Tears spilled down Vivian’s cheeks before the glossy flyer even settled on the linoleum.
"I just wanted to help her," Vivian sobbed, burying her face into Chloe’s shoulder.
"You are a monster, Iloen," a senior hissed, stepping forward to shield Vivian.
"She is totally ungrateful," another student chimed in.
"What is going on here?" Mr. Gable’s booming voice cut through the hallway chatter.
The crowd parted instantly for the head disciplinarian. He took one look at Vivian’s tears and fixed a hard glare on me.
"Iloen is bullying Vivian again," Chloe said quickly. "Vivian offered her a spot on the winter musical crew, and Iloen attacked her."
"I slapped a piece of paper out of her hand," I corrected.
"Silence," Mr. Gable barked. He crossed his arms, his expression full of absolute disappointment. "You lack basic empathy, Iloen. Vivian offered you an olive branch, and you spit on it."
"She is setting me up," I said.
"More excuses," Gable countered. "You will join the theater production today. You will learn teamwork and humility."
"I refuse to work for her."
"Then I will personally process your expulsion for harassment," Gable stated coldly. "Report to the auditorium at three o'clock. Do not test me."
He turned and patted Vivian’s shoulder before walking away.
Three hours later, I stood on the freezing auditorium stage. The heating system in the old building had been broken for weeks.
"Here is your script," Vivian said, shoving a thick stack of damp papers against my chest.
"I thought I was painting props," I said.
"We had a cast change. You are the wicked stepsister now." Vivian smiled sharply. "Turn to page forty."
I flipped the pages. "She gets thrown into a frozen lake? That isn't in the original play."
"I rewrote it," Vivian announced to the crew. "The stepsister must suffer for her crimes. Get to the center mark. Props team, bring the buckets."
Two heavy-set Betas hauled massive plastic bins onto the stage. Chunks of ice bobbed in the water.
"Action," Vivian ordered from the front row.
A splash of freezing water hit my back.
The icy shock punched the air right out of my lungs. My muscles seized instantly.
"Terrible reaction," Vivian called out, waving her hand. "Do it again."
Another bucket crashed against my shoulders. My teeth knocked together violently.
"She looks bored," Chloe yelled from the lighting booth.
"Reset," Vivian commanded.
They poured a third bucket directly over my head. The water soaked through my uniform, freezing against my skin. My vision dotted with black spots. A fierce, unnatural heat began radiating from my chest, fighting the cold.
Fever.
"I am done," I whispered, my voice cracking.
"Speak up, stray," Vivian mocked.
"I said, I am done." I turned toward the stage stairs.
The auditorium lights blurred into a blinding white streak. My legs gave out completely.
I waited for the hard wooden floor to shatter my knees.
Instead, a violent jolt of electricity ripped through my spine.
Strong hands gripped my waist. The scent of pine and sterile alcohol flooded my senses, cutting through the damp chill of the room.
Kyle.
"Get off me," Kyle snarled, his voice vibrating against my ear.
He shoved my shoulders. I slumped forward, completely dead weight.
His hands snapped right back to my sides, catching me before I hit the floor.
"I said get off," he repeated, his tone frantic now.
I couldn't move. The fever baked my skin, leaving me entirely paralyzed against his chest.
"Alpha Kyle, drop her!" Vivian shrieked, sprinting down the center aisle. "She is covered in dirty water!"
Kyle’s face contorted. He stared at his own hands gripping my soaked shirt, pure horror flashing in his gray eyes. He wanted to throw me onto the stage. Every muscle in his jaw strained with the effort to pull away.
But the fated mate bond refused to yield.
His fingers dug harder into my waist. A strange, panicked reluctance washed over his harsh features.
"Let her fall, Kyle," Chloe urged, stepping out of the booth.
"Shut up," Kyle barked.
He hoisted me up into his arms, pressing my soaking wet uniform directly against his pristine, custom-tailored jacket.
"What are you doing?" Vivian gasped, stopping at the edge of the stage. "She is a disease!"
"Get out of my way," Kyle ordered.
He marched down the steps, carrying me past the stunned crew members. The entire auditorium fell dead silent.
"You are ruining your clothes," I mumbled, barely conscious.
"Do not speak," he forced out through gritted teeth. "If you die, it severs the bond. I refuse to deal with the physical backlash of a dead mate."
He kicked the heavy auditorium doors open.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my head lolling against his shoulder.
"The hospital," he muttered, his chest heaving. "Before I change my mind and throw you in a dumpster."
My eyes slid shut as the cold hallway air hit my face.
But as the darkness finally pulled me under, I realized something terrifying.
Kyle just skipped classes to save me. And midnight was still hours away.
