JACOB

I am not going to lie, there was a part of me that wished I could have slept in Skylar's dorm room last night. I know it is against the rules, but that was not what kept me from going forward with his invitation. I just could not imagine Jayden arriving on Monday evening only to discover my scent in his dorm room. That would be a betrayal.

It's true I kissed Skylar and did other things with him, but I was only exploring our connection further. I did not mean for that to go as far as it did. I am not a cheater and did not go into this thinking that anything that happened between Skylar and me was going to happen. It was surprising to me too.

But in no way, shape, or form I would ever disrespect Jayden by sleeping in his dorm room with his roommate. That is simply not happening. I am not that person. I will let him down as gently as I possibly can, but I don't need to add betrayal to the list.

We haven't talked or texted since I told him last Sunday that I wanted to talk to him when he returns from the suspension. Now it's Monday morning and my guess is he will arrive this evening in Ravenwood. I look forward to talking to him, only to put our relationship to bed. In reality, I owe Jayden a lot for having boosted my confidence and made me believe that someone like him could be with someone like me.

I know that is why I came to this place, to find someone like him, but finding people of his caliber and having them accept me as a potential match are two entirely different things. He was the one who made me think it was possible and I was worth it, the boy with no money, no pack of consequence, no pedigree, and not even a father.

There will always be a special place in my heart for Jayden. I hope he takes our breakup well because I would love nothing more than to be able to count him as a friend, though I know I could be wishful thinking. Only time will tell.

Last night, when we returned to Ravenwood after a week-long Thanksgiving break, we sat down for the mandatory assembly with Headmaster Lockwood, only for him to reveal at the end that Skylar was rejected as my prospect candidate.

At first, we all thought Lockwood was referring to my mother's decision, which made no sense since she loves Skylar. Upon confronting the Headmaster, I discovered that it was Shawn who had emailed him about Skylar, not my mother. I was furious by this.

Unfortunately, due to his legal status as my (biological) father, there was nothing Lockwood could do to countermand that decision. Shawn was the one who had to rescind his rejection or the thing would be up in the air. The 'thing' being my relationship with Sky.

Of course, neither of us was going to take that lightly and we called our respective parents to report the surprisingly arrogant articulation by Shawn. My mom was fuming when she learned about that stunt. I mean, she was so furious with him that, had she lived in Texas, I would fear for Shawn's safety. Well, I share that sentiment with her.

Last night, Skylar and I sat down in the common area of the Gamma House to talk and be together before we turned in for the night. Just before that, I discovered from Seth that it was his grandfather who likely put Shawn up to that. He is not keen on his heir to prospect someone like me. Right. I thought I was past that by now...

Seth and I sat down together for breakfast in the busy cafeteria as we prepared ourselves for a week of studies before the end of term exams. For once in my lifetime, I am not worried about studying because all exams here are practical situations. Even Werewolf History is measured by how you apply the knowledge of the past in present day situations.

I am curious to see how we are going to be tested in health class. Are they going to ask me how to practice safe sex as an Omega? Because to me the only safety I know is to remain a virgin, not to say that I would mind having mind blowing good sex with Skylar...

"Hey, are you going to start looking for a new prospect? I know Kyle is still available." I asked Seth, taking him by surprise as he ate a slice of pancake. He nearly choked from the sudden question, which shouldn't surprise him at all. This is why he came here.

"He is not available, he just doesn't broadcast his interests." Seth deflected, getting flustered by the question.

"He doesn't broadcast his interests? Who are you talking about? This whole school is a broadcasting system of people's interests! Nayla [another scholarship student] has been boasting for a month that she nabbed a powerful Alpha! Carl hasn't stopped smiling since he got approved for Victoria. I could go on forever, what do you mean he doesn't broadcast? This isn't the place for secret hookups, rich people are more gossipy than poor people!" I ranted, surprised by his argument.

I stared at Seth wide-eyed in shock at his statement. What is he talking about? This whole room is a gossip center.

