Bullied, But I Have Five Alphas Doting on Me

The cafeteria chatter faded as I turned the corner toward the east wing.

"Look at my hands, Leo. They are literally shaking."

Leah's voice echoed off the tiled walls.

I paused, pressing my back against the cold brick.

"I've got you," a deep voice rumbled.

Leo. The undisputed Alpha of St. Arlan High.

"She walked right up and crushed my custom lipstick under her shoe," Leah sobbed. "Just to provoke me. I didn't even do anything to her!"

"A pathetic Omega did that?" a male voice asked. One of Leo's lackeys.

"Yes!" Leah's pitch went higher, heavy with fake tears. "You know how their kind operates. Low-class. Deceitful. They just stir up drama to get an Alpha's attention, hoping we will throw them some scraps. She is just trying to hook one of you for the benefits."

I rolled my eyes. Seduce an Alpha? I would rather swallow glass.

I stepped out from my hiding spot, ready to walk past them.

"There she is!" Leah pointed a manicured finger directly at my chest.

Leo turned. His imposing frame blocked the entire hallway.

"Hey. Trash."

I kept walking. "Not my name, Leo."

Heavy footsteps pounded the floor.

In a flash, he stood in front of me. Massive hands clamped around my wrists like iron cuffs.

He shoved me backward. My spine slammed into the metal lockers.

"I didn't say you could walk away."

"And I didn't ask for your permission."

Leo's jaw tightened. "You think you can destroy Leah's property?"

"I didn't touch her stupid makeup," I said, glaring directly into his eyes.

"She's lying!" Leah shrieked, strutting to his side.

"I watched you snap it yourself, Leah," I shot back. "Right before you dumped your lunch on me."

Leo squeezed my wrists. The pressure sent a sharp ache up my forearms.

"Watch your mouth," he warned.

"Or what?" I challenged.

"You are awfully brave for an Omega."

"And you are awfully gullible for an Alpha."

A heavy silence fell over the corridor.

Instead of cowering, I laughed. A harsh, dry sound.

Leo blinked. He was clearly thrown off by the reaction. Omegas were supposed to weep.

Then, his expression darkened. He twisted my left arm.

Pain flared in my shoulder joint. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop a wince.

"Do you know what we keep in the back mountain?" he asked.

"Trees and dirt," I managed to say.

"Rogues," Leo corrected. "Locked behind the high fence. Starving."

Leah crossed her arms, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

"The full moon is Friday," Leo continued, leaning in close. "I am going to drag you up there."

"You are insane."

"I will throw you over the fence myself. Let's see if you can seduce a feral beast to save your life."

"Release me." I yanked my arm hard.

He held fast. "You need a lesson in respect."

I drove my knee upward.

He dodged, but his grip loosened just a fraction.

I ripped my hands free.

"Grab her!" Leo barked.

Two of his shadows surged forward. A heavy hand shoved my shoulder.

I stumbled, my elbow cracking against the concrete wall.

"Don't touch me," I snapped, straightening up immediately.

"We will touch you whenever we want," one of the boys sneered.

"Friday night," Leo promised. "Be ready."

I turned and walked away, my arms throbbing with fresh pain.

That was not the end of it. It was only the beginning.

For the next three days, the hallways became a war zone.

Between third and fourth period on Wednesday, they cornered me near the science lab.

"Going somewhere, Omega?" Leo blocked the door.

"Class," I said flatly.

He grabbed my upper arm, his fingers digging deeply into my bicep.

"Apologize to Leah."

"Go to hell."

He shoved me into the doorframe. My head bounced against the solid wood.

"Still stubborn," Leah mocked from down the hall.

I wrenched my arm out of his grasp, leaving a fiery red mark on my skin.

Thursday during lunch, I sat alone in the corner.

"Move your tray."

I looked up from my soup. Leo's shadow fell over my table.

"There are plenty of empty seats," I replied.

He slapped my bowl. Hot broth splashed across my knuckles.

I hissed, jerking my hand back.

"Omegas do not talk back," he said.

Leah stood behind him, sipping a juice box.

"She is so aggressive, Leo. It is scary."

"I will handle her." He grabbed my collar, hauling me to my feet.

"Get your hands off me!"

He threw me backward. I crashed into the adjacent table.

Plates shattered. Students cheered.

I scrambled up, my fists clenched tight.

"Fight back," Leo taunted. "Give me a reason to break your jaw before Friday."

I stared at him, my chest heaving.

"Not worth it," I muttered, turning away.

He caught my wrist again, his nails biting into my flesh.

"Tomorrow. Back mountain. Do not forget."

Friday arrived. The day of the full moon.

The tension inside the school building felt suffocating.

I wore a thick, long-sleeved sweater to hide the mottled purple and yellow bruises covering my arms.

Every time I flinched, the rough fabric rubbed against tender skin. My forearms were a canvas of pinch marks and swollen welts.

"You look awful," a girl whispered at my locker.

I ignored her, spinning my combination dial.

"I heard Leo is actually going to do it tonight," another voice murmured.

I grabbed my textbook and slammed the metal door.

The hallway cleared out rapidly as the final bell rang.

I needed to get out of the building. Fast.

I hurried toward the rear exit, my sneakers squeaking on the linoleum.

Just push the double doors, and I am free.

I hit the crash bar.

The door did not budge.

I pushed harder. Locked.

"Going home so soon?"

I spun around.

Leo stood at the end of the corridor.

Five of his largest cronies flanked him, blocking the only path forward.

Leah peeked out from behind his broad shoulder, holding a thick coil of heavy rope.

"The sun is setting, Sierra," Leo smiled.

My heart hammered violently against my ribs.

"Open the door, Leo."

"We have a date at the enclosure."

He cracked his knuckles. The sharp sound echoed loudly in the empty hall.

"Grab her legs," he ordered.

They lunged.