CHAPTER 1

Delilah's POV

"After graduation, you're mine. Publicly. No more hiding."

Jaxon's lips brushed against my neck as he whispered the promise. We were tucked behind the library in our usual spot where no one could see us. His hand slid under my shirt, fingers tracing patterns on my bare skin that made me shiver.

"You promise?" I breathed out. "After three years of this, you'll really claim me in front of everyone?"

"I swear it." His ice blue eyes locked onto mine. "Three more days until graduation. Then I become Alpha and no one will ever hurt you again. You'll be my Luna and they'll have to respect you."

I wanted to believe him so badly it hurt. For three years at Riverbend University, I endured hell. Male wolves grabbed my ass in hallways and called me easy. Female wolves spread rumors that I slept with professors for grades. They called me whore's daughter every single day because Mom dared to date again five years after Dad died.

But Jaxon made it bearable. My fated mate, the future Alpha who loved me in secret and promised salvation was coming.

His hand moved lower, slipping beneath the waistband of my jeans. I gasped when his fingers found me already wet for him. He groaned against my throat.

"You're always so ready for me, baby." His fingers circled slowly, making my knees weak. "I can't wait to have all of you. To fill you up and mark you as mine."

My hand found the bulge straining against his pants. I stroked him through the fabric and felt him grow harder under my touch. He bucked into my palm with a low growl.

"Delilah." His voice was rough with need. "Three more days. Just three more days and I'll take every inch of you after I claim you publicly. I'll make you scream my name where everyone can hear."

His fingers worked faster and I bit my lip to keep quiet. The pleasure built and built until I shattered against his hand, trembling in his arms. He held me through it, whispering promises about our future together.

"I have to get to class," I whispered when I could breathe again.

He kissed me softly. "Tonight. Meet me here tonight and I'll make you come on my tongue."

I nodded and slipped away from him, straightening my clothes as I headed back toward the main campus. My body still hummed with pleasure and my heart felt light for the first time in weeks. Three more days. Just three more days until everything changed.

The lightness died the moment I walked into my healing arts lecture.

"Look who finally decided to show up." Sarah's voice rang out across the classroom. "Probably late because she was on her knees somewhere earning her grade."

The class erupted in laughter. I kept my head down and moved toward my usual seat in the back.

"I heard Professor Davis failed her last exam," another girl added loudly. "Guess she'll have to work extra hard to convince him to pass her. On her back, probably."

More laughter. I sank into my seat and pulled out my notebook, ignoring the whispers and pointed looks. This was normal. This was every single day of my life at Riverbend University.

A male wolf named Kyle walked past my desk and deliberately knocked my books to the floor. "Oops. Maybe if you weren't such a clumsy whore like your mother, you'd be able to hold onto things."

I bent down to pick up my books, biting my tongue to keep from responding. Fighting back only made it worse. I learned that lesson in my first year.

The lecture dragged on forever. Professor Davis called on me twice just to watch me stumble through answers while the class snickered. By the time it ended, I was exhausted and Storm was whimpering in my head.

Just three more days, I reminded myself as I gathered my things. Three more days and Jaxon claims me and this all stops.

I headed toward the bathroom before my next class. The hallway was mostly empty since everyone was either in lectures or at lunch. I pushed open the bathroom door and froze.

Sarah stood by the sinks with three other girls. They all turned to look at me with cruel smiles on their faces.

"Well, well." Sarah crossed her arms. "If it isn't the whore's daughter. We were just talking about you."

I tried to back toward the door but one of the girls, Michelle, moved to block it.

"Where do you think you're going?" Michelle asked. "We're not done with you."

My heart started pounding. This felt different from the usual taunts. More dangerous.

"Your mother is a disgrace," Sarah said as she walked closer. "Spreading her legs for another man before your father's body was even cold. What kind of woman does that?"

"A slut," one of the other girls answered. "Just like her daughter."

"My mom waited five years," I said quietly, hating how my voice shook. "She mourned Dad. She's allowed to love again."

"Love?" Sarah laughed. "Is that what you call it? She fucked her way into a new relationship because she couldn't stand being alone. Just like you're trying to fuck your way through university."

"That's not true."

"Everyone knows you're sleeping with professors for grades," Michelle added. "Like mother, like daughter. Both of you will spread your legs for anyone who gives you attention."

"Stop talking about my mother like that." Anger flared hot in my chest. "You don't know anything about her."

"We know she's a faithless whore," Sarah said. She was right in front of me now. "And we know her daughter is just as pathetic and desperate."

"Take it back." My hands clenched into fists.

"Or what?" Sarah shoved me hard. I stumbled backward and hit the wall. "You going to fight me? The weak little reject who can't even defend herself?"

The other girls closed in around me. I was surrounded with my back against the wall.

"Your mother dishonored your father's memory," Sarah continued. "She spat on his grave by dating that Beta from Nightshade Pack. The whole pack knows what she is. A disgusting slut who couldn't keep her legs closed."

"Shut up!" I shoved Sarah back.

The moment I saw Sarah's eyes flash with rage, I knew that was a big mistake.