Rhaella's POV 

As I stepped inside the hall, I pulled down my hood. I wasn't expecting to see every member of the Senate board. 

Jason sat at the head of the round table, draped in an aura that screamed, 'he was the Alpha.' His burgundy shirt caught my eye. The same one I bought him for his last birthday. My chest tightened. How can he be so insensitive? He wore it deliberately, like a reminder, as if to taunt me with what we once shared.

In the middle of the room was a lone chair. Not at the table nor among the Senate Alphas. Just there like a prisoner's seat.

My stomach burned, and I sighed heavily before forcing myself to move toward it. I had barely sat when sharp footsteps echoed behind me, forcing me to turn.

It was that bitch, Dahlia.

She walked in with her head high, her every step dripping with arrogance, her lips curved in a smirk as though she owned the hall. Behind her, reporters swarmed in like bees flashing their cameras violently and shoving microphones forward. One of the microphones nearly hit my chin as they stormed past me, all rushing toward Jason.

"Alpha, what do you have to say about the headline?" one of them asked. 

Jason leaned forward, wearing a mask of grief so polished that it almost fooled me. Almost. His voice trembled just enough to sound perfectly rehearsed.

"I'm... I'm so sorry the whole pack had to find out this way," he said, lowering his gaze pretending to be ashamed. "This terrible thing with the Luna-to-be..."

His throat caught with fake emotion dripping from every word he spoke. "I've tried for years to love her. Even though I knew she slept with several men. She was my fated mate, so I couldn't leave just like that. I stood by her hoping she'd change. But now?" He pressed his hand to his chest, sighing dramatically as he lowered his voice. "Now I'm disgraced before the whole pack. I tried my best... but I guess one can't teach a street dog the act of virtue."

HELL! Me?! A street dog? Did this bastard just call me that?

My breath grew heavy as tears burned at the corners of my eyes. And the worst part? They were all believing him.

"You liar!" I growled, unable to sit and continue listening to his filth. "How dare you, Jason?! You sit there spinning lies upon lies, twisting my pain into your theater! Is this a joke to you?!"

I spun immediately to the crowd, my voice cracking. "And you all... you stand there lapping up his lies like it's holy water? Just because he's the Alpha?! Have you lost your goddamn minds?!"

My blood was boiling. And my wolf? She was clawing in my head, begging to be let loose. I was about to leap across the table, to claw that smug performance right off his face when two guards appeared in front of me using their iron grip to force me down, pinning my shoulders to the chair.

Gasps rippled across the hall.

"JEEZ! she nearly attacked him!" A man in the back whispered too loud.

"She's so savage... so heartless!"

"She's more of a rogue than a Luna material..." another echoed.

Jason seized the moment, and stood to his feet with wounded eyes. He raised a trembling hand, soaking in the pity of the crowd, then jabbed his finger at me.

"Do you see?" he thundered, his voice booming through the microphones. "Do you all see what I have endured behind closed doors? This is what I have suffered! This temper! This violence!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs again, some already whispering prayers for their Alpha, and the others glancing uneasily at me.

Jason raised his hands, silencing the crowd. "Effective immediately, she is stripped of her title. The role of Luna will be given to someone worthy of the name."

He turned to me, and I realized every ounce of affection I once thought he had in his eyes for me had vanished. "Now... I, Jason Blackwood, Alpha of the Stormwolf Pack... reject you, Rhaella Hammond, as my mate."

A sharp ache ripped through my chest the moment Jason's rejection settled. And my knees hit the cold floor with a loud thud. My wolf was hurting terribly. The mate bond was a sacred thread and severing it always came with tremendous pain for both parties.

Jason felt it too. I saw the flicker of pain cross his face but he swallowed it, straightened his shoulders, and masked it with the practiced coldness of an Alpha who wanted the world to believe he was untouchable.

A soft, mocking chuckle floated from the corner. I turned slowly, still in pain, to see Dahlia standing there with her arms folded, and her lips twisted into a triumphant smile.

I didn't think I had the strength to move but I couldn't stand the sight of her feeling like she won. And before I could process anything, I was on my feet. My palm cracked hard across her face.

"You bitch!" My voice shook with fury. "You deserve to rot in hell! You manipulated my mate, you poisoned him against me, you killed my babies," My throat broke. "...and now you want to steal my name?!"

Her head snapped to the side, a trickle of blood staining her lip. Then, with deliberate slowness, Dahlia turned back and didn't hesitate to slap me back, harder, snapping my head to the side.

