An Omega's Outcast

Chapter Five: Rabbit Hole

*** Alden's POV ***

It would be great if I could get through this year without incident. However, Brad and his mongrels always made my time here a living hell. I used to think having a friend would help, but no one wants to be friends with the fattest and ugliest member of the school. The people I thought were my friends in my past were pretending to be my friends to earn my trust. Then they would play sick jokes on me or cause public humiliation—anything to get a chuckle out of the outcast. My wolf, Odin, was my only support or family since my parents were abolished from our pack. Without Odin, I would probably have run away and become a rogue. But that didn't seem a good enough reason to stay most days. I was somehow tethered to this place, like the universe was waiting for something to fall into my lap. Or was I looking into things a little too much? Why was I holding onto hope that something good would come along? Good things don't happen to people like me. I wanted these people to suffer like they had made me suffer.

Going down my rabbit holes of thoughts... That was never a good thing. I am my own worst enemy. I walked through the cafeteria after getting something small to eat for breakfast and cleaned up after myself.

I was lost in my rabbit hole of negative, questionable thoughts when Brad's voice caught my attention, and the small frame of a girl collided with me. I quickly caught and pushed her forward to escape Brad and his two stupid mutts. For a brief second, I saw her flustered face. She was really cute. Too cute and shouldn't be anywhere near the likes of me. Turning on my heel, I made my way out of the cafeteria to my first class.

"She was cute and smelled nice," Odin pointed out.

Now that he mentioned it, she had a unique scent. Nothing I have ever smelled before. I took a quick peek over my shoulder to try and get another glimpse of her, but Luna January was standing behind her blocking my view.

"Cute girls don't like me remember? They pretend to like me and then use me for their sick entertainment," I grunted in response.

"That's the problem. All these she-wolves are just that, girls. You need yourself a woman! We haven't seen her around here before. She has to be new; if she is a new student, maybe she would..."

"Cause trouble? Hurt me? No thanks," I snapped.

Odin rolled his eyes in frustration before plopping back down for his long-awaited nap he took while I did my share of school work. After that, he would wake up for training, as we were required to train in our human forms and wolf forms.

As usual, all my classes bored me. I was highly intelligent, and all the work they offered me could never keep my attention for too long because I would learn and master everything they put in front of me. I was in all the advanced classes and extracurricular activities to keep myself busy. The only thing I struggled with was training. Of course, I wouldn't struggle if I could lose some weight, but since school is almost over, why even bother? Why bother with anything? I planned to join the Royal Guard's Special Forces after I completed my education. Only the highest ranked in our academy's academics could join. The only problem was my combat training wasn't where it needed to be. Sure, I could take a good beating, but I wasn't the quickest on my feet, and neither was Odin.

My classes were a blur as I was trying to get through the day. I was hungry, and this constant need to binge and purge was a demon on my back. A secret I kept to myself at all costs. People look at me and assume all I do is eat. If they only knew the struggle and shame I went through. Lost in my thoughts again, making my way to art class, Odin rescued me from my thoughts.

"f**k, Alphahole is approaching," Odin groaned.

Coming around the corner with a sick smirk were Brad and his stupid goons. What could this asshole possibly want with me now?

"Hey f**k face! Thanks for ruining my morning and catching that disgusting little s**t," Brad spit out.

He must be talking about that small girl in the cafeteria. I bit my tongue and rolled my eyes.

"I'm surprised you didn't try and eat her," Brad snickered before ramming his finger into my stomach.

Odin growled viciously, and I took a step forward. Brad took a step back.

"Keep it up. I will have no problem smashing your pretty little face in," I snarled.

"You wouldn't dare," hissed Brad.

"Is that a challenge?" I asked.

Every part of me was hoping it was a challenge. I had so much pent-up rage from this dumb f**k that I would gladly take the repercussion of my actions. The downside was I would lose any chance of joining the Royal Guards Secret Service. They didn't look too kindly on violent offenses and were kind enough to excuse my previous history of violence due to my family's situation.

"Come on, guys, let's get out of here before the giant tries to eat us," Brad snarled.

"What a little b***h," Odin laughed.

"That dude will make me snap, and the school year has barely started," I groaned.

"I would gladly feast on his corpse and then s**t it out!"

I chuckled at his obscene fantasy and made my way to art class. I enjoyed the quiet environment. I wasn't great at art class, but extra courses looked good for my application. Anyone who didn't fit in felt at ease in this class, and Mr. Chapman was a good guy. He called us his class of misfits. He didn't mind letting me keep to myself, and the other students didn't mind giving me my space and letting me work independently. Little did I know how dramatically that would change when I walked into the classroom and saw Her sitting at my desk, which was always empty. Odin quickly perked up and sniffed the air. She most definitely didn't smell like a wolf. She was tiny and mousey looking. Her oddly colored hair hung messily down to her shoulders. It was a mixture of brown, red, and blond.

"Well. Hello, Mr. Mayers. So glad you could join us. Please take a seat next to Lisabeth," Mr. Chapman instructed with a smile and motioned fo me to take a seat.

Through my shaggy curly hair, I could see her perk up slightly. At least, I think she perked up.

"As I was saying, this year's project is for you to be paired with someone you need to get to know on a more intimate level as you will be doing portraits of each other. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Of course, we will do other things along the way, but this will take a year to complete. I do not want any rushing to be done for this project. Those who rush will receive a fail. I want to see the passion and knowledge you have gained from your partner on your canvas. So, let's take today to get to know the person next to you. Alden, please, take your seat next to Lisabeth. I promise she doesn't bite," Mr. Chapman instructed enthusiastically.

I grumbled before sitting next to this tiny delicate little creature. I have never had to have a partner before. Now I'm stuck with her.

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.

"Could you sniff a little quieter? Holy f**k," I grumbled in our mindlink.

"I will sniff as loud as I want!" Odin proclaimed before snorting obnoxiously loud.

"Keep snorting in that air, and you will get a stomach ache, and then I will have to listen to your obnoxious farts."

"I promise to shift and fart on your pillow, Mr. High and Mighty."

I had to hold back a laugh.

"Thanks for earlier," Lisabeth whispered to me.

"You fell on me," I grunted, giving her an annoyed expression.

For a brief second, I remembered how small she felt against me and in my hands before I pushed her back onto her feet. Her skin was warm and soft. A small shred of guilt gnawed at me because I tossed her to Brad and ran off in the other direction, leaving her to deal with him. I took a glance at her. Her face was littered with freckles. I couldn't see her eyes. She shifted her weight in her chair.

"How do you know Brad," Lisabeth asked.

"Does it matter?" I replied.

Guilt gnawed at me some more. Why was I being an asshole to her when she did nothing wrong? But if I open up, the chances of her hurting me increase.

"Are you always this pleasant?" she asked.

"Do you always ask so many questions?" I retorted.

"Wow, Alden. You could at least be amicable to the poor girl."

It's not like I was purposely trying to be a d**k! It just seemed to come naturally. So we sat awkwardly for the rest of the class while she quietly doodled in her sketchbook. This was going to be a long year.

This book has been put on A M A Z O N and A M A Z O N K I N D L E for purchase. You can find it by searching for An Omega’s Outcast by Lisa Lynn Baird. Thank you for your continued support.