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CHAPTER TWO

CAMDEN

W hy did I think getting drunk off my ass was a good idea? It’s been two days since the party and I’m still feeling the effects of my epic hangover.

I groan, my stomach turning as I swallow my suppressants and pray I don’t puke them up, like I have everything else I’ve ingested.

I’m sluggish as I move around my dorm room, slowly dressing for my first day of classes. Fuck, I hope I’m able to get through them. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if I pass out during my first one.

“Stupid.” I mutter to myself as I grab my backpack, slipping my arms through it.

I’ve never been one to party, not even when the clubhouse would throw them, and there were a lot. I’d always hide away in my room, read a book, listen to music or watch a show. If it was nice enough of a night, I’d head down to the creek on the compound’s edge and sit there, watching the stars as the water ran over my feet.

That sounds a hell of a lot better than walking across campus to get my much needed coffee.

I’m going to need to get a job soon or I won’t have any money to my name. Buying five dollar coffees a few times a day adds up. It would be cheaper to just buy a coffee machine, but I’d never be able to make them the way I like them.

I might be an omega in hiding, but I’m still an omega. There’s some things we just crave, and for me, it’s coffee. My life fucking sucks, and this is my little bit of happiness.

Very expensive happiness. Fuck, yeah, after school today I’m going to have to start searching for jobs.

The idea of getting a job doesn’t bother me though. I’m kind of excited. To be out on my own, away from the shackles of my father, of that life I’m trying to leave behind.

Being independent on a smaller level will help a lot when it’s time for me to break away for good.

The trip across campus feels like it takes hours rather than ten minutes. I groan in relief when I step up to the door and pull it open. Then I’m groaning for a whole new reason, a groan I have to force down before I make a fool of myself.

Thankfully my coat is long enough to cover my growing erection. Fucking embarrassing. One whiff of coffee, that's all it takes and I’m hard as stone.

It’s only the smell, not the taste. If that was the case, I’d be cumming in my pants every time I take a drink of it.

My drinks are always packed with flavors, masking the raw coffee scent. The sweetness is a bonus my little omega heart loves.

Annoyance fills me when I see how long the line is. Standing here for the next twenty minutes is the last thing I want to do, not when my head is throbbing. Taking something for the pain isn't an option because pain meds and the suppressants clash. So, in order to hide who I am, and save my own ass, I have to suffer.

Knowing that, you would think I’d try harder to avoid feeling like shit.

Getting in line before it gets any longer, I close my eyes, the pounding behind them making it hard to function.

“Well, well, well. Fancy meeting you here?” The voice has my whole body going stiff, my heart picking up its pace. Henley. Fuck.

Slowly, my eyes open. Blinking the fuzziness away, I stare back at the blonde beta. He’s got a grin that seems far too cheerful for this time of day.

“Hi.” I say. Last time I saw him, I was well on my way to being drunk. I’ve replayed our encounter a million times over in my head, needing to know if I slipped up, if I said something that could give away a piece of who I am and where I’m from. From what I remember, I didn’t. Just told him what I was here to study.

His responses were a bit of a downer.

“You don’t look so good, little beta.” he chuckles. “Rough night?”

Licking my lips, I nod. “You could say that. I’m not much of a drinker.”

“Could have fooled me,” he grins wider. “You were downing those shots like a fish in water.”

Sighing, I step forward in the line as it moves. “Another thing to add to my long list of regrets.” I mutter.

I shouldn’t be talking to him, Jamie said to stay away. And knowing who they are and what they could do to me if they found out who my father was, I should be avoiding them like my life depends on it, and it very well might.

But if I leave, it would look rude and draw more attention to myself. And I really fucking need that coffee or I’m going to be useless until I have my caffeine fix.

“Careful there, little beta.” His voice lowers a bit as he steps closer. “You make it sound like you have a lot to be sorry about.”

I’m only able to hold his gaze for a few moments before I’m forced to look away. “Not really. I’m just more of a homebody. I don’t get out much. But hey, it’s college and we’re meant to try new things right?” I try to play it off, but he narrows his eyes.

