Beta Bully (F/F) - Chapter 26 (Early Access) (Patreon)

Four’s A Party

School passed Darcy by in a blur as she waited for the next weekend outing with Luna. She didn’t get into any trouble, but she could also admit she didn’t pay a great deal of attention to most of her lessons. Dark golden eyes reflected back at her in a dressing room mirror had her heart pounding at random inopportune moments.

By Thursday, she had to give herself a pep talk in the bathroom mirror about staying on track with her classes. She couldn’t disappear into her pack with poor grades, she needed her diploma. Whether she went ahead with that plan or not, she needed her options open.

That lunchtime, her cause for distraction appeared at her back as she dug through her locker. Luna clapped her hands to the metal above her head playfully and she jumped in her skin.

“Luna!” she scolded loudly. She shook her head but couldn’t keep a small smile from her lips. Luna chuckled above her. She shut and locked the locker door before turning around. Whatever she had been about to say to her mate fizzled out on her tongue as she caught sight of their surroundings.

Every dominant in the vicinity had snapped their heads round to them, watching them with sudden, intense interest. Darcy faltered for a moment, confused at the tsunami of attention. It seemed they were waiting for something.

A spark ran through her. Her title. When had she stopped using Luna’s title when addressing her publicly? When had she started using her name in public at all? When Luna bullied her, she had never addressed her in any way - all the better to ignore her. She had no way to explain herself either. Formalities were dropped between friends, people you were close with. She couldn’t say they were close, and she certainly couldn’t say they were friends. Even then, if you weren’t at least sibling-equivalent to someone with a title, you’d still use it publicly out of respect. Darcy wasn’t sure when things had changed. She hoped at least that Luna had been the one to speak informally to her first, since she had a title, too. Although, when she was her bully, she used ‘omega’ like it was a derogative term.

“What’re you looking at?” Luna barked, although her cheerful expression was cemented in place. It was scarier than her angry face when it was stuck like that.

The dominants shrugged and looked around. Waiting for someone with seniority of Beta or above to say something. It was Luna, or a fellow titled dominant, that had the responsibility of saying something in these situations. Wolves called each other how they wished in private, but open flaunting of disrespectful speech needed to be corrected. Darcy watched Luna nervously.

Luna continued with just as much ferocity, “If anyone has a problem with how my mate addresses me, they’re welcome to say so now or mind their own fucking business for the rest of their lives.”

Burning heat tickled Darcy’s cheeks and ears. A soul-mate could address their partner in any way they felt. And her mate had just publicly claimed her. There was no way Luna could be certain Darcy was hers, but she announced it anyway. An innocent part of her wondered if she had accidentally convinced Luna, that MYSTIKA was the seed, but she had fallen for Darcy all by herself. Darcy shrugged her backpack on and did her best to avoid the open-mouthed stares of every person around them. Luna’s body heat and fresh forest scent comforted her from the scrutiny of twenty pairs of eyes.

“Omega Darcy,” Luna said, exaggerating the word ‘omega’ loudly as though it were a grand honour. She popped her elbow out to Darcy, offering her arm politely. “Would you be so kind as to join me for lunch?”

Darcy followed her lead, acting out their silly play for the hallway audience.

“Well, Beta Luna.” She accepted her arm, wrapping her small hands around it and almost hanging off her. “I think I can squeeze you into my very busy schedule,” she replied, barely suppressing a laugh.

“You are too kind, Omega.”

“Not that kind, Beta. You’re paying.”

Luna laughed loudly and lead them to the cafeteria. The eyes on their backs pressed in on her until they rounded the corner of the hallway. A whole new audience was waiting for them in the cafeteria, although most had the grace to sneak glances at the odd couple while they queued for food.

Melody and Reece had a table snagged when they made it out, with Luna carrying their tray. Melody waved to Darcy excitedly, while Reece glowered in Luna’s direction. They approached slowly, and Luna placed the tray onto the end of the table. Darcy slid onto the bench first and Luna followed, despite Reece’s hostile body language.

“Beta Luna, how nice to see you again,” Melody greeted, only slightly awkwardly.

Reece said nothing.

“Nice to see you, too, Melody. How’re you keeping, Reece?”

Reece gave her a once over with his eyes and returned them to his lunch.

