Anastasia

"You're still alive?" I hear behind me.

Internally, I sigh. I was naïve to think I could somehow go an entire day without

Medeia sniffing me out at school. "You sound disappointed," I counter, although there's barely any bite in my words. Ive never stood up to her because, well, I'm just an Omega. Nothing special. "Of course, I'm disappointed," she spits, her upper lip curling in disgust. have to look at you prancing around my school like you even deserve to be here."

Her school. I want to laugh. She really is a different breed of delusional.

And, as usual, she's tracked me down when there isn't a single wolf in sight.

Just Medeia and her friends cornering me between classes in the one unused hall that

I had hoped would remain unused.

Then again, I'm not known for my outstandingly brilliant luck. "So, how are you going to fix this problem?" she demands, cocking a perfectly arched brow.

It really is a pity she's such a despicable bitch. She's stunning, and it's easy to see why the entire pack falls at her feet when she bats her long lashes in their direction. "Excuse me?" I speak. Im not quite up for guessing games today. I just want them to get this over and done with. It's not like our brief encounters ever go any differently.

Look," she sighs, exasperation lacing her voice like Im the one interrupting her day. "We all know you're too stupid to function properly, little Omega. But try to keep up, okay? You' are inconveniencing ʻme'. Are you with me so far?"

She's waiting for an answer like I'm going to give it to her. Instead, I keep my mouth shut, blinking in disbelief.

One of her friends clicks her tongue in disapproval and leans over to speak to

Medeia.

"Medeia, she's really not that bright," she says, the chewing gum in her mouth obnoxiously popping on every second or third word. "We might have to spell it out for her."

I have some time," Medeia muses as she looks at her watch. A vicious smirk pulling at the corners of her mouth. "This is technically what humans call charity, right? Helping those who are less fortunate?"

Another one of her friends nods her agreement. This one is Beta rank, her scent reeking of privilege. Her long, inky black hair bounces with the movement, her dark eyes sparkling with malice. "Okay, let's see," Medeia hums. "You've been stinking up the pack ever since you crawled out of your mother, and, frankly, your existence is offensive to the rest of us."

Iguess it is nice to have a little reminder that we are' the superior breed," the other one says, 1looking oh so pleased with herself for being so witty. "But do we really need the reminder?"

Medeia prompts, a finger on her chin in thought. "We already know we're above this trash. I feel like having it around is just unnecessary. It ruins my day." "You should just do everyone a favor and die," the one with dark hair says to me.

I can't really be bothered to remember any of their names. It's not like knowing what their favorite flower is will keep them from trampling all over me any chance they get. "Believe me," I snort, rolling my eyes and adjusting the strap on my shoulder. It's not for a lack of trying." "You can't even get that right," Medeia simpers, looking more and more like she might just finish the job herself out of impatience. "Maybe this is the charity I was talking about. Maybe this is the 'good' that needs to be done in the world."

I won't even fight it. Killing me would be a mercy, and they'd never even knowit.

They'd be doing me a favor, and I'd win in the end. Because I want to be rid of this life just as much as they want to be rid of me.

The wolf with the long dark hair steps forward, her silver tipped nails flashing dangerously in the dimly lit hallway.

I don't move; I know from experience that moving only makes things far worse, and

I'd rather not have anyone rushing in to break things up.

She snatches a fistful of my hair and pulls down hard. My vision blurs for a split second while she maneuvers me in front of her. Like an offering to Medeia. "Should we do it here?" she asks with a quiet, secret kind of excitement. "Right now?

Medeia cautiously checks our surroundings, which is unnecessary. This hall is little more than a glorified janitor's pathway between the main hallways on either side. It's dark enough that no one looking in would see the four of us standing in the very middle of the room, even with their heightened senses. "I was willing to wait until after school," she says, taking a slow, predatory step forward.

I can smell her bloodlust, thick and violent.

She's craving more than just a physical fight; she wants blood dripping from her maw. "But you're just sitting here, gift-wrapped like an early birthday present for me."

I hadn't quite seen Medeia this far into a calm frenzy before. Maybe it should have scared me, but all I feel in my chest is a detached sort of disinterest.

She shifted part of the way so her fingers were claws, and she stalked towards me.

Her friend's hold on to my hair tightly. I didn't even wince. I just watched Medeia close the distance between us until she's right in my face, the scent of her perfume overwhelmingly sweet.

