15. Taunting Jealousy
Taunting Jealousy
~ELIZABETH~
T he bathroom mirror is a reflection of the results of Carter’s uncontrollable urge to kiss me constantly during the entire ride here — me touching up my “slightly” smudged makeup while the usual crowd of Omegas huddle near the sinks and vanities, whispering just loudly enough to ensure I hear every word.
Yup. The usual.
"Did you see her this morning?" One of the girls I remember from the auditions whispers, her voice dripping with manufactured scandal. "Getting out of that CyberTruck like she owns it."
"Probably stole it," Another one chimes in with a snicker. "Or worse. With how she’s fixing her face she probably put that mouth to good use for once."
They giggle with extra emphasis, the fake mockery only making me want to roll my eyes because of how desperate they are to try to get under my skin.
As if they aren’t the ones showing how my “entrance” out of that truck isn’t driving them insane.
I focus on reapplying my lip gloss, studying my reflection with practiced indifference. The deep red shade is slightly faded from earlier — an inevitable consequence of love-making irony. Not like I don’t like being Carter’s current obsession.
Secretly, I’m on cloud nine when it comes to him—allowing myself to be lost in our lust and not care about the consequences until I’m lost in my thoughts like this.
My hair needs a quick fix too, thanks to his wandering hands that seemed magnetized to my platinum locks. The memory brings an involuntary smile to my lips, which only fuels the gossip mill behind me.
"Look at her, smirking like that. She thinks she's so special just because she showed up in a fancy car."
I resist the urge to point out that most of their families probably own multiple CyberTrucks. It's hardly the flex they think it is . My own father could easily afford one, but as he always says, "New tech means new tracking methods."
Hard to argue with that logic when you're trying to stay under the radar.
The ride itself had been an interesting experiment in group dynamics.
Holmes had claimed the passenger seat like it was his throne, radiating disapproval from behind his silk blindfold while Felix navigated the morning traffic with surprising skill. I personally thought with their status outside of Knot Academy that they would have a driver and security.
All the fancy shit to emphasize one’s importance in the world.
"This is temporary," Holmes had muttered for what felt like the hundredth time, his jaw clenching as Carter's hands wandered into dangerous territory.
"Maybe you should give Victoria that memo," I'd fired back, unable to resist poking the bear. Truthfully, I wasn’t threatened by Victoria. If she’s able to take these men from me, then they were never mine to truly claim. Either way, doesn’t mean I like the idea of her trying to “reclaim” her ex.
I also don’t like how it’s obvious she’s interested in Holmes but not Felix and Carter. Can’t simply get one and abandon the others. That’s not how packs work.
"She seems pretty convinced she's got dibs on the position,” I conclude.
Carter had groaned dramatically.
"Can we not manifest that nightmare into existence? Please?"
"Speaking of manifestations," Felix had piped up, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror, "any past lovers we should know about, Elizabeth?"
The question had caught everyone's attention, the atmosphere in the truck shifting instantly.
"Well," Carter had drawled before I could answer, "she's definitely experienced in certain areas. That mouth of hers?—"
"Jealous?" I'd cut him off, quirking an eyebrow.
His grin had turned predatory as he pulled me closer.
"Absolutely. The mere thought of another Alpha touching you makes me want to hunt them down." His tone had dropped lower, more dangerous. "Good thing I know some excellent snipers."
I'd stared at him, caught between horror and disbelief.
"You can't just casually threaten to assassinate people!"
"Sometimes I wonder who's more unhinged," Felix had mused, adjusting his glasses in the rearview mirror. "The one who feeds people to piranhas or the one who casually discusses hiring hitmen."
"Hey, the piranha thing was way less extreme," Carter had protested. "At least they serve a purpose beyond revenge! And I don’t mind hiring hitmen either. The only difference is I’d think about the action while our grumpy leader up there would just do it and think about the consequences later."
I have a feeling he was right about that, but then again, Carter seems like a jack of all trades. You just have to push the right buttons.
"You never showed me these famous piranhas," I'd pointed out, trying to steer the conversation away from murder. "They weren't in your room last night."
Carter's eyes had lit up.
"Want to meet all my pets?"
"There's more?"
“Oh baby, plenty. We’ll make it a date,” he said with a wink.
The memory fades as one of the Omegas bumps into me deliberately, spilling water from the sink onto my uniform skirt.
"Oops," she says with fake sweetness. "So clumsy of me."
I meet her gaze in the mirror, letting a slow smile spread across my face.
"No worries. Water dries. Unlike the reputation you're building for yourself with that Alpha from the North Wing." Her eyes widen as I continue casually, "You know, the one you've been meeting behind the library? Pretty sure his actual mate would love to hear all about it."
She backs away quickly, her face pale. The whispers behind me take on a more urgent tone as I finish touching up my makeup.
