Chapter 4

Alpha Rico lets go roughly, and Matt hits the floor, coughing his lungs out, clutching at his neck like it’s barely hanging on.

"Let’s get the hell outta here," Alpha Rico snickers, striding off down the hallway with his little band of brainless goons trailing after him, all of them still laughing their asses off like fools.

Alpha Drake pushes off the locker, and strolls over majestically. His eyes drop to my face, those sharp, unreadable ones narrowing, and I know that look. I’ve seen it before. Pity. The same fucking look people give a stray dog in the streets.

I should be grateful, right? Should be kissing his boots for saving our asses, but all I feel is this boiling mess inside. Anger. Embarrassment. I don’t need his damn pity. I don’t need anyone’s.

I shove myself off the floor without even glancing his way and bolt, my legs carrying me straight to the restroom. Soon as I’m inside, the floodgates break, and the tears hit me hard and fast, shaking my whole damn body.

What the hell did I do to deserve this? Was it my fault the Moon Goddess gave me Jason as a mate? Did I sign up for this freakshow? Everyone’s got their claws out for me, like I personally fucked up their lives.

I glance up at the mirror, and the second I see my reflection, it all hits me again. My face’s smeared in that gross blue crap, making me look like a damn clown. No wonder Alpha Drake looked at me like I was one sad little puppy. Probably thinks I’m a fucking charity case.

I wipe my eyes but the tears won’t stop. I used to be invisible, just a shadow hanging around, only Matt and Lana ever giving a damn. Now the whole academy knows my name, and not because I did something cool..nah, I’m the brand-new, shiny punching bag. The academy’s fucking entertainment.

I wish I could disappear. I wish Alpha Jason wasn’t my mate. Hell, I wish the Moon Goddess would get off her divine ass and fix this fucking mess.

After what feels like forever, the tears finally slow down, and I drag myself to the sink. I crank the faucet and start scrubbing my face, trying to wash off the blue crap along with all the shit feelings.

The door creaks open, and my heart lurches, but it’s just Lana and Matt stepping inside.

"You okay?" Lana asks softly.

"Yeah... sure," I mumble, still wiping at my face. "Just gotta get this crap off."

"You need a hand?" she offers, but I shake my head and glance at Matt. His neck’s still red and swollen.

"Thanks, Matt. But don’t you ever pull that stunt again, you dumbass. You tryna get yourself killed or what?"

Matt lets out a heavy sigh, rubbing his bruised neck. "Couldn’t just stand there and watch them treat you like that. Besides, Alpha Drake showed up, didn’t he? Saved my ass anyway."

I roll my eyes, grabbing another napkin and dabbing at my face. "Yeah, like he’s some knight in shining leather or whatever."

"Raine, come on," Matt mumbles, shaking his head.

"Sorry, they’re all the same. Those alphas in the first quarter only care about themselves, their rank, and treating poor omegas, gammas, and warriors like trash,” I mutter, tossing the soggy napkin in the trash.

Lana glances at her watch and lets out a groan. "We gotta move. The briefing’s starting, and Principal Stone’s gonna throw a damn fit if we show up late."

"Yeah, she’ll probably bite someone’s head off," Matt adds, forcing a weak smile.

"You guys go. I’ll catch up. Just need to finish cleaning this mess off my face," I say, waving them off.

"You sure?" Matt asks, lingering by the door.

I force a hum and turn back to the mirror, pretending I’ve got my shit together.

Lana hesitates, her hand on the door. "You sure you’re alright, Raine?"

I plaster on the fakest smile I can muster. "I’m fine. Don’t worry."

They both nod, but I can tell they don’t buy it. Still, they leave me alone, and the door swings shut behind them.

I begin scrubbing at my face roughly, trying to get that stupid blue shit outta my hair, but the more I wipe, the more it feels like it’s part of my damn skin. After what feels like forever, I manage to make myself look halfway decent. I glance down at my T-shirt… yeah, the thing’s wrecked. But there’s no time to crawl back to my dorm and swap it. The first briefing’s about to start, and the last thing I need is Principal Stones breathing down my neck.