The sting burned across my cheek, and for a second the whole hall went silent. The reporters swarmed closer to us, shoving microphones at my face like weapons.

Dahlia didn't even flinch. She leaned in close, her pathetic voice dropping into a venomous whisper only I could hear. 

"Little sister," she breathed. "Jason isn't some helpless baby I need to manipulate. Let's just say he finally realized that the Luna's crown was never yours to wear... it's far too heavy for a dirty omega like you. So just drop it and stop being greedy, I'll be sure to carry that burden for you."

When she pulled back, her lips curled into that same smile, like the crown already belonged to her.

I turned to Jason, desperate for something... anything.... but he just sat back in his chair, tapping his fingers lazily against the table like he was bored. My fists trembled. 

What had I ever done to the Moon Goddess to deserve this mockery? 

One of the Senate Alphas rose, smoothing down his tailored suit, "Rhaella Hammond," he began, his tone dripping with disdain. "The Alpha has shown you mercy in stripping you only of your title. But if you persist in this disgraceful display, that mercy will vanish. And we will demand you be killed! Why continue this charade of victimhood when it is clear, you are the villain here?"

Goddess, I wanted to smash that smug old man in the gut. But one wrong move here, and I'd never leave this room alive.

So I turned back to Dahlia. Tears finally spilled. I had fought not to break in front of them, but the pain was too much.

"This is far from over," I hissed. My voice cracked, but anger laced in every word.

And then I ran out. Outside, my link buzzed. "Babe? Are you okay?" Sylvia's voice rushed through. "We're at your place. Your mom and I... we're waiting."

I shoved my shaky hands into my hoodie pocket and hailed a cab.

By the time I reached our small apartment, I heard my mother's sobs in the kitchen. Sylvia knelt beside her, pale and shaken.

"Mom?" My heart pounded. "What's wrong? Is it about me? I'm fine..."

She lifted her face. Her eyes were red.

"Ella... they fired me. All of them. The Villas. The motel. Even the schools. They said they can't be associated with us anymore."

The words ripped through me. "What? They can't... just do that!" My voice broke. 

Before I could even breathe, Sylvia's voice cut in, reluctantly but urgent.

"That's not all, Ella. The hospital called. Seems the board stripped you of every benefit you should enjoy as a Luna... and now they're billing you for every care they gave you after you lost the babies. The meds. The transfusion. Observation. All of it."

My chest seized.

"They said if the scandal had broken earlier, they wouldn't have treated you. But since it came after, the HR ruled that your care isn't covered anymore."

My throat burned. "So... how much?"

Sylvia looked at me, then looked away like the number itself might destroy me. Finally, she whispered: "21,500 dollars. And they want it in 3 days."

The number hit me so hard that my legs buckled. I gripped the counter, just to stay standing.

"That's... impossible." The words barely left me.

"Even if I wasn't fired, my salary wouldn't cover that," my mom whispered, her hands trembling in her lap.

"I can get you about 10,000 dollars from my mom," Sylvia said, pacing. "But it's still not enough."

She suddenly froze mid-step, "Wait, how about your car? You could sell it, get at least a few thousand up front..."

I shook my head. "The car's still in Jason's villa. Do you really think they'll let me walk in and drive it out? Dahlia probably has the keys in her purse already."

"Fuck!" Sylvia hissed, raking her hands through her hair. "Okay, okay... your accounts?"

"I tried." My throat closed as the memory burned fresh. "On the way home, I stopped at an ATM to grab some cash. But my cards are blocked. Jason must've called the bank."

Sylvia's face twisted, "How diligent! That psycho isn't even giving you a breather. He just wants you to choke."

My mom's quiet sobs filled the room, and as much as I wanted to sink into the floor and cry until my body gave out, I knew this wasn't the time. I had to find a way for us to survive.  

But how on earth, am I going to raise 21,500 dollars in 3 days?!

Rhaella's POV 

I let go of my thoughts and tried to be strong, at least for my mom's sake. "Sylvia, can you help me run a bath? Mom needs a shower."

She nodded and disappeared into the bathroom.

I guided my Mom into her bedroom and helped her out of her uniform. She tried to protest, clutching at the buttons.

"Ella, I can manage..."

"No, Mom," I cut in firmly. "Not tonight."

I knew I was the one who needed care, but after everything she had gone through for my sake, I couldn't let her handle anything by herself tonight.

