The 3Rs

~Tessa~

I gasped, lungs seized as four hands clamped down my shoulders, pinning me firmly in place with an unforgiving grip.

Their strength was undeniable, their intent was nothing but unyielding. I tried to move but my every attempt was met with the crushing weight of their wicked restraint.

My eyes darted upward just in time to see the steaming contents of a coffee cup…and then, the tip over my head. The liquid spilled, mingling with something acrid, the heat biting into my scalp like wildfire.

The classroom erupted…a chaotic sound of gasps, sharp and suffused with unease. It is mixed with laughter, loud and derisive. Entertainment for some, but a nightmare for me.

The heat of pain slipped past my lips, discarding bone spreading across my skin. I bit down on the sound, swallowing the scream clawing at my throat. Noise only invited nothing more than punishment and humiliation.

The lingering heat promised a scar, a cruel reminder of this moment. I knew it would stay. Unlike others, my healing lagged, a reminder of what I lacked. At 19, my wolf had yet to stir, leaving me stranded and weaker than the weakest wolf in Peak Academy.

Peak Academy…

A school where legacies are strength was supreme, drawing wolves from across different packs. My scholarship had been my ticket in—a victory that had now turned into chains as time went by. Because without a wolf, I was nothing here. Just a mere human.

“Still think you belong here, pig?” Victoria's voice dripped with mockery, her tone lilting as though she addressed a child. A human child. “You should've known your place by now, but since you're so forgetful, I'm even pleased to remind you.”

Victoria… Peak Academy's untouchable princess and our pack Beta's daughter. My personal tormentor and torturer.

Her power wasn't just in her status but in the way others obeyed without questions. One unspoken law was; cross her, and you're done for good!

I'd never really been able to figure out why she was fixated on me, but from day one, she made her intentions clear. There was no escape from her cruelty.

Tears prickled, stinging the corners of my eyes. I blinked them away before they could fall. She didn't deserve the satisfaction. And besides, tears had never saved me before.

Victoria's glossy lips curved into a pout, mockery glittering in her eyes. “Oh, poor little piggy. Are those tears? Crying for Daddy to save you?” Her smile evaporated, replaced by a sharp sneer that cut deeper than her words. “But newsflash—Daddy’s not coming.”

Rica, ever the shadow to Victoria's light, lent closer, how grip tightening on my own until her claws dug onto my shoulder. Her voice was a venomous hiss, each word dripping with malice. “Think you're getting saved this time, huh? Tsk, tsk. Don't even dream of it. No lecturers, no witnesses. Just… us.” She spat the words, her nails biting deeper and igniting a fresh wave of pain.

The weight of a threat pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating, reverberating in my mind. The classroom seemed to shrink, its walls closing in, trapping me and reducing me into a mere cruel spectacle.

My stomach churned, sinking like a stone. She was right. There would be no intervention for me this time. Last time, I was lucky enough when the dean stepped in.

But not this time. No miraculous escape. Just them, and their twisted delight in breaking me.

However, a feeling of frustration bubbled to the surface, cutting through the pain. My teeth clenched as the words slipped out, sharp and unguarded. “What have I ever done to you?” My voice rose, trampling with pent up fury as I lifted my gaze to Victoria for the first time.

Her blue eyes, always cold and calculating, flicker with something unfamiliar, shock maybe? “Can't you just leave me the heck alone?”

At my outburst, the laughter that had filled the classroom ceased, the silence definitely its abruptness. Every pair of eyes turns to me, wide with disbelief. No one has ever raised their voices at Victoria. No one dared.

Her expression shifted again, surprise melting into a scowl that deepened with each passing second. Then came the anger, hot and fierce, twisting her flawless features into something monstrous.

“Because you exist, pig!” Her voice was a snarl, brimming with unconcealed venom. “Just disappear, and maybe I will! What, you think you can now talk back to me? How dare you?!”

The fury in her voice struck like a whip, and I knew I had gone too far! There would be no leniency for me this time. I was totally screwed.

Her hand rose, the movement swift and purposeful. My heart slumped against my rib cage as I flinched, instinct taking over. Eyes squeezed shut, I braced for the blow…for the familiar thing that never got any easier to endure. My mind raced, scrambling for ways to dull the inevitable pain.

However… The strike never came.

Instead, a loud creek pierced the tension as the classroom doors swung open, the sound reverberating like a gunshot.

I blinked my eyes open, darting them towards the door.

A student stood there, chest heaving, Her words tumbling out between breaths. “Senior Victoria, the 3 R's are here to see you!”

The transformation in Victoria was instantaneous. Her scowl melted, replaced by a sight of excitement that lit up her eyes. The predator was gone, instantly replaced by a coquettish, lovestruck girl.

“The 3 R's?” She repeated, voice suddenly soft, tinged with pride and eagerness. “They're here? For me?”

Excited whispers rippled through the room as well.

“Goddess, they even came to see her the moment they came back from their training!”

“Gosh, Victoria's so lucky to have them!”

“Imagine being the 3 R's chosen one! She's living every girl's dream!”

I resisted the urge to scoff. What dream? She's not living a heck of my fucking dream. I'd rather run!

Victoria preened under the attention, her lips curving into a smug smile. “Of course, they are here for me,” she said, proudly tossing her hair back.

Leaning down to my level, she added in a low, mocking voice. “Lucky for you, piggy, my sweetheart is calling. But don't think this is over. You'll regret every word you said.”