Lilith's POV

“Hey Lilith, the video has been taken off the school’s website,” Serenity yelled, rushing to me the moment I set foot in the room.

She scrolled through her phone excitedly and shrieked, “I’m so happy right now. I was already losing my mind when the union leader wouldn’t do anything.”

“It was Reed,” I mumbled dryly, cursing myself for saying the name I had vowed not to call.

“Reed?” Serenity repeated. She sighed and squeezed my shoulder.

“Don’t worry about anything, okay? Gavin and Lexy are going to pay for what they did to you. I promise.”

Nodding, I slung my bag across my shoulder. “I’ll see you after class,” I said and walked out of the room. I wasn’t in the mood to talk.

Classes dragged through the morning, and when it was finally time for lunch, I rushed to the cafeteria.

I wanted to get the best seat before anyone else took my place.

My favorite spot was at the east end of the large hall where I could watch the soccer players practicing during lunch.

Lunch was going well until the hall suddenly went quiet. Wondering what happened, I took my gaze off the athletes and saw Lexy walking toward me with a tray of food.

“Hey, how do you do?” She dropped her tray on the table loudly.

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the guys on the field.

Lexy scoffed and crossed her arms. “You know it’s not my fault things turned out this way. It was your fault.”

My head snapped to her. “My fault?”

I couldn’t believe the words were coming from her, someone I called my best friend, someone I’d shared so many memories with.

“Yes. Gavin came to me first. He said you weren’t giving him what he wanted, so I did.” She shrugged.

I stared.

“What he wanted?”

She smirked and leaned closer. “Do I have to spell it out for you?” She arched her brows and that was it. I flared.

“Lexy!” My voice rose. “How could you do that to me? He was my mate! You are my best friend, for crying out loud!”

“Was,” she corrected with an eye roll. “Besides, I’ve always had my eyes on Gavin. You just happened to steal him from me, and now I have him back. So that’s it.”

“You’re a bitch!” I spat. “Thinking you can win a guy by giving him your body? Only whores act that way!”

Her eyes widened.

Before I could react, she grabbed the milk carton on the table and dumped it over me.

Gasps filled the hall as everyone’s attention shifted to us.

I stared at Lexy in utter disbelief. Anger surged through me.

“Listen,” she began coldly. “It’s not my fault you couldn’t hold onto your mate. And don’t vent your frustration about your unfortunate life on me! I wasn’t the cause of your parents’ death, unlike you, a cursed wolf.” She grinned.

That did it. I lost control. I stood and slapped her hard across the face.

I didn’t let her recover before landing another blow.

She screamed, tilting her head and clutching the cheek that bore my palm’s imprint.

“I won’t let you speak to me like that!” I spat. “And Gavin? You both can go to hell!” I turned to leave, but she grabbed my hair and pulled hard.

Without hesitation, I pushed her to the floor and pounced, hitting her all over the face and unleashing the fury I’d kept bottled up.

Gavin’s rejection. Her betrayal. The one night stand with Reed and his indifference. I poured all of it into my strikes.

I almost choked the life out of her when the Dean arrived and two students pulled us apart.

“Serves you right,” I spat, shoving the student holding me back.

“Lilith, Lexy. My office, now.” The Dean’s voice cut through the cafeteria.

Lexy was so battered she could barely walk. Her friends helped her out as students booed.

For the next half hour we were both in the Dean’s office.

While I was reprimanded despite explaining what happened, Lexy was left to her theatrics.

I was hurt by how things turned out, but I consoled myself with the fact that I had beaten the living daylights out of her.

“Lilith, I’m disappointed in you,” the Dean said for the hundredth time; as usual, I said nothing.

“Her parents are held in high esteem by the school because of their immense support. The least we can do is make sure their daughter is well taken care of,” he stressed, adjusting his glasses.

“Really?” I snickered and rolled my eyes.

“Mind your manners, Lilith,” he scolded.

“What about me and the other students? Because our parents have nothing to offer the school, should be treated with disrespect?” I yelled, slamming my fist on the table.

I was too angry to control myself.

People like Lexy needed lessons, but instead, they were protected while the innocent were punished.

“That wasn’t what I meant… Lexy started it, fine. You should have left the cafeteria for peace, but you decided to fight,” he said.

I shoved my hand into my hair and let out the breath I’d been holding. I pressed my lips into a thin line and bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying worse.

Clutching her side, Lexy let out a guttural groan, and the Dean rushed to her side.

“Are you alright?” he asked, holding her tenderly.

“I think I broke a rib,” she groaned, and instantly the Dean snapped his head toward me. I didn’t flinch.

I knew Lexy. This was all an act so I would be punished.

“You see what you caused?” he yelled. “You aren’t even remorseful for your actions.”

Why should I be? I wanted to say it, but I held back.

“You know what? You have been suspended for a week,” he said finally.

From the corner of my eye I saw Lexy snicker.

She had gotten what she wanted.