"What I meant to say was Kyle is not available and that is the last I will speak on the matter." He deflected once again, blushing at being called out. At the same time, in the Alpha section of the cafeteria, Kyle is being stared at by all his peers.

"Why aren't you available? Who have you been talking to?" Skylar asked him, point blank. As curious about this as the others in his section.

"I am available. Seth saw me making out with someone the other day and jumped to conclusions. But I am still available." He admitted, painstakingly. The Latin boy's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment under the Alphas' piercing gazes.

"Making out with who?" Skylar did not waste a breath. Yeah, I wouldn't either.

"A boy." Kyle responded, deflecting just like Seth.

Skylar stared down at him, annoyed by the non-answer. If it was a girl, that would be a shocker. He is gayer than me if that is even possible. *chuckle*

"So, how are you planning on circumventing that email? Are you going to elope, because I am available to be your best man." He asked Skylar, blatantly trying to dodge the question.

Are you buying this?

Yeah... me neither.

"My best man should not hide secrets from me. I thought I was your friend." Skylar insisted, continuing to stare at him from across the table.

"Can we table this discussion? I will tell you, I promise!" Kyle asked him, sounding desperate to avoid revealing the truth.

"Sure. But don't think I'll forget about this." Skylar conceded, seeing that Kyle was sweating profusely under the intense scrutiny. He breathed out a sigh of relief.

"No, I am not eloping. I told my dad about it and–" Skylar continued, responding to his earlier question before he was interrupted by the intercom system.

"Good morning, students. I hope you are all ready to start a brand new week of studies before the exams next week. I must report that there has been a change of heart in regard to one father's decision. So, I am pleased to announce that Skylar Stronghold and Jacob Anderson Broderick have been approved to be each other's prospects and therefore can begin contract negotiations. Have a good day." Lockwood announced via the intercom system and I gasped in shock.

"Oh, my Goddess!" Seth gasped, staring at me ecstatically happy.

"Oh, my Goddess!" I reverberated, jaw dropping at the announcement. I didn't think that would come to pass so soon after last night's debacle. I am gobsmacked, genuinely.

"YES!" Skylar cheered, victoriously.

"Congratulations, Sky!" Kyle celebrated, as most of the other Alphas followed suit. We were feeling on top of the world right now. I hope that we can maintain this feeling in the days that come. Goddess only knows what Frederick will want to include in my contract with his son.

On the way out of the cafeteria, Skylar pulled me aside for a stolen kiss in celebration of our union being approved by our parents. It was quick, but oh so pleasurable. He is simply delicious to kiss, to touch. I cannot believe this is my life now... being kissed by - yet another - gorgeous guy. Is this heaven? Because I could get used to this...

After the happiest news of the day, I went through my morning classes as if I were floating. I am truly happy to be approved for Skylar as he is happy to be approved for me. Who knew we could start the last month of the year with such joyful news?

Even when we broke for lunch, I still couldn't wipe the smile from my face. I was giddy, jittery, and excited for this new phase in our relationship. I never imagined I would be saying that about Skylar Stronghold.

I did not imagine I could ever be considered to be his prospect, nor that his father would ever approve of me for him. But here I am, fairytales can come true. I just never expected it to happen to me of all people. Poor Jake Anderson. The boy who nobody paid attention to at the start of the semester. Now all the students know my name.

"You haven't stopped smiling since this morning. It's been 12 hours now, I am starting to worry about your facial muscles." Seth teased me during dinner later that evening. I laughed at his words.

"Better to be smiling than crying." I muttered, still reeling from the fantastic news.

"I don't think there will be tears in your future unless it's tears of happiness. I am sure the contract negotiations are going to be smooth. The important part is that you and my brother have a clear path to be together. Finally." He encouraged me, cheerfully.

The chewing noises almost drown out the conversations of all the students in the cafeteria. Out of the 160 students, 68 are already paired up. So, there is a long way to go for most of them. Including my friend Seth, sitting across from me in the Omega section.

