After a busy day of classes yesterday, I was getting the hang of this large castle in the form of a preparatory school. The halls were long enough to get lost in them. There are several passages from one room to another. If you do not pay attention, you could get lost easily.

Seth and I are becoming friends much faster than I could ever anticipate. The fact that he doesn’t hold back on the truth about himself or his family is both daunting and fascinating at the same time. Truthfully, I am totally in awe of him as a person. Not at all what you’d expect from a boy who had everything he could ever need in life.

His twin brother Skylar keeps a close relationship with him, attentive and especially protective. It would be annoying if it wasn’t so sweet. I am an only child so I crave that type of connection. He told me that his mother never expected to have twins. She was supposed to fulfill her contract with his father by having one child but was surprised when she went for her ultrasound.

Naturally, the biggest surprise was yet to come when the twins were born. It is incredibly rare for twins to be of a different breed and even more rare for an Alpha to have an Omega child. The doctor explained what might have happened to them at the time, offering a scientific explanation, but from that moment on Seth was never looked at by his parents in the same way they look at Skylar.

Alphas have twin babies all the time, but it is never anything except for other Alphas. Hence the horrible way Seth was called by some “the defective twin”. It must be horrible to be born with such high expectations thrust upon you like the Stronghold sons, but it is even worse to feel like your birthing was inadequate, that you are less than your brother simply because of your breed.

On that, Seth and I related immediately. Only Omegas feel the weight of our breed and the way people look down upon us, especially because of our heat. What people forget is that we are a blessing from the Moon Goddess, a way for queer couples to bear children without the help of a third party like humans have to do.

After Headmaster Lockwood’s powerful speech on the night of our arrival at Ravenwood, I was even more ostracized than I expected to be. The only Omegas getting attention were the ones coming from powerful families like Seth’s. As soon as students got word that I was a scholarship student, it might as well tell them that I was invisible.

Hardly anyone bothered to talk to me except in passing, politely. I got nothing more than a ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon’ or occasionally ‘excuse me, can I go ahead’ when standing in line for food. It is worse than I thought it would be.

Then there is Jayden Johnson. I don’t know what he sees in me or if he is just passing the time until he goes for the Omega he actually wants. Or maybe his attention is a way of getting through to Seth, the biggest prize in the Academy. I am not sure right now, but I can honestly say my roommate hasn’t come up in our conversation.

But it’s only Tuesday, our second day of school.

We are inside the dining hall having breakfast when we hear an unpleasant conversation taking place at the Alpha section of the tables.

A Beta werewolf approaches Skylar and his buddies. He stands next to him wanting to ask something, but it takes a little while for him to get the courage to do so.

“What? If you come to ask me out, I am not interested.” Skylar spoke, impatiently as he gnarled some pancakes on his plate. His Alpha colleagues laughed at this statement.

“No, Alpha. Is it okay if I ask your brother out?” He asked his permission and Seth nearly spat his food several tables away from them. The Alphas at their table went silent, looking at Skylar with a frightened expression on their faces.

The tall, blonde, muscular Alpha got up from his seat and stared down the Beta who was now sweating in his presence. Skylar grabbed the boy by the throat and sneered at him:

“My brother did not come here to be claimed by a Beta! NO! You may not ask him out. Get the fuck away from me!” He threw the boy away like a twig, who scrambled to get off the floor and returned to his table, embarrassed about this. That scene was witnessed by everybody and I think the boy miscalculated the location to pose this particular question.

Seth was mortified by this. He could not eat anymore after that awkward display.

“He always does this. Even back in high school. He fucked anything that moved, but no one was allowed to come near me for fear of his reaction. I barely had any friends that weren't other Omegas. Anyone else who would take an interest in me feared his wrath. It is so annoying!” He blurted, cheeks coloring with embarrassment and shame for his overprotective brother.

“He is kind of cute. I wouldn’t mind if he asked me out.” I deflected, not knowing what to say to that. Seth laughed at my comment, instantly relaxing his facial muscles which were tense at the scene.

“I thought you were too busy with your new best friend.” He provoked me, referencing Jayden.

“What? Stop it, you are my new best friend.” I blushed as he called me out and we laughed at this.

After the commotion at breakfast, Skylar was called to speak with the head of security at Ravenwood. There is no violence tolerated in the academy and students get one single warning.

“Despite this welcoming environment and school atmosphere, I don’t want you to think of Ravenwood Academy as an ordinary school. You’ll have plenty of time to study at college, for those who intend to go after the claiming ceremony. Our purpose here is not so much to educate but to prepare you young adults for your future.” Headmaster Lockwood was speaking to our classroom.

“That is why we do not test like normal schools. All exams here are practical, real life situations that you will have to deal with in your everyday lives.” He continued, serenely.

“It is also why we do not tolerate bullying or violence of any kind.” He glared at Skylar as he said that and everybody caught that, most of all him.

“I said this before, we are here for a purpose. If you dislike any student, just ignore them. They are not going to waste their time going after someone who is not interested, there are too many choices here to waste time with frivolous pursuits.” He instructed, tensely.

“Life is too short to waste your precious time. I wish to Goddess that I could have one more minute with my mate. Unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago and I miss her dearly. But my point is: focus on what matters to you. That is what I want for my grandson who is attending Ravenwood this year and that is the same wish I have for every single one of our students.” He concluded, before going on to the next classroom.

Professor Roberts continued our class after the headmaster was gone, but not before whispers broke out about what drove his presence here in the first place. Seth was not in my classroom, but I know he is deeply embarrassed by his brother’s attitude.

