Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 151: Freshers’ Bash

CLARK POV:

My legs felt like jelly as I stood in the dim corridor, staring at Reed’s disappearing figure. He’d led me to the men’s dorm entrance, gave a curt yank on my arm, and then, almost casually, said:

"Mind your business, kid,"

Then turned and vanished.

And that was it. He let go of me, left me swaying there, dumbfounded. I looked down at my arm where he’d gripped me—it was tingling, almost numb, like a burning-bruised imprint. Was I supposed to thank him? I wondered.

His words echoed in my chest. "Mind your business, kid." My mind screamed: But I can’t; I saw something. I can’t just mind it.

Questions inflated in my chest. Was he involved with them? Were they a cult? Why the girl’s screams turned to moans when blonde guy sank his jaw into her wrist? No tears. No struggle. Just... surrender.

It took all my nerve to step into the corridor again. It felt colder, darker. That feeling, the one you get when you sense predator eyes on your spine—it crawled all over me.

I stumbled toward my room, footsteps heavy as guilt.

Inside, I found Lucas sprawled on his bunk, eyes closed. His bags were tossed across the mattress; clothing lay in odd angles. Leftovers of someone wrestling with emotions—or terror.

I leaned against the doorframe. How do you even begin this?

Finally I let it out: "I thought you left?"

He lifted his head slowly. His eyes looked haunted; insane laughter trembling at the edges of his lips.

"They wouldn’t let me."

I exhaled sharply. "Who wouldn’t?" The words came out jagged. I could feel the panic spike again.

He let out a laugh that wasn’t funny.

"They know. I know. I can’t escape. No one can."

into me like

saw: the girl, the moans, the blood. If I spoke, it would be real. It would

next to his and lay as far away as the narrow space allowed. The

though my words felt hollow. I closed

shift. The window curtain fluttered with a

brittle: "You not planning to go to that stupid fresher’s bash tonight, are you?" His tone

I would go,"

glowered at me. "If you really love that friend—you

She was thrilled. She’d picked out outfits, was bubbling with anticipation. Should I warn her that Lucas thinks

room groaned in dormant tension. I clenched my thighs, refused

rest, but sleep felt like betrayal now. Every second

lay on my back, staring at the flicker of light from the window. The ceiling tiles rattled again. The silence

brushed—did I hear footsteps? My eyes darted downward,

Those same three guys massaged her limbs while the blonde bear-shouldered vampire latched onto her throat. He

sat cross-legged on the floor slurping instant noodles from a roadside cup. Noodles

me. His eyes

up,

Where are you? Don’t tell me you bailed on me?"

idea going to

Other girls? I heard

you

Desperation twisted my gut.

We shouldn’t go."

something. I couldn’t catch it amid

fan of parties, I get it. But don’t decide for me. Sorry, I’m

She hung up.

pressed the phone to my chest. My heart shattered. She thought I was controlling. And I couldn’t tell

at the wall, willing

that dread echoed. I had seen it. And I couldn’t unsee

I couldn’t let her

Fuck.

I pushed off the bed and marched straight to the tiny, sad excuse of a closet. My hands rummaged through the half-unpacked mess inside, searching for something—anything—that could pass as party attire.