Chapter 2

You ever wake up and wonder why the hell the universe hates your guts? Yeah, that’s been me for the past week. After the biggest, most humiliating birthday of my life, I’ve been locked up in my room. You’d think fainting in the hallway would be the rock bottom, but oh no…my brain plays reruns of the whole damn thing on loop.

The academy’s staff had dragged my sorry ass to the infirmary, and when the doc checked me out, it turned out it wasn’t just me who broke… Raven, my wolf, was practically dying on the inside too. They pumped me full of whatever painkillers they had, sent me home, and told me to “rest.” Rest, my ass. I’ve been crying so much my room’s probably on the verge of flooding.

And Raven is silent. Like dead silent. I can’t even feel her anymore. It’s like the goddess hit the mute button on the one person who’s supposed to stick by me no matter what. I’m not gonna lie, that part’s the worst. She’s my other half, and now I feel like I’m empty.

Sure, the physical pain is gone, but my heart’s still in shambles. How could the Moon Goddess make that bastard my mate? I hate it so fucking much.

Joke’s on me, right? I have to be the beta of that fucking jerk who’s hell-bent on ruining my life.

And as if life isn’t already handing me enough crap, today’s the day I have to drag my sorry self back to the academy…back to my miserable life. This semester was supposed to be different. I was supposed to get into the Darkshade Werewolf Council, but I can’t even do that now because I missed the tryouts... all because I passed out. It’s been my dream to go there, and meet my idol, Sarah Walsh, the head of the council.

Everything is ruined.

“Raine, honey,” Mom calls from the doorway, real soft like she’s scared I might scream at her. “Could you come downstairs for a moment? Alpha Ken’s here.”

I blink, staring at her confused. Alpha Ken? As in Alpha Jason’s dad? What the hell is he doing here? I open my mouth to ask, but of course, she’s already vanished back downstairs.

I shuffle over to the mirror, and holy hell…I look like a walking disaster. Puffy hazel eyes, red nose, the whole nine yards. But whatever, it’s not like I’ve got anyone to impress.

I run my fingers through my hair, trying to make the long-ass red curls look less like I’ve been crying for over a week. My oversized T-shirt and baggy pants don’t help, but these are the only things my parents let me wear. Apparently, looking like a walking bedsheet is the secret to being a good beta.

Thankfully, they didn’t ask me to cut my hair. I’ve been growing it since I was five, and it’s waist-length now… a solid 30 inches.

I suck in a deep breath, square my shoulders, and head downstairs. No clue what Alpha Ken wants.

“There she is… the future Beta of Night Thorn Pack,” Alpha Ken greets the moment I hit the bottom step, all cheerful and all.

“Good morning, Alpha Ken,” I mumble, trying to pretend like I don’t want to fucking crawl under the couch and die.

He’s sitting there, calm and polished, like the perfect Alpha. My dad’s next to him, stiff as a board, and Mom’s across from them, hands clasped like she’s in church.

Alpha Ken stands, towering over me. “Oh, my dear Raine. I’m truly sorry about what happened last week. Jason didn’t handle it well. He should’ve taken you somewhere private to, well… reject you.”

I clench my jaw and hold back my anger. I want to tell Alpha Ken that I don’t give a flying fuck about his crappy-ass son…that I’m only miserable because the Moon Goddess cursed me with a mate like Alpha Jason.

“So... I hope you understand why Jason had to reject you.” He raises a brow, waiting for me to answer his dumbass question. My gaze flicks over to my dad, his sharp blue eyes silently pushing me to speak, while my mom just gives me this small, soft smile like that’s supposed to make any of this hurt less.

I swallow down the giant lump in my throat and force out the words. “Yes, Alpha. I understand.”

“That’s my girl,” he nods. He turns to my parents, still full of fake sunshine. “You’ve got a great daughter. I’m impressed.”

He starts heading for the door, and my parents trail after him like two loyal soldiers. But I’m not satisfied. I need him to hear me out.

“Alpha,” I call out, keeping my voice calm. “Why... why do I have to keep acting incompetent? Why must I stay in Alpha Jason’s shadow?”

The silence is instant.

