Chapter 3

The second my shoes hit the academy hallway, I knew I was screwed. You’d think I stepped into some kinda movie scene where the unpopular girl shows up to prom wearing a trash bag, because that’s the level of attention I was getting. Heads whipped, and jaws dropped.

I kept my chin up, clenching my jaw so hard. Nope, not today. I wasn’t about to let these wicked-faced assholes watch me break down. I could feel the burn behind my eyes, but hell no. No tears. Not for them. Not for anyone.

“Isn’t she the chick who fainted?” some giggly girl whispered, and I swear she wanted me to hear that loud and clear.

“She’s the one,” another voice chimed in. “Tried to seduce Alpha Jason, but got rejected brutally.” Then came the laughter… sharp, loud, and right in my damn face.

I keep walking. My chest feels like someone shoved a dagger in and twisted it for fun, but I keep moving, pretending like their voices don’t faze me at all. I didn’t try to seduce Jason. Hell, I can’t even stand that bastard.

“Raine!”

Matt’s voice finally broke through the noise, pulling me out of my thoughts. He stood by my locker, all wide-eyed and concerned, with Lana hovering next to him, looking equally worried. Judging from their looks, I figured they’d been trying to mind-link me all damn week…. but I was too weak and broken to speak to them.

Lana wasted no time yanking me into a hug the second I got close enough.

“I’m so sorry, Raine. You don’t deserve this bullshit,” she whispered, rubbing my back so slow it made me want to ugly-cry right there in the hallway.

I blinked hard, swallowing the lump bubbling up my throat. The tears threatened, but I held them hostage. I wasn’t giving the audience the satisfaction.

When she let go, Matt was already there, arms open, and I didn’t even think twice before falling into his hug.

“You okay, babe?” he asked softly.

I sniff, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes. “Yeah… I’m fine now. I still can’t believe that bastard’s my mate.”

Matt frowns. “You deserve way more than Alpha Asshole. You’re strong, smart, and badass as hell, Raine…you deserve a better mate.”

“Thanks, guys.” I sniffled, wiping at my cheek with the back of my sleeve.

“So what’d your parents say? Were they, like, mad?” Lana asks.

I let out a dry laugh. “Mad? Please. They didn’t give two shits about me. The only thing they cared about was the damn Beta title.” My stomach twisted just thinking about it. “Alpha Ken even came, and basically told me I should be grateful I’m even allowed to sniff the Beta role, all because my dad’s so loyal.”

“They’re all blind,” Matt sighed, running a hand through his dark hair like he wanted to rip it out. “Raine. You deserve better. Way better.”

“I don’t even know what the hell I’m supposed to do. They want me to go back, act like nothing happened, and keep playing the part of that bastard’s shadow. Even Raven’s gone quiet. I can’t feel her. I don’t even know if she’s still there.”

My voice cracks, and this time I can’t stop the tears from falling.

“Hey, hey,” Lana coos, cupping my shoulder. “She’s hurt, okay? But she’ll come back. She’s your wolf, Raine. Just give her time.”

I nod, barely hearing her. I just want my wolf to stop feeling so damn down. She should be glad Alpha Jason isn’t our mate anymore.

I reached for my locker, ready to grab my books, but the second I opened it….a blue liquid shot out, splashing straight across my face. It soaked through my skin, dripping down my neck and into my white T-shirt.

The hallway exploded with laughter. I blinked through the stinging mess, trying to wipe it out of my eyes, but it only made things worse.

“What the fuck…Raine, you okay?” Matt rushed to my side, hands hovering around me like he wanted to help but didn’t know where to start.

My vision cleared just enough for me to spot Alpha Rico, Alpha Jason’s flea-ridden, tall ass friend, doubled over, pointing at me…laughing.

“How’s that for the weak Beta?” he sneers, his grin stretching wide. The entire hallway explodes into more laughter, louder and meaner than before. "Know your damn place, bitch."

And just like that, whatever tiny shred of pride I was clinging to shatters straight to hell. My chest tightens so bad, and the tears I’ve been swallowing down all morning finally spill over, hot and fast.

What the fuck did I ever do wrong? Did I pick Jason to be my mate? Did I beg for this horrible fate? But here I am, starring as the academy’s favorite punching bag.

"What the fuck, man? Why the hell you gotta treat her like this? She didn’t do a damn thing wrong!" Matt yells at Alpha Rico.

But Alpha Rico just turns to him smugly. "You talkin’ to me, short stack?"

Matt squares up, even though he barely reaches Alpha Rico’s chin. "Yeah, I’m talking to you. Just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you get to pick on people half your size."

"You serious right now?" Alpha Rico sighs, sounding more amused than anything, before grabbing Matt by the collar and yanking him clean off the floor like he weighs nothing.

"Leave him alone!" I shout through tears.

Alpha Rico doesn't bulge. The dude’s bigger, stronger, and meaner than most werewolves at the academy. Matt’s no match, not even close.

"Stop it!” I yell, but Alpha Rico just chuckles and tightens his grip, fingers squeezing around Matt’s neck brutally.

"You’re gonna kill him!" Lana screams, panic rising as Matt’s face starts turning this sick shade of purple, his mouth gasping for air, barely making a sound except for that awful choking noise.

I can’t just stand here, frozen like some useless idiot, watching my best friend get strangled because of me. Quickly, I lunge at Alpha Rico, grabbing at his thick fingers and yanking hard… but he doesn’t even flinch.

"Let him go, you fucking bastard!" I scream, and when that doesn’t work, I do the only thing left… I sink my damn teeth into his hand. Hard.

Alpha Rico jerks, hissing, and shoves me off, sending me sprawling across the floor. Pain shoots through me, but the sound of the other students laughing hurts worse.

I can’t fucking believe them. They’re just standing there, watching this like it’s some sick reality show, waiting to see if Matt’s gonna die right in front of them. Like hell I’m letting that happen.

I’m pushing myself up, wiping dirt off my face, when a voice cuts through the air suddenly.

"Let him go." The voice is harsh.

I freeze, turning toward the sound. It's Alpha Drake. Leaning against the lockers like he’s got all the time in the world, leather jacket hanging off his broad shoulders, eyes cold and unreadable.

Alpha Rico lets out a stiff little laugh, putting on a fake ass smile. "Come on, Alpha Drake, we were just…"

"Let. Him. Go."

Alpha Drake’s eyes flash blood-red, and the whole damn hallway holds its breath.