Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 11

Aurora’s P.O.V

The air is thick with the scent of fresh grass and the distant tang of sweat, the usual atmosphere of a high school football game. The roar of the small crowd gathered at the field to watch the team is almost deafening, yet it fades into a dull hum in my ears as I sit at the back of the bleachers, my legs tucked up, arms wrapped loosely around my knees.

I shouldn’t be here. I know that. And yet, here I am, watching him. Caleb. The golden boy. The one who knows exactly how to command a game, his presence undeniable as he barks out plays, his eyes scanning the field with the sharpness of a predator.

Even from this distance, I can see the way he moves—so sure, so unshaken, as if nothing in the world could touch him. He throws a perfect pass to the receiver, and the crowd erupts in cheers. Mia and the others are at the front with their pompoms, chanting in unison, their synchronized movements a blur of red and white. I know I should look somewhere else, anywhere else, but I can’t. My eyes remain locked on him, the weight in my chest pressing heavier with every second that passes. 

Why am I even here? After everything that happened at the cafeteria, after everything that happened yesterday. I told myself I wouldn’t do this, that I wouldn’t let myself get dragged back into his orbit, but my body betrays me, my heart even more so. Because even though I don’t want to care, I do. And watching him like this, watching the way he takes control, the way he makes it all look so effortless, makes it impossible to pretend otherwise.

I’m drawn to Caleb, like a moth to the flames. And I have no doubt that this was going to burn me sooner rather than later.

Just as I sink deeper into my thoughts, I feel a presence beside me, a shift in the bench that sends a small tremor through the metal. I turn my head slightly, already knowing who it is before I even see her. Caroline. She doesn’t say anything at first, just extends her arm, a cold glass of soda resting in her palm.

“You looked like you could use a drink,” she says, her voice calm, almost teasing, but not in a way that demands a response.

I watched as Caroline placed the drink in front of me, her eyes flickering with uncertainty as she offered a small smile. “I, um… I had no idea what you liked, so I just got you a strawberry punch. I hope that’s alright.” Her voice was gentle, hesitant, like she wasn’t sure if I would accept even something as small as a drink from her. 

For a moment, I just stared at the cup, my fingers twitching slightly before I hesitantly reached out for it. The gesture caught me off guard, and I wasn’t sure how to respond. People didn’t usually do things like this for me—not without expecting something in return. But Caroline… she didn’t look like she had any hidden intentions. She just looked sincere.  

“Thank you,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper as I wrapped my hands around the cup, letting the cool condensation seep into my fingertips. Then, after a beat, I glanced up at her, furrowing my brows. “But… are you sure you want to be sitting here? Shouldn’t you be at the front, cheering for Caleb?” My words were careful, cautious, like I was trying to give her an out in case she realized she had better things to do than sit here with me. 

Caroline, however, just let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “I’d much rather be here,” she admitted, leaning slightly toward me as if sharing a secret. “To be honest, I’m not really the type to scream and jump up and down at the front. And besides…” She hesitated for a second before offering me a genuine smile. “I think you’re nice company.” 

I blinked, my chest tightening at her words. Nice company. No one had ever told me that before. Most people either tolerated my presence or ignored it entirely, and yet, here she was, choosing to sit with me. Choosing to talk to me. I swallowed, suddenly feeling something unfamiliar and warm settle in my stomach. 

“I don’t think anyone’s ever been this kind to me before,” I admitted, my voice coming out quieter than I intended. It was a strange thing to say out loud, but I felt like I owed her honesty. That I needed her to understand just how much this small act of kindness meant to me. 

Caroline’s expression softened, and for a moment, she didn’t say anything. Then, with a gentle nudge to my arm, she offered me another smile—one that felt real, like she wasn’t just being polite but actually wanted to be here. “Well,” she said, “maybe it’s about time that changed.” 

And for the first time in a long while, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, she was right.

The late afternoon sun bathed the field in golden hues, but the warmth did nothing to fill the cold distance between me and the other kids. I sip my drink occasionally, but my gaze shifts between Caroline and Caleb. I have a vague feeling that he is aware of exactly where she is. Finally, she lifted her head and turned those big, questioning eyes to me, her voice quiet but firm.

"Why don’t you have any friends?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. The simplicity of the question sent a pang through my chest. She sounded more curious than sad, as if she was genuinely trying to puzzle out the answer. 

I hesitated. There were a thousand different ways to soften the truth, but none of them would erase the reality of it. And Caroline wasn’t the type to be fooled by pretty lies. I let out a slow breath and leaned forward, bracing my elbows on my knees. "Because they hate me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "They hate me for what my father does…the gambling and the constant borrowing of money that he can never return. That’s why no one wants to be friends with me." 

Her brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t look away. If anything, she looked at me even more intently, as if she was waiting for me to take it back. When I didn’t, she finally exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. "That’s not fair," she said, and there was something almost fierce in her voice now. "No child should ever be punished for the crimes of their parents." 

I swallowed, my throat tightening. "It doesn’t matter if it’s fair," I muttered. "That’s just the way people are." 

But Caroline straightened her back, her expression determined. "Then I’ll be your friend," she said simply, as if it was the easiest decision in the world. 

I stared at her, my chest tightening in a way I didn’t understand. No hesitation. No conditions. Just a statement of fact. For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Then, just as I opened my mouth to respond, a sudden commotion erupted from the field. 

Shouts rang out, high-pitched and frantic, and our heads snapped in that direction. I saw the students scattered like startled birds, and beyond them, I could see a figure moving towards the field.

Caroline was already on her feet, her earlier words forgotten as she turned to me with wide eyes.

"What’s happening?" I asked, gripping the edge of my sleeve. 

I had no idea who just arrived on the field, but something in my gut twisted, warning me that whatever was about to happen, it wasn’t good.