Chapter 2

Layla's POV

I didn't know how long had passed when Knox finally walked over to me.

He still had that same careless, cocky swagger—hands in his pockets, strolling over like he was just here to watch a good show.

Behind him trailed the Betas who'd helped with the "prank." And Mia.

She was wearing a white dress today, her hair flowing loose over her shoulders. She had her hand over her mouth, her face all fake surprise. "Oh my god, I was just saying I wanted to see an Omega frenzy—I can't believe you actually did it!"

The excitement she couldn't quite hide in her voice sent ice through my veins. So this was what my pain was to her. Entertainment.

"Of course we did," Knox said, puffing up with pride. "If Mia says she wants to see something, we make it happen."

The way he looked at her—so soft, so tender—was something I'd never seen from him before.

Then he strolled up to the stone and peered down at me, mocking.

The sunset light spilled across his face. Those features I knew so well—they looked like a stranger's now.

"So, Layla? Fun game today, right?"

He waved a hand, already over it. "Alright, alright. Game's over. Cut her down."

His voice was so casual, like he was commenting on the weather.

A few Betas fumbled with the silver chains, then practically tossed me aside like I was trash they didn't want to touch.

The second the chains came loose, I hit the ground hard. My back slammed against the stone, and I felt every bone in my body rattle.

But the silver was still pressed against my skin, still burning into me. I didn't have the strength to push it off.

The rage-inducer's side effects hadn't faded. My wolf couldn't heal my wounds. All I could do was curl up on the ground, shaking and whimpering in pain.

Knox loomed over me. He kicked the chains off my body, rough and careless, not giving a damn how much it hurt.

The silver scraped against my skin, peeling off a layer of flesh as it went. I jolted, a raw scream tearing out of my throat.

He froze when he saw my swollen, bloodshot eyes. When he saw the bruises covering my body. When he saw the rotting, mangled flesh around my wrists where the silver had eaten through.

For one second, I thought I saw something flicker across his face. Guilt. Regret.

Then it was gone, replaced by his usual cocky mask. "Why are you crying? It was just a joke. We've pranked each other before, haven't we?"

He said it so lightly, like it really was just another prank.

But no prank had ever left me covered in wounds. No prank had ever stripped me of my dignity in front of everyone.

I stared at him. Said nothing.

Knox shifted under my gaze, uncomfortable. "Why are you looking at me like that? I let you go, didn't I?"

"And besides—Mia said she'd never seen an Omega frenzy before. I asked a healer about that rage-inducer. It doesn't cause permanent damage. You're fine, right?"

Fine?

I looked down at myself. The rotting flesh. The body covered in saliva and god knows what else. My back throbbing. My bones shattered in a dozen places.

This was "fine"?

The Betas chimed in, piling on:

"Yeah, Layla, don't make this a big deal."

"You should be honored that Mia even wanted to see you."

"Honestly, without Knox vouching for you, no one would even look at you. You're just an Omega. Don't act like you're special."

Every word was a reminder.

I didn't deserve respect. I didn't deserve kindness. I only existed to entertain them.

Mia stepped forward, all fake guilt. "Layla, I'm so sorry. I had no idea they'd actually do it. I was just talking, I never meant for—"

Her eyes got all misty. She looked like she was on the verge of tears.

Like she was the victim here.

And of course, the Betas ate it up.

"Mia, don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault."

"Yeah, Layla's just too sensitive."

"Mia, you're so sweet. Worrying about some low-tier Omega."

I pushed myself up slowly, my whole body trembling with pain. I could barely stand.

"Knox," I said, my voice shaking. "You promised you'd protect me."

I looked at him, my fists clenched, holding onto one last shred of hope.

He seemed to flinch. He looked away.

"You're fine, aren't you? Nothing really happened."

I didn't say another word.

I gave him one last look.

Then I turned and walked away.

His voice followed me. "Hey, Layla! Where are you going? Come on, don't be like that. I'll buy you dinner to make up for it, okay? Layla! Stop walking!"

Knox started after me—but Mia grabbed his arm.

"Knox, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I made Layla mad at you."

He immediately turned to soothe her. "Mia, don't. You didn't do anything wrong. Layla's always like this. I'm used to it. She'll get over it in a few days."

I heard every word.

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

But I didn't look back.

And yeah, I'd "acted out" before.

Like when he changed my test answers to Mia's name and cost me the Outstanding Wolf Scholarship.

Like when he gave away the healing potion I'd fought so hard to get—to Mia, because she had a tiny scratch on her finger.

Meanwhile, I'd fallen down a slope and had no healing potion of my own, so I spent three months stuck in bed.

He'd called all of that "acting out."

Fine.

Then I'd stop acting out.

I straightened my spine. Stumbled, but kept walking. Left the camp behind.

When I was finally outside the training camp gates, I reached out through the mind-link, calling for my father.

"Dad," I said, my voice steady. "I want to come home to Healer's Hollow."