CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: DOMINANT OMEGA

Ryker leaned back in his chair, his piercing black eyes narrowing as he processed what Kael had just said. The faint hum of the air conditioner in his office filled the silence for a long moment before Ryker finally spoke.

"It’s just impossible," he said at last, his tone firm but troubled. "Aiden is an innocent boy. His eyes are so clear, Kael. I know him well enough to be certain that he just doesn’t have it in him."

Kael crossed his arms, his expression skeptical as he leaned casually against the edge of Ryker’s desk.

"So you’re saying," Kael began, raising a brow, "that the sixteen classmates of Aiden and even their teacher, Mr. John, are somehow seeing wrong? Because this happened right in front of the whole class. Everyone saw Aiden bash that guy’s head in. Not only that, but he gave a speech about how anyone who wants to bully him in the future should think twice before doing it."

Ryker fell silent at Kael’s words, his jaw clenching. The image Kael painted was hard to dismiss. He sat there, thoughtful, staring at the floor for several seconds before looking back up at his friend.

"Are you sure he did it?" Ryker asked quietly, as though hoping for some last-minute reprieve.

Kael didn’t hesitate. "Yes, I’m sure he did it."

Ryker nodded slowly, exhaling through his nose. "Then he did it because he had no other choice," he said with quiet conviction. "He had to act strong so that no one would think he’s someone they can just push around. I understand why he did it."

Ryker’s thoughts drifted to a memory, one that made the corner of his mouth lift slightly. He remembered how Aiden had asked Miss Flecine yersterday, if he could cause chaos in school, and how she had so casually agreed, not realizing what she was encouraging. Ryker could almost imagine Miss Flecine regretting that decision now.

Despite the grim subject, Ryker’s smile widened faintly. On one hand, he was proud of Aiden. Proud that the boy was proving to be strong-willed and resilient, not just a pretty face others would mistake for someone weak. But on the other hand, he felt a pang of sympathy. He knew Aiden too well. He knew that somewhere right now, Aiden was probably sitting alone, overthinking and beating himself up over what had happened.

Kael, meanwhile, was left speechless by Ryker’s interpretation. He ran a hand through his blonde hair and let out a disbelieving chuckle.

"You’re really saying he had no choice?" Kael said, tilting his head at Ryker. "I don’t know, man. I asked some of the students who saw it happen, and they told me that throughout the fight with Carl, Aiden was calm. So calm that he calculated every move, step by step. And you’re still insisting he was forced into it? Sometimes we just have to admit when someone is cold-blooded. There’s no shame in that. You yourself are cold-blooded—you kill without batting an eye. And even I have killed people when it was necessary. So maybe we should just agree that Aiden isn’t as innocent as you think."

Ryker shook his head immediately, his expression hardening. "You don’t know Aiden like I know him, Kael. The first time we met, he was cornered by some men. Even though he was in a dangerous situation, his golden eyes were calm and innocent, even with the fear shining in them. That kind of innocence isn’t something you can just fake. That’s who Aiden is. I know him well enough to know that right now he’s feeling guilty about what happened, even though he has no reason to feel guilty. That’s just the kind of person he is. He’s not built for all of this." Ryker’s voice softened slightly as he added, "Which is why I was so surprised to find him here, at Skyline Academy of all places."

Kael thought about this for a moment, watching his friend closely. Ryker might have been quick-tempered at times, but Kael had never known him to be wrong when it came to judging people. His instincts were razor-sharp, almost frighteningly so. If Ryker said Aiden was innocent at heart, then it was probably true.

With a small sigh, Kael finally nodded. "I’m sure he’ll get over it," he said, sounding almost reluctant to concede. "He just needs time to get used to this being his life now. Besides, this is actually working in your favor. The kind of partner you need can’t be someone soft and naïve who lets everyone walk over them. With him like this, when his power finally manifests, there’s a seventy percent chance your family will agree to let you be with Aiden. The only reason I left out thirty percent is because Aiden’s family isn’t wealthy. Maybe at the end of the day, you won’t even have to fall out with your family to be with him."

Ryker considered this, his expression pensive before he nodded. "I just wish I could be by his side right now," he admitted. "But I can’t. He told me how much he wished people wouldn’t think of him as some kind of third party and homewrecker, and I can’t be selfish with him. So I have to stay away from him until I settle everything with Seraphina first."

Kael blinked and gave Ryker an incredulous look, as though Ryker had just grown a second head.

Ryker frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Kael shook his head, though a teasing smile tugged at his lips. "Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that last week you told me you weren’t sure whether what you felt for Aiden was lust or love. But hearing you now—saying you don’t want to be selfish with him—sounds like you’ve already found your answer."

Ryker’s lips curved into a slow, bittersweet smile as Aiden’s beautiful face flashed in his mind. "Well, the lust is still there," he admitted with a low chuckle. "Stronger than ever, actually. But I know now that I like him too. Kael, it physically hurts me that I can’t be near him right now. I’m telling you, all I can think about is Aiden. I’ve never felt anything like this for anyone in my life. It’s like Aiden is an extension of me, and I’m obsessed with him. It’s taking every bit of willpower I have not to go looking for him right this second."

Kael’s blue eyes widened slightly in surprise at Ryker’s words. "Is that really how you feel?" he asked, almost disbelieving.

Ryker nodded once, a bitter smile on his lips. His thoughts turned to Seraphina, the obstacle between him and the happiness he longed for. The reasons he disliked her seemed to grow by the day.

Kael’s expression shifted to one of quiet suspicion. "Have you ever considered," Kael asked carefully, "that Aiden might actually be your mate?"

Ryker looked at him, then shook his head. "Yeah, I’ve thought about it," he admitted. "And I’ve decided it’s impossible. You know as well as I do that those who could be my mate have gone extinct. That’s why my family thinks they can decide who I end up with."

Kael straightened, frowning. "No, think about it, Ryker. What are the symptoms when a wolf finds his mate? Everything you’ve told me fits mate-seeking behavior perfectly. So why would you be feeling all this if Aiden wasn’t your mate?"

Ryker shook his head again, though his resolve wavered just slightly. "You know I’m a dominant alpha. One that hasn’t appeared in two or three centuries. If I had a mate, the only one who could possibly be matched to me would be a dominant omega. It’s already rare enough that a dominant alpha like me was born—what are the chances that a dominant omega would be born too?"

Kael stepped closer, his excitement building. "Why aren’t you looking at it the other way?" he asked. "You’re a dominant alpha. Even Eve was created to keep Adam company. The moon goddess wouldn’t bring someone like you into the world without also providing a mate for you. And with everything you’ve been feeling, it’s obvious Aiden is your mate. He’s a dominant omega. You’re suffering from mate-seeking right now, Ryker. Oh my goodness, this is huge—who would have thought Aiden would turn out to be a dominant omega?"

Ryker sat very still, thinking over Kael’s words. The more he considered it, the more sense it made. Slowly, an almost boyish excitement crept into his features. If Kael was right, then Aiden was truly his mate.

Kael grinned as though he had just solved a puzzle. "Now that I think about it, everything makes sense," he said. "I was already wondering how it was possible for someone to chase after a person they’d only met briefly. Aiden followed you here, to Skyline Academy, even though he barely knew you. I kept asking myself if your charm was really that strong. But now it all makes sense—it’s because you’re his mate. He must have felt it instantly and couldn’t help but seek you out."