Chapter 1
EIGHT YEARS EARLIER
*School Costume Day But My Heart Beating Day*
The junior students buzzed with excitement, preparing for the school's costume day. "I'm Dracula, and I'm gonna drink your blood!" one student teased, earning a playful hit from his friend, who laughed, "You're crazy!"
In the next dressing room, voices grew tense, like someone was being pushed into something they didn't want. "There is no way I am getting into a female dress, I'm a guy, I got dick and not pussy." Lucas protested, his voice firm.
"It's just for fun, man. Loosen up!" Donald said, gripping Lucas's arm to keep him from escaping.
"Lucas," Clara called his name with a seductive tone. She reached out, gently tousling his messy chestnut curls. "Please, wear the dress. I'll do your makeup, too."
She stepped back, folding her arms with a coy smile. "But if you don't… I might just say yes to Dave's dinner invite tomorrow."
"I will do it." Lucas got on his feet and accepted without thinking twice. He had a massive crush on Clara and would do anything to win her over.
"Sweet! Here's the dress," Donald said, giving him a red gown and matching heels. "Hurry up, the seniors are waiting. I wonder who picked your name—hope they're good-looking, 'cause you're too cute for an ugly senior."
Lucas sighed, thinking, I can't believe I'm doing this, but if it gets me closer to Clara, I've got no choice. Forcing a smile on, he took the dress.
In less than fifteen minutes, Lucas stood awkwardly in the red gown. Clara, giggling, smacking his ass. Lucas shot her an annoyed glance but swallowed his irritation, plastering on another fake smile for her sake.
"You got this, bro," Donald whispered, smirking. Lucas's glare screamed, You're dead for suggesting this to her.
Clara, an art student with a passion for makeup, clapped her hands excitedly. "Time for my magic!" she said, pulling out her makeup kit and getting to work, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
A few moments later, Lucas barely recognized himself in the mirror. He hid himself too ashamed to be seen by his course mates.
"Come on Lucas, you can't back down now, the seniors are present at the hall already and everyone is already pairing up."
This is a bad idea,if my father sees me in this,I am doomed. He said to himself.
"Dave offers still stands, you know." Clara manipulated him again and he finally stepped out feeling so ashamed that a guy like him would be in female clothing. To make matters worse,he was wearing makeup…
The other students' eyes nearly popped out, and some jaws dropped when they saw Lucas.
Lucas is the name he picked when his mom sent him to the US to study. He's from Shanghai, China, and his real name is Jun Zhang, but he likes Lucas better. His dad's super strict and always wanted an alpha son to take over his business. He had mostly daughters, which frustrated him, so when Lucas was born as an alpha, he became the golden child. His sisters weren't thrilled, though—they're jealous because he's the only heir and also prettier than them too.
Everything Lucas does is for his family, and he feels like that's his whole purpose in life.
Sometimes people think he's a girl because he's got super fair skin, long lashes, bright blue eyes, a sharp nose, and glossy lips. He's honestly prettier than anyone else around, and he catches the eye of alpha guys and girls, plus omegas and betas too. He's 5'6", loves wearing white and bright colors, and seems kinda delicate. He's cold and strict like his dad, but deep down, he just wants to be free. Life hasn't exactly handed him that freedom, though.
In the US, he could finally breathe a bit since his family wasn't around. He never slacked off, though—always aced his classes.
He stood there, cheeks burning with shame as he tugged at the hem of the tight red dress. It hugged his slim frame like it was made for him, the silky fabric clinging to his waist and flowing just above his knees. The deep red color popped against his snow-fair skin, making him look even more finer.
Clara did a great job with the makeup—soft pink blush on his cheeks, a sweep of eyeliner that made his blue eyes sparkle, and glossy lipstick that matched the dress perfectly. His long lashes looked even longer, and a touch of shimmer on his eyelids caught the light. He felt exposed, like everyone could see right through his usual cold, alpha exterior.
Donald, walked up, eyes wide. "Lucas, if I didn't know you were a guy, I would swear you were a female omega. You're killing this look."
Lucas's face got hotter. He wanted to sink into the floor. "Please, don't," he muttered, looking away.
Clara, grinning ear to ear, clapped her hands. "I'm the best makeup a tortist ever! Seriously, Lucas, no one would guess you're a guy. You're way too pretty."
"Stop it," Lucas snapped, his voice sharp but shaky. "Can we just go to the hall already? I need to pair up with whoever they assign me and get out of this… this outfit." He gestured at the dress.
"Sure, sure," Clara said, still smiling. "But hold on, we have to take pictures first."
