SKYE.3
"We’re just friends."
"Yeah, but he’s a beta, so probably not your type anyway." Sean winked, though his gaze was a little too inquisitive.
Soren lowered his head even further over his plate, as if cringing at his friend's line of questioning.
"That wouldn’t be a problem. I’m into betas and omegas, but he’s my brother’s ex, so he’s off-limits. I have standards," I muttered, thinking about how my own brother, Storm, didn’t mind such entanglements.
Sean looked surprised but then smiled and murmured, "I see… So, you’re friends with Alvin?"
"More like, we went to the same high school."
"Good that you knew some people here; transfers can be lonely," he muttered, glancing at Soren meaningfully. "So, you two are roommates now?"
I hesitated, wondering if I should mention Archer’s name, knowing they had ‘kinda dated’.
"We also share the room with Archer Wentworth. But yeah, I knew people here before transferring—Finn, Alvin, and also Archer’s friend, Gabriel Nolan is my second cousin, he goes here too, sophomore year."
Sean’s mouth dropped open. "No way! I know both of them; they’re weirdos! I mean Archer and Gabe. Archer’s a backward conservative prick that I almost dated, and Gabriel… I’ve heard he’s some crazy ecoactivist—like, one of the deranged ones. He spills oil on antique paintings and stuff. I don’t envy you that company!"
Feeling defensive, especially since Soren was there and might judge me based on the people I was associated with, I quickly explained, "I don’t really hang out with them. We only hit the gym together, and that’s about it. I have to study a lot. Archer keeps to himself, and I barely know my cousin. We didn’t grow up together; we’ve only met at a few family gatherings. He’s pretty closed off too."
Sean eyed me with a skeptical look. Without a doubt, hanging out with those guys was a negative point for me in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Soren picked up the last piece of chicken, stood up, and without saying a word, walked away from the table.
Sean watched him leave, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"I guess he doesn’t like me," I muttered with a wry smile.
"Don’t worry about it; that’s just Soren. He’s allergic to alphas."
"Not all of them. I saw him with some blond alpha earlier."
Sean smiled subtly. "Ah, Don. Trust me, he’s super allergic to him too. He just tolerates his presence for now. Soren’s aversion to alphas is incurable," he replied and giggled.
We chatted a bit more about campus life and the different activities. I learned there was a mixer on Friday. Sean and Soren were planning to go just for the free food. One thing led to another, and Sean invited me too. Without hesitation, I agreed. Maybe it could be another chance to talk to Soren under different circumstances?
By the end of the week, I still hadn’t had a chance to meet Soren alone, even though I constantly hovered around them. It seemed like Soren had made it a point to avoid even looking at me.
Instead, Alvin caught up with me, asking if I had finally chosen someone, but I dodged the question, saying I had more studying to do this week.
Friday came earlier than expected, and my hopes were high. The mixer was held in one of the dorms, which had a large common area. The organizers asked for a few dollars to help cover the food, but other than that, there were no requirements—anyone could join.
There were a few dancers already, so I mingled for a while. With all the flashing lights and the almost disco-like atmosphere, I felt strangely anxious. The music was loud, but I wasn’t here to have fun—my goal was different. Unfortunately, I couldn’t spot Soren anywhere.
Some time passed, but then, to my surprise, I saw him on the dance floor with Tim and Sean. Soren was dressed in black leggings and a loose black shirt with a wide neckline that exposed his shoulders. His face was dusted with glitter, and he wore dark pink lipstick. He looked stunning. I stared at him as the colorful lights moved across his pale face. I watched him for a few minutes, strangely fascinated, admiring his graceful movements. I had to admit, he danced well. His perfect hips swayed in an almost erotic rhythm, and I felt a strange heat inside me.
On impulse, I approached them, feeling drawn to Soren. He raised his eyes to me, heavily lined with eyeliner, looking seductive, mysterious, beautiful, and intense. The contrast between his light silvery-gray irises and the black eyeliner was striking. It took my breath away, and I stared for a moment, mesmerized. Unfortunately, I saw the same hostile glint in his eyes again, but I didn’t let it stop me from asking directly, "Care to dance with me, Soren?"
Sean noticed me immediately and waved, but Soren responded coldly, "Get lost."
