CHAPTER 75: CAN’T BLEND IN!

Her heart skipped. Angela felt her blood boil. Her skin must have turned pale like she had just seen a ghost. She looked again at the two people still talking, still smiling. She didn’t want to believe what she was seeing. So he had a girlfriend all this time? And he had been playing games with her?

But how could she blame him? He didn’t know who she really was. To him, she was just another boy.

"I’m joking," Alex said suddenly, breaking into laughter when he saw the look on her face. "They’re not dating."

Angela placed a hand on her chest and let out a shaky breath. "That’s much better. I swear, I almost had a heart attack, Alex. I need blood transfusion. And some pills. Maybe a drip."

"You look like a demon when you’re jealous," Alex teased, still laughing. "If I were a girl, I’d never dare stand in your way."

"Unfortunately, they’re doing it," Angela muttered under her breath as her eyes drifted back to Taros and the girl. They were still deep in conversation, and she couldn’t help but wonder what they were talking about. Was there a chance he actually liked her?

Angela turned her eyes away quickly. She didn’t want to think like that. It was stupid. Jealousy had no place here. No matter what happened, no matter who stood beside him or made him smile, Taros had a mate now. That mate was her. Whether he knew it or not, his soul was already tied to hers. He wouldn’t want anyone else.

Just as she turned to ask Alex about Stales, her eyes landed on someone else—Hiro.

He was standing with a group of girls, laughing like he hadn’t just spent days on bed rest. Angela’s lips parted, but no words came out. The moment he got back on his feet, he was already flirting? Not even a word of thanks for helping him during his toughest moment?

She didn’t know what they were talking about, but judging by the way the girls giggled, Hiro was cracking jokes and enjoying every second of the attention.

"Look at him," Angela said with a frown. "He just came back from the dead and now he’s out here charming all the girls."

"You’re gossiping about the Alphas now?" Alex chuckled beside her. He didn’t understand what had gotten into her. Trying to distract her, he started explaining how the game would work on the pitch.

Angela tried to focus. She really did. But her eyes kept drifting to her mates. No matter how hard she tried to stay calm, she was burning inside. She didn’t want to feel this way, but her eyes told the truth even when her mouth stayed shut.

Stales joined them soon after, but Renn was still nowhere to be seen. Angela found herself wondering where he was. Why hadn’t he come to the stadium?

That thought quickly vanished when they were called to the changing room. She was stunned when she saw Renn there, standing beside Coach Zack.

He kept winking at her, and she couldn’t stop the smile that slipped onto her face. Her stomach fluttered, filled with butterflies she couldn’t control. She knew she had to get away from him before someone noticed something she couldn’t explain.

Coach Zack was done with his speech. He told them to form a straight line and go out there to make him proud. Renn leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, calm and playful like always. Just as Angela was about to walk out, he suddenly called out loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Good luck, babe!"

Angela froze. Her heart jumped. In that moment, she wished she could melt like ice and disappear right there on the floor. But thankfully, no one seemed to realize who he was talking to. No heads turned. No suspicious stares. That alone was enough to make her breathe again.

The match started, and though she had expected it to be tough, especially playing among all these boys, she was surprised to find herself doing just fine. She could pass, run, dribble... It felt like any other game. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to score, though. The defenders from Form Three were sharp, strong, and fast.

Stales didn’t join the game. He didn’t want to play against his two best friends. Angela wished he would just enjoy the game and let go of the weight he carried.

Still, the match was going great. The crowd loved her. At some point, they began shouting her name. It felt unreal to hear their cheers, to feel that kind of energy. Just when she thought she had everything under control, an opponent passed the ball but not in a clean way. It came flying straight at her, and it hit her hard, just below her lower abdomen-her intimate part!

Angela froze. It didn’t hurt too much, but the sting was there. And even if it did hurt badly, there was no way she was going to hold or rub that part of her body in front of thousands of people. No way. So she ignored the pain and tried to keep playing.

She looked around, wanting to take the ball and maybe ask for a penalty, but something felt off. The stadium was silent.

Completely silent.

Not a sound. Not a cheer. Not a chant. It was like someone had pressed pause on the world. Every eye was on her. No one moved. They all just stared, and she couldn’t understand why.

Her heart raced. What was going on? Why was everyone looking at her like that? Did they think a ball hitting her down there would make her pass out or run off the field?

"Why are they staring?" she whispered under her breath, trying not to panic.

Alex wasn’t far from her. He hadn’t moved either. He looked at her and replied softly.

"You were supposed to scream when the ball hit you. That’s what the boys usually do when they got a ball hit at their D."

Angela’s eyes widened. Oh no.

She had completely forgotten that part. Of course. That’s why they were all staring. She hadn’t reacted like a boy should. She’d taken the hit and kept standing like nothing happened. No groan. No yell. No drama.

And now both the coach and the referee were walking toward her.