Woo (Silverpine #3)

Prologue

The air in the study hall is thick with tension as Year Thirteen A-Levels are underway at Silver Grove High School and Sixth Form.

Exam invigilators stalk the sidelines like hawks for any signs of cheating and deception. Meanwhile, I can barely take my gaze away from the three Alphas who sit just a few rows ahead of me.

Pack Rose.

If only they knew how I felt about them.

If only they knew I existed…

They’re my scent matches. So, it goes without saying that I was drawn to them on an instinctual level the moment I laid my spectacled eyes on them. The instant I caught wind of their sand dune, brine, and freshwater scents, I knew they were mine and that I was theirs.

Yet in the years I’ve known all three, they have yet to acknowledge my existence. Even so much as glance my way.

It’s as if I am invisible to them.

I suppose I have always been invisible in some way.

Most teachers forget that I'm even in the classroom until it's my turn to answer a question.

My classmates only remember me whenever they need someone to copy their homework from.

Even during group projects, I somehow become the quiet girl sitting at the end of the table while everyone else talks over me.

Sometimes I wonder if fading into the background has simply become part of who I am now.

Perhaps that's why watching Pack Rose from afar has always felt safer than trying to step into the limelight myself.

When they arrived at Silver Grove High in Year Ten with their older sister, Daisy, they were immediately popular. The girls loved them instantly, their American accents specifically.

They were exotic. Fresh meat, brightening up the gray clouds of Manchester. Their American accents made a sweet change from all the Brits who plagued the hallways of this infernal school.

Even Daisy was accepted by Martina the instant she got here—Martina being the most popular girl at school, that is.

I must have been staring at the pack for too long because the exam invigilator points down at my exam paper, indicating for me to get back to work.

Oh, right. My A-levels.

They’re pretty important, after all. I need top grades in order to get into my chosen university.

I want to study English Literature after all, with a focus on creative writing especially.

I’ve applied to so many now in cities like Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Chester, even all the way down south in London.

Writing has always made me feel safe. Whenever Martina and Ryan made me feel miserable, I'd disappear into the fantasy worlds inside my head. My characters always found their happy endings, even when I secretly wondered whether people like me ever got theirs.

Maybe one day I can write and publish books of my own. Ones where the shy Omega always gets chosen in the end.

A balled-up paper hits the back of my skull next, and then I hear a snort. I sigh, shaking my head.

Martina again.

Seriously, the girl needs to grow up. We’re eighteen now.

However, no one scolds her because she is and always has been a teacher’s pet. They all think she’s an angel, but Martina Coleman is a bad apple.

She brings weed and other drugs onto school grounds, often supplied by her boyfriend, Ryan Rice.

At the mention of the acne-prone Beta male, a paper plane is thrown at my head, and I purse my lips. I don’t bother looking his way. I just ignore his message, focusing on my exam.

It’s our very last exam before we break up for the summer holidays, and then no more school.

I can’t wait.

One of the invigilators comes over, picks up the paper plane, then tuts at me as if I was the one who threw it.

I have no idea what is written on the paper plane. For all I know, they could have been answers to the test. It would have made it look as if I had been cheating.

Our time is almost up. Thank God. I’ve just finished the multiple-choice section. Now I have to do the essay.

Still, my eyes drift towards Pack Rose.

Zale is hunched over his desk, biting his pencil in concentration as he crosses off answers in the multiple-choice section.

His long, dark hair has been tied back into a ponytail.

He has his blazer off, so I can see the prominent muscles on his back.

He even has the sleeves of his shirt pulled all the way up to the elbows, exposing his big arms beneath.

Then there’s his brother, Trent. The auburn-haired Alpha pores over his exam with ease, his pen flying over the paper. He’s going to ace it for sure. He was always the smartest in our year.

Then there’s River…

What can I say about River Rose?

His long, white-blonde hair is loose today as he has finished his exam already. He kicks his legs up onto the table, leaning back casually in his chair as he closes his eyes, the epitome of indifference and zero fucks.

He may act nonchalant, but I know his heart is breaking.

