The Alpha's Disdain

Cleo's POV

Ryker drops my hand as if my skin has just burst into flames. The sheer shock on his face is undeniable, twisting his sharp features into a mask of pure revulsion. A split second later, the surrounding crowd erupts. Roars of laughter echo across the concrete poolside, mocking the absurdity of the school’s notorious bad boy catching a girl like me in his game.

Ryker shoots a lethal glare at the onlookers. The silent threat works instantly. The laughter dies in their throats, leaving a heavy, awkward silence hanging over the water.

I stumble back, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I-I didn't mean to get in your way," I stammer, my voice shaking. "But—"

The words lodge in my throat the moment his dark, intense eyes lock onto mine. A strange paralysis washes over my limbs. I am trapped in that deep gaze, unable to look away, unable to form a coherent sentence or even take a step back.

"What exactly are you doing here?" he demands through gritted teeth. His jaw clenches tight, radiating a raw hostility that makes my blood run cold.

Before my mind can even process the anger rolling off him, a familiar voice cuts through the tension.

"I invited her. She is my friend."

Declan steps into view, moving swiftly through the crowd. Delaney follows close behind him. Declan places himself protectively between me and Ryker, his hand gently finding mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Are you alright, Cleo?" Declan asks quietly, his eyes scanning my face for any sign of distress.

Relief floods my chest at his timely rescue. I give him a small, stiff nod.

Ryker lets out a harsh, cruel sound. His gaze sweeps over my plain clothes and thick glasses with unapologetic disdain. "When did you start making friends with mice?"

The blatant insult lands like a physical blow. A hot flush creeps up my neck, and I quickly duck my head, desperate to hide the stinging hurt behind my thick glasses.

"Don't speak about her like that, Ryker," Declan fires back, his posture stiffening. "She hasn't done a single thing to you. Stop picking on her for no reason."

Ryker scoffs, crossing his arms over his bare chest. He looks genuinely offended by the accusation. "Excuse me? You think I'm picking on her? Do you honestly believe I have nothing better to do with my time?"

A tall boy with messy hair steps forward from Ryker's group. Gideon Cross. He claps a heavy hand on Ryker's shoulder. "Drop it, man. Let's just drink."

Declan sighs, clearly unwilling to let a brawl ruin his own party. "Yeah. Let's not make this a thing."

Ryker gives a brief, tight nod. He casts one final dismissive eye roll in my direction, turning his back on us to rejoin his circle of friends.

Declan turns back to me, his expression softening into sincere guilt. "I am so sorry, Cleo."

I force a brave face and lift my chin. "For what?"

"I should have been waiting for you at the front," he groans, rubbing the back of his neck. "My invitation just got you a bunch of negative attention. This is my fault."

"I'm fine," I lie, trying my hardest to ignore the lingering, judgmental stares prickling at my skin from the gossiping teens around us.

Determined to lighten the mood, Declan introduces Delaney and me to his inner circle. They are kind, decent guys who offer warm smiles. They don't judge me based on my appearance, treating me like a normal person instead of an outcast. As the heavy music cranks back up, Delaney tugs at my sleeve, her eyes shining with excitement as she gestures toward the dance floor.

I politely but firmly shake my head, pulling my arm away. I have endured enough public scrutiny for one day.

Leaving them to the dancing, I retreat to a plush outdoor couch tucked away in a quieter corner. The soft cushions offer a temporary sanctuary from the chaos.

Yet, as I sit alone in the dim lighting, my eyes betray me. They drift over the glittering surface of the swimming pool and land directly on him again.

Ryker.

I chew on my lower lip, battling a frustrating internal war. Why does my gaze keep snapping back to him? Why am I drawn to a boy who openly mistreats me? I remind myself that I am nothing like his usual conquests. I don't throw myself at his feet, treating a single night tangled in his bedsheets as a badge of honor.

My thoughts are interrupted when a girl near the pool edge grabs everyone's attention. She lets her thin outer dress slip off her shoulders, revealing a skin-tight white bikini. She poses deliberately, exposing her body to catch Ryker's eye.

The crowd goes wild, cheering and whistling. She flashes Ryker a playful wink and dives gracefully into the water. Seconds later, a few other eager girls splash in right after her.

Ryker takes a slow sip from his red cup. A wicked smirk spreads across his face. His dark eyes track the girl in the white bikini through the water, gleaming with a predatory intensity. He watches her like he has silently claimed her as his prey for the night.

I sit frozen on the couch. Watching that look on his face, a sudden tightness grips my chest. For some unknown, painful reason, my heart begins to ache.