Confession

Alex's heart raced within his chest, its rhythm quickening with each passing moment.

Startled by a sudden jolt, he found himself thrown off balance, his mind consumed by the looming fear of yet another scolding from his crush. Slowly regaining composure, Alex's gaze fell upon Celeste, whose actions had been anything but gentle. With a forceful push, she swung open a white door, the impact echoing as it collided with the unforgiving wall nearby.

‘Okay, she's... furious. Utterly furious,’ Alex thought, a lump forming in his throat as he swallowed hard. It was then that he finally took notice of his surroundings, the realization dawning upon him like a sudden revelation. They had arrived at the nurse's office of the high school.

"Oh, goodness! You gave me quite a fright!"

A high-pitched, distinctly feminine voice pierced the air, startling Alex from his reverie. His gaze snapped to the source of the sound, and there, before him, stood the supposed nurse. Rather than clad in her customary uniform, she sported a casual yet tasteful ensemble that caught Alex's eye.

Dark blue jeans hugged her figure, paired with a snug baby pink t-shirt and comfortable heels of the same hue. Her long, tousled blonde ponytail cascaded down her back, adding to her effortlessly chic appearance. However, one detail marred her otherwise impeccable look; a smear of dark pink lipstick, inadvertently smudged across her cheek in her moment of alarm.

The sight of the lipstick blunder elicited a giggle from Alex, amused by the comical scene unfolding before him.

However, a single piercing glare from Celeste was enough to silence Alex completely, rendering him meek and submissive. His cheeks burned with embarrassment as he averted his gaze downward, hoping that the formidable presence of the enraged Celeste would subside before she directed her full attention toward him.

"You have somewhere to be?" Celeste inquired in her naturally deep, velvety voice, causing a slight shiver to run down Alex's spine, unable to prevent the involuntary reaction.

The nurse offered a smile as she nodded in agreement before responding, "Absolutely, my friend. Your favorite beta scored herself a charming date." Her casual demeanor toward Celeste stemmed from a perception of maturity beyond her years, a sentiment she held for few others among their teenage peers.

Celeste, accustomed to conversing primarily with this particular beta nurse, recognized her as one of their pack's nurses. At only twenty-four years old, she exuded a sense of understanding and wisdom uncommon for her age. Another familiar figure in their circle was Alex's sister, who, at twenty-three, shared a similar bond with Celeste.

Alex felt a gentle warmth spread across his cheeks in response to the beta's enthusiastic words, causing him to nervously toy with the hem of his hoodie. Meanwhile, his other hand, slightly clammy with fingers that trembled ever so slightly, remained securely nestled within the comforting grasp of the Alpha.

"But Flora, I need to pick up some medication. Can't you spare a moment to assist me?" Celeste inquired, her tone carrying a hint of urgency as she guided Alex towards a bed adorned with pristine white sheets and a neatly arranged comforter. With a gentle gesture, she encouraged him to take a seat, an unspoken order to which he obediently complied.

Despite Alex's reputation for defiance, he found himself complying with Celeste's command.

Flora cast a final glance at herself in the modestly sized mirror hanging on the wall, adjusting her lipstick to perfection after its earlier mishap.

"Celeste, I'm entrusting you with everything here, so feel free to help yourself. Bailey will be arriving in just an hour, so if you need anything urgently, go ahead and take care of it, or you can wait for her to assist you. Goodbye! Wish me luck on my first date in such a long time," Flora remarked before bidding farewell.

Grumbling in frustration, Celeste deftly caught the keys Flora tossed her way before making her exit from the nurse's office. But not before Flora blew a kiss in her direction, a testament to their close friendship.

And Celeste couldn’t help but think that Flora was eagerly anticipating her fourteenth date.

Frustration evident in her demeanor, Celeste ran a hand through her lustrous raven locks, a simple gesture that captivated Alex, deepening his admiration for the stunning Alpha before him.

Standing beside the nervously seated Alex, Celeste let out a sigh before meeting his gaze with her own striking grey eyes, contrasting with his pretty cerulean ones. With a commanding tone, she narrowed her eyes and issued a dominant directive, "Stay." Alex obediently nodded, already feeling timid and apprehensive about disobeying the captivating Alpha before him, especially given her short temper at that moment.

