Chapter 2 Getting bullied at school

After I finished everything I had to do at home, I grabbed my backpack and headed to school. The weight of my thoughts was heavier than the bag on my shoulders. As I walked, I caught sight of Raquelle speeding past me in her car. I was a bit reliever she hadn't noticed me. If she had, there would've been some rude comments or a mocking laugh directed my way.

As I walked further down the street, I noticed a young couple lost in each other's eyes and their faces glowing with affection. They kissed passionately. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was the kind of love I longed for-someone to call mine, someone to run to when life became unbearable. I wished for a person to hold, to talk to, and just be with. As much as I yearned for this, I had my doubts.

Would I ever find love? Who could possibly love someone like me?

This question had haunted me for as long as I could remember. Everyone around me, even my so-called family, had made me feel unlovable. I couldn't even think of them as family anymore-just people I lived with. I was never included in their lives, always on the outside looking in. Janet inviting me to dinner with the Alpha had come as a shock, though I knew it was only for show. She needed to maintain the image of a caring stepmother.

I often wondered what my mate would be like. I didn't care about physical appearance, but I hoped he would be kind. I had endured so much already; the thought of being bound to a cruel mate was unbearable.

What if he rejected me because I was an omega? I had heard too many stories of omegas being cast aside, unwanted and unloved. And who would blame them? We were the lowest ranking wolves.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't realize I had reached school. The building stood before me, and I did my best to keep my head down as I walked in. I didn't want any trouble. I always tried to stay out of people's way, but it seemed trouble had a way of finding me regardless.

Just as I was making my way to my locker, I tripped and fell, making the books in my arms scatter across the floor. A chorus of laughter erupted around me.

"Look, girls," one of them sneered, "Now she's down to earth."

"What are you made of?" another girl taunted, "Air? You're so fucking light."

"Such a shame to skinny girls. She's not even pretty," a third voice spoke.

"The Moon Goddess must really hate your mate," someone else said.

I got up, dusted off my jeans and gathered my books, doing my best to ignore their mean comments. I was used to it by now. People never missed a chance to remind me how unattractive I was because of my thin frame. In today's world, skinny wasn't in vogue anymore. Unless you were a supermodel, being skinny was just another reason to be bullied.

I finally reached my locker and began gathering the books I needed for my first period, hoping to go unnoticed for the rest of the day. But fate had other plans.

The R-train was approaching.

The R-train was what people called the three most popular girls in school-Raven, Rachel, and Raquelle, my stepsister. Most referred to them as the Queen Bees, but I thought termites was a more fitting description. At least, bees were useful.

"Hey, Rose," Raven called out.

I didn't respond. Maybe if I pretended not to hear her, she would go away. I didn't want any problems. But then, I felt a sharp pull on my hair, and I couldn't help but cry out in pain.

"Ow!" I winced.

I struggled to break free, but before I could, my head was slammed into my locker. Pain radiated through my skull as I groaned.

"I see you're growing wings," Rachel said "You were actually going to pretend like you didn't hear me?"

Raquelle made a tsk sound. "I wonder what gave you the guts to do that, sister."

I stayed silent. Any response would only make things worse.

"Face us when we're talking to you," Raven demanded.

Slowly, I turned around to face them, bracing myself for whatever was coming next. Rachel stepped closer with a smirk on her face. But before she could do anything, a teacher walked by, eyeing us suspiciously.

"What's going on here?" he asked, his gaze shifting between us.

Raquelle smiled sweetly at him "Nothing, sir."

"We were just talking to Rose," Raven added in an innocent tone. "Just girl talk."

I held my nose, wincing at the pain. Rachel had slammed my face into the locker pretty hard. My face must have been as red as a tomato by now.

The teacher's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "Why is your nose swollen?"

Rachel was quick to speak up. "I was just about to ask her that."

The teacher looked at me, waiting for an answer.

"I fell." I said.

He didn't look convinced. "You fell? Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir," I muttered.

He looked at the three of them suspiciously "You know bullying isn't allowed in this school, don't you?"

Raven gasped, feigning shock. "Us? Bullies? How can you think such a thing?"

Raquelle waved a dismissive hand "Rose is my sister. I love her to death. How can I bully my own sister? We were just having a conversation, right, Rose?"

I remained silent, terrified that if I opened my mouth, I would cry. If I cried, they would get into trouble, and if they got into trouble, they would make sure I paid for it later. All I wanted was to crawl into a corner and disappear.

"Rose," the teacher pressed, "is this true?"

Did I really have a choice? No. For the sake of my own safety, I had to lie.

"Yes, sir," I said "We were just talking."

He didn't look convinced, but without proof, there was little he could do.

"Very well then," he said with a nod before walking away.

As soon as he was out of sight, Raven leaned in and whispered in my ear "You won't be so lucky next time, bitch. You're only safe because we're in a good mood."

"Let's go, girls," Raquelle said.

As they walked away, Raquelle bumped into me, sending my books crashing to the floor. They all giggled at her petty action.

When they were finally gone, I let out a deep breath.

At least that was over-for now.