While other kids laughed and ran, I sat alone, wondering what it felt like to be included.
While other kids wished for toys, I wished for someone to notice me. To see past the smiles I faked and ask if I was okay.
I didn't want much—just a hand to hold. Just a voice that didn't hurt. But as a child, I learned how to make loneliness my home.
Skylar's head remained bowed, her hands gripping her skull as if trying to hold herself together. She knelt on the wet ground, the dampness seeping into her dress.Rain dripped from her lashes, mixing with the last lone tear that fell from her empty, unblinking eyes
Slowly, she looked at Rora. There was no bitter smile, no hurt look. Just emptiness—her brown eyes like voids. swallowing every emotion she had left.
Rora froze for the seventh time lips trembling as she whispered painfully, "I'm sorry… Skylar."
Skylar heard it but wasn't moved. The words felt hollow, too late.
She stood up, water streaming down her skin. "Consider me out of your life, Rora LaRosa. You don't have to worry anymore about someone knowing we were close," she said before turning away. Her voice was flat, like a blade slicing through whatever remained between them.
Rora choked on her own spite. "Where are you going? It's raining heavily," she rasped, barely above a whisper.
Skylar let out a short, humorless laugh. "What, do you want me to stay with you?" The sarcasm dripped from her tone, sharper than the cold wind whipping around them.
Rora's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out of her parched throat.
"As I expected," Skylar shook her head. "As I expected."
She turned and walked away. The wind yanked at her golden-brown hair as she untied the tight bun, letting it fall in wild, soaked waves. She didn't care anymore.
She walked without direction, the city lights blurring through the rain. Each step felt heavier than the last. Her legs ached, but she didn't stop.
When she reached the bridge, she finally paused.
The river below was calm—too calm. The kind of quiet that felt unnatural, eerie even. The dark water stretched endlessly, a silent invitation.
She stood on the bridge, staring blankly at the river below.
Cars rushed past behind her, their headlights flashing briefly before vanishing into the storm. The force of their speed sent gusts of wind whipping against her, making her dirty white dress flutter violently around her legs.
She was tired—too tired. Why was something as simple as breathing so painfully hard? The weight of her pain drained her. She wanted peace. She wanted to feel free.
But how could she, while still living? While still trapped in a place where everyone who had ever hurt her still existed?
She wanted to scream, to cry—but she couldn't.
Her voice was gone.
Even if she tried, she had no more tears left to shed. If only she jumped, all the pain, all the sorrow, would disappear. Someone would love her on the other side.
She smiled.
Slowly, she climbed the bridge railing. The wind carried petals around her. What a perfect way to die.
She was about to let go when a painfully loud scream assaulted her ears.
At first, she ignored it. It was none of her business.
But then, the scream grew louder, more desperate. And then, an overwhelming scent—assaulting alpha pheromones, not just one but four—filled the air.
It became clear as daylight.
A group of alphas was attacking an omega.
The scream was almost drowned out by the rain, but Skylar heard it clearly.
She sighed before running toward the scene. And when she saw what was happening, she suddenly saw red.
A high school girl—pinned down, helpless, terrified.
But what could Skylar do? She was just a weak omega.
She lowered her head, and then a reckless idea crossed her mind. It was stupid, but she didn't care.
She had nothing to lose.
With one swift motion, she ripped off her gland patch.
Lavender and peppermint suddenly filled the air, making the four alphas who were pinning the girl turn toward her.
What happened next was almost comical.
They abandoned the girl instantly, their instincts hijacked by Skylar's scent.
The girl's eyes widened in horror, like a deer caught in headlights. Her misty eyes overflowed with fresh tears. "Why…" she choked out.
"Leave," Skylar commanded.
When the girl froze, Skylar shot her a piercing glare, and that was all it took. The girl turned and ran, sobbing.
Skylar felt a gut-wrenching sensation as she collapsed to the ground. Black spots clouded her vision. She felt sick, rough hands grabbing at her skin.
The overpowering scents of sandalwood, rosewood, whiskey, and wet sand suffocated her.
She wanted to vomit, but she kept it in.
A loud, piercing sound rang in her ears—not human, almost like a screech.
She didn't cry. She didn't scream. She didn't struggle.
She was stupid, wasn't she? She was about to lose everything to these men—all because she chose to save a girl she didn't even know.
But why had she risked so much for a stranger?
Oh… she knew why.
Because that girl had a future.
She could grow up, get married, have kids, live a better life.
Skylar… had nothing.
If this happened, nothing would change. Her future was already nothing but a joke.
And there was no greater peace than dying.
But what happened next was like something straight out of a movie.
The alpha hovering over her was shot. Blood splattered across her face.
One after another, they fell.
Skylar stared at the crimson mixing with the rain. It was strangely beautiful.
Shouts and curses echoed around her, but they were drowned by the ringing in her ears.
The rain washed over her, blurring her vision.
A shadow loomed over her.
An umbrella blocked the rain.
The last thing she saw was blue eyes and white fluffy hair—before she succumbed to the darkness.
All she ever wanted… was rest.