That was it.
Sean’s eyes widened in surprise; even he seemed a bit disgusted by Soren’s behavior. "Hey, Skye, join us. Don’t mind Soren; we can do a group dance."
But I wasn’t in the mood anymore, feeling a strange bitterness. So I turned to Sean and said, "No, thanks. I appreciate it, but I don’t want to bother you guys."
Without waiting for a response, I walked away and leaned against the wall, still watching the dancing group. I saw Sean say something to Soren, but he just shrugged. They danced for a few more minutes while I stared mindlessly.
"Hi, Skye," a quiet voice said next to me. I turned and saw my cousin Gabriel standing there with his usual ‘sorry I’m bothering you’ look, like he was apologetic just for existing. This guy had some serious lemon vibes and was always the one picked on at family gatherings. As far as I knew, he was bullied in school too and started practicing martial arts to stand up to his bullies. We were never close, so I didn’t care much that we attended the same college now.
"What’s up, Gabe?"
I wasn’t in the mood for talking, especially because, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Alvin walking in with the blond alpha—Don, I guessed his name was. Why was Alvin hanging out with this waste of space in the first place?
They joined the trio on the dance floor, and I felt a wave of intense irritation because this time, Soren didn’t move away. The blond put his arm around him and pulled him close. They swayed to the music, and my throat tightened with growing annoyance. Again, why did he single me out in his… hating?
"So… how’s it going since your transfer? Lots of work?" Gabriel asked.
Oh, he was still there.
"Yeah, a shitload. Is Uncle Van better? I heard he had heart surgery."
"Yep, he’s all better now. Thanks for asking."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, not really paying attention because I just noticed that Soren was watching me closely over the blond alpha's shoulder.
Even from that distance, I could see a flash of triumph in his eyes, as if he was pleased, I saw him dancing with another alpha right after he so rudely rejected me.
I also caught Sean glancing at me, he probably pitied me a little.
Then another omega with long chestnut hair asked Sean to dance, despite Alvin’s obvious displeasure. That left Soren, Alvin, Tim, and Don grouped at the snack table. A moment later, Alvin asked Tim to dance, leaving Soren alone with Don.
Soren glanced my way from time to time, as if making sure I hadn't missed him talking to another alpha. So strange and kinda twisted.
The blond leaned toward him, occasionally brushing his arm, now and then placing his hand on Soren’s back, stirring some pretty violent emotions in my nervous system, even though I had no reason to be jealous. There was nothing between me and Soren, right? My irritation was definitely unfounded.
At one point, Don put his hand on Soren’s back and led him toward the exit. I knew I shouldn’t follow them—this couldn’t end well—and yet…
"Excuse me for a second," I muttered to Gabriel, who was still standing next to me, biting his lower lip and looking like a lost puppy.
So I followed them, silly me. But instead of going outside, Soren and Don turned into one of the dark hallways and disappeared from my sight. There was only one possibility: they were going for a quick hj or to make out. Why else would they go deeper into the dorm instead of leaving?
After some hesitation, I didn't follow them. I returned to the dance hall feeling slightly nauseous. What was happening to me? Why was I so interested in a guy who was making money like this? I could only be mad at myself for obsessing over him these past few weeks, knowing exactly what he was about. And I blamed my cowardice—I could’ve just told him the password Alvin had given me, the ‘Kingdom of Promises’ thing, and tried my luck. Maybe he’d agree?
But the sour taste wouldn’t leave my mouth.
Gabriel was still waiting in the same spot, so, reluctantly, I went back to him. The guy was really the epitome of boring. Despite having the same attractive, manly features my father’s side of the family was known for, his overall aura dulled it all down; he seemed like a weathered version of a typical Nolan. Don’t get me wrong, he had a good face, but he desperately needed better grooming and more… personality or confidence to highlight his undoubtedly pleasant appearance. One thing I will say, though—he had quite a body. He practiced Muay Thai, and from what I knew, he and Archer were sparring partners at the local MT club.
Gabriel started asking about my brother Rain’s divorce, but I didn’t have much to say. Then he asked about my job at Nathaniel’s company, since he was also his cousin, but I answered with monosyllables, hoping he would take the hint and leave me alone. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. He finally got the clue and said, "Okay, I’d better get going."