It always enlightens me when these bitches think that because I’ve been here the longest, I’m easy prey to mess with. It’s their failure to acknowledge how observant I am.
I watch, listen, and remember shit. Anything that can be weaponized is exactly what I keep in the depths of my mind to use against anyone who tries me.
They say knowledge is key, but so is gossip. Use it the right way and you can fuck up someone’s entire life.
My phone buzzes with a text from Carter.
"Hurry up Princess. Holmes is threatening to leave without you."
I roll my eyes, knowing Holmes would never actually leave — not when Felix and Carter have made it clear they're keeping me around. Also, Holmes isn’t driving…obviously. So as much as he’d like to leave me, that’s Felix’s call.
Still, no need to antagonize him more than necessary.
At least, not this early in the morning. I could easily walk to the part of the school we need to go to so the guys can finalize their admissions, but no. They don’t want me walking 20 minutes in heels.
As I head for the door, another Omega steps into my path. She has to be new since I don't recognize her from previous encounters.
"You think you're so special," she starts, but I cut her off with a wave of my hand. Let’s not waste time.
"Listen, I've got three very impatient Alphas waiting outside, and one of them feeds people to piranhas for fun. The longer I take, the greater the blackmail, and frankly, I may be a bitch, but I have a heart on my good days, which so happens to be this fine morning on a late start. Want to pick this fight another time?"
Her mouth opens and closes soundlessly as I brush past her, adding over my shoulder, "Besides, that shade of lip gloss is all wrong for your skin tone. Try something warmer. It'll help with the whole 'jealous and bitter' vibe you're going for."
The door swings shut behind me, cutting off whatever response she might have had.
Outside, I spot the CyberTruck instantly — it's hard to miss with Felix leaning against the hood, his tech-enhanced glasses reflecting the morning sun while Carter paces impatiently nearby.
I don’t get why they’re antsy this morning. From what I’ve noticed with Carter, he doesn’t pace, so that means he wants to be somewhere on time.
Holmes stands apart from them, his posture rigid with barely contained annoyance. The silk blindfold catches the light as he turns toward the sound of my approaching footsteps.
"You're late," he states flatly.
"And you're grumpy," I counter, moving past him to plant a quick kiss on Carter's cheek. "But we all have our crosses to bear."
Felix snorts while Carter pulls me closer, his nose brushing against my neck as he inhales deeply.
"You changed your perfume," he murmurs.
"Had to," I reply, tilting my head to give him better access. "Someone made me sweat off the other one this morning."
“Oh really?” he taunts, immediately looking calm before pressing his forehead against mine while taking a deeper inhale. “Fuck, you smell too good. I can fuck you again real quick.”
“In ten minutes? I don’t think so. Plus, taking this itchy uniform off is such a pain.”
“I don’t need it off to fuck you right, Abbie,” he growls against my neck. “Just gotta work those hips a bit more for me, though I’m sure Felix can take a more bumpier route to make it easier.”
"If you two start again," Holmes growls, "I'm walking to class."
"Promise?" I can't help but tease, earning a low chuckle from Felix and an exasperated sigh from Holmes.
“Just get inside,” Holmes barks, and I decide to be good and not further angst him. Clearly something is up that’s stressing them but they don’t want to share now.
That’s okay. I’m sure they’ll share it with me if necessary.
As we pile into the truck, I catch a glimpse of the Omegas from the bathroom watching through the window. Their expressions are a mix of envy and confusion —probably trying to figure out how the Forgotten One ended up with not one but three of the most dangerous-looking Alphas on campus.
If they only knew .
Settling into my seat as Carter's arm slides possessively around my waist.
“You okay?” I quietly whisper to Carter as Felix is starting the car.
“Hmm?” Carter keeps his tone just as low, his eyes seeking mine.
“You were pacing before. You don’t pace…is something troubling you?”
“Observant, aren’t we, Omega?” he hums in praise and lays a very gentle kiss on my lips. I’m not expecting it to be so tamed and soft, which makes me pout in confusion. “Don’t stress about it, Abbie. Just businesses barking up the wrong door. I’ll handle it.”
We stare at one another for a moment, and I can see in his eyes that he does want to handle this without involving me.
I can trust him to do that.
"Okay. Just don’t hesitate to talk to me if you need anything, okay?” I’m not sure I’d be much help, especially when I really don’t know much about their Empires aside from their designated country associations.
“Yes, Abbie,” he hums happily, looking extra happy that I even care. He snuggles into my shoulder, kissing the nape of my neck lightly. “Thank you for caring.”
“You’re so silly,” I huff, but I find his hand, lightly squeezing it while I look out the window. I briefly notice Holmes’ reflection in the rearview, and I know he can’t necessarily see us, but I wonder what he’s thinking about.
Dismissing it, I just stare out the window, holding Carter’s hand while he rests against my shoulder, realizing today is going to be different.
Time to see what school is like with a set of Alphas…