DONOVAN'S POV

I watched Amanda's eyes-those eyes I had once loved more than anything-fill with tears she refused to let fall. For one unbearable moment, my chest seized with a pain I couldn't name. My wolf snarled inside me, clawing to get out, to reach our mate, to wipe the tears from her face and pull her into my arms.

I promised to protect her forever. I would have torn apart anyone who dared hurt her.

That was supposed to be my purpose. My destiny. And I would have embraced it gladly.

Then, just as I felt myself slipping-just as I almost stepped toward her-someone else got there first.

That damned Steven.

"Since when does this school make rules based on your mood?" His voice was calm, steady, dripping with defense for her. "Who gave you the right to decide who eats and who doesn't?"

I wanted to kill him.

I forced myself to turn, to face him. "New arrival," I said, each word slow and deliberate, "as the future Alpha, I have every right to make rules for the safety of this Pack."

"Oh, really?" He raised an eyebrow, and the look on his face made me want to rearrange his features. "I don't recall hearing that children have to starve just because their father committed a crime."

"If you're deaf, that's not my problem." I smiled-a cold, sharp thing. "I won't waste my energy repeating myself to someone so far beneath me."

Steven's hands curled into fists at his sides.

Good. Throw the first punch. Give me a reason.

I wanted him to swing. I wanted to tear that smug, righteous face apart. I wanted Amanda to see-to finally see-the ugly, hypocritical soul hiding behind that heroic mask.

But the coward didn't move.

Instead, she stepped in front of him.

"Leave Steven alone." Her voice was small but steady. "This has nothing to do with him."

The words hit me like a blade between the ribs.

I stared at her-my Amanda-standing between me and another male. Protecting him. Him.

My wolf howled in fury. My jaw tightened so hard I thought my teeth might crack.

"You're defending him now?" The question came out lower than I intended, rougher. I couldn't quite hide the edge beneath it.

She didn't flinch. Didn't back down. Just stood there, soaked in soup, looking at me like I was the monster.

"I'm just stating facts," she said, her jaw set with that stubborn resolve I knew too well. "You're targeting me. There's no need to drag innocent people into it."

"Innocent?" The word nearly made me laugh. "A traitor's daughter like you-do you even know what 'innocent' means?"

She flinched. The light in her eyes dimmed, just for a second. But instead of the satisfaction I'd expected, something else twisted in my gut.

She looked at me-really looked at me-with something I hadn't seen before.

"I misjudged you," she said quietly. "I was foolish to think we. at least we used to be friends."

The disappointment in her voice hit harder than I wanted to admit.

Before I could reach for her-before I could stop myself-she turned and ran out of the cafeteria. I should have gone after her. But my feet stayed nailed to the floor.

Because Amanda didn't look back. Not once.

---

AMANDA'S POV:

I ran. I ran like I could outrun the tears, like if I moved fast enough, no one would see me fall apart.

I never thought Donovan would become my worst bully. I could ignore the others-their sneers, their whispers, their cruel little jokes. But every time his eyes met mine with that look of disgust, it felt like my heart was being carved out piece by piece.

Could I really survive this? Finish school in this place? Maybe I should just disappear. Find a corner where no one would ever notice me.

"Hey, Amanda." Steven caught up to me, breathless. "Are you okay?"

I didn't understand why he kept following me. When the whole world had turned against me, this boy I barely knew kept showing up. Maybe he was just too good for his own sake.

"I'm fine." I wiped my tears quickly and turned to face him. "Thank you. But I just want to be alone right now."

His outstretched hand hesitated, then dropped to rub the back of his neck. "Okay. I get it. If you ever need anything, just call."

I nodded. We said goodbye.

The afternoon passed faster than I expected. Maybe because I'd started learning how to tune out the hate. I left before the final bell this time-I couldn't risk missing the early bus to the Omega tenement. I couldn't stomach another minute of their stares.

But luck wasn't on my side.

The moment I reached the bus stop, three male wolves stepped out from the shadows, blocking my path.

"Where do you think you're going, traitor girl?" one of them sneered.

