Chapter 1

• Marked As Theirs
• Chapter 1
• Veronica's POV
• **IN ARCADIA, GEORGIA**
• “Stay away from Alpha Adnam,” Uncle Liam said as he sat across from me.
• “Dear, don't scare her,” Aunt IndiGo scolded her husband, a plate of soup in her hand.
• “You’ve got it wrong, IndiGo,” he replied, his brows furrowing as he stared at the food on the table. “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”
• I sighed as I watched them banter about me like I wasn't there, my lips twitching in a smile. My uncle was the Alpha of Northland Pack and my aunt, Luna. Even though they held important roles in the pack, they never let us feel alone.
• It was something I lacked back at home in North Dakota.
• “Maybe that was why I got—” Seth, my cousin, interrupted my thoughts from getting drowned like they always did, as he slapped my back.
• “Good morning, Veronica,” he beamed and plunked into the seat next to me. “Dad, don't tell me you were talking about Adnam?”
• Uncle Liam's expression darkened. “Yes, I was.”
• Seth groaned, dramatically resting his head on the table. “Not this again.”
• Aunt IndiGo placed the bowl of soup in front of Uncle Liam and patted Seth’s back. “Your father is just worried.”
• I shifted uncomfortably, tracing the edge of my cup with my fingers. “Is Alpha Adnam really that dangerous?”
• Uncle Liam sighed, his gaze softening as he looked at me. “He’s ruthless, Veronica. Playful and unpredictable. You're new to Arcadia College, and I don't want you anywhere near him.”
• I took a sip of my green tea and numbled on lower lips. I hadn't been in Georgia long, but I had heard the name Alpha Adnam more times than I could count. Some of the pack members often whispered about how young and powerful he was.
• I saw it as a dangerous combination.
• Seth sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Veronica’s not reckless, Dad. She won’t go looking for trouble.” He turned to me. “Right?”
• I met his gaze and forced a smile. “Right.”
• But deep down, I wasn’t sure.
• I wasn’t reckless, but I also wasn’t the same girl I had been a year ago.
• I lowered my gaze to the glass cup in my hands, gripping it tighter. That girl had been sent out of her own home in disgrace.
• I wasn’t that girl anymore.
• But I wasn’t sure who I was now, either.
• “Veronica?” Aunt IndiGo’s voice was soft, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up to find her watching me with concern. She was my mother's younger sister, but they were so different. Was it because of the man they each married?
• I cleared my throat. “I’ll be careful.”
• Uncle Liam still didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “Good.”
• Seth breathed out in relief. “Alright,” he clapped his hands together. “We should get going. We'll be late for class.”
• I stood up, adjusting my bag over my shoulder. “I’ll go check on Zayn first.”
• Aunt IndiGo smiled. “He’s still asleep. I’ll watch him while you’re at school.”
• My heart ached at the thought of leaving my son, even for a few hours, but I knew he was safe. I walked over to his room and kissed his forehead.
• “I’ll protect you, baby,” I whispered, brushing his dark curls with my fingers. “I'll do what my parents didn't do, even if it means protecting you from myself.”
• That girl had believed in mates, in love, in fate.
• That girl had been shattered when her mate looked her in the eyes and rejected her without hesitation.
• That girl had tried to escape the pain, had gone out with Bellarosa for just one night—to feel normal again.
• That girl had woken up the next morning in a stranger’s bed. And a few weeks later, she had discovered she was carrying his child.
• Seth and I stepped out of the house, the morning air brushing against my skin. I rubbed my hands on my skirt, trying to calm my nerves.
• Today was my first day at Arcadia College, and no matter how much I told myself I didn’t care what people thought, I was still nervous.
• Damnit.
• “You’ll be fine,” Seth said beside me, as if reading my mind.
• I gave him a sideways glance. “You sure about that?”
• Before he could answer, Beau's Jeep approached behind us, making me turn. It stopped beside us, and he stepped out, ruffling his already-messy copper hair. His green eyes flickered between me and Seth before he fixed them on me.
• “Look who's finally stepping out of the house,” he drawled.
• I rolled my eyes. “Don’t start, Beau.”
• He chuckled and crossed his arms. “I’m just saying, I was starting to think you were some kind of beautiful—”
• “Shut up, Beau,” Seth shook his head and walked to the passenger side, opening the door for me.
• I had kept to myself. No hunting, no late night pack runs. Just me, them, my son, and training.
• “You nervous?”
• I exhaled slowly and shrugged. “A little.”
• He studied me for a second. “You’ll be fine. Just stick with us.”
• It was a simple statement, but something about it settled my nerves, at least a little.
• *************************************************
• The Jeep rolled to a stop in front of Arcadia College. It looked grand with beautiful stones. Students moved in groups and I swallowed.
• Seth and Beau hopped out first before I did. This was familiar territory for them.
• “Oohhh,” I heard some students whisper as they stole glances at us.
• “Oh my God, Seth is here.”
• “Beau’s hair looks even better messy.”
• “I swear, they get hotter every semester.”
• I rolled my eyes. It was ridiculous. Maybe it was because they were my brothers.
• Beau smirked and ran a hand through his hair, making a few girls sigh dreamily.
• Seth, on the other hand, remained unfazed. His grey eyes were cold. Seth had the type of presence that made people crave his attention even more because he never gave it freely.
• I scoffed. “You two have fan clubs, you know that?”
• Beau grinned, his arm on my shoulder. “We’re a gift to this college, Veronica. It’d be rude not to appreciate us.”
• A brunette with flushed cheeks stepped closer, flipping her hair as she addressed Seth directly. “Hey, Seth. Are you coming to Jason’s party this weekend?”
• Seth didn’t even spare her a glance. “No.”
• Seth slung an arm around my shoulders, shifting Beau's away. “Come on, we’ll walk you to your class.”
• I nodded, grateful for their presence. But as soon as we stepped in, Seth's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, and his expression changed.
• “Damn, I forgot we have a meeting with Coach before class,” he muttered to Beau.
• Beau checked his watch. “Shit! We should go.”
• They both turned to me.
• “You’ll be okay, right?” Seth asked.
• I nodded. “Yeah, of course.”
• Beau grinned, “Try not to get lost.”
• With that, they disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone.
• I exhaled and scanned the hallway. My classroom was supposed to be in the west wing. I started walking, trying not to look like a new student when—
• Thud.
• I collided with something hard…someone.
• Large hands gripped my waist, keeping me from falling as a mint scent filled my nose.
• I blinked and looked up to meet a pair of almond eyes. My eyes revelled his face, his lips, his sharp jaw…
• Those thoughts vanished when I suddenly met the ground, pain shooting up my tailbone.
• I looked up for the second time, and my breath hitched.
• Adnam Sergio.
• The Alpha everyone kept warning me about.