“Raine!” My dad’s head snaps around, his glare sharp enough to roast bananas. But I don’t back down. For once, I want answers.

Alpha Ken stops, then forces out a fake smile… the kind you slap on for photos when you’d rather be anywhere else.

“It’s alright, Beta Samuel,” he says to my father, before turning back to me. “You think you’re all that... better than my son. You think you have character, beauty, grace, and strength. Be grateful I’m even letting you stand by his side as his Beta. And that’s only because of your father’s loyalty… not because there’s anything special about you.”

My fists clench at my sides. It’s complete nonsense. During pack training, I always come out on top, I even beat his spoiled-ass son. But because of that, my parents and Alpha Ken forced me to act incompetent, to let Alpha Jason win every time.

And when I started attending Darkshade Academy, they placed me in the second quarter with the omegas and gammas, unlike the other future betas, who trained in the first quarter alongside future Alphas and Lunas. All because they were afraid I’d outshine their precious Alpha Jason.

“So watch your damn mouth, little girl,” Alpha Ken adds, “or I’ll strip that title right off you and toss your whole family down to omega status,” he snaps, then turns on his heel and starts striding toward the door, my dad trailing after him.

The second the door slams shut, my mom spins around to face me with a heavy sigh.

“Raine, what the hell was that? Why would you pull a stunt like that?”

I cross my arms, jaw tight. “Mom, I didn’t do anything wrong. I just said the damn truth. Why the hell should I be Alpha Jason’s little lapdog when I’m better than him?”

Her eyes damn near pop out of her heed. “Are you saying you wanna be Alpha of Night Thorn?”

“It’s not that, Mom,” I bite out. “I’m just saying if I’m gonna be his Beta, can I at least be my damn self? Why the hell do I have to play dumb and act like some incompetent idiot just so Jason can look good? He’s not even a real leader…the guy only gives a shit about himself.”

Before she can spit out another word, my dad storms back into the living room, face already twisted up in fury. “Raine! Have you completely lost it? Talking like that to the Alpha, do you have a death wish?”

“Because I’m tired!” “I throw my hands up, completely done with this bullshit. “Tired of you two sucking up to the Alpha family like you’re their personal welcome mats! We’re the Beta family, Dad, not some whipped-ass puppies.”

“You’re just mad Jason rejected you. You’re throwing a damn tantrum.”

“I’m not mad he rejected me, Dad. I’m pissed that the Moon Goddess cursed me with a mate like him. I don’t want that arrogant, clueless bastard.”

“Stop it, Raine! Right now!” he yells sharply. “Are you trying to ruin this family, huh? You wanna see us really get tossed to omega ranks? Is that what you want?”

I groan, turning away because I can’t look at him without wanting to scream. I’m just so damn tired. Tired of all this fake loyalty, tired of playing some bullshit role just so my dad can stay power-hungry. He doesn’t give a single damn about me, all he cares about is keeping the family title, even if it wrecks me in the process.

“Now quit wasting time,” he grumbles, grabbing his keys from the table. “We’re going back to the academy. Graduate, pass your finals, become Night Thorn’s Beta, that’s all that matters. First quarter or not, none of it changes that.”

I let out a bitter little laugh, shaking my head. He doesn’t give a shit about me. Not even a little. And that realization? It fucking hurts. My eyes sting, and before I can stop it, tears start falling, uninvited.

“Raine, honey...” My mom reaches out for me, but I step back, wiping my face quickly.

I don’t need comfort. Not from them.

“We’re running late, come on, Raine,” Dad says urgently.

“I’ll go myself,” I mutter, swiping at my face angrily.

“Don’t forget to keep a low profile, hun... please,” Mom calls after me, and that just pisses me off even more.

I brush past them, my feet carrying me out the door before anyone can say another word.

I can't believe this shit…they don’t give a damn about me… not really. They don’t even care how Alpha Jason’s stupid-ass rejection is wrecking my wolf. No concern, no regard, nothing. Just the usual.

But whatever, it’s fucking fine. If that’s what they all want, if that’s the grand plan the Moon Goddess laid out for me… then so be it. I’ll go back. I’ll be Alpha Jason’s shadow, like I’ve always been.

But this time... I’m not so sure. Something in me feels broken.