I led her into the bathroom tub. Scrubbed and rinsed her until she was clean, then helped her into her pajamas.

Sylvia was in the kitchen fixing our dinner. The aroma of pasta filled the apartment as she mixed the pasta with some of the beef sauce Mom had left in the fridge. She hummed under her breath, stirring the pan slowly, while I leaned against the doorway, watching her.

"Want me to set the table?" I asked quietly.

"Not yet," she said, glancing at me without stopping. "I'd do it myself."

I nodded and went to get my mom. She ate a little before retiring to bed. Sylvia forced me to eat too so I could take my medications. Then, we both showered and laid side by side in my room, staring at the ceiling.

"Don't you need to call your mom?" I whispered. "She's probably heard what happened today. Won't she worry if you don't come home?"

"That's not a problem," Sylvia said flatly. "You know my mom, if I call her now, she'll just keep digging for details. And I don't have that energy tonight. Tomorrow."

"Alright," I murmured. "I just don't want you getting into trouble because of me."

She rolled onto her side and cupped my cheek, "Ella, stop. We're friends. And I'm going to walk through this with you."

Honestly, that pulled a small smile out of me and I nodded. We laid there, allowing the silence to stretch between us. Then, a crazy thought slipped into my head. I turned to face her.

"Our exams start Monday, right?"

"Yeah. Why?" Her voice sharpened, almost wary, like she already knew I was about to say something crazy.

"Just... hear me out," I said carefully. "I know this sounds insane, but maybe I should go for it."

Sylvia shot up on one elbow, glaring. "Are you serious? After everything that's happened, you think walking back into that school is a good idea? Girl, We should be out there right now trying to figure out how to get that 21,500 dollars, not prepping for an exam!"

A chill crept through my chest, but I sat up and forced myself to meet her stare. "And how do you suggest we do that, Syl? Rob a bank? Beg on the streets? Jason has frozen my accounts. We've got nothing."

Her mouth opened, ready to fire back, but I pushed the words out before she could.

"It's our final year exam. If I can just talk to Professor Wilson, maybe he'll let me sit for it. This is the only way. My certificate is the only thing they can't take from me!" I paused to catch my breath, "If I pass, I can get my diploma and my license. I can even go to the human territory and get a job, a real job that can pay off that debt and keep a roof over our heads. This isn't about a short-term relief, Syl. It's about our long-term survival."

Sylvia's eyes softened, but the fear didn't leave. "Ella... but do you really think he'd risk his job just to let you take the exams? The senate probably sent word already to have you withdrawn. If they've stripped your privileges, his hands might be tied."

I sighed, my chest sinking, because deep down I knew she was right. Professor Wilson might shut me out the same way the hospital did after the lies Jason told.

The only reason I even had a seat in that academy was because of Jason. To be able to stand beside him as his Luna, I had to be trained, educated, and polished. Omegas don't get education. We don't even have the right. 

But still, I couldn't just give up. Not when Mom's future and mine depended on me finding a way.

Sylvia exhaled hard and rubbed her face.

"Ella... you're crazy," she muttered. Then she leaned in, locking her eyes on mine. "But maybe being crazy is exactly what you need right now."

I blinked. "So you think I should do it?"

She bit her lip. "It's risky as hell."

I swallowed. "I know, but you know Prof. Wilson. He's not like the others. If anyone would listen to me..."

"...it's him." She finished for me, nodding slowly. She sighed again. "Alright. If this is what you want, I'll go with you. But don't think I'll let anyone lay a hand on you without going through me first."

A lump rose in my throat. "Thank you, Babe."

"Don't thank me yet." She said flatly, lying back against the pillow. "Because if this blows up, we're both fucked."

We didn't get to sleep much. By morning, Sylvia left first to check in with her mom, and calm her down before the rumors twisted worse. She came back in the afternoon, her face tight, but she didn't say much about it.

My mom stayed in her room, making call after call, begging her employers to reinstate her. I hated her being in that state, but hopefully, this would fix our problems.

Sylvia and I studied together all weekend... at the kitchen table, sometimes in silence, sometimes with Sylvia quizzing me just to keep my mind steady. I tried to push everything else aside; my grief, the betrayal, the headlines but they replayed in my mind anyway. Still, I forced myself to hold on.

This exam was more than a test. It was survival. 

