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."

me like

him what I saw: the girl, the moans, the blood. If I spoke, it

gingerly climbed onto the empty bunk next to his and lay as far away as the narrow space allowed. The mattress creaked

just need sleep," I told him, even though my words felt hollow. I closed my eyes, though my

window curtain fluttered with a breeze. Shadows hissed across the ceiling tiles.

Lucas spoke again, his voice low, brittle: "You not planning to go to that stupid fresher’s bash tonight, are you?" His tone

told a friend I

glowered at me. "If you really

Sara? She was thrilled. She’d picked out outfits, was bubbling with anticipation. Should I warn her that Lucas thinks the party is dangerous? That I saw a girl—maybe her—being fed on,

dormant tension. I clenched my thighs, refused

betrayal now.

on my back, staring at the flicker of light from the window.

I hear footsteps? My eyes darted

Sara’s face. Those same three guys massaged her limbs while the blonde bear-shouldered vampire latched onto her throat. He looked up and

noodles from a roadside cup. Noodles had never looked so mundane. My phone buzzed—it

His eyes

up, hands

Don’t tell me you bailed on me?"

it’s a good idea going to the bash,"

Then muffled giggles. Other girls?

this some excuse because you don’t want to come?"

Desperation twisted my gut.

Don’t go. We shouldn’t go." My words

couldn’t catch it

you’re not a fan of parties, I get it. But don’t decide for me. Sorry, I’m going—with or without

She hung up.

I was controlling. And I couldn’t tell her: I dreamed it. I

chest was guilt and fear twined together. I stared at the wall, willing numb calm into my body. It’s just a party. It’s my imagination. It’s not

had seen it. And I

Sara was going, I couldn’t

Fuck.

their own. 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