I cried out in pain, begging her to stop hitting me.

“It was a mistake. I’m sorry!” I pleaded, but she wouldn’t listen.

Her friends stood behind her, sneering. My eyes brimmed with tears, and all I wanted was to run away from this school and never come back.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered again.

Smack.

Another slap.

My cheek stung as she hissed, “Don’t you dare look me in the eye. Who do you think you are, to apologize with that filthy mouth? Don’t think too highly of yourself, Omega. You’ll always be scum.”

She brushed past me with her pack of friends, leaving me trembling and bruised. No one came to my rescue. The other students just watched, then walked away as if nothing had happened. When I got home that day, shame burned in my chest. I couldn’t even look anyone in the eye. All I wanted was to lock myself away and disappear. I ran to my room, collapsed onto my bed, and cried until the moon goddess herself must have grown tired of hearing me.

The door creaked open. I wiped my tears quickly.

Aiden.

He rushed to me, concern written all over his face. “Wendy…” He pulled me into his arms. “What happened?”

I shook my head, unable to speak.

“Did someone bully you at school?” he pressed.

“Everyone hates me because I’m an Omega,” I sniffled, my nose stuffy from crying.

“No one hates you,” he whispered, resting his jaw gently against my hair. His arms around me were warm, protective.

“But the school does,” I muttered.

Aiden shifted, cupping my face with both hands. His gaze was sharp. “Tell me who bullied you, Wendy. I’ll make sure it stops.”

“Alpha Aiden.”

We both turned toward the doorway. Lucy, my mother’s maid, bowed before us.

“What is it?” Aiden asked.

“Luna wants to see you and Wendy.”

“Why? What happened?”

“She noticed some bruises on Wendy’s body… and the school called her about—” Lucy hesitated.

“About what?” Aiden’s voice grew firm.

“She heard Wendy had a fight at school. She wants to have a word with her.”

My heart sank.

Aiden sighed, rubbing his forehead. Then he looked at me with quiet resignation. “Go. Hear what she has to say.”

I nodded weakly and followed Lucy. In the living room, my stepbrothers lounged nearby while my mother sat elegantly on the silver couch, legs crossed. They weren’t close to her, but I could feel they were waiting, watching. Lykan smirked behind her, ready to pounce with his ridicule.

“What happened at school, Wendy?” my mother asked coldly.

Her voice cut through me like ice. My lips trembled. I bit down to stop the tears. No, no, no, I can’t cry. Not in front of Lykan. If I do, he’ll laugh.

“Your principal called,” she continued. “He said you fought with a senior. That you insulted her friends and acted disrespectfully.”

“No, Mom,” I burst out, the tears spilling. “She started it. I stepped on her foot by mistake and apologized. But she spat on me, slapped me twice, and kicked me in the stomach. She bullied me, Mom. Not the other way around!”

Lykan snickered. Zane joined him, their laughter echoing cruelly through the living room. Humiliation crushed me. I dropped to my knees, unable to lift my gaze.

“And what did you do?” My mother rose from the couch, strode over, and slapped me hard across the face. The living room fell silent.

“You’re nothing but a disgrace,” she spat. “Barely a week in school, and already causing trouble.”

“But, Mom, it was—”

“SILENCE!” Her fist clenched. “You are nothing here, Wendy. If not for your stepfather, you wouldn’t get into that school. Your pathetic father couldn’t do it. All he knows is spreading his scent like the promiscuous Omega he is, jumping into anyone’s bed. It’s been two years, and he doesn’t even know you exist! Does he care? No!”

Her words cut deeper than claws. I wanted to cover my ears, but I froze as her voice grew sharper.

“And you dare complain about a senior bullying you? Are you insane? Who do you think you are, Wendy? You’re nothing but a dried-up, useless little thing.”

“Mom—”

“Shut your filthy mouth!” she snapped. “If you won’t do what I tell you, then get out of my house. I didn’t bring you here to embarrass me. You can rot on the streets like the other Omegas who sell themselves to survive. This is my home. You will not ruin it with your selfishness.”

“Please, Mom,” I sobbed. “I don’t want to go back to that school. Please—”

Another sharp slap.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Get up and make yourself useful before I lose my temper. If it weren’t for me, you’d be nothing. No one would care about you. That’s the truth of the world for people like you. And you dare ask me for a choice?”

Hot tears streamed down my face as I staggered to my feet. Her last words sealed the wound in my chest.

“Don’t disappoint your stepfather, Wendy. He gave you everything. Show me you’re useless, and I’ll throw you out myself.”