CHAPTER 2
911 Words
ADAH’S POV
Next morning, I was cornered, heart racing wildly in my chest as Kayden slammed his hand against the wall beside me. "Withdraw your name, Omega," he demanded, eyes cold and cruel.
"Withdraw from what?" My voice trembled, confusion clouding my thoughts.
"Don't play innocent," Rayden stepped forward, narrowing his eyes. "You know exactly what you signed up for."
"I-I don’t!" My heart hammered painfully as they shoved me roughly into an empty classroom, trapping me.
Kayden leaned in, sneering. "Don’t lie, Omega. You think you're good enough to compete against us in military boot camp?"
"Boot camp?" My voice faltered, panic twisting inside me. I never signed up for any boot camp.
"You won't survive a day," Rayden laughed harshly. "Withdraw now before we really get serious."
"Please—I didn't mean—" My pleas went unheard as they shoved past me, leaving me shaken and confused.
I stumbled into class, hands trembling, only to see Jayden standing smugly by the teacher's desk, collecting assignments.
"Hand it over, Omega," Jayden drawled lazily, his gaze sharp with mischief.
I hesitated, handing him my meticulously prepared paper. Something in his smirk unsettled me.
The following day, anxiety churned in my stomach as our teacher, Ms. Cole, glared at me. "Adah, your assignment is missing."
"That's impossible," I stammered, heart sinking. "I handed it to Jayden."
"She didn't," Jayden shrugged innocently, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Maybe she's lying. Omegas are desperate, right?"
The class erupted in laughter. Humiliation burned hotly on my cheeks.
"I'm not lying," I pleaded desperately, tears prickling my eyes. "Please, Ms. Cole—"
"Enough," Ms. Cole snapped, her expression cold and unsympathetic. "You're suspended from class until further notice."
I stood frozen, tears blurring my vision. Their laughter stung my ears, each cruel sound pushing me closer to breaking. Yet, I forced myself to prepare for swimming class, my pride refusing to let them fully defeat me.
Walking toward the lake, fear squeezed my chest. My thoughts scattered abruptly as Zayden appeared, his gaze predatory.
"Adah," his voice drawled mockingly. "Still trying?"
Before I could reply, his strong hands grasped my shoulders, shoving me violently into the freezing water.
Water flooded my lungs as panic clawed through me. My vision blurred, limbs flailing helplessly as I fought for air. Please, someone help!
Just as darkness threatened to claim me, he released his grip, laughing as I gasped and choked.
"Weak Omega," he sneered, walking away casually.
Anger surged, burning fiercely inside me. Enough was enough. I scrambled from the lake, drenched and shivering, determined to confront them once and for all.
"Why?" I demanded, storming toward the Castillo brothers gathered near the rooftop entrance. My voice shook but held firm. "Why do you hate me so much?"
"Finally showing some backbone?" Hayden mocked, stepping forward. "You're pathetic, Adah. A nerdy Omega trying to outshine us?"
"I never tried to hurt you," I whispered fiercely, anger and hurt tangling within me.
Rayden laughed harshly, stepping closer. "You signed up for boot camp, Omega. You dare compete with us?"
Realization dawned painfully, my heart plummeting as Angela's smiling face flashed through my mind. She had handed me the forms, urging me to trust her. Betrayal sliced through me sharply, making it hard to breathe.
"But I didn't—I never—"
"Don't lie to us," Kayden snarled. "Someone close to you made sure you'd sign those papers. Someone who knew exactly how to manipulate you."
My blood turned to ice. Someone close to me? My mind raced through the possibilities. Who had access to those forms? Who had convinced me to sign without reading?
"Your little b***h," Jayden sneered. "We always knew you'd be easy to manipulate and best playtoy."
The memory hit me like a physical blow. Angela. Angela handing me the forms with that sweet smile. Angela insisting I didn't need to read them carefully, that she'd already checked everything. Angela who had been so eager to help me "get back" at my bullies.
Angela, I thought, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces. The betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound.
"Why are we wasting our time?" Hayden smirked coldly, watching my face crumble as understanding dawned. "Cut the crap and let’s end her pathetic life."
"Please," I begged, tears spilling unchecked. "Just leave me alone."
"Too late," Kayden's voice was harsh, merciless. "You crossed the line."
I stumbled backward, panic rising as they advanced, trapping me against the rooftop edge. My fingers desperately reached out, grabbing Hayden's sleeve.
"Don't ever touch me, pathetic omega." His cold eyes met mine, an icy smirk on his lips. Without hesitation, he pulled his arm free, leaving me to slip over the edge.
As darkness closed in and I fell toward the rushing water below, one name echoed in my mind like a curse: Angela. The girl I'd trusted. The girl I'd called friend. The girl who had orchestrated my downfall with nothing more than a smile and false kindness.
"I'll survive," I vowed fiercely as the waterfall rushed up to meet me. "I'll never trust again, and I'll make them all pay."
My vision darkened completely, but rage ignited within me, burning defiantly even as consciousness faded. I swore silently that if I survived this fall, I'd rise stronger, harder, and mercilessly just.
Angela. The name would haunt me. But it would also fuel me.
I'd never fall prey to betrayal again.
- Writer