“Yeah,” he says slowly.

“Next person please.” My attention snaps over to the girl behind the counter.

“Good morning.” I smile in greeting. “I’ll get a large coffee. Three cream, four sugar and could you add a few pumps of caramel please.”

“Of course,” she smiles. “That will be four eighty nine.”

I go to grab my wallet but Henley is already placing his card over the machine.

“On me.” he shoots me a wink.

“You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” He shrugs then grins. “Now you owe me.” With a wink, he spins around on his heel and heads towards the door. “See you later, little beta.” His chuckle sends a chill down my spine.

I have a feeling nothing good is going to come from that man. I very well might be fucked, and not in the way my needy omega ass would like.

* * *

It takes me half of my first class to realize that I’m not alone. Okay, of course I’m not alone, this class is filled with other students.

But none of them are staring at me like the alpha sitting a few rows above me. I noticed him a few minutes ago when I looked back to see the person answering the professor’s question and found River watching me.

His piercing blue eyes stay locked on me. It’s as if he’s not even paying attention to the teacher.

It has me uneasy, shifting in my seat. I’m starting to freak out. Maybe I’m overthinking things. He shouldn’t even know who I am. Maybe Henley said something? Why would he though, we only talked for a few moments.

Maybe he mentioned something about the coffee shop this morning. But again, why would he?

He knows who I am, he has to. Otherwise why would he be fucking staring at me like a broody ass fuck?

I do my best to listen to the professor, but it's pointless now. I’m too worked up, my mind racing with a million questions.

How is he even in my class? He’s at least a year or two above me.

Maybe he failed and he’s retaking the course? Not sure why anyone would want to retake statistics. Not unless you're looking to get a degree in business.

It wouldn’t be far off, seeing who his father is. Being the son of a very powerful gang leader, I’m sure he’s set to take his fathers place someday. A business degree would come in handy.

I’m sweating by the time class is done and I’m up and out of my seat before the class is even dismissed.

With shaky hands, I undo my backpack and grab the bottle of pills. It takes a few tries to get the cap off before I shake one out onto my hand and toss it back dry. It hurts going down, but the moment I swallow it, I’m filled with relief.

He can’t know what I am, no one can.

Taking a moment to catch my breath and calm my racing heart, I move away from the traffic of the students, lean against the wall, and close my eyes. In and out, I take deep breaths.

I fucking hate living in a constant state fear of someone finding out I’m an omega. I know being an omega doesn’t mean the end of the world for the average person, but me, I don’t get that luxury.

When I think I’m good to go, I move around the corner, in the direction of the exit. I stumble to a stop when I see River standing there. His arms are crossed, drawing my attention to the tattoos that line his muscular arms. His shaggy black hair covers one of his eyes, but it doesn’t hide the scowl on his face. With a curl of his lip, he turns and slips out of the building.

I’m shaking, panicking. He knows, he has to. Why else would he be looking at me like he wants to fucking kill me?

I need to leave. I need to go back to my dorm, pack my car, and leave.

With what money though? A hundred bucks isn’t gonna get me far.

“You're overthinking again, Cam.” I mutter to myself, taking a few deep breaths. “You're just being paranoid.” Another lovely side effect of the suppressants. Guess that's the price I have to pay for ones that aren’t even approved by the FDA.

But, they do the trick, better than any of the ones available. That's what I need. I can handle a few panic attacks here and there, if it means I can be free to live my life without fear.

Only, that's exactly what I’m doing right now. At least since meeting Henley.

My next class, my luck is even less than my first one.

Because when I walk into Economics, none other than Brooks is sitting on top of the stage, right on the edge of a teacher's desk.

Not just any teacher, it’s Mr. Kennedy.

“Come in, come in!” Brooks booming voice fills the room, laced with amusement. “Come find a spot, my willing victims.”

“Brooks.” Mr. Kennedy snaps. “Get off my desk and take a seat.”

“Why? I like this spot better.” Brooks shoots him a grin that would have any omega slicking their pants.

