The Omega Mated To The Four

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

The day dragged on longer than I thought possible. Every class felt endless, every hallway another gauntlet of whispers and stares. By the time the final bell rang, I was more than ready to go home and leave the suffocating atmosphere of school behind.

As I wheeled my bike out of the parking lot, I spotted them-Elijah, Isaiah, Alex, and Austin. They were leaning against Elijah's jeep, waiting for me like they always seemed to be lately. Their presence was as predictable as it was infuriating.

"Need a ride?" Elijah called out as I passed them.

"No," I said, not even looking in their direction.

I hopped onto my bike, gripping the handlebars tightly as I pedaled past them. I could feel their eyes on me, but I ignored them, focusing on the road ahead.

The ride home was uneventful until it wasn't. About halfway there, the familiar rhythm of my bike chain suddenly gave way with a

loud clink.

"Damn it," I muttered, coming to an abrupt stop. I hopped off the bike, inspecting the chain, which had slipped off completely. It dangled uselessly, smeared with grease and dirt.

Before I could even begin to figure out how to fix it, the hum of Elijah's jeep engine filled the air. I looked up to see the black vehicle pulling up beside me.

"Need help?” Elijah asked, rolling down the window.

"No," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

The door opened, and he stepped out, followed by the others. They approached cautiously as if they were afraid I'd lash out, which wasn't entirely off base.

"Stormi," Isaiah began, his tone annoyingly calm, “it's just a bike. Let us help."

"I said no!" I barked, shoving the bike forward.

The twins exchanged a look, and Austin stepped closer. "Come on, little mate. You don't have to do everything by yourself."

I turned on him, my anger bubbling over. "Yes, I do! I've always had to do everything by myself!"

They froze, clearly taken aback by the venom in my voice.

your mate doesn't mean you

miserable?"

raised his hands in a placating gesture.

cut him off, my chest heaving. "Don't act like you're doing this out of the goodness of your hearts. I

I never have."

almost tangible. For a moment, none of

handlebars of my bike and started walking, the broken chain rattling with every

They didn't leave.

1/3

Chapter Twenty

hum of the jeep's engine behind me as I pushed my bike along the side of the road. They followed at a crawl, keeping just enough distance to avoid another outburst

but I refused to give them

called out from

up, Alex," Isaiah muttered, though his voice was loud enough for me to

white. The afternoon sun

"At least let us give you a ride

my jaw set

clearly frustrated. "We're not trying to upset you. We just

you're doing a terrible job of it," I snapped, not bothering to

and my

of the engine. I could feel their frustration, their helplessness, and part of

cabin was still a good fifteen minutes away,

feet behind me, and I heard the

turned around to see all four of them getting out, their

are you doing?" I demanded, my

of the way,"

at him, incredulous. "You've got to be

tone matter-of-fact. "And we're not letting you do

have the strength. Instead, I turned back around and kept

their presence was

me.