The Truth They Refused to Hear
1705 Words
Iva barely slept that night.
When morning came, it did not feel like a new beginning, but like a verdict she was forced to face standing. Her body was heavy, her eyes burned, yet her mind was sharp with one clear decision.
I will talk to him.
Not later. Not after classes. Not when rumors had time to grow more claws.
Before classes.
Before fear could stop her.
As the school shuttle stopped and the doors opened, Iva stepped down onto the pavement, the cool morning air brushing against her skin. The campus was already alive with noise, laughter, and whispers. She spotted him instantly.
Nick.
He stood like he always did—at the center of attention, tall and confident, surrounded by his usual clique. His future beta leaned close, laughing loudly. Ella stood at his side, her hand resting possessively on his arm, her head thrown back in practiced laughter.
The sight stabbed deep.
Her breath caught as flashes from yesterday slammed into her mind—Ella on her knees, Nick’s head tilted back, the forest shadows swallowing their sin. Her chest tightened painfully.
Damn it, she whispered to herself.
Despite everything.
Despite the lies.
Despite the slap, the punishment, the humiliation.
It still hurt.
Damn heart, she thought bitterly. And damn feelings.
She straightened her back.
If she was going to fall, she would fall standing.
Iva walked toward him, ignoring everyone around her, the whispers, the looks.
Her footsteps felt too loud, too slow, as if the ground itself resisted her. When she reached the edge of the group, she didn’t hesitate.
“Nick,” she said clearly. “Can we talk?”
The laughter stopped for a split second.
Nick looked at her like he had just noticed a stray animal wandering too close. Then his lips curled, and he laughed loudly, leaning toward his friends.
“Busy,” he drawled, not even looking at her properly.
Laughter erupted around him.
Iva clenched her fists.
She inhaled slowly, forcing her voice to stay steady. “Please. It’s important.”
He glanced at her again, his eyes scanning her from head to toe with open boredom. Then, with a dramatic sigh, he stepped away from the group, motioning for her to follow.
They stopped a few meters away.
“What?” he asked flatly.
No warmth. No curiosity. Just irritation.
The final thread of hope inside her trembled.
“There’s something I need to ask you,” Iva said. Her heart pounded, but she pushed forward. “Why did you lie to my father yesterday?”
His expression didn’t change.
“You told him you saw me in the forest with someone,” she continued. “You know very well that wasn’t true.”
For a moment, she waited.
For guilt.
For hesitation.
For anything.
Instead, Nick smiled.
“But you were in the woods, Iva,” he said casually.
Her head snapped up. “I was not doing what you accused me of.”
His smirk deepened.
“It was Ella,” she added quietly, painfully. “And you know it.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Yet,” he murmured mockingly, “you wish it were you, don’t you?”
Her breath hitched.
“You’re obsessed with me,” he continued, his tone dripping with contempt. “Always have been. That sad little puppy love of yours is exhausting. Imagine my surprise when I caught you spying on us, always like a stalker. What I was supposed to do? Wait until you ran to my father with your discovery?”
“That’s not fair!” Iva burst out, her voice rising despite herself.
Nick’s eyes darkened instantly.
“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me,” he snapped. “You forget your place.”
She recoiled slightly, but didn’t step back.
“My word is the law, Iva,” he said coldly. “Especially to someone like you.”
The words cut deeper than she expected.
Images flooded her mind—two children running through the pack grounds, scraped knees and laughter, the boy who once shared his snacks with her, who defended her when others mocked her size.
Where did that boy go?
“Why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice breaking. “You can’t just lie like that. You’re destroying my life.”
Nick tilted his head, amused. “And why not? Plus, what it is left to be destroyed? You did it already on your own. In the end, you are the runt of the pack. A Gamma failure.”
Something inside her snapped.
The words exploded from her chest before fear could stop them.
“Because we are fated mates.”
The world froze.
For half a second, there was silence.
Then Nick laughed.
Not a chuckle.
Not disbelief.
He laughed hysterically, loud and sharp, drawing attention from everyone nearby. Heads turned. Whispers ignited.
Iva stood there, shaking.
“I’m not joking,” she said desperately. “Nick, listen to me—”
“Oh, this is rich,” he interrupted between laughs. “And how exactly do you know that, hm?”
She swallowed hard.
“Because,” she said, her voice trembling but clear, “I am the new Messenger.”
