I stood frozen as Rhys's dark eyes widened with recognition. The arm around my waist stiffened, and a flash of something unreadable crossed his face before his lips curled into a sneer.
"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, dropping my hand like it burned him.
The crowd erupted in laughter. The sound crashed over me like a wave, drowning me in humiliation. My cheeks burned as I took a stumbling step backward, desperate to escape.
"What's the nerd doing here?" someone called out.
"Wrong catch, Alpha!" another voice jeered.
Rhys's expression had morphed completely from the seductive smirk he'd worn moments ago. He looked at me with thinly veiled disgust, as if he'd found something unpleasant stuck to his shoe.
"I didn't realize this was bring-your-charity-case night," he drawled, loud enough for everyone to hear.
More laughter. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the ground or evaporate into the night air. Anything to escape the mocking eyes surrounding me.
"She's here because I invited her."
The voice cut through the laughter like a knife. Liam Thorne stepped forward, his tall frame slicing a path through the crowd until he stood between Rhys and me.
"Got a problem with that, Knight?" Liam's voice was calm, but there was steel beneath the words.
The crowd fell silent again, tension crackling in the air. Everyone knew the rivalry between Liam and Rhys extended beyond the basketball court. Two alphas from different packs, neither willing to back down.
Rhys's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Didn't realize you were into charity work, Thorne. First befriending nerds, what's next? Setting up a shelter for stray omegas?"
My stomach twisted painfully at the dig. Being an omega in a predominantly alpha pack was hard enough without the constant reminders of how everyone viewed us—as lesser, as unwanted.
Liam took a step closer to Rhys. "Maybe if you spent less time being an asshole and more time getting to know people, you'd realize Elara has more to offer than most of the mindless groupies you surround yourself with."
I tugged at Liam's arm, wishing he would stop. His defense only made me more visible, more of a spectacle.
"Liam, it's fine," I whispered urgently. "Let's just go."
Rhys's gaze flicked between Liam's hand on my arm and my face. "Listen to your pet nerd, Thorne. Walk away before this gets messy."
The air grew heavy with alpha pheromones as both boys squared off. People started backing up, giving them space for what everyone assumed would be an inevitable fight.
"Alright, enough with the testosterone contest," a voice cut in. Julian Mercer, one of Rhys's circle but known for his level head, stepped between them. "It's a party, remember? Save the pissing match for the court."
For a tense moment, neither Rhys nor Liam moved. Then Rhys's shoulders relaxed slightly, and he gave a dismissive shrug.
"Whatever. The game was getting boring anyway." His eyes slid over me one last time, lingering just long enough to make my skin prickle, before he turned away. "Ethan, get me a drink."
As quickly as it had begun, the spectacle was over. The crowd dispersed, music resumed its dominance over conversation, and I was left standing with Liam, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"I'm sorry about that," Liam said quietly, genuine concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?"
I nodded stiffly, though I was anything but okay. "You didn't have to defend me."
"Yes, I did. Rhys is a jerk who needs to be called out more often." Liam ran a hand through his dark hair. "Don't let him ruin your night. Come on, let's get something to drink—non-alcoholic," he added with a smile.
I followed Liam away from the pool area, grateful for his steady presence but acutely aware of the stares and whispers that trailed behind us. My brief moment as the center of attention had firmly cemented my status as the party's oddity.
"Here," Liam handed me a can of soda once we reached a quieter corner. "Sealed and safe."
"Thanks." I took a sip, hoping the cold liquid would ease the tightness in my throat. "For everything, I mean."
"Don't mention it." His smile was warm, genuine. "I'm glad you came tonight, despite... well, despite Rhys being Rhys."
I glanced across the yard to where Rhys had rejoined his friends, his arm now draped casually over Ethan's shoulder as they laughed about something. Despite everything, I couldn't help noticing how the colored lights played across his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his face.
"I should find Seraphina," I said, pulling my gaze away from Rhys. "She disappeared when we got here."
"Last I saw her, she was dancing inside. Do you want me to come with you?"
I shook my head. "I've caused enough drama for one night. I'll be fine."
Liam looked uncertain but nodded. "If you're sure. I need to check on something with the DJ anyway. Find me if you need anything, okay?"
