Raine POV
The moment I stepped out of the cafeteria, my lungs expanded like I had been suffocating inside. The weight of all those stares, all those whispers—it was still there, but at least I wasn't in the middle of it anymore.
Lena walked beside me, her grip tight on my wrist before she finally let go. "Holy shit, Raine." Her voice was breathless, half in awe, half in disbelief. "Where the hell did that come from?"
I swallowed, still feeling the pulse of adrenaline in my veins. "I don't know."
"Are you kidding?" She gave me a little shove. "That was the most satisfying thing I've ever seen in my life. You made Ava shut up. You made Ronan shut up."
I wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Ronan was unpredictable. He didn't like losing, and that—whatever just happened in there—was a loss.
The hallway wasn't as crowded as usual, but I could still feel eyes on me. Some students were murmuring, casting side glances like I had just grown fangs and claws right in front of them.
I should have known he wouldn't let me walk away that easily.
The moment I stepped into the hallway, I felt it—the weight of his stare, the thick, suffocating presence of him closing in behind me.
And then his hand clamped around my wrist.
I wrenched away immediately, my skin crawling from his touch.
"Don't touch me," I spat, spinning to face him.
Ronan didn't look fazed. He never did. That infuriating smirk curled at his lips, golden eyes gleaming with something I couldn't place—something cruel.
You've got some nerve today, Raine," he murmured.
I bared my teeth. "And you have no life. Is tormenting me really all you have to do?"
His smirk widened. "Maybe I just enjoy watching you squirm."
I saw red.
I shoved him, hard. "Go to hell."
His smile didn't falter. If anything, he looked amused.
Jaxon sighed behind him, rubbing his temples. "Dude…"
Kai shifted uncomfortably. Zane watched silently, his expression unreadable.
But Ronan?
He was thriving in this.
"Careful," he taunted. "Push me too hard, and I might push back."
I didn't back down.
"You already do, every damn day," I snapped. "Tell me, Ronan—does it make you feel like a big man? Bullying the 'weak' girl? Does it make up for whatever pathetic insecurities you're hiding?"
Something flickered in his gaze.
Annoyance.
Anger.
Good.
I wanted to hurt him.
I wanted him to feel just a fraction of the humiliation and rage I felt every time he sneered at me, tripped me, made me feel like nothing.
So when he moved, so did I.
I saw it coming—the way his foot shifted, the slight flex in his shoulders. I knew he was going to try something.
And this time, I was ready.
The second his leg swept forward, aiming to knock me off my feet, I dodged.
Then I struck.
My palm cracked across his face before I even registered what I was doing.
Silence.
I didn't feel regret.
Didn't feel fear.
Just pure, burning hatred.
Ronan turned back to me, jaw clenched, cheek tinged red.
His friends looked stunned.
Lena let out a low whistle. "Damn, Raine."
Jaxon muttered, "Shit."
Kai groaned.
Zane smirked.
But Ronan—
Ronan only stared.
Not angry. Not shocked.
Something else.
Something I didn't care to understand.
Because I hated him.
I hated him.
And I wasn't going to stand here and let him think he could break me.
So I lifted my chin, my gaze cold, hard, unforgiving.
"Do it," I dared. "Hit me back."
Something flickered in his eyes—something raw.
His fingers twitched.
For a moment, I thought he might actually do it.
Then—
A sharp voice cut through the tension.
"Enough."
I froze.
Lena muttered under her breath. "Shit."
I turned slowly to see Mr. Calloway, one of the senior teachers, standing a few feet away with his arms crossed. He wasn't the strictest teacher, but he wasn't the type to let things slide either.
His gaze flicked between me and Ronan. My stomach twisted.
He strode toward us, gaze cold. "Ronan. Raine. My office. Now."
I swallowed.
Ronan exhaled slowly, his smile fading.
Lena stepped forward. "Wait, why—"
He held up a hand. "Not you, Miss Monroe.
Lena hesitated, then shot me a look that screamed say the word, and I'll cause a distraction so you can run.
I exhaled. "It's fine."