“Don’t mind him, he’s a little grouchy,” Melody excused. “But with just one more day till the weekend, you can never stay sour for long!”

“True,” Darcy agreed. “Got any fun plans?”

Melody’s expression flat-lined and she stared at Darcy for a few seconds. “We’re going outfit shopping, Darcy. For Beta Luna’s birthday.”

“Shit!” Darcy exclaimed.

“Looks like we’re double booked,” said Luna.

“I thought you two went shopping last weekend?”

“We did.” Darcy swallowed. “I got… tired so we decided to come back this weekend.”

“Why don’t we go together, then?” said Melody.

Reece shot Melody eye-daggers, but she ignored him.

“You’re Ashen Fur, right?” Luna asked. Melody nodded for them both. “I can pick you up on my way to get Darcy.”

Melody beamed. “That would be great! Thank you!”

Reece appeared nauseas. Melody didn’t notice, swept up in timing arrangements with Luna. Darcy gave him a weak smile that he didn’t return. He said nothing for the rest of lunch.

Come Saturday, Reece had yet to say a word to Darcy regarding Luna, the party, or their shopping trip. She was worried about him, keeping your emotions locked up inside wasn’t healthy. But then, she was one to talk, having kept her soul-mate a secret from them for months.

Luna’s car was waiting for her just outside her pack grounds. Melody and Reece were sat in the back, and Luna pushed open the passenger door for her as she approached. The journey into town was filled with Melody’s chatter and Darcy’s responses to the wild things her friend would occasionally say.

They started with the shop where Darcy had chosen her swimsuit, since it seemed to already cater to her body type. Melody almost had a heart attack when she saw her first few price tags, but Darcy caught Luna leaning down to quietly assure her friend that she would be paying for all their outfits. Melody’s aura brightened to that of a small sun at her words. Reece trailed along behind the girls, uninterested in anything they held up for themselves or him.

Darcy’s dress was prioritised, with Melody snatching up hanger after hanger of ostentatious gowns for her to try. Very little of what Melody picked out was anywhere near Darcy’s plans for a simple knee-length sundress in a bright colour, maybe showing a bit of her back. She let her friend run wild, though, it seemed to make her happy to play dress-up with her.

With overflowing arms, Melody marched them to the changing rooms to do the first round of try-ons. Reece and Luna were left to wait on the cube-shaped velvet chairs on the opposite side of the heavy curtain.

Of course, it was Melody’s choice what she tried on first. She held up multiple dresses to the mirror, comparing the colours and fabrics, while Darcy slipped out of her jeans and t-shirt. Melody settled on a pastel pink silk dress with a skirt that poofed out like flower petals. It definitely wasn’t pool-appropriate, but it would be fun to flounce around in front of the mirror in. Darcy hopped into the hole Melody held open for her and allowed her friend to drag it up and faff with the skirt layers before zipping the bodice.

Melody froze mid-zip. Darcy tilted her head and gave her friend’s reflection a curious look.

“Mel-”

She clapped a hand over Darcy’s mouth and gave her a warning stare in the mirror. She jerked her head in the direction of the curtain and Darcy realised she could hear a quiet conversation taking place just outside. She nodded her understanding and Melody let go of her face. They crept closer to the curtain, listening intently.

“-and you think you can bury your bad behaviour under gifts and presents?” Reece hissed.

“That’s not what this is,” Luna growled back, just as quietly. “She needed a dress for the party.”

“You don’t like the clothes she has? You’re so fat-headed. Why should she have to change for you?”

“She’s not changing anything, she can pick whatever she wants! She was the one that said she had nothing to wear. I just want her to feel comfortable at the party.”

“There is nothing that makes her feel more uncomfortable than you,” Reece seethed. “You’ve pushed her around, and put her down, and treated her like something stuck to the bottom of your shoe. And now you want her to play dress-up for your family and friends? Play the role of dutiful omega mate? Obedient and submissive to you?”

“You’re way out of line.”

“You’ve been out of line for years, wank-wad!”

For a few moments, all the girls could hear was the heavy breathing of the pair outside.

“You’re not wrong, but it’s not your place to say it.” Luna’s voice deepened and roughened. “I’m a beta, you don’t talk to me like that.”

Darcy had heard quite enough.