Receiving a pleasing response from the brunette omega before her, Celeste gracefully stepped away, heading towards the corner where the medicine cabinets stood. With a deft hand, she unlocked the glass doors, retrieving the necessary medications.

Returning to where Alex anxiously occupied the rigid white infirmary bed, Celeste approached with purpose. She gently tapped beneath Alex's chin, coaxing him to meet her gaze.

As soon as Alex met her gaze, Celeste wasted no time. She dipped a cotton bud into the cold cream and gently pressed it against the painful bruise on his cheek.

Alex clenched his jaw, biting down on his lower lip to stifle any complaints through his whining about the discomfort of having his bruise cleaned and treated with the medicine.

Observing Alex's action, Celeste felt a pang of concern, fearing that his tender lower lip might succumb to the pressure of his incessant biting, possibly leading to it bursting open with blood. She found herself appreciating yet another charming trait of omegas— their naturally soft lips.

Once finished tending to the wound on his cheek, Celeste carefully stowed away the tube of cream. She then gently took hold of Alex's soft, milky hand in her own, examining the small rashes that had formed from his tight grip on the rough bark of the tree.

Alex observed Celeste closely, noting the furrowed creases on her forehead as she pondered over how to alleviate the discomfort of his rashes. However, Alex had his own concerns weighing on his mind, prompting him to timidly interrupt her examination. "Are you-you... mad at me?" he inquired in stutters, his voice barely above a whisper.

Despite the softness of his query, Celeste caught every word, standing in proximity to him. With a gaze as piercing as her narrowed grey eyes, she looked up, causing Alex to feel a sense of apprehension that made him reluctant to maintain eye contact. Instead, he averted his gaze downward, focusing on his palm cradled gently in the Alpha's left hand.

Bashfulness mingled with a deep-rooted fear as Alex grappled with what the Alpha's perception of him might be.

"Mad? Do you honestly believe you can just ask me that?" Celeste's voice cut through the air; her tone laced with indignation. The brunette omega shook his head, trembling slightly in trepidation. Her deep, dominating voice instilled a sense of submission in the brunette omega making him feel even more miserable under the weight of Celeste's evident anger.

"I-I'm... I-I'm sorry," Alex stuttered, his breaths becoming irregular as his fingers trembled more noticeably, and a light sheen of sweat formed on his forehead. Observing his distress, Celeste felt a pang of remorse for her harshness towards him.

Of all Alphas, Celeste understood best the fragility and sensitivity of omegas. Yet, Alex's current state stirred a sense of indignation within her. She had always been there to protect him, yet he had endured weeks of torment without confiding in either his sister or herself.

So, she believed she had every right to be mad at him because he was reckless with his safety.

"Sorry wouldn't magically fix what's happened. What if that Alpha who was harassing you had gone further and hurt you? What if she had marked you? Huh? Would apologies have made a difference then? Your recklessness could have landed you in the worst possible scenario imaginable. I'm relieved the situation didn't escalate beyond control, but I'm furious that you kept such a serious matter hidden from Alexa and me. You should have at least confided in your sister if not me, huh?"

Observing the distress evident on the omega's face, Celeste softened her tone slightly, though it did little to assuage her concern for his well-being. Her worry only intensified as tears began to well in his eyes amidst her scolding which she believed came out in a much softer tone than she wanted it to be.

"Alexa... sis was already s-stressed about s-something, so I-I didn't want to bother her, and-and... that-that Alpha threatened me not to tell y-you because she w-would end up k-kicking you out of the pack," Alex explained between sobs, his voice trembling with emotion as he sought to justify his silence to the Alpha before him. He hoped his explanation would quell her anger, as he felt overwhelmed by helplessness.

The fear of disappointing the Alpha he admired weighed heavily on Alex.

However, Alex found himself taken aback when he was pulled into a comforting embrace. Returning the embrace with equal fervor, he felt a sense of warmth, tranquility, and weightlessness enveloping him within the Alpha's arms.

"I'm... not angry with you, little one," Celeste murmured gently, her voice soothing as she held Alex close. "I'm just concerned and frustrated by your reckless choices. As the second-in-command among our pack warriors, I bear the responsibility of assisting our pack leader in times of potential danger." Celeste paused, letting out a sigh of resignation.