"Yeah, take care, Gabe," I forced a small smile for his sake.
After he left, I stood there, leaning against the wall, gloomy and lonely, sipping on an energy drink, absentmindedly watching the dancing couples. My thoughts drifted back to Soren. Could I really expect anything from him? I knew from the start he was hostile toward alphas.
At one point, Sean came up to me with a sympathetic look on his face. "Hey, looks like you’re not having a good time. Sorry about Soren, but that’s just how he is. You gotta get used to it."
"You don't have to apologize on his behalf; you're fine. I appreciate your kindness," I said quietly, taking another sip from the can.
Sean looked at me thoughtfully for a moment. "Sorry to ask, but do you like Soren? Because I noticed you often look at him and try to approach him."
I swallowed and met his gaze. Apparently, it was obvious to everyone else by now. I hesitated, not knowing what to say, but finally admitted it, "Yeah. I really like him. He… he’s perfect for me. So beautiful. But I guess nothing will come of it because he doesn’t feel the same way."
Sean bit his lip lightly. "Let me give you some advice: just forget about him, find someone else. Soren is a complicated case; you’ll never succeed, even though you’re a looker yourself. Sorry to say this, but that’s the truth."
His words hit me unpleasantly. I stared at my can, fighting off the unsettling feeling, and then looked him straight in the eyes. "I don’t believe in ‘never’. There’s always a chance."
Sean winced slightly. "In this case, believe me, it’s really slim. For your own good, you should let go, Skye. He’s not interested and won’t be. I’m serious about this."
Another wave of stress hit me, so strong that I instinctively clenched my jaw. But why such a strong reaction?
"Thanks for the warning. I appreciate it," I choked out.
As I turned and headed toward the exit, Soren and the blond alpha walked in from a side corridor. Our eyes met, and I shifted my gaze between Soren and Don. When he noticed my attention, another grimace of triumph appeared on his lips; he seemed kinda pleased with himself.
I didn’t understand what his deal was, but maybe there was no point in trying to figure it out? Perhaps Sean was right. No point in pursuing this guy.
Feeling kinda defeated, I left the dorm, but just as I was stepping out, I turned back one last time and saw Sean talking to Soren, pointing in my direction. I was sure he told Soren I was into him, called him beautiful and all that, which gave him even more satisfaction, knowing I'd seen him with Don in the dark hallway.
Stupid, silly me.
I returned to my dorm feeling dejected. Why was I so obsessed with him? I really couldn’t understand myself. Was it the idiotic pattern of wanting what you cannot have? But he was in the fuckbuddies club, for fuck’s sake!
Wait. That was actually my only chance.
Maybe I should just fuck it all, and ask him? Give him the password and make it simple. Once and for all, I’d know. If he refused, then I’d move on.
Feeling alternating waves of disappointment and fear, I spent the weekend studying. By the end, I had reached a point in my mind, where I was ready. Yeah, I’ll give him the password and take this stupid risk.
***
The next Monday, I woke up early, knowing that Soren had a class soon. Alvin was still asleep, and Archer was out for his morning jog. The guy was like a machine—studying, working out, and eating healthy. He even managed to squeeze in his martial arts training and lived an overall disciplined life that just… wasn't for me. I barely dragged myself out of bed, feeling exhausted from studying all weekend. How could I squeeze more out of my body? I was fit too—I also attended the gym, but three times a week, not fucking every day like this freak!
Feeling super low on energy, I left the dorm in a light drizzle and headed for the college buildings. I showed up twenty minutes before class, and to my surprise, Soren was already there, standing in front of the building, smoking, surrounded by a cloud of smoke. When he saw me, his eyes narrowed in hostility.
It was time—now or never.
Forcing some courage out of me, I walked up to Soren, stopped in front of him, and said, "Password: Kingdom of Promises."
Only then did I see a change in his face—his pupils dilated slightly—but he just blew smoke in my direction and tilted his head.
"So?"
"I'd like to use your services," I said, trying to maintain a calm tone. "For three times the usual amount."
He scoffed and took a drag of his cigarette. "I'm not interested. Get lost."
