Chapter 4

Olivia Martins

My face burned with embarrassment. He was right; no one cared. Not even my father, who didn’t even bother to show up.

Mr. Wesley opened his mouth to protest, but Mr. Reyes interrupted him.

“Give her the worst punishment there is; make sure she pays for even daring to touch my daughter.” He commanded.

The principal nodded reluctantly. I really couldn’t blame him; there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t go against the Beta’s command. The principal agreed, and the Reyes family left.

He paced his office restlessly while I sat where I was. “What were you thinking? Fighting with Bridget.” He turned to me. “She could’ve killed you.”

I remained silent.

He sighed. “I didn’t need to be there to know she probably started it. But there’s not much I can do.” I nodded, tears pricking at my eyes.

“But Caspian can. You should talk to him.” I shook my head. I won’t involve him.

“Olivia, think about it. There’s nothing you can do on your own. Let him help.” He tried to convince me.

“Caspian doesn’t need to know about it.”

He nodded once he saw I wouldn’t budge. “You won’t be punished.” I jerked my head up in surprise.

“But Mr. Reyes—” I started, but he stopped me.

“Mr. Reyes will be informed that you were punished. Severely.” He smiled.

I nodded, grateful. “Thank you.” I whispered as I stood to leave.

“Being an omega doesn’t make you less of a wolf, Olivia.” His words stopped me. “Don’t forget that.” I nodded and hurried out of his office, tears streaming down my face.

I wished I believed that.

I didn’t return to class; instead, I went home. I was already mentally exhausted from today, and I just wanted to curl up and cry into my pillow.

But as I got home, I met two pack warriors at the front porch of my house, waiting for me.

“The Luna wants to see you, miss.” One of them said.

“Me?” They nodded and escorted me to the pack house.

As we walked, I nervously wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt. They hadn’t given me time to change, so I was still wearing the tea-stained cloth from lunch, my hair tangled from the fight, and my eyes red and puffy from crying. I winced, mortified by how I looked.

Once we got there, they took me in and led me to the living room. I felt dread as I took in the scene before me. Our Luna sat on the armchair, while Bridget and her mom occupied the sofa, wrapped around each other as Bridget cried. They had probably told our Luna all about what happened, twisting it to their advantage. I had no hope to win this battle. The Luna already hated me; touching her precious Bridget only made it worse.

As soon as she saw me, she stood and approached me, her eyes flashing with anger. “How dare you.” She spat, lifting her hand to strike me.

The slap connected with a loud smack, resounding through the room. I stumbled, vision blurring, and my cheek burned.

“How dare you attempt to hurt a precious member of the pack.” She shouted, furious.

I cupped my stinging cheek, blinking away my newly formed tears. My chest heaved with trembling breaths. I kept my gaze trained on the polished tiles, my vision blurred with tears, avoiding the hatred that I knew would be in her eyes.

My lips trembled as I pressed them together, fighting to hold back a sob. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I hastily wiped it away. It would prove them right that I was weak. A weak omega. Not worthy to be amongst the rest of them.

I remembered Mr. Wesley’s words. Being an omega doesn’t make you less of a wolf.

But it did.

These people didn’t see me as an equal; they treated me like trash, less than human. They saw my omega status as a defect, a disease that made me less than them. They couldn’t see beyond my dynamic to the person I was beneath. They didn’t see my kindness, my heart. They didn’t care to see.

Their rejection hurt. I would never be accepted here. I’ve been treated like trash since I was a child. They didn’t care that I had barely known the difference then, they drilled it into me that I was worthless. I thought of all the times I’d been told I wasn’t good enough, all the times I had to cry alone because I was born as an omega. I didn’t choose this; I didn’t choose this life for myself.

“I warned you to stay away from Caspian, and you tried to hurt his mate.” She said, shaking her head in disbelief.

“She’s not his mate.” I cried out, my sobs tearing through me.

“Shut up.” Bridget hissed from the sofa.

“You’re not his mate.” I repeated through my sobs.

She slapped me again. My face jerked to the side at the force. My sobs tore through me, my body shaking uncontrollably.

“You have no right to speak to her like that.” Luna Storm spat. “Just because Caspian is fucking you doesn’t mean you’re anything.” She looked at me with disgust, and I flinched.

“We have let this go on long enough. I warned you, but you chose not to listen.” Her voice dropped. “I want you out of the pack before the next sunrise.”

“W…what?” My face paled. She was kicking me out.

What would I do? Where would I go? Despite all the rejection and pain, the pack was all I’d ever known. Apart from my father, I had no other family. No pack would be willing to accept an omega, as it would weaken their ranks. The only other option was unthinkable.

I’d be labeled a rogue. Those vicious wolves that had lost their humanity and all they lived for was to hunt and kill.

Fear shook my bones. I wouldn’t last out there. Without a wolf of my own, I’d be defenseless against the dangers lurking outside the protection of our pack borders.

“But—” I began, trying to reason with her. I didn’t want to leave; I wouldn’t be able to survive the harsh world. “Please, don’t do this.” My voice cracked as I begged.

“You brought this on yourself.” She said sadly. “Marcus.” She turned to one of the guards that brought me here. “Inform the Alpha of my decision. Olivia Martins is exiled from the Nightshade pack.” The guard nodded grimly and turned to obey.

I begged her not to do it, but she turned a deaf ear to my pleas. The room was silent, as we all waited for the Alpha, the only sound my own quiet sobs.

The door swung open, and the Alpha walked in, his eyes scanning the room. “What’s that I hear about exile, Karen?” He asked, his dominant voice commanding attention. “Surely it hasn’t come to that.”

“Olivia Martins hurt Bridget.” She stated. “I think it’s only right that she be punished accordingly.”

“That law applies to the Alpha and his family, not a Beta’s daughter.”

“Well, Bridget is family. She’s Caspian’s mate.”

“Woman, he’s made it clear that they are not mates.” He said exasperated.

“He doesn’t know that; he’s blinded by her.” She pointed at me. “Once she’s gone, he’ll be clear-headed enough to recognize that Bridget is his true mate.

The Alpha sighed, frustrated.

“File the papers, Silas. I want her gone before morning.” She said it without emotion.

“This is ridiculous, Karen. I won’t have her exiled because of a little fight. They’re teenagers for fuck’s sake.” He snapped impatiently.

“The law is clear: anyone who dares to harm the Alpha’s family shall be exiled.”

The room remained silent as the Alpha made his decision. My heart pounded in my chest as I prayed to the moon goddess for mercy.

Just then, the door swung open with a bang for the second time today, and a loud voice broke the silence. “WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?”