Our Bound Freedom

I walk down the hallway. As always, I hold my books close to my chest and keep my eyes on the gray floor. The other students talk loudly, as always. I turn and need to stop abruptly because of two guys standing really close together. I glance up slightly to assess the situation.

The taller one holds the other around the waist, his eyes looking at his neck, where the red mark still shows. He smiles and whispers, “You look so good right now.”

I walk faster. My mind is already spinning. Again. Another Omega who fell in love and got claimed by his Alpha. Each time when this happens, they change completely. Which would be a problem for me if they would keep it private. But it seems like the moment you’re bonded, you need to show it. They stop taking their medicine, and the smell of the new couples floods the hallways.

I could never understand why people would willingly do something like that. I guess, especially for Alphas, it’s less complicated.

Like I summoned him, I walk directly into a tall guy. I don’t even need to look up. His smell, his presence, the fact that he is the only one who would stop directly in my way. James. His name is as fitting as it could be. He’s rich, confident, and one of the few pure Alphas at this school.

I still have no idea why he, of all people, chose to obsess over me.

I feel his eyes on me. His grin. Then he speaks. His voice is deep, but unlike many others, it’s not cold. It’s nearly darkly teasing.

“On the way to class, Omega?”

I bite my bottom lip. “Yes. So let me through.”

He laughs in this deep way that makes my heart race faster.

I look up and put on as self-confident an expression as possible.

James looks at me with these black eyes, like he would weigh up whether he should let me leave or kidnap me right away. “Are you in a hurry?” he asks.

Of course. I gave him the perfect opportunity. I practically flew from the couple. At the same time, classes start in like 10 minutes...

“Actually, yes.” I hold his eye contact. He stands so close that his smell of rain and forest envelops me, and even though I took my medicine, I feel my heart racing.

He looks down at me with this half-smile which makes him look like a human-turned-wolf.

“Really?” He speaks low, slowly. “Then...” He leans closer. “How about I accompany you?”

It’s not a question. Not really.

“Fine...”

I hold my books tighter as he steps aside and starts walking with me. I look straight in front of me. I try staying composed, but his presence is just... too much danger.

We arrive at my classroom, and I want to enter when his strong hand grabs my arm and pulls me closer to him. James looks at me without bothering that we block the entrance.

“Let go of me!” I try freeing my arm, but his grip is way too strong.

“Make me.”

I bite the inside of my lip. He laughs.

Before I manage to say anything, he loosens his grip and smirks. “See you later, Omega.” He actually turns and leaves.

I stand there like an idiot, watching him disappear into a room. Finally, I enter my class.

But I can’t focus on what the teacher says. I just draw circles in my notebook. I just can’t understand why James is always there. I am not special. He could have any Omega he wants. Literally everyone! So why me, who definitely doesn’t want an Alpha?

“Good job today. Don’t forget the essay for next week. See you then.”

I blink. Class is finished? I pack my things quickly and practically jump up to leave. I turn left and want to run to catch my bus when his voice stops me.

“Always running, Omega...?”

I slowly turn my head, and there he stands against the wall, arms crossed.

“What are you doing here?” I thought if I just left fast enough, he would miss me.

He smiles. “Wanted to see my little Omega.”

“I am not your Omega!”

I am impressed by how strong my voice is because my heart skipped a beat at his words.

He smirks and steps closer. “Not yet.”

I want to step back, but he already grabs me and lifts my chin so I need to look at him. My breath stops when his strong hand holds me.

“But we can change that.” He leans down, his lips hovering over my neck.

I freeze. My mind is blank, and at the same time, there are hundreds of thoughts spinning around.

I press my hands against his chest. Way too weak to really push him away, but enough to keep the small distance.

“Don’t... let me go!” I manage to say in an obviously scared voice.

He looks at me and smiles his half-smile. His smell gets stronger.

“Why should I? You are where you belong. You know that.”

“No, I don’t!” I manage to push him hard enough for his hand to leave me. My heart beats out of my chest.

“Little Omega... you belong to me.” The possession in his voice scares me more than his touch.

“I don’t belong to anyone!” I press my lips together.

“Keep telling yourself that. But deep inside, you already know the truth.” James doesn’t make any effort to come closer again.

I make a safe step back before speaking again.

“You’re the one who lies to yourself. Just because you are in rut. You don’t know anything about me, so just... leave me alone and find some desperate Omega who wants to be yours.”

I think I sounded quite confident, but his face shows different.

“I don’t need to know you to know you belong to me.” His voice is darker. “We can get to know each other after I claim you. We will have our whole life.”

The way he says that. His eyes. This smell.

Now I understand what the danger of going to a mixed school was. Why my parents were so worried that I am an Omega.

I don’t realize that James watches me attentively.

“Thinking? Well...” He steps closer again. “How about we get to know each other? You won’t have another excuse for running.”

I bite the inside of my lip hard.

“Agreed?” James’ strong hand lifts my chin.

I swallow. No! Definitely no!

“Fine.”