For a heartbeat, his laughter stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
Something unreadable flickered across his face.
Hope surged in her chest—
And died instantly.
Nick threw his head back and laughed even louder.
“So you hear that?” he shouted, turning back toward the others. “Miss Delusional here thinks she’s the Moon Goddess’s Messenger!”
The group erupted.
Ella stepped forward sharply, her face twisted with fury. “Are you serious right now?” she snapped.
Before Iva could react—
Slap.
The sound echoed across the courtyard.
Pain exploded across Iva’s cheek, her head snapping to the side as gasps rippled through the crowd.
Ella glared at her, eyes blazing. “I can’t believe you would resort to such disgusting lies just to climb to the Luna position.”
Iva’s cheek burned. Her ears rang.
“You are truly insane and disrespectful,” Ella hissed.
Laughter followed.
Mockery.
Whispers sharpened into knives.
Iva stood frozen, humiliation crashing over her in waves.
She had told the truth.
And they had destroyed her for it.
As she lowered her eyes, one thought screamed inside her mind—
If even the truth cannot save me… then what will?
--
The tension shattered suddenly.
“Iva!”
Lori’s voice cut through the laughter like a blade.
Before Iva could even react, Lori was there—grabbing her wrist firmly, pulling her away from the crowd with a sharp look that dared anyone to interfere.
“Forgive my friend,” Lori said loudly, her voice clipped and polite, though her grip tightened. “She’s not feeling well.”
Iva barely had time to breathe before she was dragged across the courtyard, past curious stares and mocking whispers, until the noise dulled behind them.
The moment they were out of sight—
Lori spun on her.
“Are you insane?!” she hissed, keeping her voice low but fierce. “Do you want to completely destroy yourself, Iva?”
Iva flinched.
“What was that stunt?” Lori continued, her eyes blazing. “You just handed them even more reasons to crucify you! Do you realize what you did?”
Iva’s chest heaved as she fought to steady herself.
“Lori,” she said quietly. “I wasn’t joking.”
Lori froze.
“What do you mean?” she asked slowly, frowning.
“I’m serious,” Iva said, meeting her gaze. “I am the new Messenger.”
Lori stared at her.
Her eyes widened.
Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again.
“You’re… you’re not messing with me, right?” she whispered. “This isn’t some kind of breakdown joke?”
Iva shook her head slowly.
“No.”
Lori inhaled sharply. “When did it happen? How? How do you even know?!”
Iva opened her mouth—
Brrring.
The bell rang loudly, echoing through the school grounds.
Iva startled. “We’ll be late—”
Before she could finish, Lori grabbed her hand again and dragged her toward the trees surrounding the campus.
“Lori!” Iva protested. “We’ll miss chemistry!”
Lori scoffed. “Trust me. This is way more important.”
She glanced back with a crooked smile. “Besides, these are the last three days before graduation. I highly doubt they’ll teach us anything that’ll change our lives.”
They slipped behind a large tree, hidden from the main paths. The world felt quieter there, safer.
Lori crossed her arms, eyes sharp and expectant.
“Now,” she said. “Spill. Everything.”
Iva took a deep breath.
And she told her.
About the forest.
About the red thread.
About Avalon’s revelation.
About the Moon Goddess’s dream.
About Nick.
About the lie.
When she finished, silence stretched between them.
Lori stared at her like she had just witnessed history unfold.
“Oh my Moon Goddess,” she breathed.
She clutched Iva’s arms suddenly, shaking her slightly. “You are really the one.”
Iva laughed weakly, a sound torn between disbelief and relief. It was so strange for someone to finally acknowledge and believe her.
Lori’s eyes sparkled. “You need to help me find my fated mate,” she blurted out. “Please. I know that sounds selfish, but I’ve heard the bond is insane. Like—nothing compared to chosen mates.”
She paused, then added sheepishly, “Purely academic interest.”
Iva laughed more freely this time, the sound surprising her.
But Lori’s expression shifted quickly, turning serious.
“But that weasel,” she said darkly. “Nick.”
Her jaw tightened. “I can’t believe he did this to you. I wish I could chop his balls! And to believe that he is actually your freaking fated mate! Iva… my heart breaks for you.”
She squeezed Iva’s hands gently.
“But, the important question now,” Lori said firmly, “is this:”
She leaned closer.
“What are you going to do next?”
- Writer
