Mute And Marked: The Feared Alphas' Mate

4: When It Gets Worse

~Rina~

The first day of lectures at Silverclaw University was far from what I’d hoped for. I walked into the lecture hall with a shaky smile, clutching my notebook tightly, but the stares I received were anything but welcoming. My clothes, already a reminder of how out of place I felt, drew more than a few disparaging glances. I could almost hear the whispers, the judgments behind their eyes.

The room was filled with conversation as students paired off and discussed the course material. I tried to introduce myself through the sign language I’d grown so accustomed to, but no one seemed interested. Most of my coursemates avoided making eye contact, their whispers growing louder as they began to realize I was mute. I could see the shock on their faces when they noticed I wasn’t speaking.

A guy in the front row snorted. “Look at her—can’t even speak. Is she for real?”

His friend chuckled. “Yeah, a mute omega? In this day and age?”

The mocking laughter stung like a thousand needles. I slunk into a seat at the back, hoping to stay out of their way, but it was impossible to ignore the feeling of being an outsider.

The rest of the day was a blur of lectures where no one spoke to me, and I became a silent observer in a room full of voices. I tried to focus on the notes, but the occasional snickers and glances made it hard. When it was time for a break, I hurried out of the classroom, avoiding the crowd as best as I could.

That’s when I saw them—the triplet Alphas, Axel, Ryder, and Kade. They walked down the hall like they owned it, surrounded by their beta, some boys from their pack and a throng of admirers. As soon as I spotted them, I ducked into a nearby alcove, my heart racing. Their presence was intimidating, had an aura of power that made the air feel heavy. I watched in horror as they approached a pair of guys who looked like they were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I couldn’t hear the exact words, but I saw Axel grab one of them by the collar, and in seconds, Ryder and Kade joined in. The boys tried to defend themselves, but it was no use. The Alphas couldn't be stopped, their were blows powerful and earth shattering. The hallway was filled with grunts and the sickening thud of fists against flesh. It was clear no one dared to intervene. The other students watched with fear and fascination, some even cheering quietly.

Syl whimpered in my mind, her fear mirroring my own. ‘They’re dangerous, Rina. We have to stay out of their way.’

“I know,” I signed back, trying to steady my trembling hands. “I just want to get through today.”

After the scene in the hallway, I felt a chill settle over me. The rest of the day was a cruel repetition of the first. At lunch, I found a secluded spot in the bathroom to eat, away from prying eyes. The cold tiles against my back were a small comfort as I ate quickly, trying to stay as invisible as possible.

But even there, I wasn’t entirely safe. Students crowded the cafeteria, and as I walked back to my next class, a few of them deliberately bumped into me, laughing as I stumbled and fell to the floor. I caught a glimpse of their smirks and heard the muted laughter around me. No one offered a hand or an apology; they just walked on, leaving me behind.

Cassandra and her clique had stayed away, but it was clear I had become a point of curiosity, though not the kind I wanted. The mocking and ridiculing seemed to have made me something of an oddity, and though I didn’t have the strength to care about that now, it was evident I was becoming known for all the wrong reasons.

As the day wore on, I tried to prepare myself for the evening. There was a party for the freshers, a common ritual at Silverclaw, but the thought of attending terrified me. I didn’t have any nice clothes, and the idea of being surrounded by more powerful and confident students made me want to hide forever.

Ava must’ve seen the fear in my eyes. When she came by to check on me, she was all smiles, but there was a softness in her gaze. “Hey, Rina. You should come to the party tonight. It’s a good way to meet people and start fresh.”

I hesitated, shaking my head, “I don’t have anything to wear. I’m scared, Ava.”

Her eyes softened even more, and she nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. I’ll lend you something from my closet, and I’ll help with your hair and makeup. You deserve to have a good time.”

Ava’s kindness was soothing. She helped me pick out a simple but elegant dress, and with her guidance, I was able to manage my hair and makeup. For the first time that day, I felt a bit like I belonged. The dress was a bit too fancy for my taste, but it made me feel less like a ragged outsider and more like someone who could at least blend in.

When it was finally time to head to the party, Ava and I walked together, and though my nerves were still frayed, I felt a glimmer of hope. The night held the promise of a fresh start, a chance to maybe, just maybe, find a place where I wasn’t treated like an outcast.

The party at Silverclaw University was in full swing by the time Ava and I arrived. The atmosphere was electric, filled with pulsating music, flashing lights, and a sea of students mingling, drinking, and dancing. For a brief moment, I thought I might actually enjoy myself. Ava squeezed my hand reassuringly, and I could feel a tiny spark of hope as she guided me through the crowd.