I tried to step around them. Another one moved to block me.

"Get out of my way," I said, my voice sharp. "You don't want to find out what I'll do to you."

"Ooh, feisty," another mocked. "Maybe that's why her dad ran off. Couldn't handle all that heat."

Rage coiled in my stomach, hot and sick. "Don't talk about my father."

They laughed like I'd told a joke. "What are you gonna do about it, Omega?"

One of them stepped closer, his breath hot and foul. "Tell me, why beg for scraps in the cafeteria when you could just. be nice to us? We might take care of you. Real good."

My body went rigid. I understood exactly what he was suggesting. "Stay away from me. I'm warning you."

One of them grabbed my wrist. "Relax. We're trying to help you. No one else will touch you. You should be grateful."

"Let go of me!" I yelled, louder this time.

"No," he grinned, his other hand moving toward my chest. "Not until we've had our-"

"Hey!"

A voice rang out from across the street. Familiar. The boys froze.

I turned.

Steven.

He walked straight toward us, and I'd never seen that look on his face before. Hard. Dangerous.

"Let her go. Now," he said.

The leader scoffed. "What's it to you? Who made you the knight in shining armor?"

"I said let her go," Steven repeated. "Unless you want trouble."

For a moment, I thought they might swing at him. But something in Steven's eyes made them hesitate. The one holding my wrist let go like my skin had burned him.

"Whatever. Not worth it," he muttered, backing away. "She's just a worthless Omega anyway. Her whole family is trash. I wouldn't want her stink on me."

They slunk off without another glance.

I let out a shaky breath.

"You okay?" Steven asked.

I nodded, even though my hands were still trembling. "Yeah. Thank you."

He told me to wait, jogged back to the school lot, and pulled his car around in under a minute. Twenty minutes later, he dropped me at the tenement.

I turned to him with a warm smile. "Thank you, Steven. I don't know why you keep doing this, but. I really appreciate it."

"It's nothing," he said. "If you want, I could pick you up every morning. Drop you off after school."

The offer felt. big. Like something I shouldn't accept without thinking.

"I'll. think about it," I said softly.

He nodded and drove off. But I stood there longer than I should have, watching his car disappear down the road. I couldn't say why. Something heavy settled in my chest.

I sighed and turned toward the stairwell.

And walked straight into a solid wall of muscle.

I looked up.

My blood went cold.

Donovan Reed stood right in front of me.

His eyes snapped to mine-then widened. A sharp inhale cut through the silence. Before I could step back, his hand shot out and closed around my throat.

"What the hell is this scent?" he snarled.

I clawed at his wrist. "D-Donovan-wait-"

"You smell like you've been rolling around with a dozen men," he growled, his grip tightening. "I knew it. The moment you stepped in front of that bastard in the cafeteria, I knew. You're sleeping with him. And not just him?" His lip curled. "You're pathetic, Amanda. Spreading your legs for anyone who says hello."

I tried to speak, but no sound came out. My vision blurred at the edges.

He didn't stop.

"A traitor's daughter whoring herself out like some cheap slut," he hissed.

My knees buckled. Still, he didn't let go. Spots danced in front of my eyes. A ringing filled my ears.

Then-his grip loosened.

He let go completely. I slumped against the wall, coughing, gasping, dragging air into my burning lungs.

He stood there, breathing hard, his jaw clenched like stone.

"Stop running around like a stray," he bit out. "If you get hurt, the Pack will blame me. I'm not your babysitter."

I wiped my eyes and steadied my voice. "I wasn't running around. Some guys tried to-"

"I don't care," he cut me off.

His gaze dragged over me-taking in my wrinkled, soaked clothes, the dirt, the red marks blooming on my throat.

"From now on," Donovan said, his voice flat and sharp as a blade, "you're my personal servant. A small way for you to atone for your father's crimes. You come when I call. You do what I say."

My heart dropped, a cold, heavy stone sinking in my chest.

"What?"

AMANDA'S POV:

Donovan didn't give me a chance to deny. He simply got into his SUV and drove away.

