MATED TO THE BULLY

Sage hurried through the crowded hallways of her pack's school, her backpack slipping off one shoulder as she tried to keep her head down. She could feel the weight of every stare, every whisper, but she tried to ignore them. She always tried. Usually, it worked. Usually, she could vanish into the background.Not today. Not when Jaxon was around.He leaned against the lockers at the far end of the hall, that same arrogant smirk playing on his face. His dark eyes locked on hers, and she froze. Even from across the room, she could feel the heat of his attention like a burning glare. He didn't need to say anything. Sage already knew what was coming."Hey, Sage, " Jaxon called, loud enough for the few students nearby to turn their heads. "Try not to trip this time."Sage's stomach twisted. She didn't respond. She just kept walking, clutching her books to her chest as if they could shield her from him. "Or are those hands just for crying?" His voice carried easily, taunting, dripping with mockery.Some of the students around them laughed. A few snickered behind their hands. Sage's cheeks heated, but she forced her eyes forward, focusing on the locker ahead. She tried not to let herself tremble. "Watch this," Jaxon muttered under his breath.Before she could react, a shove to her back sent her stumbling. Her books fell, pages fluttering across the floor like scattered wings. She bent down to gather them, her fingers shaking."Clumsy as always," Jaxon said, bending to rip the notebook from her hands before she could fully collect it. He waved it like a trophy in front of him, grinning as he turned toward the small crowd that had started forming. "Look at this, everyone. Sage here can't even keep her own notebook!"A few students snickered, some snorting outright. "Typical omega," one boy muttered, and a girl added, "She's so weird. Always hiding. "Sage's throat burned, but she stayed on her knees, trying to pick up the remaining papers. Her fingers brushed the floor, the cold tiles doing nothing to calm the panic building in her chest. She wanted to vanish. She wanted the ground to swallow her whole."Don't bother. She'll just drop them again," Jaxon said, tossing the notebook back onto the floor with exaggerated carelessness."Get up, Sage," he said, his voice louder now. "Or should I carry your books for you?"She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to rise. Every step was heavy, every movement measured, because she knew any wrong move could be a new reason for laughter. She wanted to scream, wanted to hit back, wanted to vanish and never come back—but none of that was safe. Not here. Not now."Hey, careful there," Jaxon called as she finally straightened. He bumped into her shoulder on purpose, sending her teetering again. This time, one of the other students laughed so hard she thought her ears would burn off.Sage swallowed, gripping the strap of her bag tightly. "Leave me alone," she whispered, though it barely carried over the noise of the hallway."Did she just… talk back?" Jaxon said, raising an eyebrow as if he had never heard anything so ridiculous. "Aw, poor little omega thinks she has courage ." He leaned closer, and his voice dropped to a sharp whisper only she could hear. "You don't. You'll never have it. You're weak, Sage. Everyone knows it."Sage wanted to run. She wanted to disappear right there, but she stayed frozen, wishing she could sink into the floor and out of sight. The other students laughed quietly now, some exchanging glances as if this was their daily entertainment."You gonna cry?" Jaxon teased, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice. "Or do we need to call the pack Alpha to help you?"She clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. "I… I'm fine," she said, voice tight, almost breaking. "Sure you are," Jaxon said, smirking. He grabbed her bag and swung it slightly, making her jump. "Always so dramatic. I wonder what your parents would say if they saw how pathetic you are."That was it. That was the line. Sage's stomach twisted, a mix of rage and shame making her legs shake. She bent to pick up her fallen papers again, her hands trembling, but she wouldn't let herself cry in front of him. She couldn't."Give it here," Jaxon said suddenly, snatching a pen from her hand. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today, or I'd destroy it all. You'd be completely useless then, huh?""Please," she muttered, barely audible, but it only seemed to amuse him more."Don't talk to me like that," he said, eyes darkening for a moment. Then, just as quickly, the smirk returned. "You think you're tough, Sage? You're not. You're nothing."Sage took a deep breath, steadying herself as she finally gathered her scattered papers and books. She didn't look at him, didn't answer. She just walked away, her steps careful, her mind racing with all the ways she wanted to vanish and all the ways she knew she couldn't. The bell rang, and students rushed past her, some sneering, some avoiding her completely. Jaxon leaned against the lockers, watching her go, a satisfied grin on his face.When she finally reached the empty hallway leading to her dorm, she pressed her back against the wall and slid down to sit, hugging her knees. Her eyes stung, tears threatening to spill, but she blinked them away. Not here. Not now.She whispered to herself, voice raw, "One day… one day this will end ."The night came slowly, but when it did, Sage lay in her small room, alone with bruises and aching arms. The moonlight slipped through the window, highlighting the tired, scared girl she had become. She nursed her wounds silently, hoping—praying—that life could somehow change, that one day she could stand up and not be afraid. But for now, she was trapped, invisible to everyone but the boy who made her life a nightmare.And in the back of her mind, Sage wondered if anyone would ever see her as more than the scared, clumsy omega.