ground.