By Sunday night, the apartment was quiet. We kept flipping pages and Sylvia kept tapping her pen on her notes. Neither of us said it out loud but, we were both scared of what Monday would bring.

Monday came faster than I wanted. Sylvia scrambled eggs while I made tea. We both didn't have much appetite but we forced it down. 

I wore a black round-neck paired with baggy jeans, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and put on a face cap to shade my face. Sylvia's gown was simple, but her eyes were restless.

We took a cab to the academy and it was quiet as we entered. But that didn't last long because soon, we were greeted by none other than Tasha and her clique.

Tasha is one of the alpha girls that tried befriending me after finding out that Jason was my mate. But then I beat her in one of our karate training and earned a black belt, and she grew hateful. She's been my archenemy since then. We've always competed for the top position since our first year and now that we are in our final year, things haven't changed.

Tasha was stunning; she had a model's body and a sharp mind. She always wore designer clothes that her mother, Tonia Montana , a famous fashion designer, made.

She was the total package in the eyes of men; too bad she was a total bitch.

"Hey, Ella," She sneered, stopping in front of us. Her friends stopped with her and glared at us like we were nothing but bugs they had just step on.

"Tasha," I greeted, my tone dry.

"Heard you got rejected by Alpha Jason. So... what are you doing here?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Her friends chuckled.

"Tough skin, huh? Cheating on the Alpha, messing around with other men, even trying to abort... and you still have the nerve to stroll into the school where he pays your fees?" One of her friends said laughing. 

"Maybe one of her sugar daddies is still footing the bill," another added, smirking. "She could give us lessons on how to be bad girls too."  

They all burst into laughter. Sylvia stepped forward, reading to punch one of them in the face, but I caught her arm. "Not now," I murmured, then looked at the girls.

"And how is the way I live my life any of your business, Tasha?" I asked through my teeth.

"Don't you have better things to do?" Sylvia asked, folding her arms across her chest. "Aren't we a little too old for the mean girl act?" 

"Well, well, well! The loyal guard dog is off her leash. Guess you're still following her around, hoping some of her leftover glory will rub off on you?" Tasha muttered before turning back to me. "I also heard your mom lost all her jobs because of your affair. Poor Ella, it's really shameful for your family. How are you guys ever going to survive now?"

"Are you just trying to make up for the fact that I've beaten you for the top student spot again this year by attacking my private life?" I asked her, narrowing my eyes.

Her eyes grew wide, not expecting that I would hit her where it hurts the most. Her face grew pale, and her friends were also silent. 

Sylvia stood there staring at me proudly.

"Private life you said?" Tasha scoffed. "You're all over the news, girl. There's nothing private about your life anymore." 

She continued, "And don't worry, your top spot won't last. Soon enough, I'd kick you off your high horse. Let's go girls."

She turned, her hair whipping around her shoulders, and then she walked off with her friends trailing behind her. As soon as she was out of sight, I let out the breath I hadn't known I was holding.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish," Sylvia laughed, her eyes following Tasha. "She's lucky all I did was watch. Next time, I'd pull out every last strand of her hair and make it into a wig!"

Rhaella's POV

"I have a feeling she's going to make me pay for that somehow," I murmured.

"Speaking of top students," Sylvia said in a warning tone, "you should hurry to Prof. Wilson's office. Wouldn't look good for either of you if you get caught lollygagging."

I blinked, already spacing out, then nodded quickly. "Yeah... I need to go." I glanced at my wristwatch and sighed. "You should head to the exam hall. I'll catch up with you later, Syl."

"Bye!"

– – – – – – –

Soon, I was standing outside Professor Wilson's office. My stomach twisted and my heart thudded faster.

I knocked gently and turned the door knob when he gave me permission.

The office smelled of old books and ink. He was bent over a stack of papers, with a red pen in his hand. When he looked up, his eyes widened as he adjusted his glasses.

"Rhaella Hammond?" His voice called out in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Professor," I said softly.

"Hi... the board already called me. Your admission's been revoked."

"Yes, Professor. I know that." I pulled off my cap, holding it against my chest as I stepped closer, letting the door click shut behind me.

He leaned back, studying me. "You shouldn't be here."

"I know, sir," I admitted, my voice cracking before I steadied it. "But please... just hear me out."

He set his pen down. "Go on."

"I need to sit for my final exams. Just my two main courses: Warrior Training and Political Leadership & Administration. If I pass, I'll have my diploma and warrior license. Even if they strip me of everything else, I'll still have that. It means I could work, build a life for my mom and me... anywhere. Please, Sir. I'm begging you. Just let me finish what I started."

