Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 146

Aurora’s P.O.V

The hum of Caleb's car filled the air as we made our way to school, his steady presence a reassuring constant in the whirlwind of my thoughts. I glanced at the side mirror, catching sight of Jade’s and Caroline’s cars following us, their silhouettes framed by the morning light.

It was odd, really, how different I felt today, almost as if I were stepping into a new chapter of my life. Two days ago, I wouldn’t have imagined myself here, not like this but thanks to Maya’s relentless determination, I had undergone a complete transformation.

My once short, plain brunette hair now fell in soft, loose waves that framed my face, and the addition of bangs made me look almost unrecognizable. I reached up, brushing a strand behind my ear, marveling at how something so simple could make such a difference. The light blue top I wore brought out the brightness in my eyes, or at least that’s what Maya had insisted as she shoved it into my hands.

Paired with a new set of jeans, I felt... fresh. Different. My mother’s pendant rested lightly against my chest, its familiar weight grounding me, offering a quiet kind of strength. And then there was Caleb—silent but solid beside me, his presence steadying the chaotic flutter in my chest.

Entering through the gate made my heart thunder against my ribcage, but I told myself that this time, Caleb was with me, and no shadowy figure could harm me when Caleb was around.

We pulled into the usual parking spot, the engine rumbling to a stop. For a moment, neither of us moved. Caleb’s hand lingered on the steering wheel, his gaze sliding toward me. I could feel the question forming even before he spoke.

“Are you ready?” he asked, his voice low but warm, the kind of tone that made it feel like he wasn’t just asking about today but everything—this new beginning, this new version of me.

I let out a slow breath, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of my top. “I think so,” I replied, though my voice wavered slightly. I turned to meet his eyes, finding comfort in their steady blue depths. “Do I look okay? Be honest.”

His lips curved into a small, reassuring smile, the kind that never failed to ease my nerves. “You look more than okay, Aurora. You look... like you.”

I blinked at him, surprised by his choice of words. “Like me?”

He nodded, leaning back slightly in his seat. “Yeah. Like the real you. Confident, strong, ready to take on the world. Mom did a good job, but this—” he gestured to me, “this is all you. You’re radiating the beauty, the confidence that you feel inside. And that makes you even more gorgeous.”

A small, hesitant smile tugged at my lips. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“No,” he said firmly, his expression serious now. “I mean it. And whatever happens today, I’ve got your back. Always.”

His words wrapped around me like a shield, and for the first time in days, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I could handle this.

“Thanks, Caleb. Really.”

He shrugged, a faint grin breaking through his calm demeanor. “What are boyfriends for, huh?”

I laughed softly, the sound surprising me with how natural it felt. “Boyfriend and unofficial chauffeurs?”

He chuckled, opening his door. “Exactly.”

The school loomed ahead, its familiar halls promising both challenges and opportunities. I took a deep breath, clutching my pendant for a moment longer, getting ready to exit.

He gets out first, walking around to my side and opening the door for me like it’s the easiest thing in the world. His hand extends toward me, steady and sure, and I take it because I’m not sure my legs will work otherwise. The moment I step out, I feel it. Eyes. Everyone’s eyes.

It’s like the world has stopped turning just to see this exact moment. My body freezes instinctively, my mind racing with a million thoughts, none of them helpful.

Caleb must sense my hesitation because he wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. “Hey, it’s okay,” he whispers, his voice low and grounding. “I’ve made sure you’re in all my classes now. You won’t have to deal with anything alone.” His words are like a balm, soothing the panic rising in my chest. I take a shaky breath and nod.

“Thank you,” I whisper back, grateful for his foresight.

As we walk towards the hallway, I can feel the weight of the stares and murmurs following us like a shadow. To the side, I spot Mia, Laura, and Cindy. Their expressions are thunderous, stormy enough to make me shiver. Caleb doesn’t seem to notice—or if he does, he doesn’t care. His focus is entirely on me, his hand warm and firm on my waist. Caroline and Jade follow us, their presence like an added layer of protection, but it’s still overwhelming.

I glance up at Caleb, attempting a weak smile. “You know,” I say, trying to inject some humor into the moment, “I feel like Bella from Twilight when Edward brought her to school.” Caleb looks down at me, and for a second, he’s quiet. Then, he bursts out laughing, the sound bright and contagious.

“Really? Of all the comparisons, you pick that one?” he teases, his grin wide. “What? It fits,” I say, unable to help the small laugh that escapes me. “I mean, everyone’s staring like I’ve grown a second head.”

“Well, at least there’s not Edward here to take you away from me,” he counters, his tone playful but his words sincere. “Or that would’ve been a very unfair battle and we wouldn’t want to ruin our friendship.”

I couldn’t believe my ears when Caleb dropped that bombshell. “Wait, hold on,” I said, my voice shaky as I processed his words.

“You’re telling me that werewolves and vampires aren’t mortal enemies in real life? That’s… insane.” My gasp felt loud in the quiet hallway, echoing in the space between us. 

Caleb smirked, the kind of smirk that made it hard to tell if he was mocking me or just amused. “That’s actually normal, Aurora,” he replied, his voice calm and a little too casual for my liking. “That whole mortal enemies thing is purely fiction. Good drama, I’ll give it that, but in reality? Nah.” 

I blinked at him, still trying to wrap my head around it. “Okay, but… does that mean there are vampires around here?” I asked, my tone shifting to something closer to panic than curiosity. My mind was already racing with all the possibilities—pale, bloodthirsty creatures lurking in the shadows, waiting for an unsuspecting snack. 

Caleb laughed, a rich, warm sound that somehow made me feel like I’d just said the most ridiculous thing imaginable. “Relax,” he said, shaking his head. “There aren’t any around here. And do you want to know why? Because the one thing Twilight actually got right is that they love cold, wet places with minimal sunlight. Basically, the Pacific Northwest, not…sunny Maine.” 

I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, rolling my eyes at the way he brushed it off like it was nothing.

“Right. Of course. Vampires have a preferred climate. Because that’s totally a normal thing to know.” 

“It is when you’ve grown up in a town where the supernatural isn’t just bedtime stories,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “Trust me, Aurora. If there were vampires here, you’d know. We’d all know.” 

I didn’t have time to push the conversation further because, just like that, we were standing in front of the door to our first class. My nerves spiked as I glanced at him, wondering how he managed to look so calm when I felt like my heart was about to explode out of my chest. 

“Well,” I muttered, gripping the strap of my bag like it was a lifeline, “this is it. No turning back now.” 

Caleb gave me a reassuring smile, his easy confidence almost contagious. “You’ve got this, babe. Just breathe. It’s not as scary as it seems.” 

I nodded, taking a deep breath, and then stepped inside, hoping he was right.