Nicolas had frozen in place. Just as it was likely that whoever knew his secret would also freeze. Despite his inexpressiveness, his tensed jaw and stare at the girl denounced that his weak point had been found.
A victorious smile appeared on Sadie's face.
― What is it? Cat got your tongue? Oh, don't tell me it was a secret? ― Laughing out loud, the girl turned to the other students present. ― Don't spread the word that the captain of the volleyball team, the one who's always angry because he likes to buy fights, is actually an omega boy.
The surprise was directed at Nicolas. The omega kept his inexpression, following the omega with his gaze. His blood pulsed intensely. He needed to control himself. He couldn't hit a girl in front of everyone. Or maybe he could, since she teased him in front of everyone.
― Surely you must have already seduced the boys of the team, just to get the captain's position. And now you want to try your luck with my brother? Tsk tsk, you have to control your impulses.
― And you your tongue. ― Growled the boy finally, raising his chin. ― I'm an omega, so what? Do you want to fight me about alphas?
― My taste is better than yours, that's for sure. But I won't let you get your claws into my brother. Besides, I hear you already have a man to call your own. So why keep smiling at other people? You're pretty unfaithful.
― You'd be shocked if you knew where you were stepping, you bitch. ― Growled Nicolas.
― It's like they say, omegas boys are like fleas that jump from bed to bed without ever feeling satisfied.
― Funny you should say that, since that we are of the same class. ― Laughed loudly the short man, looking around. ― That's why you have to study, so that you don't embarrass yourself in front of others for acting stupid. She doesn't even realize that she is talking about the class she belongs to.
― I'm not you.
― Just as well. ― Laughed Nicolas approaching the girl threateningly. ― Do you really think exposing my class in front of the school will bring me down? Your futile attempt alone is enough to make my hand itch to slap you.
― So do it! ― said Sadie turning her face away. ― I want to see if you're man enough for that. But don't expect your mother to cover for you. Why, she won't be able to do much for you.
Mom?
The colour, which was already faint, had disappeared from Nicolas's face.
Did she just mention your mother?
― Surprised? I think she's probably being called to the headmaster's office by now.
The slap had erupted loud enough to overwhelm the assembled students. Nicolas looked coldly at Sadie stroking her own face where she had been slapped by the omega. Returning the gaze, she could feel the frightening energy surrounding him, leaving even his instincts spooked.
― Who do you think you are to mess with my family? Do you really think that because I'm an omega I'm going to bow my head to people like you? Since you crossed that damn line, I'll use your hair as a floor rag to wipe up your own blood, bitch.
Gabriel and a first-year student pulled Nicolas by the arm, pulling him away from the girl, who remained staring at him haunted. Struggling to be released, the omega didn't hide his burning rage precisely to frighten Sadie.
It had taken a good deal of strength from the short man to push away the two who were preventing him from approaching. Looking around, Nicolas realized that the situation was turning into a circus and he was the main attraction because he was a freak.
He would give more to his audience.
Extending his arms out to the side, the omega smiled weakly.
― What is it? Is there a problem to be dealt with? I am an omega and I don't hide it. My mother is the coordinator of this school, but she hasn't covered for me. I got suspended from the game my team needed me for the most! ― Peeking his eyes at Sadie, he growled. ― You've always been an insufferable girl, Sadie. From the moment your cousin started dating my best friend, you've been aiming your claws at people like us. Just because we're omega boys and gay. I've had my share of patience with you. I will end your race right now, you motherfucker.
It was sheer luck that Gabriel and Lucas emerged to hold Nicolas back. Sadie hid behind Thunder in fright, several students having moved away from the omega as he jumped up trying to attack the girl. He was already too tired of putting up with baseness like that.
She dared to threaten his mother in front of him!
Nicolas would not let it get low.
With uncompensated elbows and attempts to break free several times, Gabriel and Lucas would not let that omega release his anger against the girl. Therefore, Sadie had built up courage by pointing at him, while looking at the other students.
― See? This is how omega boys act when they are confronted. All I told him was to stay away from my brother, because I saw him looking at him with desire. He himself admitted that this is the second time these damn omegas have been hitting on my family's alphas!
― Let me go now!
― You are short, Sadie. ― A voice had sounded in the confusion. Nicolas had even stopped fighting when Theodore intervened in front of him. ― What's all this about? Did Nico do something directly to you by any chance?
― I just said about him looking at my brother.
― Milles is not an imbecile who can't protect himself on his own. You may not remember, but these two have fought several times to the point of going to the board. The last thing he needs is you protecting him.
― Are you hurting yourself, little Theo? After all, this all started because of you. If you hadn't seduced my cousin, surely your little friend wouldn't think he was capable of dragging his wings over my family too!
― I seduced your cousin? I think you're missing something. It was Jake who approached me, not the other way around.
Sadie's face had turned red with anger. She had walked in determined steps towards Theodore and had pushed him hard causing him to bump into some other student and fall to the ground.
Gabriel and Nicolas both widened their eyes at the same instant. The brunette alpha had let go of the omega and gone over to his boyfriend to help him up, while Nicolas had let go of Lucas, already raising his clenched wrist towards the girl, but being held again.
― Let me go, I'm going to finish her off right now!
― Look, I know you're both feeling really bad, but... ― Lilian intervened, crossing her arms between the students. ― What's wrong with a boy being an omega, after all?
