Chapter 4 YOU'RE DEFENDING HIM NOW

CHAPTER 4: YOU'RE DEFENDING HIM NOW?

AMANDA'S POV:

That moment, a teacher walked into the classroom, and the entire place went silent like someone pressed a mute button.

"Settle down, everyone" he said, clapping his hands once. "Pick up your materials. The exam starts now."

Those that weren't already on their seats began walking back to their various seats. I started toward mine and my stomach tightened when I saw my classmates shift away from me like I carried some contagious disease.

.

Still, I forced my legs to move. But each step felt heavier as their indignant gaze burnt through my flesh.

Still, I kept my chin up, pretending not to notice the disgust on their faces, but their whispers could not be ignored. It sliced through me like a blade.

"She's so shameless," I heard a female student say to a girl standing next to her. "She ought to be in a dungeon, not walking around freely like she isn't the traitors daughter."

"She ought to have killed herself," the second girl responded.

"I'm surprised that they still let her be in this school," another girl chipped in. "She ought to have been banished. She ought to have been made to join her rogue Dad."

My throat tightened. I blinked fast, refusing to cry in front of them. Crying would make them feel they've won. And I wasn't going to let them win. I'll stand strong until my family is vindicated.

When I got to my desk, I sat and stared straight ahead. I didn't want eye contact with anyone. The look of disgust on their faces was enough to make me feel lost and confused. And I didn't want that right now. My focus remained to get perfect grades and secure a scholarship to college.

Then, out of nowhere, Steven stepped in front of me.

"Hey," he said softly, like he actually saw me and not the label everyone else had slapped on me. "Do you. uh. still have an extra math set? Mine's missing a compass."

I swallowed, caught off guard. Nobody talked to me nicely anymore. Nobody except my siblings.

"Yeah," I said, opening my bag quickly. "Here. You can use it."

He gave me a small smile. "Thanks, Amanda. You're a lifesaver."

His voice wasn't as condescending as the others. He wasn't forcing himself to be nice. He wasn't scared to stand close to someone everyone had tagged a traitor. And for a moment, warmth spread through my chest.

At least someone didn't look at me like I was trash.

Before I could say anything else, the teacher yelled, "Everyone, sit down!"

Steven hurried back to his seat, and I sat up straight, ready to face the math exam. Nobody sat near me. Even the empty seat beside me felt like part of the punishment.

"Begin," the teacher said, dropping the exam papers.

I focused on my paper. Numbers were easier than people. Equations didn't judge me or call me names. Within twenty minutes, I was done. I double-checked everything and stood up.

When I walked to the front, the invigilator-Mr. Donald-didn't even look at me. He just snatched the paper out of my hand like touching me was a crime.

This was the same man who used to brag about me to other teachers.

"Amanda Porter is one of my brightest students," he used to say. "And I have no doubt that she will end up as the best graduating student."

But now, Mr. Donald couldn't even glance at me.

I swallowed the pain. I wasn't going to let them see me break.

I walked out of the classroom and headed toward the cafeteria. My stomach grumbled the whole way. I hadn't eaten breakfast, and the little dinner we shared yesterday didn't help much. I knew the cafeteria would be crowded, but I hoped to at least sit quietly and eat alone.

When I stepped inside, the noise of chatting students hit me. The place was packed, but I spotted a small empty space at a table where four girls sat. I walked over and stood behind the chair.

"Um. sorry. Can I sit."

One of the girls didn't even let me finish. She pulled her tray away from the empty space.

"No. We don't want traitors sitting with us."

Another girl added, loud enough for people around to hear, "Yeah, go sit with the rogues. That's where your family belongs."

My heart burned, but I kept my face blank. I moved to another table. A group of boys were finishing lunch there. The moment I pulled the chair to sit, they all stood up at once.

"I'm not sitting with her," one said.

"Yeah, let's bounce," another muttered.

They left so fast you'd think I had a knife.

The humiliation smacked me right in the chest. My hands trembled as I pushed the chair back into place. I didn't know where else to go.

I got in line for food. At least food didn't talk back.

When it was finally my turn, the chef paused like she'd just seen something disgusting walk up to her.

She crossed her arms. "No. Move."

I stared at her. "Ma'am. I just want my portion. Please."

She jerked her chin toward the back door. "Leftovers are out there. Eat that. That's all you people deserve."

