Chapter 5
1126 Words
Elena’s POV
I turned my gaze sharply to meet her eyes, my own reddening with anger. “You slept with my boyfriend. Should I applaud you?”
I repeated, my voice laced with ice. The words hung in the air between us, sharp and unforgiving. Selene’s smug smile faltered—just for a moment—but it was enough. I saw the flicker of something else beneath the surface bravado. Fear? Or was it something more complex, something that sent a shiver crawling down my spine?
"Elena, please," she began, her voice taking on a wounded quality that grated on my nerves. "It just… happened. The mate bond…"
I cut her off with a wave of my hand. "Don't you dare use that word with me," I snarled, my Lycan simmering beneath the surface. "You have no right."
I said sternly, taking a turn to the cafeteria to grab some breakfast as she continued ahead.
******
The hallways buzzed with whispers, each murmur slicing through me like a blade. My fingers clenched around the strap of my bag, knuckles whitening as I scanned the crowd. I needed to find her. My best friend—she would make me feel better. After all, she was Miss Creativity. She’d find a way out of this.
Then I saw her.
“Milla,” I let out softly, relief washing over me. But she stood a few feet away, surrounded by girls we never used to talk to. A sinking feeling clawed at my stomach as I stepped toward her. She stared at me, somewhat ashamed, not wanting to associate. But before I could speak, she turned and nodded toward the wall.
My gaze followed hers, and my breath hitched.
A poster with a drawing of me.
No, not just one—dozens.
It was the most humiliating picture of me, one taken by Damien. But how? If it wasn’t him, then how did anyone else get a hold of it? It was plastered across the hallway like a sick joke.
“Bitchy Princess Now Lonely as Boyfriend Picks Lowly Omega Over Her."
Laughter erupted around me, a piercing stake as the chorus engulfed me, disappointment wrapping its fingers around my throat.
My hands curled into fists, nails biting into my palms as my wolf, Ava, paced restlessly inside me. The humiliation burned, searing through every nerve, but I refused to break.
I lunged forward, tearing down the posters, shredding them with a raw, angry scream. My vision blurred with unshed tears as I turned wildly, searching their eyes for truth—an open mind link that could just give me a hint.
I caught a glimpse of Selene.
Selene?
It all made sense now.
She stood at the end of the hallway, an unmistakable smirk tugging at her lips. Gone was the timid, lowly Omega I once knew. This was a different Selene. There was a new glow, a new spark that illuminated around her.
"You did this?" I yelled, my voice cracking with rage as I stormed toward her.
But before I could reach her, a wall of girls stepped between us. Their unspoken loyalty spoke volumes. But how? When? She suddenly had a pack? I thought we were her friends.
One look at them, and I decided to retreat. It wasn’t a battle I was willing to fight—I wasn’t ready. No, I wasn’t afraid. I could take them on. But not everyone knew my true identity. I needed a better plan.
I spun on my heel, pushing past the jeering crowd, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The walls of the school seemed to close in on me, suffocating the life out of me. I needed air—I needed to get away.
Blinded by frustration and obscured by tears, I sprinted down the stairs, into the hallway—
Boom.
I slammed recklessly into a wall of something.
A thick, rich scent of musk and pine enveloped me, dizzying in its intensity.
Not something. Someone.
A deep growl rumbled through the air, sending shivers down my spine.
I blinked up, my breath hitching as my gaze met his.
Sharp eyes. Unreadable. Familiar demeanor, yet something about him was daring.
He took a slow step back, scanning me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. His expression was a mask of mischief, but there was something else, something buried deep in his eyes I couldn’t quite understand.
"Watch where you're going next time," he said, his voice edged with authority. "And learn to apologize—you didn't just bump into a wall or something."
The arrogance in his tone snapped something inside me. I had been through too much today to let some entitled, godlike stranger talk down to me.
"You should watch your mouth," I shot back, narrowing my eyes. "And maybe you should look forward when walking, you prude!"
His lips pressed into a thin line, but I didn’t wait for a response. Brushing past him—deliberately shoving against his shoulder—I stormed away. Ava began stirring restlessly inside me once again.
This time, there was a jolt of electricity pushing down my spine.
Why was she so excited?
My stomach tightened, an unfamiliar heat coiling low inside me. No.No, this wasn’t right.
I had just been publicly humiliated. My so-called best friend had abandoned me. My mate had chosen someone else.
I should not feel this way.
But somehow, I couldn't explain what I felt. The stranger’s scent still clung to my senses, refusing to fade—like a silent chase.
I shook my head, forcing myself to focus as I reached my dormitory. Stripping off my clothes, I curled into bed, pulling the blanket over my head.
“Mate..."
The word was whispered so softly I almost thought I had imagined it.
I shot up, scanning the room, making sure no one was here.
A shiver ran through me. No.It couldn’t be.
Before I could dwell on it, a soft knock echoed through the silence, dragging me back to reality.
“It's me, Ellis."
"Go away," I snapped, shutting my eyes tight. I just wanted to be alone.
"Here’s a letter for you," he said, sliding something under the door before retreating.
I waited until I was sure he was gone before reaching for the envelope. My fingers trembled as I opened it.
“An invitation to the ball.”
I hesitated. My heart told me to stay in bed, to hide away from all this drama.
But my wolf refused.
No. My pride wouldn’t let me.
I wanted to go see for myself. I wouldn’t cower. I wouldn’t let them win.
Tonight, I would take back my power and reclaim everything Damien Blake had stolen from me.
- Writer