"Today will be the day I wipe the stain you've left on this pack clean," she sneers,

Wrapping a claw-tipped hand around my throat. "No one will even miss you. Not even Jacob and Gisele. I bet they'd be happy to see that you are gone. It must be so frustrating to have a little Omega runt like you running after them wherever they go. It would be so nice for them to be free of you, too.

That one hurt, and I pray it doesn't show on my face.

Those exact thoughts had already plagued my minda hundred times. I often wondered if my friends would be happier ifI wasn't around. They wouldn't have to worry about how the rest of the pack sees them. What they think of the future

Alpha and Luna hanging around a pathetic, unwanted omega like me? "What the hell is going on here?"

I'm ashamed that I almost deflate at the sound of Gisele's voice. I'd really hoped today would be the day they killed me.

Medeia snatches her hand to her chest, eyebrows shooting up when she spots

Gisele marching forward. "Hm?" she says innocently, like she hadn't just been about to rip my esophagus out. "Oh, I was just admiring Anastasia's pretty gray eyes."

Spiteful, lying bitch. "Right," Gisele drawls, stepping between

Medeia and me with a growl. At the sound, the hand knotted in my hair disappeared. "Why don't I pretend I believe you, and you pretend you never walked down this hallway, so we don't have to get anyone "else' involved?"

Medeia's smile is saccharine. "Of course, future Luna'."

With that, she and her two friends cackle and walk down the hallway, leaving Gisele and me alone. "Thanks," I murmur, bending down to pick my backpack up off the floor. I must have dropped it when Medeia grabbed me. I didn't even notice.

"Always," she replies, helping me fix my hair and checking to see they did not hurt me anywhere else. "Do you want to go home? I could ask Jacob to drop you off he's coming to get me." "No," I say too quickly, but Gisele doesn't look suspicious. "No, it's okay. Ineed to grab a few things and besides, there's like, one more class left. I might as well just stick it out."

I don't understand why you never stand up to her, honey," she frowns. "You're a powerful wolf, and you don't deserve the shit she gives you."

I don't really know what to say because she's right. IfI had to, I could take Medeia out easily. Even as an Omega, I am a lot stronger than I should be.

But how do I tell Gisele, my best friend, that I crave the pain Medeia and her friends inflict on me? How do I tell her I want the pain because it's the only way I can feel anything? "IfI stood up for myself and shut Medeia down, you wouldn't have anything to do," I tease her, smiling ruefully. "You've always been there to protect me. I don't want to take your favorite hobby away from you."

She hides her laugh behind her hand and threads an arm through mine, guiding me back out into the hallway. "We're rogue offspring," she mourns, though we both know it really doesn't matter anymore. Even though both our mothers were rogues, Gisele is a Beta, and

I am still just an Omega. We need to stick together!" "That we do," I agree, a small smile playing on my lips.

We'd originally bonded over the similar situation our mothers shared, and became fast friends when we realized we needed to protect each other. I never realized that she would be the one protecting me, but here we are.

The hallways are empty, meaning class has already started and I really don't feel like drawing anymore unwanted attention to myself. I could probably slip away to the bathrooms until school ended.

"Gisele!"

We both turn at the sound of Jacob's voice, but his eyes are fixed on Gisele. My heart squeezes uncomfortably.

Hey baby" she says, kissing him on the mouth when he reaches us.

Hi, Ana," he says, his eyes finally sliding to me.

He looks as though he'd rather be anywhere else just then, and it's almost painful to see how much he wants to escape. I wonder if Gisele can see it, too.

How are your wounds?" he asks. "Al healed," I say, trying and failing to sound cheerful. "A few hours after you left, actually." "That's good," he says, turning back to

Gisele. God, it is so obvious he wants to escape. "Shall we get going?"

Gisele nods and turns back to me, her arms extended for a hug. I step into the circle of her arms and try not to let the guilt

Swallow me whole.

Please take care of yourself, okay?" she murmurs, squeezing me tight. I squeeze back and nod. "If you need anything, call me immediately." "Go," I say, wanting both of them to leave before I fall apart. Have fun on your big date."

She giggles excitedly and steps back.

Linking her hand with Jacob's, they wave goodbye.

I watch them go, waiting for them to be completely out of sight before almost sprinting to the bathroom.

There was no time to go home to grab mny favorite knife. I slammed the cubicle door behind me, grateful there was no one else in the bathroom.

I just needed a quick fix, just a quick sense of relief from the pent-up rage and sadness

Iroll up my sleeve and stare at the unmarked skin.

A claw would have to do the trick.