Claimed By The Alpha, Marked By The Biker-Chapter 22: To love a friend

The campus café buzzed with the morning rush—students hunched over laptops, the hiss of the espresso machine and the clatter of mugs.

I slipped in at 7:55 am sharp, heart slamming against my ribs like it wanted out.

Mordred’s text from last night burned in my mind: "Begging you." I’d lied in my reply, and said I wouldn’t go. But here I was, scanning the tables, curiosity winning over caution.

What if Lysander really knew about Anonymous? What if this ended the threats and the paranoia? Or what if Mordred was right, and I was walking into a noose?

All that didn’t matter now, because in life you need to take risks in order to know the Truth. Afterall, there’s nothing he can do to me over here—at a cafe full of students.

I spotted him in the corner booth, nursing a black coffee and looking more worn than I’d ever seen him. He has dark circles under his eyes with his hair tousled like he’d skipped sleep.

He lit up when he saw me, standing with a tentative smile and pulling a small wrapped box from his backpack.

"Kianna, you came."he muttered cheerfully and handed me the gift with his fingers brushing mine.

"For you, I know I’ve been missing for a while." He teased me. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

I took it, unwrapping the paper to reveal a delicate silver watch with a tiny compass charm. "Why a watch?" I asked, with a smirk.

"Something to help you find your way," he replied softly. "You’ve been through a lot. I figured... I don’t know, maybe it’s cheesy."

It was sweet. Too sweet, after everything. I slid it on, the metal cool against my wrist, but my mind raced. Is this genuine? Or bait? Oh no Kianna, this is not the time.

After we sat down, he called the waitress and ordered me some chocolate boba, my favorite. He still remembers? Why doubt a person who actually remembers every small detail you ever told Kianna? I couldn’t even bring myself to look him in the eye.

But still I wasn’t satisfied yet and so I skipped the small talk and dived straight in. "Lysander, what the hell is going on with Trent?"

He blinked, setting his mug down. "Trent? What about him?"

"He cornered me yesterday on a bench, and said you sent him with a message. ’Lay low, things are complicated." I replied, then observed his reaction.

He didn’t actually look surprised despite being a bit clueless. He just raised a brow and muttered, " He said all that? That’s a lie, if I want to talk to you...why wouldn’t I come myself?"

"Oh, but that’s not all Lysander." I shot, raising my head to meet his eyes.

"There’s more?" He asked, with his eyes wide open.

"Yes, he showed up at the police station as a "witness" for my stepparents, lying about knowing me for ages. And got Mordred arrested—temporarily, and got me kicked out of his place." I added.

Lysander’s face was drained of color. "Police station? What? I didn’t send him anywhere. Trent’s... he’s my roommate, yeah, but we’ve been butting heads lately. I barely talked to him yesterday."

He murmured, rage boiling in his voice. He looked like he would choke Trent to death if he ever appeared in front of him.

"And in the hallway? Before my test? I called your name twice. But you blew right past me." I added, and folded my arms. Hopefully he won’t have anything to say this time.

He rubbed his temples, exhaling slowly. "God, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you—I swear. My head’s been a mess. Family stuff, school piling up... I was zoned out, thinking about this Anonymous crap. I should’ve stopped." He replied, with that same innocent boy voice I used to know.

But something still felt off, what if he had his answers prepared already before coming. It seems he has, then why not catch him off guard with something he wouldn’t expect I would ask.

And so I leaned forward, voice low. "Okay, then explain the black SUV. Mordred’s friend saw you getting dropped off at the dorm at midnight. It has tinted windows and private plates. Not exactly scholarship kid vibes."

Lysander hesitated, glancing around the café like the walls had ears. "That... that was Trent’s dad’s car. He picked me up after I visited them—Trent dragged me over for some awkward family dinner."

He whispered, then took a sip of his coffee and continued, " His old man’s loaded, some tech exec or whatever. Dropped me off late because traffic sucked. I don’t know why Trent’s acting shady, Kianna. He’s been off for weeks—secretive calls, disappearing at night. If he’s messing with you, I had no part in it. I Promise."

Then his eyes met mine, pleading, and for a second, the old Lysander shone through—the one who’d listened without judgment, who’d been my anchor when everything else spun out.

But doubt still gnawed at me. Trent’s dad? Convenient. Was Lysander covering? Or was Trent the real snake, using him as a shield?

"Fine," I said, with my pulse racing. "You texted about Anonymous. Who is it? Spill."

He swallowed, leaning in closer. "Okay. I’ve been digging—hacking forums, tracing IPs from those creepy posts. It’s not Maddox, like you thought. It’s someone closer. I think it’s...."

He paused, then his eyes flicked past me, widening in horror. "Kianna, watch out!" He yelled.

Time slowed. He surged to his feet, quickly shoving me sideways as a crack split the air. It was sharp, like thunder too close.

PAW!!! PAW!!

Glass shattered from the window behind us. And Lysander grunted, staggering back and clutching his arm. Blood bloomed through his sleeve, dark and was spreading fast.

Screams erupted around us. People dove under tables whilst some tried to leave by pushing others. I hit the floor hard, scrambling to him. "Lysander!"

He slumped against the booth, his face was pale, but his eyes were locked on the rooftop across the street— which was empty now, the shooter vanished. "Sniper... aimed at you." He whispered, in a breathless tone.

My hands shook as I pressed on the wound, blood slicking my fingers. But my brain was spilling with countless questions.

Who’s this shooter? Is he anonymous? And why now of all times?The watch on my wrist caught the light, mocking me. I’d come for answers and walked us both into a bullet.