Not Mr. Kennedy. He continues to glare at Brooks. “Now.”

“You're no fun.” Brooks pouts and hops off the desk. Then he spots me and my stomach sinks. A new smile takes over his face, only this one is much crueler. “If it isn’t the new little beta in town.”

I don’t realize I’m taking a step back until I bump into the person behind me. “Sorry.” I mutter, pulling my attention away from Brooks to look back at the person.

“It’s fine.” the girl smiles, stepping around me.

Looking away was a bad idea because when I look back, Brooks is closer. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. What is going on here? Why is he singling me out? We haven’t even talked before.

So much for blending in.

“Mr. Parker.” Mr. Kennedy says and it takes me a moment to realize he’s talking to me.

When I applied to come here, I did so using my mother’s maiden name to help hide my identity as much as I could. “Could you come see me for a moment.”

Nodding, my eyes flick over to see that Brooks is now standing in one of the rows, letting the students go by him. I rush down the stairs towards Mr. Kennedy, hating that I have to pass him.

Just as I do, I hear Brooks say in a low tone. “Run all you want little piggie, the chase is half the fun.”

Cold terror hits me like a brick. I feel like I’m going to be sick. I almost faceplant when I trip over my foot, catching myself on one of the chairs. Brooks’ booming laughter fills the room and my cheeks heat in embarrassment.

I want to leave so damn bad.

“Hey.” Mr. Kennedy's voice is concerned. “Are you okay?”

I’m trembling now. I could lie, but one look at me and there's no way anyone would believe it. “No.” I shake my head.

He looks over my shoulder frowning, then back to me. “Breathe.” he says softly, and fuck the caring tone in his voice has my eyes stinging. “I’m not sure what's going on with… that, but if you want my advice, I’d stay away from Brooks and his pack.”

“Trust me, I’m trying.” I let out a tiny panicked laugh. “It’s not as easy as I thought it would be.”

“I get that.” he nods. “You sure you're okay to sit through this class? I wouldn’t be upset if you choose to skip it. I can email you the homework and all classes are taped. You can find them in the student portal. You would just need your email and password that was given when you signed up for classes.”

I hate how much of a coward I feel like right now. I’m not one to run from my problems, but to find solutions that work for me.

But right now, I can’t focus. I’m too overwhelmed with everything and add on the fact I still feel like shit from the past weekend.

“Would that be okay?” I hate how weak I sound. “I don’t think I could sit for an hour.”

“Go.” he smiles softly. “Get some rest and be better for tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” I smile back the best I can before spinning round and rushing off the stage.

“How is it fair that he gets hungover and gets to skip class?” I hear Brooks as I rush up the stairs.

“Enough.” Mr. Kennedy raises his voice.

I don’t stop until I’m out of the building and in the middle of the court yard. Tears spill down my cheeks as I lean against a nearby tree. Sliding to the ground, I wrap my arms around my legs and curl up into a ball.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I breathe in and out for a long time until the urge to cry leaves me and I feel a little more stable.

No one has ever made me feel like this before. So, out of control. I hate it. I’m worked up over nothing. I’m making a big deal over nothing.

But what if it’s not nothing. They wouldn’t just target me for no reason, right? This isn’t a college bully romance after all.

“Camden, you okay man?” Jamie’s voice has me looking up. He’s standing next to me, towering over me.

“Yeah.” I give him a smile, feeling a hell of a lot better than I was before. “I’m good. Just tired.”

He grins. “After that weekend, I wouldn’t be surprised. Dude, you can dance.” he laughs.

My cheeks heat as I remember getting a little too close and personal with him at the party.

“Thanks.” I mutter.

“You busy? I was just heading to get something to eat. Wanna come?”

I nod, because food sounds good right about now.

Taking his outstretched hand, I let him pull me to my feet. He wraps his arm around my shoulders as we walk, going on about some guy and girl at the party.

The feeling of someone watching me has me looking off to the side. Henley stands a few feet away by the water fountain, brows furrowed as he watches me with Jamie.

I look away, not wanting to let him or his pack ruin any more of my day.