Chapter 5

So tell me why the entire academy’s acting like I just punched the sun outta the sky?

We’re inside the infirmary, and I’m straight-up losing my last damn brain cell. Everyone’s side-eyeing me like I’m the villain of the century, all because I kissed a dude. Yeah. I swapped spit, big whoop. Meanwhile, their precious Alpha Jason’s knocked out cold, and suddenly I’m public enemy number one.

How interesting that not a single damn soul cared when I collapsed last week because of him. Nope. Not even a “you good?” They just kept sipping their tea and trash-talking like the supportive community they are. Hypocrites, the whole lot of them.

I glance at the bed… and there he is. Alpha Jason. Still laid out like an ugly Sleeping Beauty. Honestly, he doesn’t even look that sick. Dude’s got more color in his face than I do after a five-mile run, so I know his dramatic ass is gonna wake up any second.

Clara’s parked right next to him, bawling. Wiping fake tears, all while shooting me death stares.

The doc…this middle-aged werewolf with the vibe of a man who’s so done with academy drama, lets out the world’s longest sigh.

“He’ll be fine. Just needs some rest,” he says casually.

Clara pipes up. “But what happened? Why’d he collapse?”

Oh, please. She knows exactly why. But of course, she wants the full tea… publicly.

The doc clears his throat, eyes flicking to me for half a second. “Well, uh, his mate was… kissing someone else. Guess the wolf couldn’t handle it. Emotional damage, y’know?”

Clara practically jumps outta her seat and starts pacing the room. “But they rejected each other! So why the hell does it still affect him?”

Doc shrugs. “It’s still fresh. Bonds don’t snap clean just cause the words are said. And neither of them’s got a second-chance mate yet.” His last words hit her hard, and her face twists into a scowl.

Poor Clara. She’s been thirsting after the Luna title of Night Thorn pack like her life depends on it.

The doc claps his hands awkwardly. “Anyway, he’ll be fine. Let him sleep it off.”

Yeah, sure. I’m so done with this circus.

“I guess that’s all, I’ll see myself out.” I mutter, spinning on my heel, just trying to escape before I lose it.

But the universe clearly hates me.

The door creaks open and in strolls one of the nurses, arms folded, face screaming bad news incoming. She locks eyes with me.

“Principal Stones wants a word with you.”

And there it is. I knew it. Thought I could slide outta here unnoticed, but of course not.

I let out a dramatic sigh, and followed the nurse out.

The whole damn walk to the principal’s office feels like I’m headed to my own funeral. My stomach’s twisting, and honestly, I don’t have the patience for her snobby lectures right now. Principal Evelyn Stones…yeah, the queen of fake concern and tight-ass black suits, has been ruling this academy for five years now. She started off as one of the academy’s school nurses, climbing her way up the ladder… Now she’s got the crown, even though everybody knows you need more than a damn band-aid werewolf degree for this job.

The nurse finally swings the office door open, waving me inside. I suck in a breath, roll my eyes, and drag myself in.

There she is, perched on that ancient, squeaky-ass chair that looks one sit away from collapsing. Dressed head to toe in her usual black suit, hair yanked into the tightest bun known to mankind.

She doesn’t even let me settle before her voice cuts through the room sharply. "Raine Ashford, I bet you’re real proud of yourself for the mess you’ve stirred up, young lady."

"Principal Stones,” I open my mouth, trying real hard not to sound rude. “I didn’t do anything wrong.."

“Save it!” she cut me off, hand flicking through the air like she’s swatting a fly. "Kissing the future Alpha of Black Ridge Pack, right out there in broad daylight, knowing full well the emotional damage it’d do to Alpha Jason." She pauses, her sharp velvet eyes locking on me, waiting for a reaction.

"What about me?" I shoot back drly. "Ain’t I allowed to feel like crap too? Was I supposed to stand there like a damn statue, let Alpha Jason kiss Clara while I pass out in front of the whole damn school again?"

She arches her brow. "If that’s what it takes, then yes. You’re supposed to protect him, Raine. You’re his beta, or did you forget? The one person meant to stand by his side, no matter what. You may not give a damn about the future of Night Thorn Pack, but I do. And Jason’s health, his emotional strength…that’s worth more than your bruised little feelings."

My fists ball at my sides, nails digging into my palms because if I speak, I might just let loose every curse I know.

"Why's that so hard to understand?" Her heels click against the floor as she stands slowly. She strolls right up to me, towering over my five-foot-three ass like a damn skyscraper, her stilettos making her look even more terrifying than usual.

"You should count yourself lucky, little girl," she purrs. "I haven’t called Alpha Ken about your behavior. Oh, I’d pay good money to hear what he’d have to say about his future beta making a public fool of herself."

I can't fcking believe this.

"So here’s what’s gonna happen," she begins. "Starting today, you’ll be training with the future Alphas and Lunas in the first quarter. Maybe that’ll knock some senses into you."

My brain short circuits. Did she just say first quarter? I swear the whole room tilts for a second.

But she isn’t done.

"If I catch even a whiff of another scandal from you," she leans in, lowering her voice to that slow, smug tone that makes me want to punch something. "Your future here will be... reconsidered. And you know exactly what that means for the so-called future beta of Night Thorn Pack."

My breath catches for a second. I don’t even wanna imagine how my dad will react.

She steps back, adjusts her suit, and flicks her hand toward the door. "Go pack your stuff, you'll be moving to the first quarter later today. You may leave."

I slap on the fakest smile I can manage, turn around, and march out of her office before I do something stupid. Like flipping her damn desk.

The second I hit the hallway, it hits me. The future Alphas and Lunas? Their training is always brutal as hell, strict like some werewolf boot camp. And whenever an omega or gamma gets tossed in there, it’s not training…it’s straight-up punishment. It's hard to keep up. Between the brutal drills and the nonstop bullying, it’s like signing up for a daily ass-kicking.

But this is it. This is what I’ve been waiting for… the big leagues. The first quarter, where I actually belong as a future beta. Maybe this is a second chance from the Moon Goddess. A chance to prove I’m not the weakling they’ve made me out to be. And I’m certain now, I’m done living in Alpha Jason’s shadow.