"What?" Lucas's eyes widened, but before he could argue, Clara and a few other students were already pulling out their phones. They snapped photos and even recorded a quick video of him standing there, looking uncomfortable but undeniably stunning.
The other students giggled, some whispering about how he looked better than most girls. Lucas clenched his fists, but then he thought about Clara. She was his crush, and if playing along meant getting to have dinner with her later, he would grit his teeth and deal with it.
"Fine," he mumbled, forcing himself to stand still for the photos. "Let's just get this over with."
As they walked to the hall for the pairing to take place, Lucas felt every eye on him. Students stopped in their tracks, staring, some whispering, others openly gawking. The red dress swished with every step, and the click of the low heels Clara had forced him into echoed in his ears. His makeup felt heavy, like a mask he couldn't take off. He kept his head high, trying to channel his usual cold confidence, but inside, he was screaming. This isn't me. I'm an alpha, not… this.
Aaron, a tall basketball player with a cocky grin, stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Wow, Lucas, you look so pretty. Call me, alright?" He slipped a piece of paper with his number into Lucas's hand, winking.
Lucas stared at the paper, disgusted by it. "I'm straight, for heaven's sake," he said, tossing the paper to the ground. His voice was firm, but his face was burning again.
Clara burst out laughing, covering her mouth. "Oh my gosh, Lucas, He isn't bad looking."
"Really?" Lucas frowned but he looked sexy even while frowning.
"I was just messing with you. Come on, let's go find your pair so I can be with mine, I hope they pair me with the demi-god himself." Clara was referring to one of the handsome seniors.
Lucas groaned, following her into the hall, the weight of everyone's stares still heavy on him. He just wanted this night to be over—but a small part of him, deep down, couldn't help but wonder if Clara thought he looked good. Maybe, just maybe, this humiliating dress would be worth it if it got her to notice him.
The hall was noisy with seniors mingling with their junior pairs, laughter and lively conversations filling the air. But at the back, a group of guys stayed seated, their voices low as they talked about something far more exciting: an illegal street race happening tomorrow night. Alex, slouched in his chair, looked annoyed, his sharp jaw clenched.
"I should be resting for the race tomorrow, not stuck here flirting with juniors," he grumbled, running a hand through his jet-black hair, the single silver streak catching the light. His piercing brown eyes scanned the place, clearly unimpressed.
Joshua, his coursemate, smirked and slid a folded piece of paper across the table. "Come on, Alex, I know you hate this stuff, but let's have some fun. Here you go."
Alex raised an eyebrow and opened the note. "Jun Zhang, English name: Lucas," he read aloud, then tossed the paper back onto the table. He glared at Joshua and Elijah, his voice sharp. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
Joshua hesitated, scratching the back of his neck, and glanced at Elijah to help him out.
Elijah leaned forward, grinning. "It's costume day and it's a fixed custom for we all to pick a junior's name from the box. We did you a favor and grabbed one for you. Don't worry, we got our own pairs too. It'll be fun."
"Fun?" Alex's voice boomed, making a few nearby students flinch. "You paired me with a junior? Do you two have a death wish?" His eyes flashed with irritation, his S-class alpha aura practically radiating off him, heavy and commanding. The other guys shrank back a little, but Joshua just chuckled nervously.
Alex wasn't just any alpha. At 6 '2", with a lean, muscular build and a presence that screamed confidence, he was a force to be reckoned with. Born Li Wei in Shanghai, he had moved to the US at 15 to live with his aunt after his mother died. His family is one of the wealthiest and most influential in China, it didn't stop there alone, their wealth also expanded in the US and also well recognized there, and as the sole heir to their empire, he carried a weight he didn't always want. He had a deep grudge against his father and had no plans to return to Shanghai, but that didn't stop people from whispering about his power as an S-class alpha. Even among other alphas, he was feared, his rare silver-streaked hair and intense gaze only adding to his fame.
"I'm out of here." Alex snapped, pushing his chair back and standing up.
"Alex…" Joshua tried to stop him from leaving but the aura coming from Alex made Joshua retreat.
Alex turned to storm out but crashed right into Lucas, who stumbled, nearly falling. With his sharp alpha reflexes, Alex caught him, hands gripping Lucas's waist to steady him. Their faces were inches apart, Lucas's glossy lips and wide blue eyes right there in front of him. Alex's heart pounded, his breath catching. For the first time in his life, this S-class alpha, always so sure of himself, was completely caught off guard. He was blindsided by Lucas's beauty—those long lashes, the flush under his makeup, the way the red dress clung to him—left Alex frozen, unsure of what to do next.