Invitation
Lio's POV
“This can’t be true,” I mumbled, staring at the form in my hand.
Every omega and alpha, once they turn eighteen, is supposed to have a mate.
But just as I graduated from high school and was preparing to apply to my dream university, a letter arrived in my mailbox. It said I would have to attend Moon’s Mate University, a jackpot school for alphas since they could make any omega their own.
That was the main purpose of the university. While teaching students, it also held activities where alphas could claim omegas. The form in my hand stated I had been invited to attend. Admission was nearly impossible, yet every omega dreamed of going because that was where the rich and powerful alphas studied, and where they searched for their “perfect” omega.
And here I was. I hadn’t even applied, and I had no plans of going. So why did they send me an invitation?
“What happened? What’s that letter in your hand, brother?” an annoying voice echoed behind me. Of course, it was Zoha, my so-called stepbrother.
Zoha was the same age as me, but he was the servant’s son, the result of Father’s little “fun.” That’s how this piece of trash came into the world.
He had white hair, gray eyes, a small frame, and an innocent face—completely opposite of his true personality.
I, on the other hand, had cherry-red hair just like my so-called father, but unlike him, I was beautiful. As I thought this, I noticed Zoha was holding the same form as me.
He noticed mine too. His eyes instantly turned red, his fake expression cracking. He tried to snatch my form, but as if I’d let him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I snapped.
“How do you have Moon’s Mate University’s admission form?”
“Zoha, it’s not an acceptance form. It’s an invitation. For me,” I said coldly. He had applied and gotten accepted. I, however, had been invited.
His glare darkened. Just then, Father entered with an omega clinging to him. Zoha’s mother.
“What’s happening here?” Father asked.
Zoha’s eyes filled with tears as he rushed to Father and hugged him. Crybaby.
“What happened, my Zoha? Who made you cry?” Father’s eyes shot to me like daggers.
I rolled my eyes, folding my arms across my chest. The omega at his side glared at me too, his face full of disgust. As if I didn’t feel the same about him.
“Father, you know I applied to Moon’s Mate University. But Lio copied me! And when I asked him, he mocked me, saying he got an invitation from them,” Zoha whined. Of course, now the tears were gone.
I could see the fury in both Father’s and his omega’s eyes.
“Lio! Don’t you feel ashamed, doing something like this?” Father thundered.
“Excuse me, Father, what did I even do? He wanted to attend that university, fine. But I never applied. They sent me the invitation. How is that my fault?” I shot back.
But I knew it didn’t matter. As always, Father only cared about Zoha and his omega. I was nothing.
That omega wrapped his arm around Father’s and sneered at me. “Lio, you should turn down that invitation for your brother. Can’t you do that much for him?”
“Huh? Why would I? Just because he wants to go doesn’t mean I have to throw away my chance,” I said.
Of course, he didn’t like my tone. I hadn’t always been this way. For years, I was the obedient child who never raised his voice. But the day they tried to steal my mother’s bracelet, I changed. From that day, I swore to protect what was mine without hesitation.
“Lio, how dare you speak to your mother like that? He’s right. You should sacrifice for Zoha,” Father barked.
I stepped closer, meeting his eyes directly.
“I’m going to that university, no matter what. Let’s see who can stop me. Because if I don’t, they’ll ask why, and you don’t want me telling them it’s because you forced me to sacrifice for my stepbrother.”
Of course, I was bluffing. A university like Moon’s Mate wouldn’t bother to check. But Father’s weak point was always his pride. His reputation. Now, the game was mine.
Father went silent, even as Zoha and his omega tried to provoke him further. But he didn’t budge.
Clutching the form, I turned on my heel and left for my room.
Inside, I locked the door, pulled out my bags, and started packing. The university opened tomorrow.
I didn’t know what was waiting for me there, but whatever it was, I’d face it.
After packing everything, I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
The next morning at dawn, I woke, dressed, and stepped out with my luggage. Standing in the hall were Zoha and his mother, their bags ready too.
Great. First thing in the morning, I had to see such unlucky faces.
“So, you’re really going?” Zoha asked, a strange smile on his lips.
“Yep. I am.” I smiled back.
Just then, Father appeared. Of course, it was to see Zoha off. They cried, clung to each other, putting on their pathetic show of family love.
Meanwhile, I signaled the servants to take my luggage out. And without looking back, I left.
The servants loaded my luggage into the car, and I slipped inside. I didn’t want to say goodbye to anyone.
“Start the car,” I ordered. The driver obeyed, and I turned my gaze to the window, ignoring everything else.
By afternoon, we reached another pack where Moon’s Mate University was located. The car stopped in front of the towering gates.
I stepped out and was greeted by the sight of countless alphas and omegas, all gathered to attend the university—or at least, that’s what I assumed.
Wow. There are so many people here. But how did they even find out about me to send me an invitation?
“Everyone, get in line,” one of the staff members called from a table.
I noticed they were checking admission forms before sending people inside. Since there wasn’t a separate line for invited students, I joined the queue, pulling my invitation letter from my bag. Just then, someone shoved me from behind, and I stumbled forward.
Anger burned in me as I turned around—only to see Zoha smirking.