Stealing the attention, Lilian looked around without getting any direct answers. One or another student murmured their opinions, but without ever having the courage to say them out loud. They were all afraid.
― Don't interfere.
― If you don't want anyone to interfere, then go and argue outside the school when you are alone. You're making such a fuss just so that everyone will interfere. ― Said the blonde going to Nicolas's side. ― He's an omega, a good senior for us. Right, guys?
Sam and Bruno stepped forward, clenched fists wearing the cloak of courage.
― When I joined the team he used to stay up late training with me. I'm an Alpha, but I was never seduced by him.
― He's a great captain. The whole team trusts him! Even if Mckenzie did his job well, it's not the same when Nicolas is on court.
― You're all friends, of course you'll say nice things.
― And where are your friends? ― Pinned Lilian arched her eyebrow. ― You were slapped and none of them came to help you. Even your brother is quiet back there watching you embarrass yourself. Anyway, I entered this school thinking that all students would be treated well, but it seems that is not the case!
― What?
― What a load of crap, I've had enough of this bullshit. Is that what you wanted? To see me humiliated in front of everyone? ― complained Nicolas calmer, pushing Lucas away from him and looking around with a smile on his face and watery eyes. ― I'm sorry, but I think I'm so fucking fucked up. I'm omega and I'm gay! And I'm in love with another guy anyway. I'm proud of myself!
Turning to look down the hall where Miles looked at him still pale and frozen, Nicolas understood that he had scared him once again. He always made that face when Nicolas got heated about a fight. Even though they both shared that instinct to get into physical fights.
Looking him in the eye, without the others knowing to whom his words were directed, Nicolas admitted in front of all the students there present.
― I was probably the first to fall in this stupid dispute. I admit defeat. Yeah... I'm in love with a self-righteous jerk. And he's a guy. An Alpha. My alpha. And I'm tired of hiding it, I'm tired of fighting, I'm tired of stupid people trying to meddle in my life. So no matter who it hurts, know that I am an omega and I don't intend to lower my head to ridiculous people who want to see me down!
The corridor was filled with silence, dozens of teenagers squeezing themselves in that corridor facing a short omega who had just declared his feelings in front of them. Perhaps the biggest surprise was seeing him cry, since they were so used to the fierce stares of Nicolas Howard.
Spinning on her heels, Sadie searched among the various heads for any that were responsible for the newly received declaration. But the silence remained. Laughing, she turned to the short omega.
― I guess you're unrequited, you loser. He probably didn't even listen, since you bark instead of talk.
― No. I heard very well.
Milles opened space with his hands in his pockets, going to the side of his sister who stared at him in surprise. He was the only one there who smiled satisfied with the words just heard, holding his dark eyes that insisted on filling with tears in the middle of all that mess.
― What...
Without allowing his sister to say anything, Miles had walked over to Nicholas. Close enough, he held his face with both hands, leaning in so that their lips touched. Right there, in front of the entire school, those who were considered absolute rivals were kissing.
Nobody would imagine that the words of the team captain would be directed to his greatest enemy. Everyone was used to see them swearing at each other on a daily basis, they even saw them fighting the other day to the point of going to the coordination. Now they blinked in disbelief that those two were kissing.
― Milles! What the... What's that?
The alpha remained hugging Nicolas, standing behind the omega lowering his own blouse to show the bite that was on his right shoulder. Once again murmurs filled the halls of Montreal, everyone wanting to see what was happening in a general push-push.
― Did he bite you? That's...
― Shut the fuck up. Now no one has to be afraid of that pinscher anymore. ― Milles hugged Nicolas' head against his chest, and held up his thumb pointing at himself as he cracked the most charismatic smile there was ― As you can see, this beast has been completely tamed by this alpha here.
Gabriel and Theodore suppressed their laughter as they noticed that Nicolas was as red as a pepper. The chatter became even more general, and Lilian had taken the lead by looking directly at Sadie.
― Are you going to say that your brother is disgusting? Or that he was seduced? Just because he's an omega doesn't make him any less human.
― It's still disgusting...
― I am an omega too! ― said a shy voice among the huddled students. Taking a few steps Bruno smiled shyly to the other students, being surrounded by his classmates.― I-I'm an omega too, but I've never felt safe to be who I am here at school.
― See if that's possible, at school a student can't be at ease because he's afraid of being the target of prejudice. ― Said Lilian dismayed.
― I-I am beta! And I'm a lesbian! ― Said a second year student, taken by the courage gaining heavy looks about her. ― Yeah... I really am! And I agree with Nicolas, so what? It's not like you guys are interesting...
― This school is going crazy.
― No, it's you who's being blind. ― said Lilian, turning to the other students. ― I support the freedom of the students to be who they are even at school! And you?
Lilian's classmates were the first to raise their hands in support. Then Theodore did it, having his boyfriend and his friends together. A group of students raised their hands and started talking loudly about it.
It was the most impressive movement in Montreal. Sadie McKenzie still looked in her brother's direction in disbelief, but the whole mess was soon resolved when the bell rang and the teachers intervened wanting to know what had happened.
The girl had watched her own brother hug Nicolas and take him along the corridor, turning his back to her. As tears streamed down her face, she looked back realizing for the first time that she was alone.