The Alpha's Secret Omega

Lyra's POV

I tugged at the hem of my uniform, smoothing the fabric that I could never seem to get used to. It wasn't like the frayed and overused uniforms from my old pack. This one was lush, tailored perfectly to fit, and a far cry from anything I'd ever owned. I still felt out of place wearing it, like I didn't belong in something so pristine. The forest-lined path to the school was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. I exhaled, hoping the day wouldn't bring more surprises.

And then it happened.

One moment I was lost in thought, and the next, I collided into someone—a solid wall of muscle, actually. My head shot up, and I froze. Kellan. His piercing eyes locked onto mine, the intensity in his gaze making me take an involuntary step back.

"Watch where you're going, new girl," he said, his tone sharp but somehow playful.

"I—sorry," I managed to stammer, trying to regain my composure. I made to step around him, eager to escape whatever tension was bubbling between us. But Kellan wasn't about to let me go so easily.

Before I could slip away, his hand darted out, gripping my wrist. The contact sent a jolt through me, and my breath hitched. He pulled me into a shadowed corner, away from the path, his movements swift and deliberate.

"Kellan, what are you—"

He leaned in, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him, but not enough to touch. The distance between us was a hair's breadth, his presence overwhelming. My cheeks burned, and my pulse quickened.

"You can't hide from me, Lyra," he said, his voice low and dangerous, each word deliberate. "You'd better prepare yourself."

The flush of heat I'd felt earlier drained from me instantly, replaced by an icy fear. What did he mean? Prepare for what? Did he know? No, he couldn't possibly know… could he? Hope stirred uneasily within me, her emotions muddled between fear and something I couldn't quite place.

I tried to pull my wrist free, but his grip tightened just slightly—a warning. His eyes searched mine, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw something other than the usual amusement in them. Something darker.

"Kellan—" I started, unsure what I even wanted to say, but before I could get a full sentence out, a voice boomed through the air, cutting through the tension like a blade.

"What's going on here?"

I turned sharply, my heart pounding as I caught sight of Kael. He was standing a few feet away, his towering frame rigid with tension. His golden-brown eyes had darkened to an almost black hue, his wolf dangerously close to the surface.

The air shifted, heavy with unspoken energy. Kael's eyes darted between me and Kellan, his focus sharpening as he zeroed in on where Kellan still held my wrist.

"Answer me," he said, his voice now a low growl, his fury barely contained. His wolf was pushing forward, I could feel it.

Kellan didn't release me immediately. Instead, he turned his head slightly, glancing at Kael with a maddeningly amused expression. A small smirk curled his lips as he finally let go of my wrist, taking a step back but not breaking eye contact with me.

"Relax, Alpha," Kellan said smoothly, his voice laced with mockery. "We were just having a conversation."

My breath caught again as Kael took a step closer, his eyes narrowing at Kellan. The intensity of his anger rolled off him in waves, but he didn't lash out. Not yet.

I stood there frozen, caught between the two of them, my mind racing with questions. What had just happened?

I bowed slightly to the Alpha, my voice barely steady. "I'm late for class… I need to go."

Kael didn't say anything, his darkened eyes still fixed on Kellan, but he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. I didn't wait for anything else. The moment I was free, I hurried off, my heart thundering in my chest and my mind spinning with questions.

What just happened?

Kael's reaction confused me more than Kellan's cryptic words. The fury in his eyes, the tension in his stance—it was almost like he was… protecting me. Possessive, even. Did he feel it too? That pull, that spark? Did his wolf recognize mine buried deep inside me? Was that why he reacted the way he did?

And Kellan… his actions were no less puzzling. The way he stared at me, as though he knew something I didn't, left me uneasy. Was he toying with me, or did he genuinely know my secret? Hope stirred again, restless and uncertain.

By the time I reached my class, my head was pounding. I slipped into my seat, trying to focus, but the questions wouldn't stop swirling in my mind.

Ava arrived moments later, plopping into the seat beside me. "Lyra!" she chirped, her energy practically bouncing off the walls. "You won't believe what just happened—"

I barely heard her, my thoughts too loud, too heavy. I nodded absently, pretending to listen as she rambled on, gesturing animatedly. I couldn't bring myself to care about whatever had her so excited.

And then she did something so ridiculous, it yanked me out of my spiraling thoughts.

"Watch this," Ava whispered. Before I could stop her, she shifted—just her nose—into her wolf's snout.

"Ava!" I hissed, horrified.

She grinned, her wolfish snout shrinking back to human form in the blink of an eye. "Pretty cool, huh?"

I looked around frantically, but somehow no one seemed to notice. "Are you crazy?" I whispered. "What if someone saw you?"

"Oh, relax," she said, brushing it off. "I'm careful. Besides, no one's paying attention. Everyone's too busy trying to stay awake."

I stared at her, my mouth agape. She was completely unfazed. "Why would you even do that?"

"To make you laugh, duh. You've been zoning out since I got here. Thought you could use a little pick-me-up."

I blinked, unsure how to feel. Ava was the type to do the most ridiculous things without a second thought.

She leaned closer, her tone softening. "Hey, seriously, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I hesitated, unsure how to explain. "It's nothing," I finally said, shaking my head.

Ava didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. "Well, whatever it is, just know you've got me, okay? No matter what."

Her words, simple as they were, made my chest tighten. For all her antics, Ava was a good friend, maybe the only one I'd ever had.

"Thanks," I murmured.

"Anytime," she replied with a wink, leaning back in her seat.

As the lesson began, I tried to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Kael and Kellan. No matter how much I tried to push it aside, I couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming—and I wasn't ready for it.