My breath hitched. The whole line went quiet. Some people were watching. Others were whispering. Laughing behind their hands.

I wished for the ground to open and swallow me up. The humiliation was becoming unbearable. Heat spread through my face. Shame. Anger. Hurt. Everything mixed together.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. That very moment, it felt like my father had died all over again, and my entire life died with him.

My father had worked so hard trying to protect this pack. And he ended up paying the ultimate price-he gave his life in exchange for the Alpha's. And now the same people he died trying to protect expect me to be ashamed of my own blood.

My hands were shaking.

I took a small step back.

And that was exactly when I noticed a familiar presence.

Steven.

His scent hit me before he even spoke. Fresh soap mixed with something warm.

I turned slowly and saw him sitting at the far corner of the cafeteria, his eyes scanning the room. then focusing right on me.

His brows pulled together in anger first. Then he looked furious as he watched the scene-the chef refusing to serve me, the students staring at me like I was trash.

And he stepped forward, walking toward me, his tray in his hands. I stood and held my breath, not knowing what to expect.

"Come join me, Amanda, let's eat together," Steven said as he stood in front of me.

Before I could open my mouth to accept his offer and express my gratitude, a shadow crossed my eyes and the sound of a loud crash left me bewildered.

My heart jumped when I heard the sound of something crashing.

"Oh my God," I whispered, staring at the floor.

Steven's tray. the tray he brought for both of us. was upside down on the tiles. The food smeared everywhere.

But that wasn't even the shocking part.

The food wasn't just on the floor.

It was on me.

Warm soup soaked through my clothes and I looked like someone dumped a whole pot on me.

A few people gasped, then others started to laugh. And soon, the room erupted in laughter. It was loud, sharp, and cruel. I felt like the ground should open and swallow me up.

"Eww, look at her! Now she really looks like trash!" I heard someone saying.

My chest squeezed so tight I thought I might pass out.

Slowly, like I was waking up inside a nightmare, I lifted my eyes.

Donovan stood there.

His eyes were cold, and there was no sign of guilt or hesitation.

He didn't even breathe heavily, didn't even pretend it was an accident. He glared at me like what he did made perfect sense.

Like humiliating me was normal.

My lips trembled. "D-Donovan. why.?"

His lip curled. "A traitor's daughter doesn't deserve cafeteria food. You should eat from the dumpster."

His voice boomed across the whole room. Everyone's attention was on me. Some sneered, others continued to laugh at me.

I summoned courage and stepped closer to Donovan. "Why am I not allowed to eat here? Isn't the cafeteria for everyone?"

"No it's not," Donovan responded, shaking his head. "That's the new rule-traitors are not allowed to eat here. And anyone who breaks the rule will deal with the consequences."

My shoulders slumped and I backed away.

Steven stepped forward immediately, and one glance at him, one could tell he was angry. "Since when does the school make rules based on your mood? Who told you that you can decide who eats and who doesn't?"

Donovan turned his head slowly toward him.

"I understand you're new here," he said, almost bored. "My authority as the future Alpha gives me the right to make rules for the safety of this pack."

"Oh really?" Steven shot back. "I don't remember hearing that because someone's father committed a crime, the kids must starve."

"It's not my fault if you're deaf." Donovan smirked. "But you're beneath me anyway, so I'm not wasting energy repeating myself."

Steven clenched his fists. "You destroyed my lunch. You humiliated her. And you think you can walk away like nothing happened?"

Donovan scoffed. "You sound like you can do anything about it.."

My eyes burned with unshed tears. Every heartbeat felt like a punch to the chest.

My voice finally cracked out. "Steven. it's fine. Don't. don't fight him."

I stepped between the two men, facing Donovan. "I'll leave if that would make you happy. I'll find a way to solve my lunch issues myself. But please, don't get Steven involved. Please don't pick on him. He's innocent and shouldn't be implicated because of me."

Donovan seemed enraged as he glared at me. If looks could kill, I would be dead that very moment.

"You shameless slut," he growled. "You're such an expert, pretending to be a good person while in actuality, you're just whoring yourself with every man that smiles at you."

My heart shattered at his words. But I didn't want to lash back. Instead, I looked up at him and whispered softly, "it was my mistake for misjudging you. I was foolish to think you were a friend."

Without wasting another minute, I turned and walked out of the cafeteria. But before I left, l saw Donovan clench his fists, his jawline tight. But I didn't spare him another glance.