He was only there to drop off the stupid statue, yet he seemed to actually care. It sucks that a kind alpha like him would get totally eaten alive in my world. Someone so nice wouldn’t be able to cope with the pressure of the media and the expectations that come with my family name. That’s why it’s better for me to steer clear of romance completely.
I take another peek at the photos before slamming the laptop lid down. Nope. Time for a freezing shower to blast any thoughts of the mystery alpha away.
By the time I’ve washed, blow-dried my hair to perfection, and selected my outfit, it’s time to head to class. As much as I’d like to, I can’t hide in Stella House forever. Plus, I have an important lecture on civil procedure today, which I’ve been looking forward to all semester.
I shoot Tyler a brief text to confirm when the article will run, again emphasizing that he should not speak to the press.
When I step outside, I almost jump out of my skin to see Margie sitting on our porch, nose buried in her latest true crime book.
“Sorry, hon. I didn’t mean to make you jump.” She glances up from the pages. “Your father spoke to the dean, who requested that you have extra security.” She smiles apologetically in response to my grimace. “I’m sure he’s only doing it because he cares.”
“He cares too much,” I grumble. Surely I’m capable of walking across campus myself?
“Faye’s alpha, Damon, will meet us at the gates to escort you to class.” She jumps up, tucks her book under her arm, then falls into step with me. “He’s already waiting.”
“Great.”
I guess having Damon for company is better than someone I don’t know. He’s not a big talker, which suits me just fine.
“We should have got all the reporters off campus now,” Margie chatters brightly. “You can probably go about your day as normal, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Perhaps I should be thankful that I’ve made it this far without an incident like this. It’s easy to forget about my life in New York when I’m away at SVU, but I guess my two worlds were bound to collide eventually.
“Cheer up!” She swats my arm. “It won’t be for long.”
“You don’t know my father.”
“Dads and their daughters. You know, when I was your age…” She launches into talking about her own father.
I nod politely but only half-listen. My neighbors whisper as they pass me, shooting me pitying looks. Being the Blandon Pack’s omega has made me gossip target number one. From what I’ve seen on social media, people either feel sorry for me, question my sanity, or are downright confused as to why I’d choose them. Despite people’s judgment, I keep my chin held high, reminding myself why I’m doing this. It’s for the greater good.
Damon’s waiting for me at the gates, offering me a black coffee. “Faye said to bring you one of these.”
I accept it with a begrudging sigh. Coffee doesn’t fix anything, but it’ll hopefully make this morning more bearable. “She knows me too well.”
“Have a good day now, Kady.” Margie waves. “I’ll be here when you get home.”
“Looks like you’re my babysitter for the day, huh?” I grumble as Damon and I set off.
“Apparently.” Damon smiles wryly, leading me to a waiting golf cart. “I’ll take you to your first class and wait there until you’re done. I’m under strict instructions not to leave your side all day.”
“Come on, Damon,” I glower. “Is this really necessary?”
“Just following my boss’s orders.” He shrugs. “I’ll be discreet.”
“No offense, but you hardly blend into the background.” I harumph, slinking into the cart. “Though I know you’re only doing your job.”
We speed through campus. At least driving spares me the humiliation of being gawped at.
“Why don’t you grab food or something?” I suggest as we park. “You don’t have to escort me into the lecture hall. I’m not going to run away.”
“Nice try, but no can do.” He follows me into the building. “I’ll wait outside your classroom. Although we think we cleared all the reporters off campus, we’re still on high alert. You know how they can be.”
“Unfortunately, I do.”
I march past a group of betas, overhearing their snickers and comments including, “She must be desperate to be fucking Kyro Cockburn.”
My teeth grind together, but I keep my cool. I can’t lose my composure. Not until my father’s appeased and this is all a distant memory.
