"What do you expect from a slut? Shamelessness is her second skin."
"Ew~ She's disgusting!"
Whispers slithered through the hallway, growing louder as Evangeline passed. Their gazes followed her—hungry, scornful, amused, crawling over her skin like ants on spilled sugar.
It was the last day of her heat cycle. The day their pack's walking scandal would put on a free show, and everyone seemed eager to catch front-row seats.
"Isn't she already mated? Why are her pheromones still this strong?"
"Obviously. Because she's a horny whore! Hahaha~"
The girls, probably juniors, giggled behind her, worsening her already foul mood.
Evangeline had been mated and marked by the strongest werewolf of their generation almost a year ago. Still, nothing changed. Her pheromones stayed wild, untamed, impossible to suppress. They were unimaginably intoxicating, turning her into the pack's biggest disgrace.
Some said it was because she was wolfless. Others claimed she was a witch reborn, doomed to never be satisfied with just one mate. And then some whispered this was punishment—a cruel consequence of rejecting her fated mate.
Everyone had their theories. None had a fucking solution!
Heat coiled in her belly like a snake, the ache intensifying with each step. But the worst part? A mere brush of an elbow, a shoulder grazing hers—any slight touch sent unwanted shivers through her body.
Some bumped into her on purpose, snickering when she nearly squirmed.
Evangeline hated it. Hated how her body betrayed her. Hated that no matter how hard she tried to stay composed, she still reacted, turning into weak, fragile prey. But fortunately, no one dared to take it further. Because she was their Alpha's daughter. Useless, but still his only child.
"Ugh, why is she even here? It's such an important occasion. She's totally gonna ruin it."
Another classmate's voice followed her as she reached the auditorium. It was Lunaris University's 21st Annual Day, a night of celebration for everyone but her.
Normally, Evangeline would never attend such events. And during her heat cycle? She'd be locked in her room, swallowing heat-suppressants like an addict, waiting for hell to pass. But someone had stolen her entire supply. And left a message: Come here if you want them.
So, here she was. Vulnerable, and fighting not to break. Because without those pills, she wouldn't survive the night.
Evangeline pushed into the auditorium, weaving past the crowd to the backstage area, which was noisy, chaotic, and too packed. Her gaze swept the room, landing on a trio near the vanity. Taking a breath, she walked up.
"Oh, look who finally showed up!" one of the girls sneered.
Evangeline ignored the stares and whispers. "Give me my meds," she demanded, her voice flat and tired.
Vallienne, seated like royalty with two girls on either side, finally looked up from her phone. Her bored eyes lit up with amusement, a smirk curling on her caked-up face.
"What's the rush, Lily?" Vallienne cooed sweetly.
She was the university's golden girl. The star with an angelic voice. But to Evangeline? A snake. A former best friend turned full-time bully the second her life shattered two years ago.
"Give it back while I'm still being nice, Vallienne," Evangeline warned.
But the more she fought to stay calm, the more her scent spiraled out of control, flooding the air in waves. Even those meters away could catch her it now: dark berries and wild musk. Too heady, too thick, too impossible to ignore.
"Ugh," one of Vallienne's minions wrinkled her nose. "Her attitude's worse than her weird heat. I seriously don't know how Johan puts up with her."
Evangeline's nails sank into her palms. Just hearing her mate's name sent electricity through her veins, her knees growing weak.
Gritting her teeth, Evangeline looked around desperately before rushing toward the vanity. All eyes turned to her, watching as she rummaged through drawers like a starving stray rifling through garbage.
"Right?" another girl chimed in." Johan deserves someone who matches him. I wonder what's stopping him from rejecting her."
Evangeline barely blinked. She was used to the insults. But the next comment struck deeper.
"Who would want to let go of a whore who's always ready to spread her legs wide?" Vallienne said, loud enough for the entire backstage to hear.
The students around burst into laughter, nodding in agreement.
Smirking at Evangeline's back, Vallienne added, "Maybe she's really good in bed, and that's what's stopping him."
Evangeline sucked in a breath, her fingers clenching the drawer. They'd crossed the line, and she couldn't bite back the urge to throw something—anything—at their smug little faces.
Turning around, she stared at Vallienne. "And what about you, Vally?" she asked, silencing the crowd. "Why hasn't your secret mate marked you yet?"
Vallienne's smirk faltered, a flicker of fear settling in her eyes at that unsettling question.
