The message came quietly.
But it didn't feel quiet.
It felt like a command.
Zinnia stared at her phone screen, her fingers hovering just above it as if touching it again would make it more real.
Unknown Number: Come to the Alpha floor. Now.
Her heart skipped once.
Then started beating faster.
Not panic.
Not exactly.
But something close.
She didn't need to ask who sent it.
There was only one person in this school who spoke like that.
Roman.
The classroom suddenly felt smaller.
The teacher's voice faded into the background, becoming nothing more than noise she couldn't process.
Her mind was already somewhere else.
"Zinnia."
She blinked.
The teacher was looking at her.
"Yes?"
"You're not paying attention."
"I'm sorry."
The apology felt strange coming from her lips.
Because there was only one person she refused to apologize to.
Roman.
Sophie leaned closer, her voice low.
"What happened?"
Zinnia hesitated.
Then quietly turned her phone toward her.
Sophie read it.
And immediately froze.
"No," she whispered. "Don't go."
Zinnia exhaled slowly.
"I don't think I have a choice."
"You always have a choice."
Zinnia gave a small, almost sad smile.
"Not with people like him."
She stood up.
"Where are you going?" Sophie asked quickly.
"Out."
"Zinnia—"
But she was already walking away.
The moment she stepped out of the classroom…
Everything changed.
The hallway felt colder.
Quieter.
Like she had crossed an invisible line.
The further she walked…
The fewer people she saw.
Until eventually—
There was no one.
Just her.
And the sound of her own footsteps.
The Alpha floor.
No student came here without permission.
Teachers come here but rarely,only those that teaches them
This wasn't part of the school.
It was a restricted area
Zinnia stopped in front of a black door.
Plain.
Silent.
Intimidating.
Her hand lifted slightly.
Paused.
Before she could knock—
The door opened.
Her breath caught.
Inside was nothing like a classroom.
It was darker.
Sleeker.
Controlled.
Black walls.
Minimal furniture.
Expensive without trying to look like it.
And in the middle of it—
Power.
Roman.
Jordan.
Chance.
Charles.
The Alpha Boys.
They weren't dressed like students.
They have their own uniform specially designed and customized with the name "The alpha"
No rules.
This was who they really were.
Jordan leaned back lazily, eyes scanning her like she was something interesting to play with.
"Well… she came."
Charles tilted his head slightly, a small smirk forming.
"I didn't expect that."
Chance remained quiet with a comics book in his hand.
But his eyes didn't miss anything.
Zinnia stepped inside.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The door closed behind her.
The sound echoed.
And just like that—
She was trapped in their world.
Roman didn't move immediately.
He simply watched her.
Like he was measuring something.
Then—
He started walking toward her.
Each step slow.
Controlled.
Deliberate.
Zinnia stood still.
Even as her heart began to beat faster.
Even as every instinct told her to step back.
She didn't.
"You came."
His voice was calm.
Flat.
"I was told to."
"That's not the same thing."
Zinnia frowned slightly.
"What do you want?"
Roman stopped in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
"To correct something."
Her brows pulled together.
"What exactly?"
His gaze dropped briefly—
To her hand.
The same hand that touched him.
Then back to her eyes.
"You touched me."
Zinnia exhaled.
"It was an accident."
"I don't deal with accidents."
"I didn't mean to."
"That doesn't change what happened."
The tension between them tightened.
Behind them—
Jordan chuckled softly.
"She's not scared."
Charles leaned forward slightly.
"That makes it interesting."
Chance said nothing.
But he was watching closely.
Roman ignored them.
His attention stayed on her.
"You were told to apologize."
"I wasn't told," Zinnia corrected. "I was pressured."
"And you refused."
"Yes."
Silence.
Heavy.
Roman took one step closer,
Zinnia's back hit the wall.
Her breath caught.
His hand came up—
Not touching her—
But placed beside her head.
Trapping her.
"You don't understand how this works."
"Then explain it."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"You don't get to challenge me."
Zinnia swallowed.
But didn't look away.
"And you don't get to control me."
That did it.
Not anger.
But something sharper.
Something more dangerous.
Roman leaned closer—
Just enough to invade her space.
"You're in my space."
His voice dropped lower.
"My world."
Another inch closer.
"My rules."
Zinnia's heart was beating fast now.
But she forced her voice to stay steady.
"And what happens if I don't follow them?"
Silence.
Then—
Roman stepped back.
Completely.
The sudden space confused her.
" Stay."
Zinnia blinked.
"What?"
"You don't move."
Jordan laughed softly.
"Oh, I like this one."
Charles smirked.
"She's either brave… or stupid."
Chance finally spoke, his voice quiet.
"Or both."
Zinnia looked at Roman.
"You're serious?"
His silence answered her.
Time started passing.
Slowly.
Painfully.
At first, it was nothing.
Just standing.
She chose to stay to stay.
Then her legs started to ache.
Then her patience.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
The Alpha boys continued their own activities.
Talking.
Moving.
Ignoring her.
But Roman—
Roman watched.
Not constantly.
But enough.
Every time she shifted slightly…
His gaze returned.
Measuring.
Testing.
Zinnia clenched her jaw.
I won't move.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
Her breathing slowed.
Her body adjusted.
But the discomfort stayed.
And the frustration grew.
Jordan eventually stood, walking past her.
"Still standing?"
She didn't respond.
Charles followed, smirking.
"Impressive."
Chance paused for a second.
Looked at her.
Then walked away.
No comment.
Roman stayed where he was.
Watching.
Always watching.
Zinnia's thoughts started to drift.
Why am I doing this?
Why am I still here?
Why haven't I walked out?
The answer came quietly.
Because leaving…
Would mean losing.
And she refused to give him that.
Finally—
Roman spoke.
"You can go."
The words felt sudden.
Zinnia didn't move immediately.
Her legs felt stiff.
Heavy.
But slowly—
She pushed herself off the wall.
She walked toward the door.
Each step controlled.
Not rushed.
Not weak.
Just steady.
Her hand reached the door.
Paused.
Then she turned slightly.
"I still won't apologize."
Silence.
Jordan laughed.
"She's insane."
Charles grinned.
"I like her."
Chance said nothing.
Roman didn't respond.
But his eyes—
Followed her.
All the way out.
The door closed behind her.
And for the first time—
The room felt different.
Quiet.
Not empty.
But changed.
Jordan exhaled.
"Well… that was entertaining."
Charles nodded.
"She didn't break."
Chance spoke quietly.
"She won't."
Roman said nothing.
But his gaze lingered on the door.
Long after she left.
Something had shifted.
And for the first time in a long time—
Roman felt something unfamiliar.
Not emotion.
Not yet.
But something close.
Interest.
Dangerous interest.