Chapter 2

2

Silas and I weren't exactly childhood sweethearts, but we had known each other for years.

He used to admire my talent for military theory and would talk with me late into the night. I mistook that for love.

But back then, I was just a regular Beta. I knew that a genius Alpha like him would end up with a one-in-a-million Omega. I forced my feelings deep down into my heart.

Everything changed during my junior year of college. I had a late second gender presentation and became that rare, top-tier Omega.

The authorities took me away and ended my regular studies. I was moved to an Omega Academy to prepare to serve the most elite Alpha.

I hated that my talent was being buried and tried to fight back. But the moment I learned my matched partner was Silas, all my resentment vanished.

However, unrequited love never ends well.

I didn't miss the flicker of shock when he first saw me as an Omega. It was quickly replaced by disgust.

"Autumn Moore, you Omegas really will use any disgusting trick just to get a man."

I tried to explain myself, but it was useless.

I could only comfort myself with one thought. At least Silas wouldn't have any other women.

Then, Chloe Lane appeared.

I saw it with my own eyes. Silas, who usually had no desires, suffered a pheromone surge the moment he saw Chloe. This happened even though he was on suppressants.

It didn't matter that she was an Alpha.

In that moment, I realized the truth. He wasn't cold or emotionless.

He just hated me.

Silas didn't come back until the next morning.

"Autumn Moore! Get up right now!"

He grabbed me while I was still half-asleep and hauled me up.

"How can you even sleep? Chloe tried to kill herself because of you!"

My groggy brain suddenly cleared. I stared at Silas in shock.

Kill herself? How?

"Stop pretending! You know how important dignity is to an Alpha!"

"Chloe humbled herself to apologize to you yesterday, and you threw it back in her face. If I hadn't made it in time, she'd be a corpse by now!"

"You are going to the hospital right now to apologize to her!"

He ignored my struggles and forced me into the car. He dragged me all the way to the hospital room.

"Go on!"

He pushed me hard, and I stumbled, falling right in front of Chloe.

In an instant, everyone in the room was staring at me.

I looked at her proud, mocking eyes. Slowly, I straightened my back.

"I won't apologize."

The small smirk on Chloe's face vanished instantly.

"Professor Haden, what is the meaning of this?"

"Autumn Moore!" Silas was losing his temper completely.

"As an Omega, you were born to submit to Alphas! Chloe already gave you more respect than you deserve!"

"Don't push your luck!"

The last string of my sanity snapped. I never thought I could be so stubborn and defiant.

"Humiliation? What about what I went through? Is it not right for her to apologize to me?"

"Silas, I am your wife! I am the victim here! Why are you siding with an outsider?"

Chloe's tears finally spilled over.

"Professor Haden! Did you save me just so she could insult me again?"

"I have lived a clean life. Today, I will prove my honor with my death!"

She grabbed a fruit knife from the bedside table and slashed at her wrist.

Blood began to drip from her arm. Silas panicked. He shoved me aside and scooped Chloe into his arms, rushing out of the room.

A sharp pain in my side hammered at my nerves where I hit the floor.

I curled up on the ground, feeling a strange, cold clarity.

"Professor Sterling, I've decided. Let's do the surgery."