The first thing I noticed was warmth – soft blankets beneath me instead of cold pavement. My eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling, panic immediately surging through my body.
“You’re safe.” A deep voice made me jerk upright. A man sat in a chair nearby, his presence radiating alpha power. He was gorgeous in a dangerous way – sharp jawline, intense eyes, dark hair falling across his forehead. “Are you feeling okay now? You fainted in front of my car.”
I scrambled backward until I hit the headboard, my heart racing. After last night with Nathan and Sean, any alpha near a bed sent terror through my system.
“Please,” I whispered, “I need to go-”
“You need to eat.” His voice was firm but gentle, so different from my stepbrothers‘ cruel tones. “When was the last time you had food?”
My stomach answered for me with an embarrassingly loud growl. Heat flooded my cheeks.
“That’s what I thought.” He stood, and I flinched instinctively. Something flickered in his eyes – concern? Anger? But he just moved to a nearby table and returned with a tray laden with food.
The smell hit me first – warm bread, soup, fresh fruit. My mouth watered as he set it before me.
“Go on,” he encouraged. “You’re safe here. I promise.”
I should have been more cautious. Should have questioned who he was, where I was, why he was helping me. But after nearly two days without food, my body took over.
I devoured everything on the tray, barely breathing between bites. The soup was rich and warm, the bread still steaming. Each bite felt like life flowing back into my starved body.
It wasn’t until I’d cleaned the plate that shame washed over me. I’d just gorged myself in front of a complete stranger like some
animal.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, unable to meet his eyes. “I shouldn’t have”
“Don’t apologize.” His voice held no judgment, only concern. “Though I have to wonder why an Atwood was walking to school
starving.”
I stiffened at the name. Of course he knew who I was – everyone knew the Atwood family.
“It’s complicated,” I whispered, fiddling with the empty soup bowl
“I’m sure it is.” He leaned forward, his eyes intense. “But no one should look as terrified and hungry as you did this morning. Not even Lillian’s daughter.”
I flinched at my mother’s name, but there was no hatred in his voice when he said it. Not like my stepbrothers.
Thank you,” I said softly. “For the food. And for not… for being kind.”
His expression darkened slightly. “Being kind isn’t something you should have to thank someone for, little wolf. It sho
the bare minimum.”
If only my mates felt the same way.
he
I caught him staring at me again, his gaze intense enough to make my skin tingle. When I glanced up, he quickly looked away, but something in his expression made my heart skip.
Heat crept up my neck as I looked away, suddenly very aware of myself.
1/3
CHAPTER 15
+25 BONUS
“You have a little…” His hand reached out, napkin gently brushing he corner of my mouth. The tender gesture made my breath catch. When was the last time someone had touched me with kindness instead of cruelty?
“You look cute when you’re flustered,” he said softly. “Different from what I expected.”
The clock on the wall made me jump. “It’s already lunch period!” Pac seized me as I scrambled to my feet. More missed classes meant more trouble.
“I’ll drive you,” he said, already grabbing his keys. When I hesitate, he added softly, “It’s not safe for you to walk alone.”
He wasn’t wrong. After nearly being hit by his car, I wasn’t eager to try walking again. “Okay,” I whispered.
“I actually go to your school,” Tristan said as we drove. “Just transferred. So I can take you there from now on, if you’d like.”
I stared at him in surprise. “You do?”
He nodded, a warm smile playing on his lips.
My breath caught. No one had ever spoken to me like this before like being an omega wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
“I wished I was like you–strong,” I whispered, the words that had been thrown at me so many times slipping out. “I’m just a burden…”
“Who told you that?” His voice was gentle but held an edge of anger. “You are not burden for anyone, you are very much strong.” Tears pricked my eyes. After days of being told how worthless I was by my own mates, his words felt like a healing balm.
“Thank you,” I managed, my voice thick with emotion. “I’ve never.. no one’s ever said anything like that to me before.” His eyes softened. “Then they’re all blind. Now come on – we’re almost there. And remember, you’re stronger than you know.”
It was strange how safe I felt with this stranger when my own mates terrified me.
“I’m Tristan, by the way,” he said as we neared the school. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel, betraying some tension I couldn’t understand. “I should have introduced myself properly earlier.”
There was something about the way he said it, like he was holding something back. His aura screamed alpha – not just any alpha, but he never used it against me, never made me feel small.
He’d shown me more kindness in one morning than my stepbrothers had since I arrived.
For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe.
“Thank you,” I said as we pulled up to the school. “For everything
His eyes held mine for a moment too long. “Be careful, little wolf.”
I nodded and stepped out of his car, my legs still a bit shaky. Students were milling around for lunch break, and I prayed I could make it to my next class without-
“Well, look who finally decided to show up.”
My heart sank as Aria’s voice cut through the air. She and her friends surrounded me before I could move, cutting off any escape
route.
“Skipping classes now?” She circled me like a predator. “Think you’re too good for school because you live with the woods?”
“No, I-
After the kindness Tristan had shown me, their hatred felt even sharper.
“Did you really think getting new stepbrothers would save you?” Aria’s claws extended as she reached for me. “Time to remind you where you belong.”
2/3
CHAPTER 15
I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain.
Her hand shot out, grabbing my hair and yanking hard. “I don’t like being ignored, otnega.”
“Please,”
I whispered, but I
Was
knew it uscless.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.