I walked into our tiny apartment, forcing myself to stay calm, to pretend everything was fine. Thankfully, the main room was empty. No one had to see me like this.

I slipped into the bathroom, changed quickly, and layered concealer over the bruises on my neck. The skin still throbbed, raw and angry. But what hurt more was knowing who had put them there. Donovan. My Donovan.

He used to drive me home from school every day. He used to buy cafeteria fries just to arrange them on the table in the shape of my face, making me laugh until my stomach hurt. Now that same person spat venom at me, grabbed me by the throat like I was dirt on the bottom of his shoe.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to fall apart and cry until there was nothing left. But I didn't. Because what would be the point?

When I finally walked back into the living room, Mom was sitting at the table. She looked tired, but the moment she saw me, she smiled-that same soft, warm smile she'd always had.

"Hey, sweetheart," she said gently. "Rough day?"

I shook my head and forced a smile. "Not really. Though the math test was harder than I expected."

I couldn't tell her the truth. Not with her illness. Not when she was already suffering. The last thing I wanted was for the Pack to use her sickness as another excuse to hurt us.

"Then my baby needs a good meal." Mom turned and headed to the kitchen. I peered in and saw her standing at the stove, stirring something in a pot. The smell of peppers and onions filled the small space.

"Mom, let me help," I said, stepping toward her.

She shook her head quickly. "No. Not today. The Pack doctor came by earlier. He gave me medicine. I'm feeling much better now." She nodded toward Max's room. "If you want to help, check your brother's homework. He's been complaining about a math problem he can't solve."

I let out a long breath-and only then realized I'd been holding it. The Pack doctor had come. Alpha was still letting her be treated. That meant we hadn't been completely abandoned. That meant there was still hope.

"Okay," I said quietly, and walked toward Max's room, grateful I wouldn't have to lie anymore tonight.

***

I arrived earlier than ever the next morning. Donovan had ordered me to report to the Pack House for "cleaning duties." His voice had been cold. Threatening. He didn't even bother hiding that this was punishment. He called it "atonement" for my father's so-called betrayal.

Father.

I still couldn't believe Alpha's story about him fleeing to join the rogues. Not for a single second. But I had no proof otherwise.

I walked the entire way to the Pack House. My legs ached, but I made it before five.

This place used to be my second home. Back when Donovan and I were close, I spent countless hours here. I laughed in these hallways. Sneaked into the kitchen for cookies. Watched movies with Donovan in the rec room.

Now it felt cold. Unwelcoming.

The moment I stepped inside, Elena, the housekeeper, spotted me. Her lip curled like she'd just smelled something rotten.

"Well, well. Look what the storm dragged in," she sneered, crossing her arms. "The traitor's daughter graces us with her presence."

I took a slow breath. "Good morning, Elena."

"Don't you 'good morning' me." She stepped closer, her finger jabbing toward my face. "You're an eyesore. You shouldn't be within a mile of this Pack House."

"That's not your decision, Elena." I straightened my spine, lifting my chin. She was a servant. She had no right to speak to me like that.

Her eyes went wide when I talked back. She shoved me backward, hard. "You filthy, disgusting traitor! How dare you open your mouth? You should be in the dungeons. Or running with the rogues like your father. Alpha is too merciful, letting you walk around spewing your nonsense."

Her voice kept rising. Louder and louder. Like she wanted to provoke me.

I didn't take the bait.

I held her gaze for a moment. "Elena," I cut in, my voice calm and cold. "Future Alpha Donovan assigned me this task. If you want to slow me down, go ahead. I'll tell him you interfered with his orders."

Her face twisted. "I'll be watching you," she hissed. "If you think I'm going to let this be easy for you."

I walked past her before she could finish.

It felt good to stand up for myself.

Even if my voice was shaking.

I climbed the stairs to Donovan's floor, my stomach clenching with every step. The hallway was silent. I held my breath as I approached his room. My palms were sweating when I raised my hand to knock.

Three soft knocks.

The door swung open almost instantly.