She continued her voice firm yet reassuring. "Did you truly believe I could be so easily ousted or punished? Even if our pack leader's daughter harbors animosity towards me, our Alpha would hesitate before taking such drastic measures. Everyone in the pack recognizes my strength, and I doubt they'd be willing to lose one of their finest warriors over petty emotions like jealousy, hatred, or baseless accusations. So, please, never conceal anything like this again."

With a soft sigh, she added, "And I'm certain Alexa would concur. She has always prioritized you above all else, Alex. You're her little brother, her only family—her foremost concern."

Celeste let out a soft breath as she gently patted Alex's head, her voice resuming its gentle tone. "She wouldn't want you jeopardizing your safety over her mounting stress. Do you comprehend, little one?" Her explanation was delivered in a velvety softness, a clear indication to Alex that her anger had dissipated. However, the final question carried a hint of sternness, a dominating command that brooked no room for argument.

Alex nodded, his voice barely above a whisper as he mumbled, "Yes, I... understand, but I-I… I'm sorry too." Celeste felt a small smile tug at her lips at the response from the omega nestled in her embrace. With her right hand adorned with sleek black nail polish, she gently ran her fingers through his silky, slightly wavy hair, seeking to bring him comfort. She knew that any form of affection was crucial for an omega, especially after they had been upset.

A serene quiet settled between them, enveloping them in a comforting embrace for several minutes. The tranquil moment was interrupted by the timid, barely audible voice of the omega, breaking the stretched silence with a whisper, "I-I like you."

As the words sank in for the raven-haired Alpha, her brows furrowed in contemplation. With a sudden surge of emotion, she pulled the omega into a tighter embrace, her reply coming in a softer tone, "I know. I like you too."

Understanding the situation fully, Alex's brows furrowed even more deeply, his shyness intensifying. He realized that Celeste had interpreted his words as a misunderstanding, causing him to flush with embarrassment.

Alex gently disengaged from the embrace, his gaze meeting Alpha Celeste's as she continued to pat his head. Taking hold of her wrist softly, he sought to capture her undivided attention. Once he felt he had it, he blurted out his thoughts before he could even consider them, prompting him to explain himself hastily.

"I don't just like you as a friend," Alex stumbled over his words, his cheeks flushing with nervousness. "I-I mean... what I'm trying to say is that I like you... more than just a friend."

A deep rosy hue spread across Alex's cheeks, the intense heat making him feel as though he might either melt away or evaporate under the Alpha's penetrating gaze. Her customary narrowed grey eyes bore into him, seemingly lost in contemplation as she searched for the perfect response to navigate the delicate situation.

Clearing her throat gently, Celeste began, her voice steady yet laced with a hint of sadness. "You're younger than me, Alex. Entering into a relationship holds significant weight for me, and I wouldn't want you to experience heartbreak simply because your feelings evolve over time. Especially when you reach adulthood... we're both still young, and in my eyes, you're still a minor." She paused briefly before continuing with regret, "So, I'm sorry, pup... I have to decline your confession."

With tears brimming in his eyes, Alex's lower lip jutted out in a pout, eliciting a skip in Celeste's heart at the sight of such vulnerability from the omega. He whispered softly, "But I won't fall out of love... not when there has always been only one love for me. Just put everything aside for now. Tell me, Celeste... do you... like me? If I were an adult, even though I'd still be younger than you... would you have... accepted me then?"

Celeste immediately grasped Alex's perspective. It struck a chord within her, a painful reminder of her own insecurities despite her outward strength. The fear of being abandoned, left to stand alone as she always had, gnawed at her heart.

Her loneliness, an ever-present companion, served as fuel for her darker impulses.

Celeste offered a slight, albeit insincere, smile before responding, "Age isn't a concern for me. If you were an adult, I would have accepted you. But our situation is different now. You're only fifteen, while I'm seventeen. At your age, making rash decisions and acting recklessly are common occurrences. I don't want you to regret anything as you grow older. If you understand, it would be better for both of us."

