Nicholas’s POV
My mom actually got married. And now we had to move to her new husband’s apartment. Throughout the last week, I barely concentrated in class, barely paid attention to anything except the fact that everything was changing too fast.
I became obsessed with the Blackthornes. Especially after finding out that not only was Gareth an alpha, but he also had four alpha sons with him. I thought getting information about them would make survival easier.
But one hidden omega against four alphas? No escape? How was I supposed to fucking survive?
"Nico? It’s time to go!" I heard my mom call from downstairs and I let out a frustrated sigh.
There was no running from this. So I took out my suppressants and popped a few pills into my mouth, wincing at the bitter taste. And then...
I wrapped a cloth around my left arm to make sure my veins were visible and then injected the inhibitors into my bloodstream. The next second, I crashed to the ground, groaning as it flowed through me, suppressing my wolf and scent.
One minute later, after writhing in pain, I was finally able to breathe as I stared at the ceiling above me.
No one could find out the truth. If anyone asked, I was a beta. That’s who I’ve been for nineteen years.
"Nico?"
"Coming!" I yelled back as I dragged myself off the ground, slung my bag over my shoulder and then dragged my suitcase with me.
We left the house which I turned to stare at one more time before leaving. It was always easier to run back home when things got unbearable. But home was gone now. Where would I run to?
The cab we got into didn’t drive far, which I was grateful for because I knew I would throw up if we didn’t stop soon. We finally stopped at the Blackthornes’ estate and seeing how close it was, I finally understood how Mom could have met Gareth. Their place wasn’t exactly as far as I thought it would be. But the estate was beautiful.
It was good to be rich and influential.
"Come on." Mom rubbed my arm gently as we walked down the estate before stopping in front of what looked like a mansion.
Looked like? It actually was a Mansion.
My jaw dropped as I looked at the gate that almost reached the sky and that was when I realized that leaving this house would be almost impossible. Especially if I wanted to sneak the fuck out.
The large gates opened, and before I could walk in, I was hit with multiple alpha scents at once that nearly made me puke. My grip on my suitcase tightened as I tried to keep a straight face but the pheromones were impossible to ignore.
Not only was the mansion big, but it also had insane security. Guards were everywhere. And all these men were alphas.
I glanced at Mom to see that she avoided my gaze completely. She knew this. She knew I was in danger when I was surrounded by too many alphas. Yet she brought me here?
"You’re here." I heard a deep voice come from the front door and I glanced up to see a man I recognized a little too well from being on the news all the time.
Gareth Blackthorne.
Mom walked up to him with a smile while I remained rooted in my spot, looking around the house to see if it was possible to jump the fence when needed.
"Nico? Come say hi." Mother’s voice drew me out of my investigation and I coughed slightly as I made my way to them.
"Nicholas. I’ve heard a lot about you." Gareth said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and I froze.
There was something off about him. Like he could see right through me.
My hands were sweaty as I swallowed, forcing my lips to smile. "Mom has told me a lot about you too. It’s nice to meet you, sir."
"Oh please, call me Dad. We’re family now." He replied, laughing but that only made me feel uneasy as he asked us to come in.
Maybe I was just being paranoid.
"You’re a beta, right Nicholas?" I heard him ask as soon as he closed the door.
Just as I answered everyone, I said the same thing to him. "Yes, I am, sir— I mean, Dad."
"That’s good, that’s good. You’re not as inferior as those omegas out there. That’s good." He muttered and my fists clenched slightly even though my face gave nothing away. "You should meet your brothers."
This was the moment I dreaded.
Just as I turned to the stairs, four men were already making their way downstairs, looking all arrogant and smug.
But goddess help me, they were so fucking attractive.
I felt my wolf stir inside me and panicked for a second. The inhibitors were supposed to keep him asleep for as long as possible. Why the fuck was he awake?
"Who is he?" One of the brothers asked, his voice low as he stared at me like he could kick me out right there and then.
He didn’t look exactly pleased to see me standing there with his evidently ice blue eyes staring down at me like I was an ant. I already hated him at first glance.
"Oh, Adrian, this is Nicholas. Your stepbrother." Gareth said, and I could see how displeased everyone was.
"Stepbrother? Him? Why does he look so fragile and weak?" Another asked, his golden brown hair falling over to his face and I stiffened.
"You should ask yourself why you jump to conclusions without thinking." I muttered without hesitation as Mom grabbed my hand gently, urging me to be silent.
"He’s got teeth. I like him." Another said as he stared at me, his lips curled into a mocking smile and my hands balled into fists.
So I held his gaze and visibly rolled my eyes, taking him aback as he laughed.
"Alright, enough." Gareth said, laughing like nothing was wrong. "He’s your brother now and it’s your duty to treat him like that."
"We don’t want a brother."
"I didn’t want any of you anyway." I spat before I could stop myself and Mom tugged my shirt harshly but I was too mad to think.
Just because they were alphas didn’t mean I would submit to them. As long as they didn’t know I was an omega, I was allowed to talk back.
"I said enough!" Gareth’s voice boomed and my knees buckled, his authority making me want to kneel. "Nicholas, come here."
I managed to keep my stance and made my way to him as he threw his arm around my shoulder.
"That there is Adrian, he’s the eldest and yes, he’s always grumpy." He said and I couldn’t help but snicker.
Maybe I was actually so paranoid about him. He seemed nice enough.
"Adrian is the one with ice blue eyes and a grumpy face. Got it." I whispered back and Gareth grinned, patting my shoulder.
"The one next to him is Elijah. The youngest. He’s a troublemaker." He explained and I glanced at Elijah, his face blank but his features were so goddamn gorgeous.
Pale skin, hazel eyes, black hair, sharp jawline? He was created by the goddess herself.
"Those two are twins. One is always too serious, the other is too friendly. Cassian and Roman."
Cassian was the one who called me fragile and weak earlier while Roman said I got teeth.
Why would they be so attractive yet have such foul behaviour? It was annoying.
"There. Elijah, kindly show Nicholas to his room." Gareth finally concluded and Elijah simply stared down at me before turning to leave.
Letting out a sigh, I dragged my suitcase with me and followed behind him until he walked me to a room that was technically in the middle of the hallway.
"That’s yours." He said, his voice smooth as silk and once again, my wolf shifted inside of me. What the fuck?
He turned to leave after I muttered a simple thank you but then he stopped, turning back to me with narrowed eyes as he walked up to me.
He leaned closer to me and suddenly sniffed me, making me freeze.
"Why do you smell so good?"