He sighed, adjusting his tie, his brows furrowing. "Rhaella, you're asking me to bend rules that aren't mine to bend."

"I'm not asking for special treatment. I just want a chance to prove myself. After that, they can throw me out, erase my name, whatever they want. But please... let me take this exam."

"It's going to be difficult," he admitted. "There are eyes everywhere. If they find out, both of us won't be able to face the consequences. But..." He glanced toward the door, lowering his voice. "If there's a way, I'll find it. Maybe you'll sit for the exams here, in my office, after everyone's gone, under my supervision. Maybe..." He shook his head. "We'll see."

Relief loosened the knot in my chest and my lips trembled. "Thank you, Professor. Thank you."

"Save the thanks for later," he said, picking up his pen again. "Go. And keep quiet about this. I'll call you when it's time."

I stepped out of Professor Wilson's office, sliding my cap back on. I scanned the hallway carefully, making sure no one saw me around.

Then, as quietly as I could, I left. I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched. I brushed the thought out of my mind as the cab pulled away from school.

......

Third Person POV

Where the hell did that bitch get that much confidence? She's got quite a nerve speaking to Tasha like that. Her friends followed behind her as she left the campus café, but once Tasha got outside, she turned to them, narrowing her eyes.

"I need to be alone," she said, raising a hand to halt their steps. "W...what? One of them stammered. "Why?"

"Don't you understand English anymore?", Tasha folded her arms across her chest. "Leave."

They sulked but they knew better than to argue with Tasha. They soon left, leaving Tasha alone with her thoughts. Tasha walked around the campus; she had no exam today, and she was thinking about returning to her dorm suite for a bubble bath. She needed to rid her mind of every thought of Rhaella.

As Tasha walked through the campus and towards the dorms, she paused when she saw a familiar figure sitting in the yard. The fellow had a dark hoodie pulled over their face and a smile spread across Tasha's lips as their eyes met from across the campus.

She knew this person as a friend and she had known them for quite a while. She also knew that this friend couldn't stand Rhaella. She straightened her posture as he walked across the campus and towards this friend.

"Rhaella is so annoying," Tasha muttered as she sat beside her friend in the yard. "You won't believe she had the gut to show her face in school. She even went as far as claiming that she was smarter than me?"

"What did you expect?" Her friend added. "She's always been a boastful brat. So fearless. And that's one of the reasons I can't stand her."

"What are you even doing out here?" Tasha asked, staring at her friend with a pointed look. "You never hang around the yard. You always said the view here was too 'basic' for you."

Her friend rolled their eyes and sighed.

"I actually needed to see you."

Tasha raised her brows.

"For what reason?"

"Because I need your help," they said, turning so they were facing Tasha completely. "I need whatever dirt you can find on Rhaella; something that'd completely break her for good; can you do that?"

"And how do you expect me to do that?" She asked. "It's already public news that she was rejected because she had an affair, and that she aborted."

Her friend nodded thoughtfully.

"There must be more information. Something we are overlooking. Because there's no way her scandal is this simple. She even showed up in school? She's definitely up to something and I need you to find out what it is."

"And what's in it for me?" Tasha asked, raising a brow.

Her friend smirked.

"Because if we play our cards right, we could get rid of Rhaella once and for all. Then, you'd be the top student," her friend replied.

Tasha's eyes lit up.

"I like the way you think," she said with a wink. "I'm in. I'll find out more and see what she's really up to."

After she parted ways with her friend, she saw Rhaella walking out of Professor Wilson's office. Tasha hid around the corner upon seeing her and her brows furrowed as she wondered what business she could possibly have with the Professor.

Is professor Wilson sponsoring her? Or is he one of her sugar daddies?

Tasha screamed internally.

It was no wonder she was wagging her tongue with all that confidence!

She pulled out her phone from her bag and dialed a number. A stern voice answered from the other end,

"Report."

Tasha straightened. "Just saw Ella coming out from one of the lecturers' offices. Thought you'd want to know."

"Who?"

"Professor Wilson. Department of Pack Politics Admin."

A low, satisfied hum rumbled through the phone. "Good girl. Leave the rest to me."

Tasha hung up and slipped her phone into her bag, smiling. She could already imagine Rhaella's face when she learned what her little stunt had cost her.