With my heart still hammering, I followed Mr. Calloway down the hallway, past curious onlookers.
And for the first time since the cafeteria, I wasn't thinking about Ronan.
I was wondering what the hell I had just gotten myself into.
The walk to Mr. Calloway's office felt longer than it should have. Every step echoed in the quiet hallway, and I could still feel the phantom stares from the cafeteria burning into my back.
Lena had wanted to follow, but one sharp look from the teacher kept her in place. Still, I could feel her frustration radiating behind me, and I knew she'd be waiting when I got out.
Mr. Calloway didn't speak until we reached his office, a small but tidy space with shelves stacked full of old books and assignments.
His desk was meticulously arranged, his nameplate gleaming in the dim light.
He leaned back in his chair as we entered, his eyes settling on me first.
Not Ronan.
Me.
I swallowed my irritation.
"Sit," he said.
I didn't want to, but I did. Ronan, on the other hand, took his sweet time, sauntering over and dropping lazily into the chair beside me.
I didn't have to look to know he was grinning.
"Do you know why you're here?" Mr. Calloway asked.
I crossed my arms. "Because Ronan is a childish asshole?"
Ronan let out a low chuckle.
Calloway's expression didn't change.
"Watch your tone," he said sharply, before turning to Ronan. "Mr. Graves, is this true?"
Ronan leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head. "I don't know, sir. I think Raine just has a bit of an attitude problem today."
I saw red.
I opened my mouth, ready to tear into him, but Calloway cut me off.
"That's enough," he snapped, pinning me with a hard look.
I inhaled sharply.
Of course.
Because it was always my fault.
Calloway sighed, rubbing his temples. "Miss Hayes, I don't know what's gotten into you, but this kind of behavior is unacceptable. I understand you might be frustrated with your...circumstances, but that doesn't give you the right to lash out at others."
My stomach twisted.
Circumstances.
I knew exactly what he meant.
"You're kidding, right?" I asked, my voice sharp. "I'm the one who lashed out?"
He gave me a look like I was being unreasonable. "Ronan is a future Alpha. He has responsibilities you don't understand—"
I let out a bitter laugh. "So, because he's an Alpha and I'm 'wolfless,' that means he can treat me however he wants?"
Calloway's expression darkened. "That's not what I said."
"It's exactly what you said."
Silence.
For a second, something flickered in Calloway's eyes—annoyance, frustration.
But not guilt.
Never guilt.
Because in his eyes, I wasn't worth it.
"Watch your tone, Miss Hayes," he said again, voice laced with warning.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay seated when every instinct told me to get up and walk out.
Ronan was still relaxed beside me, watching the exchange like it was entertainment.
I hated him.
Hated the way he sat there, knowing nothing would happen to him.
Hated the way Calloway refused to even acknowledge the things Ronan did to me.
Hated the way I felt so goddamn helpless.
Calloway exhaled heavily. "Miss Hayes, I'm giving you a warning. Any further outbursts and there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
I forced my teeth to unclench. "Crystal."
His eyes narrowed, like he knew I was mocking him but couldn't quite prove it.
He turned to Ronan.
And then—nothing.
No warning. No punishment.
Not even a single word about his behavior.
My nails dug into my palms so hard I thought I might draw blood.
But I didn't react.
Because that was what they wanted.
They wanted me to break.
So I didn't.
Calloway nodded, dismissing us without another glance.
I stood up, my movements sharp and controlled.
Ronan rose beside me, his presence like a dark shadow at my side.
The moment we stepped into the hallway, I spun on him, my voice cold as steel.
"You think this is funny?"
He smirked. "A little."
I wanted to punch him.
I wanted to wipe that arrogant smirk off his face and make him feel even a fraction of what I felt every damn day.
But I didn't.
Because he wasn't worth it.
So I just glared, my voice like ice.
"One day, Ronan," I whispered, "you're going to regre
t every single thing you've done to me."
His smirk faltered.
For just a second.
Then it was back, but something about it felt forced.
Like he knew I was right.
I turned away before he could respond, walking down the hallway with my head high.