Having conveyed her perspective on Alex's youthful affection, which she perceived as still immature and in need of growth, Celeste let out a frustrated sigh. She observed Alex nibbling on his lower rosy lip, a habit she wished to stop by releasing his lip from under his intense biting. However, she hesitated to offer false hope to the young and innocent omega.

Alex lifted his gaze to Celeste, his eyes slightly teary yet illuminated with a glimmer of hope. He posed his question softly, "But... you like me, don't you?"

Celeste was mildly taken aback by the brightness in the younger boy's eyes, even as she sensed the lingering presence of his sadness in the air around them.

Although Celeste had already addressed Alex's question before, she didn't sense any frustration or anger bubbling within her as she prepared to respond once more. With a calm demeanor, she offered a more elaborate answer.

"Yeah, I do like you," Celeste began, her tone gentle yet resolute. "But Alex, I've never been interested in romantic relationships. However, if you were an adult and approached me, I would have accepted, simply because I care about you. I wouldn't want to hurt you. Some things just aren't feasible, but we can wait until you're an adult. If you still feel the same way about me then, I'd accept you without hesitation. However, I want to be clear—I've never seen you as a romantic partner. Please don't take it the wrong way; it's just that romance isn't something I'm interested in. I hope you understand and find someone who can reciprocate your feelings wholeheartedly, unlike me, who was never interested in the first place."

In the end, Celeste offered a warm smile, though, beneath its surface, there lingered a touch of sympathy. She gently squeezed Alex's hand, which lay in hers as she inspected the faint scratches on its delicate skin. Returning the gesture with a small, appreciative smile of his own, Alex watched as Celeste turned away, preparing to step away momentarily to retrieve the next cream for his palm's scratches.

As Celeste turned away, her hand naturally slipped out of Alex's grasp. However, before she could take a step forward, Alex's grip tightened around her delicate hand. With a soft yet hurried whisper, he shared his final thought, "But my omega imprinted on your Alpha."

Although spoken barely above a whisper, Celeste caught Alex's words clearly, causing her to halt abruptly in her steps. Her typically narrowed eyes widened slightly in surprise, as she hadn't anticipated this revelation from Alex. She knew he harbored a deep fear of her, yet she also sensed his profound affection, making his confession unexpected but not entirely surprising.

‘Shit...’

The first thing that invaded her mind and then her thoughts continued into a rush; ‘No, this can't be. He wasn't supposed to love me. It's dangerous for him to love me. And the imprint... it's the very next level. It’s risky.'

Celeste looked back at the omega, who met her gaze with a mix of determination and tears, awaiting her response. After all, the stakes were high; there was a forty percent chance, an omega might not survive if their imprinted Alpha didn't reciprocate their feelings.

Celeste glided forward, her steps deliberate and graceful, until she stood before the omega. With a delicate touch, she lifted his chin, ensuring their eyes met without any sense of intrusion. It was only then, with the omega's full attention captured, that Celeste spoke in a voice that was as smooth as velvet yet carried an unmistakable air of dominance and darkness beneath its tones.

"As much as it may pain you to hear," she murmured, her words carrying weight, "you must seek permission from Alexa. Should she refuse to grant it for this bond... be prepared to face the consequences."

Alex quivered under the imposing presence of the Alpha; his apprehension palpable as he nodded in acquiescence. With a final release of his chin, the Alpha departed from the confines of the nurse's office, leaving Alex to grapple with his own unease.

At that moment, Alex couldn't quite articulate it, but he sensed a disconnect between the Alpha's words and the gravity of the situation. It wasn't just the looming specter of death that unsettled him; there was an ominous undercurrent, suggesting consequences far more sinister than death itself.

A chill raced down Alex's spine, a lingering echo of Celeste's potent aura of dominance that still seemed to envelop him like a shadowy cloak.

It was the epitome of darkness in Celeste's dominance, a depth Alex had never plumbed before, nor wished to experience again. As he shuddered, he couldn't shake the lingering presence of her intimidating aura, holding it at bay in the recesses of his mind.

"I'm falling deeper for you with each passing day, yet you remain so distant," he mumbled with a wistful pout, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic allure of Celeste.

Never had he imagined that his confession would usher in a darkness so profound, rendering him powerless and trembling in its grasp.