Page 2 of His Bullied Fated Mate

We pulled into the parking lot, and I frowned. Troy smiled, waving at a group of his friends. I quickly got out, swinging my backpack over my shoulder.

“I’ll see you later,” he said as he headed over to his friend group.

I hurried inside, keeping my head low, but the whispers were always there. Look who came to school? God, do you think her parents wish they could get rid of her? I feel back for them. They would be the perfect family.

I made it to my locker and yanked it open. I froze when I noticed there had been notes shoved inside. I shouldn’t have been surprised. It wasn’t like this was new. But what scared me was the picture of me taped to the back of my locker. The words, I’m watching you in black Sharpie.

I looked over my shoulder and spotted my brother and his friends coming down the hallway. But my eyes stayed on Riley, my brother’s best friend. He was the worst of the bullies that I had in school.

His eyes snapped to me, and a smirk pulled at his lips. I knew right away it was him who was in my locker.

I ripped the picture off my locker and crumpled it up. I felt anger burning in the back of my throat, but I stayed quiet. Nothing I did would stop anyone. And I couldn’t tell my brother it was Riley because he was best friends with him.

I grabbed my books for class and slammed my locker shut, heading down the hallway. The rest of the day went by slowly. I could hear people talking. I tried to sink further into mychair. I ate my lunch in the library in the back corner, hoping to disappear from my problems for a little bit.

I only had two more years to get through, and I was free from all my problems. As soon as I graduated, I had every intention to leave. I knew it would break my parents' hearts, but it was for the best. I didn’t belong here, and nothing I did would change that.

The bell rang, and I headed back to my locker. I grabbed my backpack and headed out. I chewed on my lip as I walked, knowing Troy wasn’t giving me a ride home. Normally, I didn’t have to worry when I arrived and left the school. But there was that sinking feeling that never went away.

I made it halfway through the parking lot when an arm was slung over my shoulders. I was yanked to a stop. “Where are you going?”

I turned my head, looking at Riley. His brown hair was messy, and his brown eyes were narrowed on me.

“I’m going home.”

He smirked. “I can drive you.”

I tried to shake out of his grip. “No.”

His hold only tightened on me. “Does the human think she’s better than the future Alpha? Is that what I’m hearing?”

Human. I’d never hated a word so much in my life. I chewed on my cheek, trying everything in me to keep from crying.

“Just let me go, Riley. I need to get home.”

His arm turned me, his lips turning in a snarl. “That’s never going to happen. You can run and hide all you want, Janella. But I will always find you.”

He let go, and I fumbled backward, slamming into the sidewalk. I tried to catch myself, scraping up my hands as I did. Riley just smirked.

I felt tears burn, and I tried hard to keep them at bay. He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “So, I ask again. Want a ride?”

I bit harder on my cheek and could taste blood now. I could see that everyone was looking at us. Girls were giggling, and the guys were hooting at him. I was the entertainment.

Just then, the space went quiet, and I could see Troy walking down the sidewalk towards us. Suddenly, everyone was moving—everyone but Riley.

“Jan, what are you doing?” Troy stopped, looking between Riley and me. Riley offered my brother a smile, appearing like the hero he liked to portray himself to be.

“She tripped. I was just offering her a ride home.”

Troy looked at me.

I knew that the right thing was to tell my brother. But my brother didn’t deserve to have his life shit on because his sister was less. He was going to be an Alpha, and I didn’t want to hold him back. I didn’t want him to feel he needed to protect me more than he already did.

“You know me…clumsy.” I pulled myself up, and Troy ran a hand over my hair. His eyes were worried, and I wanted to change the subject. “Why are you here? Didn’t you have a meeting?”

“I rescheduled.” He looked at Riley for a moment before looking at me. “You ready to get home?”

I nodded, stepping away from Riley, who hadn’t moved. I walked with Troy and glanced over my shoulder. Riley still hadthat wicked smirk as he watched us walk away. It sent chills down my spine.