"Thank you for the support, my friend. But there will be tears when a certain Alpha arrives from suspension if he hasn't already." I noted, dreading the upcoming conversation with Jayden. I am over the moon happy to be able to have a future with Sky, but I will never forget the one boy who saw me first.

Seth pity stared at me for a moment, thinking about Jayden and the inevitable heartbreak that was to come.

"As long as he doesn't hurt my brother anymore, I am all for his recovery. I am sure he will bounce back eventually." He spoke, notably disguising his sadness for him. Seth always wanted Jayden from the moment the two of them locked eyes in the Gamma locker room. He doesn't talk about it out of respect for me, but I know a thing or two about queer Omegas. Maybe he can shoot his shot at last. As much as it would be weird for me, I can no longer pretend that Jayden and I can have any kind of future together.

"Hopefully that will never happen again. For what it's worth, I don't think Jayden is the violent type. He was just severely triggered by something Sky said, but it is not in his character to be violent, I think." I conjectured.

Later that night, I heard a knock on my dorm room. I immediately knew who it was and so did my roommate. I opened the door to see Jayden standing there, looking anguished.

"Good evening, Jake." He greeted me, dreading this conversation as much as I was.

"Good evening, Jay." I made space for him to enter as Seth quickly greeted him and exited the room to give us some privacy.

"You said you wanted to talk to me when I got back from Georgia." He spoke, walking into the room as I motioned for him to sit on the chair by the computer desk.

"I did, yeah. I appreciate you coming to visit me." I said, sitting on my bed but maintaining eye contact with him. Neither of us wanted to have this conversation, but we had to, unfortunately. There is no getting around this.

"I lost you to him, didn't I?" He asked me point blank, starting to weep.

"You didn't lose me, I'm still here!" I exclaimed, feeling sorry for him in this situation.

"You know what I mean!" He insisted, looking pained at the impending breakup.

"I honestly don't know what happened, really." I tried to justify myself, though I knew it was futile at this point.

"I do. I lost myself when I thought it was a competition for you. It never was." He admitted, weeping. I could tell he needed a hug, so I moved to hug him.

"I am so sorry!" I cried out to him, remorseful.

"I love you so much, Jake! Please don't leave me..." He wept, heartbroken by this.

"I promise I can do better!" He pledged. I am crying as well as I cannot take the pain of seeing him like this, so broken up.

"You already are great, you have been great to me. I am sorry that this happened. Trust me, I never saw it coming!" I argued, trying to convince him that he is a fantastic boy. One who would make any other person feel happy to be by his side.

Jayden cried an impossible sadness that was tearing me apart to witness. He begged me to not leave him and I wish to Goddess I could cater to his demand, but I cannot. I felt the boy I knew as a confident, strong Alpha come undone before me and I could not stop crying next to him.

I knew this would be difficult, I knew I would be wrecked, but I did not expect how much of my heart he still had and how painful this would be. Jayden is devastated by this breakup. I am not in a good place either, no matter how strong my feelings for Skylar are.

"I am so sorry... Please don't leave me... I love you, Jake." He wept and I was destroyed to have to break his heart like this. He was unraveling by my side and we ended up kneeling down in unimaginable sadness. He was destroyed by this and so was I.

"I love you too, Jay. I always will. I'm sorry that we can not move forward together. I am so very sorry." I cried out, devastated to have to do this to him. We cried for the longest time together. Both of us were wrecked by a devastating loss, a painful heartbreak, and an impossible connection that neither of us would ever think it'd be over.

I am so heartbroken... *crying*

https://youtu.be/WOKI_tIBWVI

A|N: No, I am not crying. You're crying.

Only I can deliver the news all the fans have been waiting for and still break your hearts in the process. If you have a heart... wink wink.

OFF: In true fashion, I wrestled a lot with the song choice of this one. In fact, more than most of the other chapters of this book. I had two songs that I could use all along.

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