At the end of the class, Jake approached me once again.

“That was tense, right? I am glad I don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to ask you out.” He flirted and I gasped in shock at this boldness. Literally, my mouth was wide open at the handsome Alpha.

“Jayden!” I blushed, getting flustered by his flirting.

“Is this some ploy to get through to Seth? Because if it is, like Alpha Lockwood said, don’t waste your time. Go for it, really.” I told him with a self-deprecating humor, still unsure of what he sees in me.

Jayden stared me down as we exited the classroom together with a deep frown.

“You know, this was cute the first time, but self-loathing is so unsexy. If you don’t want to go out with me, just say it. Don’t tell me I can only be interested in you if I have an ulterior motive. It’s distracting to the purpose of this academy.” He mouthed off then bolted for the next class, far away from me.

I am so uncomfortable right now that I stopped in my tracks. I am flabbergasted. Embarrassed that I chased away the only cute boy that has ever talked to me or even acknowledged my presence in this whole castle. Why do I always do this? Why do I think I am not good enough?

If I weren’t good enough to be here then I wouldn’t be. Right?

I was only reunited with Seth on my third class of the day where he asked me if I was okay, then I told him what happened and he agreed with Jayden. I shouldn’t be thinking the only reason someone would be interested in me is to somehow get through to him. That doesn’t make any sense. Seth is not unreachable. He is just a student like everybody else, not the Prince of England.

Just before we broke for lunch, I found Jayden talking to other Alphas and I asked for a moment alone to speak to him. I apologized to him for my inappropriate comment earlier. I am mortified to have such low self-esteem that I thought nobody could see my value here. If that was the case, then why come? If there is no chance of ever making a match?

He was gracious enough to accept my apology and took the opportunity to flirt with me once again. Seth called me to lunch and we said goodbye. I cannot believe I wasted a chance because I thought no Alpha would ever look at me here. Of course, that does not mean anything will come of this flirting with Jayden, that is not the point.

But if I close myself off, then I definitely won’t be claimed by anyone come next year.

Seth mustered up the courage to go over to the Beta’s section and talk to the boy who asked his brother’s permission to ask him out on a date. He told him that he should never have bothered to ask his brother’s permission. He also said he was flattered that he took an interest in him.

In the end, Seth left him with nothing but a polite rejection but he felt he should address him directly. I agree with him, Skylar should never have any say in who his brother dates or not. Even if he was right, Seth would not please his father if he were to be claimed by a Beta.

That is elitist, I know. Welcome to Ravenwood Academy. Even rich Betas are not good enough for some people.

When I was walking back to the dormitory at the end of the day, I saw the headmaster talking to Jayden in the corner of my eyes. I thought to myself I hope he doesn’t get into trouble. I like his presence in this school.

The locker room was crazy busy before dinner, so it’s no use trying to take a shower now. Instead, I took the time to check in with my mom. I know she misses me and I do miss her too. It was great to hear her voice again. She told me all about office gossip that she likes to share and news about my grandparents.

Before I knew it, time for dinner and I hurriedly changed clothes while Seth rushed me like I was in a competition for the quickest change. It was actually kind of funny. We even ran into his brother on our way out of the dormitory. We all go through the same front door in or out and all dorms converge into the same space, only separated by flights of stairs.

Seth ignored Skylar because he was still mad about the whole business this morning. I stayed out of it since the Alpha twin already ignored my presence like most of his kind.

As we ate dinner in the busy dining hall, a curious event happened when a beautiful girl approached our table in the Omega section.

“Hi, boys. Seth, I would just like to ask you something. If I do not, I will kick myself until I do.” She greeted us politely and then addressed my roommate directly.

“I figured this was coming sooner or later.” He spoke, awkwardly.

“So… is there a chance?” She asked, timidly.

“Sorry. Even if there was, I cannot be claimed by a Gamma. No disrespect.” He replied, sounding uncomfortable to have to admit this to her, especially in front of a large audience.

“That’s okay. I just had to take my shot. Good luck.” She said before walking away. The students who were present in the first class of the day noted that it was the same girl who rejected Skylar earlier this morning. Except that Seth didn’t know that because he was in a different classroom. But all the people who witnessed that scene commented as the beautiful girl walked away.

“Oh my Goddess!” I gasped at the shocking coincidence that Seth wasn’t even aware of.

“It’s fine. I knew I’d be asked out by a girl. Not all Omegas are gay, you know? That’s a misconception.” He lectured me in a snarky tone, still oblivious to the drama with his brother.

While we had dinner, I took the time to tell him of the epic fail his brother had in the first class then he was baffled that she wanted him instead of the Alpha. That never happened before. The Alphas in Skylar’s table are teasing him relentlessly about it.

Despite the rocky start and challenges that I am sure lie ahead of me, I am loving this so far.

This scene just now is a lesson in confidence and knowing your worth. Seth is a catch the same as his Alpha brother. I should take a page out of his book and find confidence within me. I am valuable. I would be an asset to any Alpha who thinks outside of the box. Here is hoping the future can bring good things for me. I am looking forward to the school year.

A|N: This isn't like any of my previous novels.

There is no mate. There is no clue. Who is conquering whom?

Hell if I know.

It is also the first ever book of mine with only one point of view. One boy on the cover.

What is going to happen?

Surprises await you all, including the 'gag' that comes next.

OFF: This song was challenging for me because it was not obvious for the chapter, except for the verse: "I wish I was good enough". But it is so poetically beautiful. What a great singer.

Next is "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)".

Love,

Léo.