Donovan stood there in nothing but a pair of gray shorts. His hair was a mess, like he'd just rolled out of bed. Bare chest. Lean muscle. Smooth skin. The kind of body every girl in school dreamed about.

But all I saw was the boy who'd sworn to make my life hell. The one who'd grabbed my throat last night and nearly choked me unconscious.

His eyes swept over me, cold and flat. No expression. Not even annoyance.

Just ice.

"You're late," he said, his voice flat. "And being late means punishment."

AMANDA'S POV

He said it so casually, but I caught the danger immediately.

"It's not even five in the morning yet," I tried to argue.

"Don't talk back." His voice cracked like a whip, and something in his scent made my spine tingle.

He was too close. Close enough that I could smell his breath. When his scent filled my lungs, the remnants of our mate bond stirred beneath the surface. My wolf let out a soft, pathetic whimper.

And I saw Donovan's eyes darken.

He wrenched himself back, turning away to grab his robe. "Get to work."

I followed him into the room, my eyes fixed on the floor. Every time I looked up at him, my heart stumbled over itself.

He pointed to a laundry basket in the corner.

"Wash those. Don't ruin my shirts, or you're paying for every single one."

I nodded.

"You'd better move fast," he added, rolling his shoulders like this was all perfectly ordinary. "You're cleaning the entire house. Floors. Desks. Bathroom. Windows. Everything."

I swallowed again. Was this his punishment? An impossible list of chores?

I almost protested-but he turned to face me, arms crossed over his chest.

"Amanda," he said, his voice low and cold. "I am your Alpha. You will address me as such."

The weight of his command pressed down on me. I nodded again. "Yes, Alpha."

He stepped closer, lifting my chin with one finger. "Remember. I am your master. Your job is to obey without complaint. Is that clear?"

I clenched my fists. Kept my eyes down. The face in front of me was the one I knew best in the world. But the person wearing it was a stranger.

"You should be grateful," he murmured. "Not every traitor gets a chance to atone."

Thankfully, Donovan didn't seem eager to be alone with me either. He let me go quickly.

The Pack House was massive. It should have taken hours to clean. But somehow, I finished everything in under an hour. I didn't know where the strength came from. When Donovan walked out and saw every surface spotless, his expression flickered with surprise. He'd probably expected me to take all morning and miss school.

Then I heard something splash onto the floor.

I froze. Turning, I saw Donovan standing near the corner, a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Oops," he said, his voice dripping with false innocence. "You missed a spot."

Hot liquid dripped onto the floor-the same floor I'd just scrubbed on my hands and knees.

I stared at him, heat flooding my cheeks.

"You did that on purpose."

"So what if I did?" He didn't even try to hide it. "Follow me."

I followed him into his room without a word.

He knocked over a stack of books. Poured more coffee onto the floor. Kicked his shoes across the room. Within seconds, he'd turned the entire space into a disaster zone.

"Looks like you'll have to start over," he said.

I dropped the mop and shook my head. "No. I have to go to school. I'm going to be late."

His expression shifted-like he couldn't believe I'd dared to talk back.

"What did you just say to me?"

"I said I'm going to be late." My voice trembled, but I held my ground. "I'm not doing this."

He rose slowly, and the anger rolling off him was hot enough to burn.

"You think you have the right to say no to me?"

His voice was low. Dangerous.

"You're an Omega. A traitor's daughter. You don't have a schedule. You move when I tell you to move."

"I'm still going to school." I lifted my chin. "I won't let you destroy my education."

His jaw tightened. I could hear his teeth grinding together.

"Kneel."

My heart dropped. "Donovan-"

"Now."

My knees hit the floor before I could think. His presence crashed over me like a wave. Heavy. Suffocating. Absolute. His eyes locked onto mine, cold and merciless, and my heart clenched in my chest.

"I am your master," he said, his voice flat. "And you have no choice but to obey."

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I never thought Donovan would use his Alpha power against me. Not like this.

He began to circle me slowly, and I could feel the weight of his gaze dragging over my skin. The longer he looked, the worse it got-because a traitorous heat began to bloom low in my belly.

