The BAD Brothers' Obsession

CHAPTER 1

Cassandra’s POV

My goal for the new school day was to avoid Brittany, her clique, and Brian.

Hopefully, now that I had switched up my classes after enduring 3 weeks of torture in this school, maybe the chances of running into any of them would be slim.

The new class schedule in my hand crinkled as I walked through the crowded hallway, trying to find my way to my first class for the day. I kept my head down, hoping no one would notice me.

But then I heard it as usual. “Loser!” A voice rang out, mocking me from across the hall.

Some students around burst into laughter, making everyone look towards my direction. I gripped the schedule tighter and kept moving, my face hot with embarrassment.

I barely took a few steps before someone shoved me hard, slamming me into the lockers. My back hit metal, knocking the air out of my lungs.

As I struggled to catch my breath, I looked up and saw Brian standing over me with a smug look etched on his face. He leaned in close, his hazel eyes cold.

“Well, if it isn’t my new freak,” he sneered.

The hallway seemed to close in as students slowed, their curious eyes watching yet another humiliating scene of my life.

I couldn’t help but notice how the other students nudged each other, smirked, and whispered. Brian was putting on a show, and I was his unfortunate puppet.

“What are you doing here?” Brian continued, his tone mocking. “Think you can just wander around my school, acting like you fit in?” He stepped closer, his face inches from mine, and his voice dropped. “You’re nothing. Don’t you get that?”

I whimpered, not ready for any of his games. “I’m just trying to get to class.”

He laughed, his expression twisting with amusement. “Get to class?” He leaned in, one hand braced above me on the locker. “You should get lost. Leave this school. No one wants you here.” His other hand shot out, knocking the schedule from my hand.

The paper fluttered to the floor, and I instinctively reached for it, but Brian’s foot stomped down on it, crumpling it under his shoe.

“Oops,” he said, eyes cold. “Guess you’ll have to find another way, huh?” He didn’t move, his gaze locked on me, daring me to do something.

Frustration bubbled up, and I tried stepping around him, but he blocked me, leaning closer. His hand came up as though he was about to push me back, his smirk daring me to fight back.

Then, just as Brian’s hand moved, a figure stepped between us, stopping him cold. I blinked, taking in the broad back of a guy I didn’t recognize—a new student.

He positioned himself directly in front of me, blocking Brian’s line of attack. His posture was calm, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fists clenched at his sides.

From his side, I saw Brian’s expression turn sour, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before it twisted into something darker. His eyes narrowed, and I saw something almost feral flash in them for a split second, like his wolf was close to surfacing.

“Who the hell are you?” Brian snapped with a low growl.

The new guy didn’t flinch. “Lucien,” he said, his tone as steady as his gaze. “And I’d step back if I were you.”

Brian scoffed, but his eyes flickered again, a sign he was fighting to keep his wolf under control. “You don’t know who you’re messing with,” he warned, his voice a dangerous growl.

Lucien didn’t move, didn’t even blink. “I know exactly who you are, future alpha Brian,” he said calmly. “But I don’t care.”

The crowd around us went quiet, tension thick in the air. They shifted uneasily, glancing at each other, sensing the not-so-subtle power tussle going on. Lucien held his ground, his fists clenched, like he was fully prepared to take Brian on if it came to that.

Brian’s sneer deepened, and I could see the anger in his eyes building. “You’re new here,” he said, his voice low. “So I’ll let this go. But don’t push your luck next time. This is my territory, and my word is law. If you really know me like you claim you do, you should know I’m definitely not one to mess with.”

Lucien’s eyes stayed steady, unphased. “I don’t take orders from bullies.”

Brian’s jaw clenched, and for a split second, I thought he might lunge. But with a final glare, he stepped back, his fists still clenched, and turned sharply on his heel, stalking off. His shoulders were tense, his head held high, but I didn’t miss how his gaze flicked back to Lucien, a promise of revenge in his eyes.

Lucien turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “You alright?”

“Yeah,” I managed, my voice coming out quieter than I intended. “Thanks for that. You didn’t have to get involved.”

He shrugged, his face calm but his gaze intense. “Someone needed to.”

Without waiting for my reply, he turned and walked away, the crowd parting around him like they could sense he wasn’t someone to mess with.

My heart was still racing as I watched him disappear down the hallway, my mind reeling from everything that had just happened.

I shut my eyes to calm my raging nerves. Why couldn’t today just be peaceful? All I prayed to the goddess for today was to get my new class schedule from the principal and get to class in peace. But I guess I may have offended the goddess in my past life, so she wants to torment me with this one.

‘Thank you, moon goddess, for consistently tormenting me!’ I muttered bitterly, reeling about my pathetic fate.

As the school bell rang, I quickly hurried to my first class. When I got there, I slipped into a back seat, still feeling the lingering tension from earlier in my muscles.

The principal walked in as I was catching my breath from how fast I ran down to class.

“We have a new student joining you all today.” He announced, gesturing to the door. “This is Lucien Dashkov.”

I quickly recognized him as the guy who was brave yet dumb enough to stand up for me against one of the BAD brothers.

Lucien scanned the room as he walked in. For a brief second, his eyes met mine, and I saw that same steady determination there—the same calm strength he had while he stood up to Brian without flinching. Then he nodded to the class and took a seat as if what happened earlier in the hallway had never happened.

The rest of the day dragged on, but my mind kept replaying Brian’s threats and the way Lucien defended me despite not even knowing who I was. Maybe, just maybe, the goddess was finally smiling at me.

When school ended, I picked up my little sister, Lana, whose chatter about her day helped distract me from my thoughts. I was glad that at least one of us was having a great life.

As we turned onto our street, I felt an uneasy feeling settle in the pit of my stomach. I took a steadying breath and reminded myself it was over—at least until tomorrow.

Once we reached our house, a strange sensation prickled at the back of my neck as I noticed the extra cars in the driveway. My stomach twisted as I walked up the porch steps, gripping Lana’s hand a little tighter.

At our doorstep, I froze, hearing the familiar voices from inside. I gripped the doorknob tightly, my heart racing. There was no reason for them to be here—no way.

Swallowing hard, I pushed the door open, and the sight that greeted me made my blood run cold.