Villainess Marked For Her Alpha-Chapter 77: I Hate His Touch

After devouring the ice cream to relieve myself from the burning sensation—vanilla cream smearing glossy down my chin and soaking the front of my oversized t-shirt sheer—sheer enough to trace my bra—I had to change.

The sticky mess clung cold and weird to my skin, high ponytail frizzing damp, so now we were at the mall, bright fluorescents buzzing overhead.

"Why am I covered with your jacket and blazer?" I glared up at them, feeling like an idiot mummified in Hellen’s red jacket draped over my shoulders and Reyes’ navy blazer belted rough around my waist—layers engulfing my petite frame, sleeves flopping comically past my fingertips, the dual alpha scents—honey-citrus and cedar-steel—wrapping me thick like a cocoon. For some reason, I felt calm.

"You want to hear the reason?" Reyes drawled first, gray eyes glinting under her cap brim, scarred jaw quirking as she loomed close.

"A lot of reasons were there, Emily. But my jacket would have worked fine," Hellen cut in sharp from my left, blonde ponytail twitching aggressive, ice-blue gaze flashing rivalry.

"My blazer is perfectly fine. You can take off your jacket," Reyes countered smooth, brogues planted dominantly.

"Stop fighting!" I yelled, wriggling engulfed in their clothes—fabric rustling heavy, heat building trapped against my body. They sneered at each other, lips curling synced disdain, then looked away pointedly, pheromones clashing subtle sparks.

The sales girl’s eyes brightened like spotlights as she clocked us. "Ms. Emily and Ms. Hellen, welcome! Welcome, Miss...?"

"Reyes," she supplied clipped, powerful frame radiating that ex-military wall.

"Yes, welcome." The girl beamed at me, gaze flicking to the wall of my posters—emerald-eyed me winking in cat-ear couture—and TVs looping my ads—slow-motion shots of me cradling pups in Helly Paws gear. "Here to see how your section’s selling? No need—it’s one of the best. Flying off shelves."

"Did we open here too?" I asked Hellen, blinking surprise. I didn’t know that this mall was our customer too.

She nodded crisp, ponytail swaying. "Yes, we have." She turned to the girl. "Emily wants some clothes."

"Of course, follow me, Ms. Emily."

I trailed her through racks of silk and cotton, the two alphas shadowing like panthers—Hellen’s heels clicking, Reyes’ brogues thudding—eyes scanning every dress I touched—flowy maxis, crop tops, skirts flaring lacy.

Finally, I chose a snug turtleneck top in cream—soft knit to hug my breasts modestly, who have decided to increase a bit—and baggy green cargos that cinched tiny at my waist, loose over hips. Clutching them, I headed for the changing rooms, curtained alcoves glowing warm.

But they trailed right after, broad frames crowding the narrow hall. Are they seriously following me inside? Haven’t they heard the word called ’privacy?’

"What are you trying to do?" I spun, glaring up—engulfed layers rustling indignant.

"We..." Hellen started, eyes darkening a bit.

"We were..." Reyes appeared startled, while her eyes looked a bit cloudy.

"Just go away! Are you trying to see me changing my dress or what? Go away!" I huffed, my cheeks blooming rose.

"Where?"

"Where should we go?"

They asked in unison.

I yelled, "Find something, okay? But don’t wait here! Go and find a big teddy bear for me!"

"Teddy bear?" Hellen echoed, brow arching sceptical.

"Yes!" I stamped my foot, shoving the curtain shut.

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When I emerged from the changing room—fresh in the cream turtleneck hugging my full curves modest, green cargos slung low on my tiny waist and baggy over plush hips, high ponytail sleek again—I waved the sales girl over.

"Pack my old clothes, these two things. Everything." She nodded and efficiently folded the sticky, ice-cream-smeared layers with care. "Thank you." I gave her a big tip.

Tips always made me happy when I was a barista—especially, big tips. So, I could sense the girl’s happiness even without looking at her.

Wait?

Where are Hellen and Reyes? 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Did those two seriously ditch to hunt a giant teddy bear?

I shook my head, swiping my card quick before bolting to the second floor—escalator humming up past glittering storefronts, mall AC sighing cool against my skin. Let’s play around until they find me

Suddenly, a sneer slithered from my right. I whipped around—red-haired man looming too close, tousled waves catching the fluorescent glare, brown eyes glinting sly like a fox scenting weakness—sharp jaw dusted stubble, tailored black shirt unbuttoned casual over a swimmer’s build, silver watch flashing as he leaned in. Felix.

The novel’s fourth male lead, all charm masking venom—the last worshipper of Lily.

"Oh, it’s been years since we met, Emily," he drawled velvet-smooth, lips curling predatory, stepping into my space—his cologne-heavy frame crowding the balcony rail.

I looked away sharp, emerald eyes narrowing, heart kicking instinctive revulsion—high ponytail flicking dismissively as I pivoted for the exits. I don’t want to waste my time on him.

All the male leads held some grudge against me, even though I stayed away from them.

"Are you ignoring me now?" His voice dropped mocking, brown eyes flashing affront.

I strode off fast, cargos swishing, but his hand clamped my wrist like iron—yanking me back brutal into his chest, free arm snaking possessive around my waist from behind. "Emily, think you’re too great now that you’re famous? Helly Paws, was it? Strutting on billboards like some pet-whore icon?"

What is up with all these male leads?! Calling me names, and getting physical with me?! I hate Lily! I really hate her!

In the novel, Felix was OG Emily’s childhood ’friend’—arranged marriage contract sealed by their grandfathers for empire merger, alpha-omega pairing doomed from the start. Why? Because neither Felix, nor Emily turned out to be an omega.

So, it was considered invalid from the start.

Now his grip bruised my skin, breath hot on my nape—musky alpha pheromones flooding acrid, like cheap leather rotting in rain, churning my stomach to near-puke.

"Let me go!" I snarled, twisting fierce—elbow jabbing back, free fist swinging wild for his smug face.

He laughed low, snatching my flying hand mid-air, fingers lightly around my knuckles. "Such delicate little hands, but you’re trying to hit me?" Felix spun me effortless, pinning my back flush to his front—arms banding my ribs like steel cables, one palm splaying dominant over my navel through the turtleneck, the other trapping both my wrists crossed at my chest.

His stubble scratched roughly against my temple as he leaned in closer, brown eyes looking down at me with clear dislike, red hair brushing my cheek like an annoyance. He pressed against me tighter, as if to make his point.

Tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks—I felt sick and grossed out by his touch, my skin prickling uncomfortably. When Hellen or Reyes held me, it always felt nice and secure, but this was all wrong, his smell turning my stomach.

I struggled harder, my smaller body no match for his strength, choking out sobs as I said, "Get off me!" louder. He just gripped me firmer and gave a low, mocking laugh right by my ear.