Chapter 5

Raine Ashford  

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, forcing 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 began to rub my clothes roughly, trying to wipe off the damn blue stuff on my shirt, but the more I rubbed, the more it felt like part of my clothes. I looked at the time and saw that there were still five minutes left. I still had time. I had a tight shirt in my locker that I had prepared for training. I planned to take the clothes and change nearby before going to the venue, otherwise Principal Stone would take me to the podium as a negative example of dress etiquette.

I quickly walked back to my locker. The floor was a mess, and my belongings were scattered all over the floor because Alpha Rico had thrown me off. I stuffed my things back into the locker, found the shirt, and locked the locker. Thankfully, the shirt was clean. 

The closest to the cabinet is an equipment room, which is filled with training equipment for werewolf students, such as fake wolf models required for combat techniques and various types of soft cushions.

Now almost all the students went to the hall, and there was no one in this floor. I slipped in, walked to the back of the cabinet that could hide my body, and took off my dirty clothes.

Pong！

The door was opened from the outside, and my heart was lifted. The clean clothes were still in my hands, but I froze in place, not daring to move, trying to stay quiet.

 This equipment room has always been accessible only to teachers and coaches, and students are not allowed to enter. If I am discovered, I will be criticized by the whole school, which is really terrible. I just hope that the people who come in will get what they need and leave quickly.

“What you wanna say? What do you mean you are my mate?”

A deep male voice came from the door, and I froze. Because I had heard this voice not long ago.