I'll admit, it wasn’t what I expected. After all, he needed money, had financial troubles, and now he was just giving up the chance to earn three times his normal rate? The naive hope that it would tempt him just died.
Yeah, Alvin had said nothing tied anyone here—that everyone could set their own rules and serve whoever they wanted, but… still, I’d been cautiously optimistic, hoping that the money would do the trick. Silly me.
So, this was my last chance, and now it was gone, too.
"Why? If I may ask, what is it about me that repels you so much?"
His lips twisted into an even more scornful grimace. His heart, like always when I was around, was racing like crazy. "I don't have to explain anything to you. Get lost!"
I was silent for a moment. "I don't get it. What have I done to you? What's worse about me than that blond guy?"
Soren clenched his lips tightly and then stubbed out his cigarette on the building wall. "I'm tired of talking to you," he growled before turning around and walking away.
And that was it. A failure. Yep.
With my mind kind of blanked out, I went back to my room and took out my violin, hoping to take a break from thinking about this whole shitty situation. I began to play, taking advantage of the time alone. Archer was still out jogging or at the gym with Gabe, and Alvin was off who knows where.
The music soothed my nerves in one way, but in another, it added to them. I still had a certain stiffness in my left fingers, and sometimes they’d slip clumsily off the strings. Since my fight with my brother Storm, when he broke two of my fingers, they had never been a hundred percent like before.
Clutching the fingerboard nervously, I tried to play, my eyebrows furrowed and my jaw clenched. But my irritation only grew until I had to stop and put the violin back in its case, cursing under my breath, battling anger and disappointment… on every level of my life.
Soren’s rejection had transformed within me, becoming a persistent, nagging hum at the back of my mind, pushed to the edges, seemingly unimportant yet impossible to fully silence.
When Archer and Alvin came back into the room one hour later, I pondered whether I should even say anything. Maybe just to vent? I impulsively sat down on the bed beside Alvin and said, "I tried the password on Soren today."
Alvin jerked his head up and stared at me.
"On Soren? But why? Do you have a death wish? You picked the highest bar, Skye. I told you your chances were slim, you’re an alpha."
I sighed in irritation. "I thought he'd agree because I offered him triple the money, but he seems to… hate me."
"Don’t take it personally. Soren is a walking-talking venom. I told you, better pick someone else, less of a headache."
Archer, who was on his laptop, raised his crystal blue eyes to me, but his face remained unfazed.
"But I don't get it. What’s the problem? You used his services, so he must’ve agreed, right?"
"Only a hj, once, at the beginning. And even then, he was super stiff and hostile. He doesn’t do alphas; I’ve told you like five times. He only serves these two guys, beta and omega: May and Ed."
"What about this Don guy? He seems to make an exception."
"Pfff, Don is his paypig! He gives Soren money, like, a lot, for no reason—not for sex. That’s why Soren tolerates Don being around."
"So, if he only has May and Ed as patrons, and Don is just a friend, why’s he even on the list you showed me? Why include him at all?"
"Because he’s part of our fuckgroup, at least officially. And I pretty much warned you—your chances were slim. Seriously, I didn’t think you’d run straight to him—there are much nicer guys out there."
"I'm just… attracted to him," I reluctantly admitted.
Alvin chuckled, looking amused. Archer just stared at me—I could never read that guy.
"Don is attracted to Soren too, you know. And trust me, a lot of other guys fancy him as well. Don’s shelling out just to hang around, putting up with all of Soren’s bullshit. He calls it ‘friendly support’. No other alpha would take the crap Soren dishes out; he’s always clowning on them, laughing in their faces, straight-up roasting them. But Don? He just lets it slide. Maybe that’s why Soren keeps him around."
"I could give him money too, as 'friendly support'."
"You serious? That’s… hard simping," Archer scoffed, wincing with distaste.
Even Alvin giggled. "Never took you for a paypig candidate before."
I scowled, my brow furrowing. "Back off, guys, I’m goal-oriented, that’s all."
"So, what did you ask Soren for anyway?" Alvin tilted his head.
"I didn’t even get that far. Just told him I’d pay triple for his services, and he shut me down right away."
