Another chance with the Beta

The Silver Fang Pack’s high school graduation ball was supposed to be a night of celebration. A night where every graduating wolf stepped into adulthood, a night of unity and honor.

For me, it was a battlefield.

I stood outside the grand pack hall, staring at the towering doors draped in gold and silver banners. Laughter and music spilled from inside, mingling with the scent of fine wine and freshly grilled meats. This was the pinnacle of our youth, the moment where we all moved forward into the next stage of our lives.

But I already knew what was waiting for me inside.

Mockery. Ridicule. Cruelty dressed in silk gowns and crisp tuxedos.

I should have stayed in the basement.

I almost turned around, but then I saw him.

Jaxon Hale.

He stood near the entrance, his suit tailored perfectly to his broad frame, his dark hair tousled like he had just stepped out of a dream. Girls fawned over him, their delicate hands brushing against his arm, their laughter melodic and sweet.

But he wasn’t looking at them.

For a moment—just a fleeting second—our eyes met.

And I thought, Maybe... maybe tonight will be different.

Steeling myself, I stepped forward, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had borrowed a dress, a simple blue gown that was slightly too loose on me, but it was the best I had. My hair was pinned back, and I had even attempted a touch of makeup, though my hands had trembled the entire time.

I wasn’t beautiful like the others, but I had wanted to try.

For him.

The moment I crossed the threshold, conversations dulled. Eyes flicked toward me, first in surprise, then in amusement. Whispers curled through the air, sharp and cruel.

I swallowed hard, keeping my chin high, forcing myself to walk toward the center of the room.

Then came the voice I dreaded the most.

“Oh. My. Goddess.”

Seraphina Monroe’s laughter rang out like a bell, clear and taunting. I turned just in time to see her strut toward me, her crimson dress clinging to her perfect form. Her lips curled into a smirk, eyes glinting with malice.

“You actually showed up.” She circled me like a predator, her pack of sycophants trailing behind her. “And here I thought you’d be in the basement scrubbing floors.”

A few chuckles rippled through the crowd.

I clenched my fists. “I have just as much right to be here as anyone else.”

Seraphina tilted her head, pretending to consider my words. “Hmm. That’s where you’re wrong, Aria. This ball is for real wolves.”

Laughter.

My nails dug into my palms, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of reacting.

But she wasn’t done.

With a sly smile, she reached out, her fingers plucking at the fabric of my dress. “And what is this? Did you sew it yourself? Oh, wait—who am I kidding? You can barely wash a dress, let alone make one.”

More laughter.

Heat burned behind my eyes, but I held my ground. I would not cry. Not in front of them.

Then she turned to the crowd, her voice sickeningly sweet. “You know, I was thinking. Since we’re all stepping into adulthood tonight, why don’t we settle something once and for all?”

My stomach clenched.

“Jaxon,” she called over her shoulder. “Come here.”

The world tilted as Jaxon strolled forward, his expression unreadable.

Seraphina’s grin widened. “Since our dear Aria seems to believe she belongs here, I think it’s only fair to hear from the future Alpha himself.” She turned to face him, eyes glittering with something sinister. “Tell us, Jaxon. What do you think of our little stray?”

Silence fell over the hall.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.

Jaxon’s gaze locked onto mine.

And for a moment, I saw something there. A flicker of hesitation. A war within himself.

Then, his lips curled into a smirk.

“I think…” He let the words hang in the air, then chuckled. “I think Seraphina has a point.”

The room erupted in laughter.

The world around me blurred, voices distorting into cruel echoes.

Jaxon Hale, the boy who had once whispered stories to me in the darkness, the boy who had held my hand when I cried—he had just thrown me to the wolves.

A sharp, painful lump formed in my throat, but I refused to let them see my tears.

Seraphina beamed. “See? Even Jaxon agrees. So tell me, Aria—do you still think you belong here?”

I turned on my heel and ran.

The laughter chased me through the grand hall, past the golden chandeliers and silk-draped tables. My lungs burned, my vision blurred. I burst through the doors and into the cool night air, gasping for breath.

I didn’t stop running until I reached the edge of the forest. The scent of pine and damp earth surrounded me, the only comfort I had left.

I sucked in deep breaths, my chest rising and falling rapidly. The night was silent except for the distant music and my own ragged breathing.

Then, a voice.

“Aria.”

I stiffened.

Slowly, I turned.

Jaxon stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable, his hands shoved into his pockets. His tuxedo was flawless, his posture effortless. The perfect future Alpha.

The boy I had loved.

For a brief moment, something flickered across his face. Regret? Guilt?

I swallowed hard. “Why did you do that?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

Jaxon’s jaw tensed. He looked away, staring at the trees like they held all the answers.

Then, he did the worst thing he could have done.

He said nothing.

No apology. No explanation.

Just silence.