My heart breaks for all of them, too.

Their Beta girlfriend, Emma, died in a car accident a few months back. And the three have become withdrawn ever since.

They only showed up long enough to complete their exams.

They hope to return to the US again. They all chose US universities, of course. I should know, since I kind of have a tendency to overhear things.

That’s the thing about being ordinary. You can slip through the cracks with ease, remaining unseen.

“Time’s up!”

Pens drop simultaneously all around the room. Then our papers are collected as we all make a start on packing our things.

I’m just grabbing my bags from the front of the room when I notice Pack Rose leaving ahead of me.

I bite my lip.

Today is the day; I will finally confess my feelings to all three of them. I know it may seem a little insensitive after the death of Emma a few months back, but I may never see them again.

I have rehearsed this very moment more times than I can count.

Sometimes in front of the bathroom mirror as I get ready for school.

Sometimes when I am lying awake at night while my parents sleep.

Every version always ends up differently.

Sometimes the pack would smile at me. Sometimes, they would laugh.

But in every version that my mind conjures, they have never hated me.

They’re returning to the States soon. So, I need to seize my chance.

It’s now or never.

I keep my head bowed, walking ahead of Martina, Ryan, and the rest of their crew, hiding behind a curtain of jet-black hair.

When I find the pack by their lockers, I breathe a sigh of relief.

They’re huddled close. All around, students cheer, preparing for tonight’s celebrations. There will be parties all around for sure.

And I haven’t been invited to a single one, of course.

Taking deep breaths, I take my first step. Unfortunately, I don’t see Ryan in the corner of my eye as he sneaks up behind me, tripping me up on my feet.

I go flying next, my glasses knocking off my face in the process.

Oh, well.

I suppose it was about time that I started wearing contacts, anyway. After today, I am officially an adult.

So, it’s time for a new style.

Luckily, I land in the strong arms of Zale Rose as I soon find myself gazing up into those intense eyes of gray. His brine scent wraps around me like a sweet ocean breeze, and then my cheeks burn bright red.

Yet my Omega is having the time of her life.

She never wants to leave these arms again.

The bustling corridor disappears all around us. Now all I can hear is the steady thrumming of Zale’s heartbeat as well as the frantic fluttering of my own.

My Omega sighs next, curling toward her Alpha as though she has finally found the one place where she belongs in this world.

Ryan’s and Martina’s cruel laughter stops the instant they find Zale, and that’s when an awkward silence stretches across the hallway.

Trent appears at his brother’s shoulder next. “You all right?”

My heart pounds as I have no idea what to say to either of them. “I… uh…”

Zale’s eyes shoot up, finding Ryan across the hall. The Beta male’s smirk vanishes the instant he hears that Alpha’s growl.

Trent scoffs, stepping up towards the Beta. “Wow. Such a big man, aren’t we, Rice, tripping up little Omegas in the school hallway.”

“Cunt,” Zale growls beneath his breath, making my heart rate spike. We’re still standing awfully close as his arms remain around me.

As if to protect me from Ryan.

They’re standing up for me. No one ever has in my seven years at this terrible, terrible school.

For just a few seconds, I allow myself to imagine what life might have been like if these three had known I was their scent match from the start. If they had met me instead of Emma.

Maybe Ryan would never have dared lay a finger on me. Perhaps Martina would have found someone else to torment.

Or maybe I wouldn't have spent years eating lunch alone.

Ever since Year Seven, Martina and Ryan have given me a hard time. As if it were their life’s mission to make me miserable.

I’m just glad that after today, I never have to see either of them again. So, I guess the recent humiliation was just for old time’s sake.

“It… it won’t happen again,” Ryan stammers, running out of the corridor and then out of the school’s doors.

Martina huffs somewhere behind me. “Ryan, come back! Don’t let them talk to you like that!”

River slams his locker shut, and then he leans against the door, smirking at the Beta female. “What’s the matter, Coleman? Only just realized your boyfriend is a big pussy?”

Martina scowls at the Alpha. “Why don’t you fuck off back to America already, bastard.”

