Slapped
Lio's POV
“Kitty, you’re so light and wild. That’s why I picked you up off the road. From now on, I’m going to raise you myself.”
“What the hell! Put me down right now! Do you think this is a joke?” I snapped, furious.
His expression hardened instantly. The playful smirk vanished, replaced with something cold and sharp.
“You’re still not obedient, even when I’m the one who brought you into this university. You know, I recommended you.”
Recommended? My heart skipped. Only elite students had the power to recommend others. Why would he do that for me—when I didn’t even know him?
“Excuse me, but can you at least have some sense and keep your distance?” I muttered, uneasy under his intense stare.
He finally set me down, then pulled out his phone, glancing at it.
“What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear the principal called all the newbies to the main hall?”
“Where’s the main hall?” I asked, trying to sound polite.
“Why should I tell you, ungrateful kitty?” he sneered.
I realized he wasn’t going to help, so I left on my own. From the layout, it was clear this was the dorm building, and the main university building stood to the left.
Following the flow of other students, I soon found myself in the main hall. Rows of chairs filled the space, and on stage stood the principal with a microphone.
“Welcome, everyone! This is the start of your new life,” he said. And then… he just kept talking.
Minutes dragged into what felt like hours. My eyelids drooped. Seriously, who lectures this long? Spare us already!
Scanning the crowd, I spotted Zoha chatting with an alpha not far away. Wow. He already got himself a boyfriend. Figures. That’s exactly why he came here.
I rolled my eyes and tuned back into the principal just as he finally ended his endless speech and dismissed us.
The students rushed toward the exits, but the pace at the door was painfully slow. Fifteen minutes later, I finally squeezed out—only to see five or six alphas lounging nearby, staring at the new students.
Bullies, I thought, quickening my pace without looking back.
But before I could get far, someone grabbed my hand. I froze and glanced over my shoulder.
“What?” I demanded.
“Our boss likes you. Come with me,” the alpha said flatly, tugging me along before I could resist.
In moments, he dragged me into the gym. His “boss” stood there, towering over two alphas already beaten and lying unconscious on the floor.
“Boss, we brought the omega you wanted,” the guy announced, then stepped aside.
I stared at the alpha in front of me. He was tall, broad, and his face bore a striking resemblance to Zale’s.
Before I could process, he moved closer. Blood stained his hand, and he reached out, brushing his fingers across my cheek.
A shiver ran down my spine as the blood smeared onto my skin.
“Your beauty is incredible. From now on, you will be my mate,” he declared.
At first, I thought he was asking me. But then the room erupted.
“Yeeeeeeeeeeah! Congratulations, boss! You finally found your first mate!” the crowd cheered.
So it wasn’t a request—it was an announcement. A fact.
“Wait, you can’t just—” I started, but he cut me off by wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me into a crushing hug.
My breath caught, and I froze.
Within minutes, he touched my chin and tilted it upward, forcing me to meet his gaze. Before I could react, he leaned down, intending to kiss me.
I didn’t care who he was—he couldn’t harass me like this. I wasn’t going to tolerate it.
Even though fear churned inside me, I tried to turn away. But the instant his lips brushed against mine, I shoved him back with all my strength and slapped him hard across the face.
The moment my hand struck his face, a sharp click echoed through the air. It sounded like someone had just snapped a photo—or maybe even recorded a video. I wasn’t sure, but I could guess from the sound.
But I didn’t have the luxury to think about that right now. I had my own problem—
a far bigger one.
The alpha I had just slapped was grinding his teeth, his golden eyes blazing as he glared at me like he wanted to tear me apart.
“W-Wait! You kissed me—that’s why I slapped you!” I blurted out before spinning on my heel.
Without wasting another second, I bolted from the gym. My breath came in short gasps by the time I reached outside, my chest heaving. Glancing back, I noticed no one was chasing me. I didn’t know why they hadn’t come after me—but whatever the reason, it was a relief.
Just as I tried to steady myself, a man approached. “The principal is calling you. You need to meet him in his office right now.”
Since it was the principal, I couldn’t refuse. The man wore a university staff ID around his neck, so I followed him. True to his word, he led me straight to the principal’s office before leaving me at the door.
I knocked on the door.
“Yes, come in,” a voice called from inside.
I knew who the principal was—I had seen him earlier, giving his speech on stage. But why was he calling me here? Did he also think I’d done something wrong? Or maybe that I had lied about receiving the invitation letter?
Pushing those thoughts aside, I stepped inside. The principal sat behind his desk, smiling as his eyes landed on me.
“So, you are Lio. Welcome to Moon’s Mate University, Lio,” he said, gesturing for me to sit.
I froze for a second, conf
used about how he already knew my name. Still, I pulled out the chair, sat down, and glanced at him cautiously.