Chapter 2

When I found Lucas, he was holding Linda close while my video played on the screen.

There I was, naked, being messed with by several men. They didn't rape me, but it wasn't much better.

Linda was laughing her ass off.

Lucas planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I already got back at her for you. Happy now? No more crying, okay? It breaks my heart to see you upset."

He used to be that tender and caring with me too. Back then, I thought I was his whole world.

"Hmm, not quite satisfied yet. She slapped me this afternoon and everyone saw our video. How can I get along with my classmates at school after this? I want her exposed just like me!"

"Alright, alright, whatever you want."

Lucas patiently cooed at her.

In that moment, every feeling I had for him just died. My trembling body and heart went completely calm.

I grabbed the bucket of silver water and dumped it right over both their heads, watching them scream and jump around like idiots. Finally felt a little better.

"Sophia! What the hell are you doing? Are you insane?"

Lucas was in agony, desperately trying to fight off the burning pain from the silver water. His face wasn't so handsome anymore with those burns.

"Don't like it? This silver water suits you two perfectly."

I pulled out that blessing charm I'd worked so hard for and threw it right at his face.

"Lucas, you better listen up. Delete that video, or I'll make sure you regret it."

I turned to leave.

But Linda started screaming and taunting me: "Delete it? In your dreams! I won't let Lucas delete that video! I'm gonna make him send it to your office! To your parents! Let all your relatives see you naked and..."

SLAP!

I didn't hold back on that slap.

Linda froze, like she couldn't believe I'd hit her right in front of Lucas.

"Didn't I tell you not to mess with me?"

I shook out my stinging hand, pretty sure her face hurt way more than mine.

She threw herself into Lucas's arms, crying like her world was ending: "She hit me right in front of you! Are you gonna do something about it or not?"

Lucas held her protectively, his angry expression looking pretty twisted.

"Sophia, apologize to her. Get on your knees and apologize!"

"You don't want me to cut ties with you, right? If you still want to stay by my side, apologize to Linda."

"Otherwise, don't expect to see me ever again."

I thought it was hilarious, and pathetic at the same time.

Shows how low I used to be that he thought just threatening to leave me would make me drop my dignity and kneel before his side chick.

I flipped him off and walked away without hesitation.

Cold raindrops hit my face, cracking my calm mask just a little and letting some of the hurt inside leak through.

Then suddenly there was an umbrella over my head.

I looked up in surprise at an unfamiliar face.

The man gave me a respectful nod: "Hello Miss Sophia, I'm Alpha Lane's Beta. Alpha Lane couldn't reach you."

That's when I remembered - after impulsively texting my friend's cousin, I'd turned off my phone. I powered it back on to dozens of messages flooding in.

"Are you really willing to give us a shot?"

"Sophia, you're not drunk, this isn't just impulse, right?"

"Do you know how long I've been waiting for you? God, I can't believe this is real."

"I'm in Europe right now handling pack expansion business. Damn it, why does it have to be now?"

"Sophia?"

"Please don't tell me you're having second thoughts."

Dozens of messages, all from Marcus - anxious and earnest.

I quickly texted back: "Sorry, wasn't checking my phone. This isn't impulse and I won't regret it. Marcus, would you be willing to mark me?"

The 'typing...' indicator showed for a long time.

Finally just a simple message: "I wish I could be there with you right now. Wait for me, Sophia."

"Okay."