Evangeline smiled coldly and continued, "Ah… I guess you're not that good in bed. Maybe that's what's stopping him."
The room fell dead silent for a moment before it shattered. Many laughed out loud. This time at Vallienne, drawn even more to Evangeline. She might've lost everything, but not her sharp tongue—too sharp for her own good.
Vallienne's cheeks flushed, her earlier arrogance vanishing as heads turned in her direction. Even after turning twenty-one, Vallienne hadn't found her mate yet, and many had started to wonder if something was wrong with her. A few days ago, she'd declared she'd found her mate but was waiting for the perfect time to introduce him. But Evangeline's remarks made them wonder if it was all just lies.
"You bitch!" Cassandra stepped forward in rage. Rosemary, the other minion, joined her, and without warning, she punched Evangeline in the stomach.
Evangeline stumbled back, her hand clutching her stomach. Cassandra kicked her, causing her to fall onto the ground. She stiffened her body as the kicks rained down, fighting back the tears that stung her eyes.
Gasps echoed through the crowd, many instinctively stepped back. Without her wolf, Evangeline was the weakest in their pack and couldn't fight back—even against omegas like them. And having a voice? Didn't mean shit when your fists couldn't follow through.
They pitied the poor girl crawling on the ground, broken and alone. But none dared to step up for her, afraid of turning into Vallienne's next prey.
Vallienne watched the scene with a small smile. But she wasn't satisfied. Not until she heard a cry—or better, Evangeline begging her to stop and forgive.
"Take her to the stage," she mindlinked Rosemary.
Rosemary nodded and grabbed Evangeline's arm roughly. When Evangeline winced, fighting to free herself, Cassandra grabbed her other arm, and the two of them dragged her to the main stage.
Thud.
The guests gasped as Evangeline was thrown onto the cold floor. The principal and other staff stood up from their seats, but none stepped forward when Vallienne walked to the center. She might be just a Healer's daughter, but Alpha Graham was fond of her, and they didn't dare to stop her.
Her pheromones coated the air like smoke—heavy, overwhelming. A few students winced while others scrunched their noses. The guests shifted uncomfortably in their spots.
Another sharp kick landed against her stomach. Then another. And another. Evangeline choked on a breath, barely able to push herself up. Her body was aching, screaming at her, but she had no strength.
"Get up!" Rosemary sneered. "Stop acting like it hurts, bitch!" and continued hitting her again.
Vallienne took out a bottle from her pocket. With a smirk, she flicked open the lid and dropped the capsules. Her minions stopped at the sound. Evangeline sighed inwardly, thinking it was finally over—but when her eyes caught the green capsules, her body tightened with need.
She scrambled forward, her trembling fingers desperately trying to pick them up. Her vision swam, and she ignored the ache in her ribs. But just as her hand reached out for one of the capsules, Vallienne stepped forward, her heel pressing down right on her palm.
Evangeline winced as sharp pain burst in her hand. Vallienne pressed harder, the thin stiletto stabbing into her skin. Blood welled up instantly, seeping between her fingers. Evangeline bit her trembling lip, swallowing back the cry threatening to escape. She'd rather die than lose to this bitch.
Snickers and disgusted sneers filled the room. The chairman looked away, the terrified guests murmured among themselves, and the teachers' gaze dropped. No one stopped it. Because she was Evangeline. And many believed she deserved it.
Vallienne bent down and grabbed a fistful of Evangeline's hair. She yanked it back, forcing her to meet her gaze. A smile curled her lips at the sight of tears in her best friend's eyes.
"Beg me, Lily," Vallienne whispered. "Plead, and maybe I'll let you go."
Evangeline exhaled, her hand twitching under Vallienne's heel. She slowly smirked, causing Vallienne to frown.
"In your dreams, whore," Evangeline hissed, her voice shaky—before she spat on Vallienne's face.
Gasps echoed around them, and a few staff shook their heads. She was foolishly brave.
Vallienne fumed in rage and let go of Evangeline as her minions rushed forward to wipe her face.
"You disgusting little—" Her hand raised, ready to slap her, but before she could, a voice echoed through the hall.
"What the hell is happening here?"
Evangeline's heart skipped a beat, her breath hitching in her throat. She knew that voice all too well. Firm, commanding, unmistakable. The last person she wanted to see tonight.