After he left, I made my way back inside, navigating through the throng of dancing bodies. Seraphina was nowhere to be found, probably chatting up some handsome beta or alpha as she usually did at parties. With little else to do, I found an empty spot on a couch and sank into it, content to watch the party unfold around me.
From my vantage point, I could see through the large glass doors to the pool area. My eyes, betraying me, found Rhys immediately. He was leaning against the bar, a red cup in hand, his attention focused on someone I couldn't see.
As the crowd shifted, I caught sight of his object of interest—a girl in a white bikini that left little to the imagination. She was beautiful in that perfect, airbrushed way that made ordinary girls like me feel invisible. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back, and even from a distance, I could see her flirtatious smile as she approached Rhys.
Lyra Winters. Of course. Head cheerleader, beta wolf, and exactly the type of girl someone like Rhys would go for.
I watched as she sauntered toward the pool, casting provocative glances over her shoulder at Rhys. With deliberate slowness, she descended into the water, the movement causing her body to arch in a way that drew every male eye in the vicinity.
Rhys followed her with his gaze, a predatory smirk playing on his lips. When she beckoned to him from the water, he set down his drink and removed his jacket, exposing his muscled torso fully before diving into the pool after her.
Something twisted painfully in my chest as I watched them. Within moments, Lyra had her arms around his neck, her body pressed against his in the water, her laugh carrying across the yard.
It shouldn't have bothered me. It shouldn't have mattered at all. Rhys Knight was nothing to me—just an arrogant alpha who'd humiliated me more than once today.
Yet there I sat, an inexplicable ache spreading through me as I watched him pull Lyra closer in the pool, his hands disappearing beneath the water as she threw her head back in pleasure.
"Having fun?" Seraphina's voice startled me.
I tore my eyes away from the pool scene to find her standing in front of me, two cups in hand.
"Loads," I replied dryly. "Where have you been?"
"Making connections," she said with a wink, handing me one of the cups. "Relax, it's just punch. Virgin," she added when she saw my hesitation.
I took a small sip, the sweet fruity taste confirming her claim. "I think I want to leave soon."
Sera frowned, settling beside me on the couch. "Already? We just got here."
"I don't belong here, Sera. That was made abundantly clear a few minutes ago." I briefly recounted the blind man's buff incident.
"So Rhys Knight is a dick. This isn't exactly breaking news." She nudged my shoulder. "But Liam stood up for you. That's something, right?"
"It just made everything worse," I sighed. "More attention, more people staring."
"Not everyone is staring at you for the reasons you think," Sera said cryptically.
Before I could ask what she meant, a burst of laughter drew our attention back to the pool. Rhys had Lyra pressed against the pool wall now, his mouth at her neck while her legs wrapped around his waist under the water.
The ache in my chest intensified, spreading through my body like poison. I couldn't explain it, couldn't understand why watching Rhys with another girl hurt so much when I barely knew him and what I did know was awful.
"Stop torturing yourself," Sera said softly, following my gaze. "He's not worth it."
"I'm not—" I began, but stopped. What was the point in denying what was clearly written all over my face?
Outside, Rhys lifted his head from Lyra's neck, and for a heart-stopping moment, his eyes locked directly with mine through the glass doors. Something flashed in his dark gaze—recognition, perhaps even satisfaction at catching me watching him.
Then his attention returned to Lyra, his smirk widening as he whispered something in her ear that made her giggle and tighten her legs around him.
I looked away, the ache in my chest threatening to choke me.
"Fine," I said to Seraphina, draining my cup in one go. "Let's stay a bit longer. But I'm not watching that show anymore."
Sera grinned, linking her arm through mine as she pulled me to my feet. "That's my girl. Come on, let's dance. Nothing cures heartache like making someone else jealous."
"I'm not heartbroken," I protested weakly as she dragged me toward the dance floor.
But the persistent ache in my chest suggested otherwise, and I couldn't help wondering why, of all the people in the world, Rhys Knight had the power to make me feel this way when he'd done nothing but treat me with contempt.
As Seraphina pulled me into the crowd of dancers, I forced myself not to look back toward the pool, though I could still feel Rhys's eyes on me like a physical touch, burning into my skin from across the room.