“Just stick with me,” Ava said, her voice almost lost in the din of the party. “I’ll introduce you to some people. They’re not as bad as they seem.”

As we approached a group of students who seemed to be having a good time, their confidence was almost evident. They laughed and chatted easily, their auras so commanding that it was like trying to breathe in a room filled with smoke. Despite their intimidating presence, they greeted us warmly. Ava made the introductions, and for the first time that day, I felt like I was being treated with a bit of normalcy. I was still nervous, but their smiles and polite nods were a small comfort.

We stood around with drinks in our hands—red and gold punch, cocktails with shimmering garnishes, and frothy beers. I hesitated, glancing at the array of beverages, unsure of what to choose. The party was lively, with everyone socializing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. I was just beginning to feel somewhat at ease when I noticed Cassandra walking toward me.

Cassandra’s approach was unexpected. Her usual aloof demeanor was replaced with an unnervingly sweet smile. “Rina, right?” she said, her tone overly friendly. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

I was stunned, unsure of what to say. I had expected her to continue ignoring me or worse. She was smiling, complimenting my hair and the borrowed dress that Ava had lent me. “I love your dress and your hair. It’s so... different,” she said, her eyes were filled with curiosity and something else I couldn’t quite place.

Syl’s anxiety flared. ‘Something’s not right. Be careful.’

I nodded, my fingers twisting nervously. Before I could react, Cassandra took my hand, her grip firm but not painful. “Come with me. I want to introduce you to my friends.”

Caught off guard and unsure how to respond, I followed her, my heart pounding. She led me away from the group Ava had introduced me to, and we soon found ourselves surrounded by a new crowd. They were all wearing confident, almost predatory smiles. The air was thick with anticipation, and I felt the weight of dozens of eyes on me.

Then, to my horror, I saw the triplet Alphas—Axel, Ryder, and Kade—approaching. They were followed by their usual group of boys, their faces were masks of feigned surprise when they spotted me.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Axel’s voice was smooth but held a dangerous edge. “If it isn’t our little mute omega.”

Ryder and Kade stood beside him, their were of mockery and amusement. “Looks like someone’s slumming it with the wrong crowd,” Kade sneered.

The entire group erupted in laughter, and my stomach twisted with dread. I tried to step back, but Cassandra’s grip on my arm was unyielding.

“Let me go,” I signed urgently, my heart racing.

But Cassandra just laughed, her eyes cold. “Oh, don’t be shy, Rina. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

Axel stepped forward, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement. “You know, we’ve heard rumors about you. They say you’re mute. What a pathetic little story. Do you think you’re fooling anyone?”

I looked up at him, trying to stay composed, but the fear was overwhelming. I wanted to disappear. Ryder and Kade stood on either side of me, their presence reminder of how small and powerless I was.

Axel gestured to the other boys, and without warning, two of them grabbed me roughly, holding my arms behind my back. I struggled, but their grip was too strong. Ryder and Kade exchanged looks of satisfaction as they handed a series of steaming cups of tea to Axel.

“Time to test your silence,” Axel said, his voice dripping with cruelty. He shoved the cup towards my face. “Drink up. Maybe it’ll help you find your voice.”

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to refuse, but Axel forced the tea into my mouth, the hot liquid burning my throat. I coughed and spluttered, but they didn’t relent, shoving more tea down my throat. I felt like I was choking, the heat and the pressure too much to bear.

Syl was howling in my mind, ‘Rina, hold on! We have to get out of here!’

But it was useless. My sobs and the nonstop laughter of the Alphas and Cassandra filled the air. Cassandra moved closer, pouring beer over my head and down my dress, the cold liquid mixing with the tears streaming down my face. Her laugh was harsh, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“Look at you,” she said, her voice condescending. “A pathetic, useless freak. You thought you could come here and fit in?”

I couldn’t speak, couldn’t even move properly. The heat from the tea and the cold from the beer had left me feeling disoriented and humiliated. My throat was raw, my body trembling uncontrollably. The crowd watched with curiosity and satisfaction, their laughter mingling with the thumping music.

Ava finally pushed through the crowd, her face pale with horror. “Stop this! Leave her alone!” she shouted, trying to intervene. But her voice was barely audible over the noise, and the Alphas ignored her pleas.

I could barely see through my tears, but I caught glimpses of Ava trying to pry the boys away from me, her attempts futile against their strength. I was nothing more than an object of ridicule.

As I sat there, broken and humiliated, I knew this night had been the worst possible start to my new life at Silverclaw. I was an outcast, a target for bullying, and nothing seemed to be going right.