I toss the pile of ruined napkins into the trash, and head out of the restroom. The hallway’s dead quiet, not a soul in sight. Great…guess the whole damn academy’s already crammed into the hall like sardines. I hit the elevator, smashing the button angrily, and the second those doors slide open, I’m walking fast, until I finally enter inside the main hall.

At first, relief washes over me. It’s still loud, uncoordinated, the usual pre-assembly chaos. That means Principal Stones isn’t here yet, thank fuck. But then I notice the crowd all bunched up at the front like moths to a flame, phones out, whispering and giggling. Curiosity kills me, so I squeeze through, shoving past elbows and all.

Alpha Jason.

My so-called mate. Standing there, holding out a goddamn flower to Clara…one of the academy’s queen bees.

My stomach knots up so tight I swear it’s trying to kill me from the inside.

“Will you be my chosen Luna?” he asks her, and the second those words leave his mouth, the whole assembly fucking explodes. Cheers, whistles, howls…the full damn circus.

Clara bats her lashes, hugging the flower to her chest. “I accept. I’ll be your chosen Luna.”

And right there, in front of everybody, he pulls her in and plants his mouth on hers. My chest starts aching, sharp and deep, like my heart’s being squeezed into goddamn pulp. That same stab from last week slams right back into me. My legs go all wobbly, like I’m seconds away from folding in half.

“Fuck... fuck…” The words slip out, but nobody hears, nobody gives a shit. They’re all too busy losing their minds over the happy couple.

But hell no. I’m not passing out again. Not here. Not in front of these assholes. I must stop Alpha Jason, in a way that would make him suffer as much as he has made me.

An idea came to my mind, but my body made the decision faster than my mind.

Out of pure panic, I spin around, grab the first poor soul standing too close, and yank them down. I crash my lips into theirs, no clue who the hell it is, don’t care. I just want the pain to stop.

And holy shit, it does. Their lips are soft, warm, tasting like mint, and the second that ache fades, I pull away, panting hard.

But before I can even suck in a full breath, a strong arm snakes around my waist and hauls me right back, slamming me into another kiss. This one’s nothing like the first… it’s rough, hungry, demanding, and fucking hot.

My whole damn body sparks to life. Every inch of me right down to the spot between my thighs is wide awake, pulsing and aching for more.

The whispers and gasps around us? Yeah, I hear them. But I’m too far gone, lost in the feel of his lips crushing mine, the taste of mint on his breath, the way his hand grips my waist like he owns it.

And then, finally, the stranger pulls back, leaving me breathless and stumbling a little.

My gaze snaps up…Alpha Drake?

What the fuck!

“Hello, pretty," he purrs. That cocky smirk stretched across his face.

Before my brain can process anything, a high-pitched scream cuts through the air, snapping me back to reality.

"Alpha Jason!"

My head jerks toward the sound, and my stomach flips when I spot Clara…down on the floor, bawling her eyes out over Alpha Jason’s limp body.

That's it, just as I thought. Bond's pain will be inflicted on the person who is betrayed. And I just betrayed the Mate Bond by kissing another man, so Alpha Jason suffered because of the Bond. But I didn't expect him to be so weak that the pain made him unconscious. It was done, and my instinct told me that if I stayed here I would be in more trouble. My feet move before my brain can catch up, but Alpha Drake’s hand tightens around my arm, holding me in place.

"Don’t go," he mutters, and for a second his voice sounds almost... soft. Begging, even. For a moment, I'm frozen, confused, feeling something pulling me. But I yank my arm away.

"Let go of me."

But just as I’m about to walk away, a voice yells out.

"You fucking bitch! You’re the reason Alpha Jason is in this situation!" Clara screams, making everyone’s eyes snap to me….cold and angry.