TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DARK ALPHA AND HIS BROTHERS

CHAPTER 2: Greyhaven

Ivy's POV

“Look at her… right there.”

I heard it before I saw anything.

“There she goes.”

I kept walking, adjusting my bag on my shoulder, already tired, and it wasn’t even noon yet.

“That’s her. The whore.”

I stopped.

What?

I turned my head slightly, eyes narrowing. Two girls stood near the lockers, phones in their hands, staring at me like I was some kind of exhibit. One of them didn’t even lower her voice.

“Sleeping her way through professors. Disgusting.”

My brain stalled.

What the f**k are they talking about?

I felt heat rush to my face. My first instinct was anger, sharp and immediate. I hadn’t even recovered from finding my boyfriend screwing my best friend, and now this?

I shook my head and muttered, “Yeah, whatever,” under my breath.

People could rot for all I cared. I wasn’t in the mood. I was done caring about opinions. I walked faster, heels clicking against the floor, ignoring the whispers trailing behind me like flies.

But the whispers didn’t stop. They multiplied and by the time I reached the main hallway, something felt… off.

Conversations died the moment I passed. People turned their backs. Others stared openly, not even pretending to hide it.

A group of guys snickered as I walked by.

One of them said loudly, “Guess grades really are negotiable.”

I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt.

Ignore them, Ivy. Just ignore them.

I spotted Professor Adams near the staircase. My favorite professor. The man who’d encouraged me when I thought I wasn’t good enough, who’d once told me I had a future beyond this campus.

Relief flooded me.

“Professor Adams,” I said, forcing a smile. “Good morning.”

He didn’t respond, and he didn’t look at me. He stiffened, adjusted his glasses, and walked past me like I was invisible. Like I didn’t exist. He practically hurried away. I turned slowly, heart pounding.

“Professor?” I called after him.

Nothing. That’s when panic crept in. What the f**k is happening?

Before I could grab anyone else, the loudspeaker crackled overhead.

“Ivy Harrington,” a sharp voice echoed through the hall. “Please report to the principal’s office immediately.”

Every head turned toward me. Some people smiled and others laughed.

My chest tightened as I pushed through the crowd, anger bubbling under my skin.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “I’m going.”

The principal’s office felt colder than usual. Principal Shelby sat behind his desk, hands folded, expression tight and irritated. He didn’t offer me a seat.

“What is going on?” I asked the moment the door closed behind me. “Because everyone out there is acting insane.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Watch your tone, Miss Harrington.”

“I’m not trying to be rude,” I snapped, then

Caught myself. “I just… I don’t understand what’s happening.”

He sighed like I was already exhausting him.

“Last night,” he said slowly, “explicit content was posted across your social media accounts.”

I frowned.

“What?”

He turned his monitor toward me and my stomach dropped.

There were posts, stories, messages and screenshots… all under my name and they were vile.

Claims that I’d slept with professors. That I’d exchanged s*x for grades.

That I’d manipulated my way into a scholarship. There were fake screenshots of chats I had never sent, messages dripping with filth and arrogance.

I stared at the screen, shaking.

“That’s not me,” I whispered. “I didn’t post any of this.”

Principal Shelby scoffed.

“Are you being a smart ass with me right now?”

“What? No!” I shot back. “Sir, I swear—”

“Enough,” he cut in. “Do you understand the damage this has caused? Faculty members are being harassed. Parents are calling. The board is involved.”

My ears rang and that's when it hit me.

Fucking Mark!!!

My chest tightened painfully. Only Mark had my passwords. I’d trusted him. Trusted him with everything.

“I’ve been hacked,” I said quickly. “My ex-boyfriend—he has access to my accounts. This is revenge.”

He leaned back in his chair, unconvinced.

“That will be determined during the investigation.”

“Investigation?” My voice cracked.

“Yes. Effective immediately, your scholarship is suspended pending further review.”

The words slammed into me violently.

Suspended?!

“You’re also not permitted on campus until this is resolved.”

I felt like the floor dropped out from under me.

“You can’t do this,” I said weakly. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Leave, Miss Harrington,” he said firmly. “We’ll reach out to you.”

I walked out in a daze and anger hit me next. White-hot and uncontrollable.

I marched across campus, straight toward Mark’s building. I found him outside, laughing with Naomi like nothing in the world was wrong.

I saw red.

“You did this!” I screamed, marching up to them. “You f*****g did this!”

Mark’s smile vanished. Naomi’s lips curled.

“You’re embarrassing yourself,” Naomi said coolly.

“You hacked my accounts,” I shouted. “You ruined my life!”

Mark rolled his eyes.

“Your crazy ass b***h, you know that? Get off my back!”

That was it. I lunged, but campus security was on me in seconds. Hands grabbed my arms, dragging me back as people gathered around, laughing, recording.

“Get her out of here,” someone yelled.

“Crazy slut!”

I was crying now, tears blurring everything as they escorted me off campus.

The bus ride home was silent and humiliating.

I collapsed in my room and sobbed until my chest hurt.

The next day, an email arrived, and it was a termination of employment. I stared at the screen, numbly.

Days passed quite painfully and I stayed inside. Only went out for groceries. Shame clung to me everywhere I went.

Then one evening, I came back to my apartment and froze because there was a letter lying on the floor and the return address was what made my blood run cold.

Greyhaven..!