Chapter 14 A System to Bow

Chapter 14 A System to Bow
"You... did something, didn't you?"

I swallowed hard, my eyes looking up to Knox's. "I am so sorry you are getting punished because of me. I didn't think..."

He laughed, then gave a small shrug. "Wanna go play, then? They might be more inclined to give us food later when he isn't here."

I nodded, feeling worse for Knox, who was simply kind to me, than even myself. I slowly followed him, and just as we passed the private dining where Alpha Eros was, Eugene's voice filtered through.

"Skipping dinner?"

I turned to him despite Knox's desperate pulls on my sleeve. "Well, someone made sure we wouldn't have any."

Alpha Eros didn't even look at us. 

Eugene raised a brow, his eyes falling to Eros before he gave a small laugh. "Well, actions have consequences, new boy."

I started to say something, but he leaned forward, then filled up two plates with food. I watched as he slowly stood up, then started to head towards the door.

"I don't think you want to come back to this table, Eugene."

Eugene stopped and turned to Eros, his lips slowly parting. 

I gritted my teeth, my eyes falling on Alpha Eros's profile, my fists clenching hard. 

"What?" Eugene asked, turning to face Eros fully.

Eros raised his head to meet Eugene's gaze. His eyes were as calm as ever, and I slowly started to realize something. His most evil form was bone chillingly calm.

"No one overrides my orders, Eugene. Not within this school, and not outside."

Eugene's almost playful expression immediately faded, and I could tell there was more to what Alpha Eros had said than the words the rest of us heard.

Alpha Karl, who had been mostly silent and absent, broke into a laugh as he leaned back on the seat, his hands spreading on either side of him. 

"I think he knows that, Eros. The Sanders are just... well, escape omegas. I am sure he doesn't ever forget that."

The plates slipped from Eugene's hands and fell to the floor in a loud crash. Food splattered everywhere, and Kyran immediately stopped the food from getting to Eros, who, at very best, blinked.

"We didn't have to go that far," Eugene said, his voice low and dark, and without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving Karl laughing hard.

I turned to Eros, who still had his back to me, while a cleaner came up to clean the mess on the floor.

"Let's go, Knox."

Knox nodded, then started to lead the way.

"I don't care where you are going with him," Alpha Eros suddenly said, his back still turned to me. "But once it is 9p.m., you will have to make do with the library for tonight."

Karl snickered, shaking his head, but said nothing.

"Sure enough," I said simply, then turned and walked away.

Knox led the way to the massive basketball court outside. It was as large as three of my houses joined together, and it was extremely neat and well kept.

"How did you know I like basketball?" I asked, catching the ball he threw at me.

He shrugged, then stopped, turning to me. "Kian."

I turned, meeting his eyes. 

He bit down on his lips, his fingers tapping lightly against his thighs. "Please go back before 9."

"Knox."

"Please stop provoking him. Please stop being like that. We are wolves, we have a hierarchy. Fuck, even humans have a hierarchy these days. It just so happens that he is above all of us. If we go hungry, if he punishes us, then it is our duty to accept it with faith. All of us in here... we are training to be his slaves. To be beneath him for the rest of our lives."

I swallowed hard, my chest heaving. I let go of the ball to the floor, and the slow thud on the floor felt like some ominous background music for a life that was fucked up from the very beginning.

"I am sorry," I said, my voice cracking a little. "I was just... hoping I would be able to protect you."

He shook his head. "Look at me. I know exactly how to take care of myself. You make me worried. I see that boy in you so much that it feels like I could wake up to news of your death too."

"Knox."

He covered the distance to me, his eyes darting across both of mine. "I beg of you, Kian. This isn't a system where you can fight. This is a system where you need to bow."

I nodded slowly, my eyes meeting his. He looked so worried, so concerned, that I couldn't bring myself to say anything else but agree.

But I know I didn't. If I had accepted this so-called system, I wouldn't even be here in the first place. I am here to fight for justice. To fight for my brother.

He finally smiled, then took a step back. I know I have seen him so many times since I came here, but it felt like I was just really seeing him. His sharp canines, his deep blue eyes that were the complete opposite of Alpha Eros', his soft features. The way he had been so worried. The way it felt like he was really seeing me.

"Stop," he said, laughing as he backed away from me then grabbed the ball. 

"Stop what?" I asked, my chest heaving as my eyes followed him. 

He laughed again, bouncing the ball off the floor. "You are giving me that look."

"What look?" I asked, finally getting ready to take the ball from him.

"A guy once fell in love with me, you know," he whispered, laughing. "You are giving me the same look."

I immediately shook my head, blinking rapidly. Hell no. I shouldn't do this.

"What? No, I... I wasn't."

He laughed, but said nothing.

"What did you do with the other guy?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

He jumped, putting the ball in the basket. "I didn't find him cute."

I swallowed. "I see."

He caught the ball mid air, his shirt riding up to reveal beautiful abs, his hair falling apart and falling across his forehead and eyes.

He looked dreamy. Not like Eros, but dreamy still.

Skylar, stop.

As if my wolf was trying to warn me, Alpha Eros's strong scent filled my nostrils, and I turned, expecting him to be close. There was no one.

"I do find you cute, though," Knox suddenly said, causing me to turn to him, my eyes wide.

He broke into a laugh and let go of the ball, his fingers raking through his hair. "You should go back. Can't have you sleeping in the library."

I nodded, absent mindedly, my heart beating wildly in my chest. Was this a crush or... was it fear?

I made my way guiltily down the hallways till I got to Alpha Eros's room. I looked up to the clock in the hallway.

7:22 p.m. I was more than early. 

But when I grabbed the doorknob and turned it, and found it locked, I knew exactly why.