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.

don't get to pretend to care now," I continued, my voice shaking with frustration. "Just because I'm suddenly your mate doesn't mean you actually give a damn about me. You hated me before, remember? Or did you forget all the times you

miserable?"

hands in a placating gesture. "Stormi,

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

I never have."

was heavy, the tension almost tangible. For a moment, none of them

I grabbed the handlebars of my bike and started

They didn't leave.

1/3

Chapter Twenty

bike along the side of the road. They followed at a crawl, keeping just enough distance to

but I refused

being ridiculous," Alex called out from the

muttered, though his voice was

turned white. The afternoon sun beat down on me,

Elijah's voice called out, softer this time. "At least let us give you a ride the rest of

ignored him, my

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

a terrible job of it," I snapped, not bothering

and my

silent again, save for the low rumble of the engine. I could feel their frustration, their helplessness, and part of me almost felt

time I reached the edge of the forest, my arms and legs were screaming in protest. The cabin was still a good fifteen minutes away, and I wasn't sure I had the energy to make it the rest of

few feet behind me, and I

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

I demanded,

rest of the way,"

incredulous. "You've

tired," Isaiah said, his tone matter-of-fact. "And we're

to leave me alone, but I didn't have the strength. Instead, I turned back around and

mercy. But their presence was impossible to ignore, their footsteps crunching softly on the

me.