Alvin raised his eyebrows a bit. "Triple? Damn. I agree with Archer, that’s some serious simping. But… I’m curious why he said no. Maybe… I can find out!"
He immediately grabbed his phone, and I almost flinched.
"Whoa! Are you really gonna call him? Like, right now?" My eyes widened.
"Yeah, why not? He always picks up."
I was low-key stunned by how direct he was with it. He found Soren’s name in his contacts and dialed.
"Hey, it’s me. Calling about the Kingdom of Promises."
I leaned in, trying to hear Soren’s response, and Alvin noticed, switching to speaker, so I could listen in.
"Don’t tell me this is about that new dude."
"Yeah, it is. Just curious what the deal was. If Skye’s weird, I should warn the others."
I shot Alvin a confused look, but he just smiled and winked like he knew this was the only way to get Soren to spill.
Soren cursed under his breath. "That guy’s a creep. He’s been eyeing me since day one, almost stalking me. I don't like his vibe."
"You think he’s not fit for our group? Should I kick him out?"
A moment of silence. "I'm not saying that. Maybe he’s okay with others, but he's fixated on me, and I don't like it."
"Don is fixated on you too. Kinda the same, right?"
Soren snorted in irritation. "What do you want from me, Alvin? I get to choose who I work with, don’t I?"
"Of course, I just wanna know if there’s gonna be any drama. I don’t want to piss off any patrons. Skye’s got money, and he’s reliable; I wanted to keep him in the group."
"So? What’s your point?"
"Nothing, just saying that if we treat patrons like crap, it’s not gonna—"
"Is this some kind of blackmail? Like, agree or get lost?" Soren's voice became heated.
"No, you know how we roll. I just wanna be in the loop since I vouched for him. I’d rather know what to say to him."
"There’s nothing to say except I don’t like the dude. I’m not dealing with him."
"Not even a handie?"
A pause. "Not even."
"Okay, sorry to bother you, but I need to know these things. Don’t wanna look stupid in front of the new patron."
Alvin hung up and looked at me with an amused expression. "So, there you have it, you're a creep, and he doesn't like your vibe. No hj for you."
I stared at him for a moment. "I wasn’t even that creepy! Sure, he probably figured out I’m into him, but I introduced myself normally, didn’t follow him around, didn’t sit next to him in class. I kept it chill. No idea what’s his problem."
"Well, we’re not finding out now. Might be a lost cause. Better move on, maybe hit up Tim or Stephen."
I sighed. "Honestly, I’m over it for now. Got a ton of studying to do, and I suck at Python."
"You’ve probably taken on too much—extra courses, catching up on stuff your college didn’t offer, and you’ve got things going on with Soren too. What else?"
"Don't forget about my work! My brother Rain is on my case every day if I mess up the code."
"You both still work for your cousin's startup?"
"Yeah, Rain’s full-time, I’m just part-time, small things."
My cousin Nathaniel had a family business, and we helped him with that. Alvin would also occasionally work for him, but only for less demanding gigs.
"I wouldn’t wanna work full-time at such a tiny software company. Too risky if things go south. I’m aiming for D-Project!"
D-Project was a significant player, a serious competitor to DevApp, and considered the next big thing in terms of software development. But I just like the flexibility I could have with smaller gigs. Besides, Nathaniel was a good boss and a responsible businessman, even though he was only half a year older than me.
"Good luck with that." I shrugged, wanting to quickly end the convo. "Anyway, I gotta go finish this task Nathaniel gave me before Rain loses his shit. Ever since his divorce, he’s been a real pain in the ass, always complaining." I hesitated and added, "So, no fuck for me then. Definitely not from Soren."
I got up with a grumpy face and walked toward my bed to pull out my laptop from my backpack. Alvin watched me for a moment.
"Why Soren? I don’t get it. He’s so weird. I’m not saying he’s ugly, but he’s got this sharp, wildcat look, you know? Pale skin, those slanted, hostile eyes. Like fucking arrows, aiming to kill you."
I paused for a second. To me, Soren was beautiful. Flawless. Perfect.
"I dunno, no specific reason."
I didn’t say anything else and just got back to work. Alvin watched me for a bit longer but didn’t push it. There wasn’t much more to add anyway. We all went back to our screens.