Claimed By The Ruthless Alpha Devils

Humiliated

MIRABELLA

The rest of the weekend passes in a blur. I spend most of it holed up in my room, headphones in, trying to drown out the sounds of laughter and footsteps echoing down the Windsor halls. I keep out of the twins’ way as much as possible. It feels safer that way, though “safe” in this house doesn’t really exist.

By Monday morning, I’m exhausted even though I’ve barely moved. Cassian drops me off at school in his sleek black car, the leather still carrying that expensive smell that reminds me this isn’t my world. Before I step out, he tells me my car will arrive before the end of the week. His tone is calm, businesslike, but the words stick in my chest. A car. My own. It feels like surreal. One day, I’m barely able to scrape up enough to afford a meal, and now, I’m getting my own car.

But at the same time, it feels like chains the chains around me are getting pulled tighter. Because the only reason it’s happening is that I agreed to stay.

The school building looms ahead of me, gray stone and gleaming windows, students streaming inside in perfect little groups. My emotions are a mess as I push through the doors, clutching my bag like a shield. I don’t know if I belong here, if I’ll ever belong anywhere.

Then I spot Sophie. She’s standing by the lockers, laughing with another girl whose hair is tied in a perfect braid. For a second, I hesitate. We were friendly at the party, sure, but parties are easy. Bright lights, loud music, alcohol. School is different. Real. I don’t know if she’ll even acknowledge me.

But then her gaze catches mine, and her lips lift into a smile. She waves me over. “Over here.”

Relief spills through me so fast it almost makes me dizzy. I walk over, trying not to look too eager, and soon we’re talking about everything. The party, the teachers, how insane this school’s dress code is. When she asks to see my schedule, I hand it over, and she grins. “Looks like we’ve got some classes together. Come on, we’ll be late if we don’t hurry.”

I tuck the paper back into my pocket and follow her up the stairs to the second floor. The home room is bright, lined with tall windows that let in the September sun. Ms. Hartman, our teacher, sits in the center at the front of the room. And when she stands up, she smooths her hands down the front of her suit. She looks young probably not too much older than us, maybe in her thirties. And she looks very smart. She looks too smart to be holed up here in a private school with us.

“Good morning, everyone,” she says, plastering a smile on her face. Her voice is clear, practiced. “My name is Evelyn Hartman, and I’ll be your homeroom teacher for the rest of the year.”

Most of the seats are already filled, and I can feel eyes following Sophie and me as we hurry to the back. We take the only two open spots. My heart stutters when I notice Kaden sitting two rows ahead, sprawled in his chair like he owns it. He doesn’t look at me, doesn’t even twitch, but somehow his silence is louder than words.

I’m trying to focus on what introduction when the door creaks open. The sound makes the entire room shift. Heads turn. It’s Kaius.

“Sorry I’m late, Evelyn,” he drawls, strolling in with his emerald green eyes sweeping over the class before locking on me. That faint frown curves his mouth, like my presence alone annoys him. His attention flicks back to the teacher. “No seat for me?”

Ms. Hartman hesitates, shuffling through her roster. “It seems we have one more student than anticipated this year. I’ll ask maintenance to bring up another chair. For now, you’ll have to stand.”

“Get up,” Kaden mutters suddenly, turning in his seat to pin me with a look. His voice is low, but the venom is clear. “You’re the freeloader here.”

Heat burns up my throat. Before I can respond, Ms. Hartman clears her throat sharply. “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Windsor. Your brother will stand for now. Please, let’s continue.”

Kaius doesn’t argue. He leans against the wall at the back of the class, but his gaze never drifts far from me. It needles into my skin, makes it hard to breathe.

The bell finally rings, and students start filing out. I’m stuffing my notebook into my bag when a shadow cuts across my desk. I look up, and he’s there. Kaius.

“I told you to stay out of my way,” he says, voice like steel wrapped in silk.

I stand, meeting his eyes. “You’re the one cornering me.”

A smirk curls at his lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t get comfortable here, sister. You don’t belong. And if you’re smart, you’ll stop pretending you do.”

The words sting, but anger flares hotter than hurt. My hand twitches, almost lifting, almost ready to slap that smug look off his face. He tilts his head, green eyes glittering. “Go on. Do it. But you’ll regret it.”

Before I can decide whether to follow through, Sophie grabs my wrist. “Come on, Bella. We’ll be late.”

The second bell shrieks, saving me from myself. I let Sophie tug me out of the room, my pulse still thrumming like a war drum. I don’t want to give Kaius the satisfaction of knowing how much he got to me.

We’re halfway down the hall when I remember. My history textbook. It’s too heavy to carry everywhere, so I left it in my locker. “Go ahead without me,” I tell Sophie, forcing a smile. “I’ll meet you in class.”

“Okay, but hurry,” she says before darting off into the crowd.

My locker is just around the corner, thankfully close to my next class. I weave through the students, keeping my head down. The hall buzzes with chatter, laughter, footsteps against tile.

Then I see them. Bianca Deveraux and her trio of perfectly groomed shadows. They appear like they’ve been waiting for me, their glossy hair swinging, lips painted in sharp shades of red and pink. They don’t say a word, just stop and smirk when they notice me.

I keep walking, ignoring the twist in my stomach. They may be beautiful, but poison often comes in pretty bottles.

From the corner of my eye, I catch movement, Kaden slipping out of the classroom and heading toward them. His stride is lazy, careless, but the way Bianca immediately leans close to whisper in his ear makes my blood heat. Her manicured nails brush the muscle of his arm, her laugh a soft purr.

He shrugs her off casually, his blazer tightening across broad shoulders as he shifts. Every guy in the hall stares at Bianca like she’s untouchable, but it’s Kaden she’s focused on.

I grit my teeth and turn away. None of it matters. Not her. Not him. My focus is my locker, my book, and making it through the day without falling apart.

Spinning the combination lock, I murmur the numbers under my breath. Relief sparks when it clicks on the first try. For once, something is easy. I tug the handle and pull the door open.

And then—

A wet, stinking avalanche crashes down on me. Garbage. Slimy, rotting, unrecognizable filth pouring over my shoulders, soaking into my hair, dripping down my clothes.

The hallway goes silent for half a heartbeat, and then laughter erupts.

I stand frozen, drenched, the smell hitting me so hard it makes bile rise in my throat.