Don't Break, Don't Cry

Alera’s POV

The dining hall at Lycanridge was never quiet at lunchtime. As a scholarship student, I had free access to stay in the dorms and eat here. Still, I worked part-time—there were needs I couldn’t always cover with scholarship funds.

Ever since my mother passed away last year and I moved to Ravenshade, I’ve gotten used to human food. It’s not always red meat—I sometimes go for burgers, lasagna, or vegan soup. Today I grabbed grilled chicken, tomato basil soup, and infused water.

Even though I’ve tried for so long to bury the wolf instincts inside me, I can still sense the Lycan presence around me. Some of their scents I can recognize. But when it comes to Rayvan, I still can’t describe it.

Honestly, there’s something different when our eyes meet. Something stirs whenever I catch his scent. But I don’t want to jump to conclusions. Maybe he’s just a Lycan with a scent typical of Alpha blood. I really hope he’s not my mate. Scents like that could belong to other Lycans too, so it doesn’t mean he’s my mate just because I feel drawn to it.

I scan the wide hall, searching for an empty table. I know no one wants to sit with me. I’m used to eating alone.

I sit at one of the corners. When I glance ahead, I’m surprised to see the P-Boys already gathered. My eyes meet Rayvan’s once again. I used to feel nothing when I looked at him. Why does it feel different now? But he’s still a bully.

“Always sitting alone. Your life must be so pathetic if you eat by yourself all the time. Is it fun to live without friends?” Rayvan’s words cut deep. It’s not the first time he’s said something cruel or belittled me. But this time it hurts more.

As usual, I choose silence. I don’t want to argue with him. Nothing would change even if I answered back. Everyone would take his side, and I’d still be the poor girl here on a scholarship.

“Must be nice to eat for free every day. Sleep in a proper place and enjoy all the free facilities here. That’s what I hate about the lower class. Their lives depend on handouts from others.” Rayvan sneered. His eyes never left mine, drilling straight into the deepest part of me.

One by one, the students turn to him, then to me. Maybe I am the only poor girl here. They all know exactly who Rayvan is talking about.

I stay quiet, though part of me wants to fight back against his degrading words.

“You still haven’t moved on from that English Composition class earlier. Social class is always an interesting topic. But it’s a waste of time if we start picking fights over it.” Richard gives a faint smile. He glances at me briefly, then sips the plum smoothie in front of him.

“You’re defending her? Since when did you start empathizing with the lower class?” Rayvan glares at Richard. Clearly, he doesn’t like that Richard stood up for me.

“One thing’s undeniable—we all have the same right to live. What’s wrong if they want to live decently, just like us?” Richard responds firmly. Usually, no one dares to oppose Rayvan.

“Do you like her? Trying to be her hero?” Rayvan stands and slams the table. The sound startles everyone around us, including me.

Rayvan walks toward me. I was just about to take a spoonful of soup, but stop. I stare into his eyes, full of intimidation.

Rayvan plants both palms on my table. He leans in, his face inches from mine. The scent hits me again. Fresh pine forests, soothing and clean. There’s musk and a soft hint of petrichor. Hard to describe, but utterly captivating.

Rayvan seems lost for words. But his gaze stays locked on mine, like he wants to say something. I can feel the Alpha aura radiating from him.

“You think you’re pretty and special? You think you’re charming just because Richard defended you and asked you to be in his group? You’re still a weak girl with nothing special about you, Alera.” His voice is firm. Does he really hate me that much? Why? I’ve never caused him trouble.

I can’t keep staying silent. A bullied girl like me has a right to speak too, doesn’t she?

“If I’m really not special, then why do I bother you so much? Am I disturbing you? What do you want from me?” I try to speak as calmly as possible, even though my voice trembles, vibrating through every vein in my body.

Rayvan still stares with something unreadable in his eyes. I have no idea what’s going on in his mind.

“Yes, you disturb me because I don’t like your presence here. As long as you’re here, I’ll keep bothering you until you leave.” One corner of Rayvan’s mouth lifts. Why does he seem to enjoy watching me cornered like this? Or maybe I should stand up to him—show him I’m not so easy to break.

“Fine. Bother me all you want. I’ll still study here.” Behind the tone that sounds firm, my heart is hurting. Why do people love bullying the lower class? Whether in the werewolf world or the human one, it’s always the same. People like us will always be the last choice—when no other options remain.

Rayvan looks even more irritated. He smirks again. “Are you challenging me?”

Rayvan steps back. Suddenly, water splashes across my shirt. He poured my drink on me. I gasp, not expecting him to actually do this.

I hear a few students chuckle softly.

“How dare you talk back to Rayvan. You really don’t know your place,” Samantha smirks mockingly. She’s never looked at me with kindness.

“Face it—you’re just a poor girl here because of a scholarship. Word is, Rayvan’s family is related to Lycanridge University’s founder. So be careful if you don’t want your scholarship revoked,” Alan warns me.

In the end, people from the lower class like me will always be bullied and blamed. The powerful are always right, no matter how they act.

“Apologize to Rayvan if you want to live in peace!” says a girl I don’t even know.

What is going on here? Why can’t people just accept me and treat me kindly?

I force myself to look at Rayvan, who’s standing in front of me. I don’t know what my face looks like right now, but I am truly hurt. My eyes might be misting over, but I won’t let a single tear fall. I stand and gather the courage to look deeper into his hawk-like eyes.

“You don’t know what it’s like to chase dreams while living with so many limitations. You don’t know what it feels like to live under the shadow of oppression. You’ll never know.”

Rayvan freezes. He just stares blankly. Then Richard offers me a handkerchief.

“Maybe you need this. Clean yourself up, and don’t mind what Rayvan said.” There’s a gentle smile on his face.

“No, thank you. I just need to go to the restroom.” I force a smile as I walk away, my heart crumbling.

At the sink, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I’m not that ugly, am I? My mother used to say my eyes were as beautiful as emeralds. My father said my auburn waves were radiant and lovely. I’m not a bad person. I was born an Omega, never intending harm. Now I’m a Rogue, trying to escape the ghosts of my past. I have to rise again and live a happy life. I can’t give up.