A Distant Memory

There was no place for a beta in an Alpha's heart.

Alphas were meant for Omegas—that was the law of nature, the rule of fate. Adonis had learned this at twelve years old, and he had carried that lesson with him ever since.

He was a beta. And the woman he wished to spend his life with?

She was an Alpha.

Her name was Kyla.

But no matter how deeply he felt for her, no matter how many years passed, he knew he had no place by her side. He had never found the courage to confess, not when they were younger, and certainly not now. It hardly mattered anyway—after a fight when they were sixteen and eighteen, their lives had diverged. She had gone her way, and he had gone his.

So, Adonis buried his love in the quiet corners of his heart. He smiled whenever he saw her, kept his distance, and convinced himself that as long as she was happy, that was enough.

Because there was no place for a beta in an Alpha's love story.

And no place for him beside Kyla.

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Kyla had been twelve when she had first learned what heartbreak felt like.

She had spent the whole day working up the courage, hands trembling as she held out a carefully picked bouquet of roses to her crush. But Jeffy, the cruel little boy that he was, had ripped them from her grasp and laughed in her face. The other boys had joined in, their insults horrible, cutting deep into her young heart.

She had run, hiding behind a tree, biting back tears as shame burned through her.

And then he had found her.

Adonis.

Soft-spoken, kind, gentle in a way most boys weren't. He had sat beside her and comforted her, offering quiet words of reassurance that made her feel seen when she wanted to disappear.

After that, Kyla had looked up to him. Admired him, in her own way. But as a prodigy who had far surpassed her peers, she had barely seen him—especially after he had gone to a private university at sixteen. Their meetings had been rare, nothing more than polite greetings exchanged during holidays.

Adonis was Willow's older brother by ten months, but the two couldn't have been more different.

Where Willow was loud and unpredictable, Adonis was quiet and steady. She had always wondered how they had come from the same family.

And now, standing here in front of him, Kyla found herself wondering what he was like in this world. What had changed? What memories did they still share?

She could only hope they were good ones.

So she smiled.

Simply.

"Hi, Adonis," Kyla said, her face warming.

Adonis met her gaze, hazel eyes unreadable. He gave her a small nod before his attention drifted to the counter behind her.

"Order for Ado!"

Without another word, he walked past her.

"Willow!"

A pale man, shorter than her, suddenly grabbed her friends arm affectionately, distracting the two girls. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Luckily, I ran into brother-in-law."

Willow sighed dramatically, sipping at her drink. "Hieden, I told you—I'm spending time with Kyla. Us Alphas need to bond."

Hieden glared up at her.

Kyla giggled at the interaction. Willow sounded like a frat boy. She waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine. We're done shopping anyway."

Finally noticing her, Hieden blinked in surprise before his expression turned to one of slight worry. His lips pressed into a thin line.

"Kyla, it's so good to see you again! I haven't seen you since the accident three months ago—"

Willow cut in swiftly, "We're hungry now, Hie."

Kyla's brow furrowed. Accident?

Hieden stuttered, his eyes shifting. "Oh, uh, yes." He latched onto a distraction, eyes lighting up. "Oh—thanks, Ado!"

Adonis had returned, handing him an iced drink.

"I won't keep you guys," he said evenly. "I'm on break and need to get back to work."

Willow smirked. "Ado's an associate professor now." She wiggled her eyebrows at Kyla.

"Oh?" Kyla tilted her head, intrigued. "Congrats, Ado."

Adonis looked away, fiddling with his straw. "Thanks."

Kyla smiled to herself. He hadn't changed much. Still shy. Still quiet.

"Guess where he works?" Willow continued, slapping her brother's shoulder. "He's got a big boy job and big boy money."

Adonis touched his ear in mild discomfort.

Willow chuckled evilly. "And he has a nice house in Evenborough. Aren't you having a housewarming this weekend, Nissy? Why don't you invite Kyla? Oh! And guess what? She's enrolled at CSU now too! You should give her a tour tomorrow."

Willow turned to Kyla expectantly. "Ky, are you free tomorrow?"

Kyla hesitated. "I might have something on with Dad, but I don't want you to go out of your way—"

"Nonsense," Willow cut her off with a scoff. "Adonis knows the campus like the back of his hand, and we're practically family. You'll show her around, right, Ado?"

Adonis checked his watch, sighing softly. "I do have some free time tomorrow. Around 2 PM."

"Then it's settled!" Willow grinned triumphantly. "You'll give Kyla a tour."

Adonis exhaled but nodded. "I have to go now. It was great seeing you, Ky."

Kyla smiled. "You too."

With a polite wave to his sister and her husband, Adonis turned and left the café.

Kyla watched him go, a strange flutter settling in her chest.

"He's still so socially awkward," Willow rollled her eyes. "Anyways, Kyla, let's-"

Kyla's phone rung with a simple orchestra tune. She looked at Willow apologetically, before answering.

"Ky pie, can you head to Kiloil and Gavin? Gavs having issues and we're on my way."

"What happened?" Kyla asked hurriedly, concerned.

"Gavin got into a fight, I'm sending you the address now."