The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 156: Chapter 156

Catrina POV:
“Ready, ladies? Let’s show ’em what we’ve got!”
Sheila shouted, her voice echoing in the locker room. The air buzzed with excitement.
It was game night, the biggest game of the year.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. It wasn’t just the game.
It was Rowan.
He would be out there, on the field, leading his team to victory. And I couldn’t shake this strange feeling about him, like he was a puzzle I couldn't solve.
We lined up in the tunnel, waiting for our cue to go out. The roar of the crowd, the pounding music, the bright lights… It was overwhelming.
“You can do this, Catrina.” My wolf’s voice was a low rumble. Even she sounded nervous.
Then it was our turn. We ran onto the field, smiling brightly, our movements sharp and synchronized. The crowd cheered.
I scanned the faces, my eyes searching for Rowan. And there he was, standing on the sidelines with his team.
He looked so strong and confident in his football uniform.
Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to disappear.
It was just me and him, a strange tension crackling between us.
“He feels it, too.” My wolf growled, a mix of fear and excitement in her voice.
I quickly pushed the thought away. It was just my imagination.
The game started, and the crowd went wild. I cheered with the other girls, but my eyes kept going back to Rowan.
He was amazing, a natural leader, moving with power and grace. He threw touchdown after touchdown.
It’s like he’s not even trying. I thought, a reluctant admiration creeping into my mind. He’s on a whole other level.
He was so much faster and stronger than the other players.
The final whistle blew, and the crowd roared.
Our Highschool had won. Of course.
Rowan, the hero of the game, was surrounded by his teammates, everyone cheering and patting him on the back.
And then, just like in a movie, Emma, Rowan’s girlfriend, ran onto the field and jumped into his arms.
He caught her, laughing, his amber eyes bright with victory… and something else.
Desire? Affection? I felt a pang in my chest, a twinge of something that felt… a lot like jealousy.
“What’s wrong with you, Catrina?” My wolf whimpered, confused.
I quickly looked away, focusing on my own boyfriend, Brock, who was pushing through the crowd towards me, a goofy grin on his face, a bouquet of red roses in his hand.
“You were amazing, Cat!” he shouted over the noise. “I knew you guys would win!”
He leaned in to kiss me, but I pulled back. A wave of… disgust? Revulsion? washed over me.
Brock was sweet, funny, a good guy… everything I should want. But right now, being near him felt wrong. I felt a strange yearning for something… more. Something different.
“He’s not your mate, Catrina.” My wolf growled. “He’s not the one.”
“What’s wrong, Cat?” Brock asked, his forehead creased with worry. “You’re acting weird. Are you okay?”
“I need some air, Brock,” I mumbled, pushing past him.
I needed to escape the crowd, the noise, the confusing emotions swirling inside me.
I found myself in the parking lot, the cool night air a relief. The smell of pine and damp earth, the familiar scent of the forest, calmed me a little.
“Catrina! Wait!”
Brock’s voice made me flinch. My wolf growled, annoyed.
He caught up to me, his face full of hurt and confusion.
“What’s going on, Cat?” he asked, his voice pleading.
He reached for my arm, but I pulled away. His touch made my skin crawl.
“I’m sorry, Brock,” I sighed, looking up at the full moon.
Its silvery light cast long shadows, and I felt a pull towards something I couldn’t explain, a hidden world whispering secrets.
“I’m just… tired. And confused. I need to think.”
“Think about what?” he asked, his voice sharp. I could hear the jealousy in it. “About… him? About Rowan Magnus?”
I turned to him, my gaze intense. Brock took a step back, like he was suddenly afraid of me.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Brock,” I said, my voice cold.
The words sounded fake, even to me.
“Rowan means nothing to me. He’s just a classmate. The football player.”
Liar. My wolf snarled, her claws wanting to come out. The pull towards Rowan, the feelings that haunted my dreams, the scent of his power… it was too strong to ignore.
“You sure about that, Cat?” Brock pressed, his eyes narrowed. He reached for my cheek, and I flinched away.
“The way you were looking at him during the game… the way he was looking at you… it was like… you knew each other. Like there was something… between you.”
His words, full of jealousy and suspicion, struck a nerve.
“You’re imagining things, Brock,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
I needed to get away from him, from this conversation, from this… confusion. “I barely know Rowan. And I definitely don't have feelings for him.”
“But I have feelings for you, Catrina,” Brock said, his voice softening. He reached for my hand, but I pulled away again.
“We’ve been dating for months. We’re… we’re supposed to be together.”
“I know, Brock,” I sighed. His expectations, his neediness, felt suffocating.
It was like he was trying to trap me, to hold me back from something I couldn’t even name.
“But… things are different now. I’m different. I need… space. I need to figure things out.”
“Figure out what, Catrina?” He sounded desperate, scared.
“I… I don’t know, Brock,” I said, my voice trembling. I felt like I was going to cry. “But I can’t… I can’t be with you right now. Not until I… figure it out.”
I turned and walked away, his voice fading behind me. I didn’t look back.
I knew if I did, I’d crumble. I’d give in to his pleas, his need for me. But it would be a lie.
I couldn’t be with him, not when my wolf was yearning for something else, something… more.
I walked towards the road, the moon shining down on me, and I knew I was walking towards something dangerous, something that could change my life forever.
“Don’t be afraid, Catrina.” My wolf’s voice was a low rumble in my chest.
“Follow your instincts.”