Get a grip, Amanda. He wasn't the same Donovan. He'd said he didn't want you!

"You think you can disobey me?"

"I wasn't-"

"You did." He leaned down, close enough that I could smell his breath. His scent filled my lungs, and my wolf stirred again-weak and longing.

I dropped my eyes to the messy floor. "Please. Let me go to school, Donovan. You know I-"

"So eager to get to school?" He grabbed my chin, forcing my face up. His voice was a snarl. "Is it because you love studying so much? Or is there someone else?"

"What?" My brain couldn't process his words. The moment his fingers touched my skin, my thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm.

"Slut," he muttered, releasing my chin. "From now on, you do what I tell you. Nothing more. Nothing less."

He walked to his closet and pulled out two fabric clamps. "Take off your shirt," he ordered.

My throat tightened at the strange objects in his hands. "Donovan-"

"That's Alpha to you. And if you waste another second, the punishment doubles."

I closed my eyes. My fingers trembled as I reached for the hem of my shirt. His eyes were on me-watching, waiting-and even though I hated him for what he'd become, my body didn't seem to care.

Because somewhere deep inside, where the mate bond still lived, something warm and shameful was already beginning to stir.

My body shivered as it was fully exposed to the cold air, but there was one gaze I couldn't ignore-one that burned hotter than any fire. I heard his breath grow heavier. Heat rushed to my lower belly.

"Put these on," he said, tossing the fabric clamps onto the bed.

My eyes snapped open. I stared at him in disbelief.

"Don't make me repeat myself." His voice dripped with danger.

My hands trembled as I picked them up. I had no idea how to even put them on. A frustrated, helpless heat crept up my neck.

"Don't play innocent," he growled, stepping closer. Impatience rolled off him in waves. He grabbed the clamps from my shaking fingers and did it himself-roughly, without care.

The pain from the clamps was sharp. But it was nothing compared to the heat of his fingers brushing against my skin. I bit down on my lip, hard, refusing to make a sound.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to suppress the heat pooling low in my belly. But his presence only grew stronger. Especially when he stood this close. My mind betrayed me-imagining his fingers instead of the clamps, his touch instead of the cold metal. My body shifted, twisting slightly against my will.

"Look at me, Amanda."

Donovan's voice cut through the haze. I opened my eyes.

Shame burned across my cheeks. He'd said he didn't want me. How could I still have these thoughts about him?

He was glaring at me. Not with desire. Not with heat. Just pure, cold darkness.

"You little slut," he muttered. "Don't tell me you're enjoying this."

I pressed my lips together. I didn't know what to say.

His frown deepened. "Looks like the clamps aren't enough for you. Get up. Take off your shorts. And lie face-down on the bed."

His words only fueled the heat burning inside me. But the coldness in his eyes told me everything-he was doing this to humiliate me, not because he wanted me.

My pride made one final stand. "Why would I do that?"

"Don't question your Alpha. Either obey, or I'll throw your entire family out of the Pack."

I closed my eyes, resigned. What was I even hoping for?

I stood numbly, pushed down my shorts, and lay face-down on his bed. His scent clung to the sheets. I knew this room well-we'd read comics here together, wrestled, laughed until we couldn't breathe. Now it felt like an operating table built for my humiliation.

I buried my face in the sheets, clinging to the familiar smell, longing for the warm Donovan to come back.

But reality didn't answer my prayer.

"Spread your legs." Donovan's voice came from behind me.

My body heated at the command of my mate. But my heart curled in on itself, aching. He'd already rejected our bond. What right did he have to tell me to spread my legs now? Hadn't he humiliated me enough?

"Why are you doing this?" I whispered, my voice shaking.

"Because you need to learn respect," he said coldly.

"Learn what?"

"Not to challenge your Alpha."

I looked up at him, stunned. "You've really changed."

For a moment, something flickered across his face. But he buried it under a sneer.

"Stop stalling. Face down."

I stopped arguing. I did what he said. I closed my eyes and told myself the Donovan I loved was already gone.