River chuckles, and then the corridor darkens when he advances on the Beta female. “Watch it, bitch. And don’t think for a single minute that we won’t go easy on your boyfriend just because you were friends with our sister.”

Martina scowls up and down at River. Then she rolls her eyes, marching out of the hallway with her posse behind her.

Soon the hallway empties of all students, and then it’s just the four of us.

I remain a little longer.

River hikes up a brow at me. “They’re gone. So, you can go now.”

Wow. Harsh.

I hang my head. “S-sorry.”

Now I head for the door at the end of the hall. I hear Trent whispering to River, “Come on, man. You didn’t have to talk to her that way. She has a hard enough time as it is at this school.”

I stop at that remark, taking several deep breaths as I squeeze my eyes. Then I turn, spitting it out. “I just want you all to know that I’ve always cared about you. All three of you.”

There, I said.

All out in the open.

Both Zale and Trent stare at me, shocked. River’s brows rise up into his hairline. Then he snorts. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”

Damn. His American accent is much stronger when he’s pissed.

I always loved his accent, too. Well, until now. Before he looked at me with the intensity and hatred of a thousand suns.

Still, I hold my head high, brushing my black hair aside. “That’s right. I’ve always cared about the three of you. Ever since the moment I saw you.”

I hope they hear what I’m insinuating. Because sometimes, I wonder if they sense it, too.

That we are scent matches. And that we’re meant to be together.

But then they met Emma, and things got horribly messy afterwards. For three years, all I could do was look on in heartbreak while the boys I was supposed to be with were happy with another girl.

But now she’s gone, God rest her soul. While I will never replace her, I will still always be there for them and care for them.

So long as they will have me.

Both Trent and Zale look the other way as a tense silence falls over the hallway. A lump forms in my throat, but I swallow it regardless, even though I know that this is going to hurt.

River is the first to speak. “So, what? You think now that Emma is dead that you can come along and take her place?”

“River…” Zale growls, gray eyes burning as he glares at his brother.

River doesn’t hear him, though, as he steps closer, green eyes shining. “You think you’re the first girl to confess their feelings to us since she died, sunshine? How fucking dare you…”

My lower lip shakes, but I can’t help myself now. “But… we’re scent matches. Can’t you—?”

The Alpha growls, shutting me up at once. Then he lowers his head until we meet at eye level. “Fuck you, whatever your name is. You’re no one. We don’t want you. The only girl we ever loved left us.”

My heart breaks as tears streak down my face. In the end, Trent yanks his brother away. “Hey, easy, River…”

The strange thing is that it isn't River’s words that have hurt me the most. It's the sheer hatred in his eyes. As if I truly am no one. As though the invisible girl standing before him could vanish into thin air and the world would simply carry on turning.

Trent looks at me apologetically. “We’re sorry. Saylor. But we don’t feel the same way. And with Emma’s passing just a few months ago… it’s just too soon. We’re not looking to date anyone new.”

I guess I should have known. I can’t even rejoice in the fact that he knows my name. All I feel is heartache.

In the end, River tears himself free from Trent. He glares down at me for a few moments longer before storming away.

I get it. He’s grieving.

But does he have to be so cruel?

Trent follows his brother. Zale’s gaze lingers as a sorry smile takes over his face.

And then he follows his brothers.

Well, I guess that’s that.

They don’t feel the same…

I was a fool to think they ever would. No one will ever replace Emma in their eyes. I missed my chance.

But you know what? Who needs them?

I can find my own happiness, thank you. Now I affix my handbag over my shoulder, marching out of the building as I push my glasses up my nose. I go the opposite direction of the pack.

At least I never have to see them again, and I hope they enjoy their return to the States. I’d be happy to never look at another Alpha ever again after today.

Quite frankly, I am through with Alphas.

I am through with Pack Rose. No more waiting around for fate to notice me. No more hoping and praying that they will someday wake up and realize what they’ve overlooked.

If Pack Rose wants to spend the rest of their lives mourning someone who will never come back, then that’s their choice.

It’s time to make my own destiny.