5: Tick Tock, Princess

IVY.

The school’s library has been my only source of solace these days. In between adjusting to my new life in the palace, Bran making good on his promise of making my life a living hell if I didn't make my mom leave, and avoiding Demi, the library was the only place where I could lose myself in a book and be okay.

The library was just a few steps away when a hand grabbed me and before I could process what was going on, I was being yanked into a semi-dark empty classroom and shoved forcefully to the floor. Pain spread through every single part of my body at the force at which I hit the floor. It was so intense that I couldn't help but wince in pain.

I tried to stand.

“Stay down,” a cold, familiar voice ordered.

I froze, my heart slamming against my ribs as I slowly looked up. My stomach dropped.

Demi.

Of course, it was Demi. No one else would do this to me in school, not even Brandon.

His dark eyes bore down on me, glinting with a sharp, cruel edge. His lips curled into a smirk, but it wasn’t the kind of smirk that hinted at charm. No, this one was twisted, filled with a malice that sent a chill racing through me.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I spat, trying to push myself off the ground.

“I said stay down,” he barked.

The authority in his voice froze me in place. I hesitated, my breath coming in short, shallow bursts. Slowly and reluctantly, I lowered myself back onto my knees. I glared up at him, mustering as much defiance as I could manage despite the fear curling in my chest.

“There she is,” Demi sneered, stepping closer, his shadow stretching over me like a dark cloud ready to burst.

“The almighty Evelyn Hughes. Too good to kneel for anyone, huh? Look at you now.”

I clenched my jaw so tightly it hurt. Anger simmered beneath my skin, mingling with the sting of my scraped palms and the dull ache in my knees. The urge to hit him, to wipe that smug look off his face, burned hot in my chest but I couldn't.

“What do you want, Demi?” I bit out, my voice sharp despite the unease crawling up my spine.

He tilted his head, his dark eyes narrowing as he let out a humorless laugh that sliced through the silence like broken glass. It wasn’t loud or theatrical—it was cold, calculated, and laced with a bitterness that cut deep.

“What do I want?” he echoed, his voice dripping with venom as he leaned down slightly, just enough to loom over me.

“I want to know who the hell you think you are, standing me up like that,” he growled.

For a moment, confusion clouded my thoughts, until it all clicked. The failed meetup. I had somehow forgotten about it which was strange because I knew Demi wasn't going to take my absence lightly.

And here he was, not taking it lightly one bit.

“Demi, I’m sorry,” I started, my voice steadier than I felt. “I couldn’t leave that day because of the protests at the palace.”

“A protest?” he cut me off, his voice rising with incredulous mockery.

His body shifted and his shoulders squared as he stepped closer. Every inch of him seemed to radiate simmering fury, the kind that felt like it could explode at any moment.

“You think I care about your excuses?” His words came sharp and fast and laced with disdain.

“You humiliated me, Ivy. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for me to sit there while my friend laughed at me because my girlfriend couldn’t bother to show up? They already believe the almighty Evelyn wouldn't date me and you just had to embarrass me again.”

“I told you, I couldn’t leave. It wasn’t safe—”

“Oh, right,” he cut me off, waving a hand in the air dramatically as he began pacing in front of me.

“It wasn’t safe for Princess Ivy to leave her precious palace,” he spat, his words soaked in sarcasm so thick it dripped from his tongue.

“Must be nice, huh? Sitting up there, all high and mighty. Thinking you’re better than everyone else. Better than me. What is it now, huh? Too good for an Omega now that you’re playing princess?”

I flinched, my breath catching in my throat.

He never needed to yell to make one feel like shit. He didn’t need to. That smug, biting tone was more than enough.

“I don’t think I’m better than anyone, Demi.”

“Do you?” he challenged, his voice rising again as he stepped closer.

His shadow fell over me completely now, his figure towering as if he wanted to smother me under his presence.

“Because it sure as hell seems like you’ve forgotten your place. Just because your mommy married the Alpha doesn’t mean you’re anything special.”

He crouched slightly, bringing himself down just enough to look me dead in the eye. I could see his expression was a mask of controlled rage, every muscle in his jaw tight with restrained fury.

“You’re still a pathetic, fake princess.”

That cut deep and more than anything else. My hands trembled, balled into fists at my sides, and my anger simmered just below the surface. But I didn’t let it boil over.

Arguing with Demi was like punching a wall—pointless and all you’d get was bloodied knuckles.

“A fake straight-A student. You’re not even as smart as you think you are or are you?” The smile on his face was taunting. I knew very well what he meant and it hurt badly. My eyes stung with unshed tears but I'd never give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

“What do you want from me, Demi?” I forced the words out, hating how small I sounded.

Like a fucking weak human.

Demi moved closer so I could feel his breath against my face—hot and suffocating, like he was trying to choke me with the sheer force of his ego.

“I’ll tell you what I want,” he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous growl.

“Since you embarrassed me, you’re going to make it up to me. And I know exactly how you can do that.”

I braced myself, dread twisting in my stomach like a thousand writhing snakes. Nothing good ever came from Demi’s demands or ideas of payback. In our relationship, he lived for power plays, for taking and taking until there was nothing left to give.

“I need five grand,” he said like he was asking for the time of day.

I stared at him, my jaw practically unhinging. Five grand? Was he out of his goddamn mind?

“Five grand?” I repeated, my voice climbing into disbelief. “Are you insane? I don’t have that kind of money!”

He stood up and straightened himself, brushing imaginary dust from his jeans like he was above all of this.

“You’re a princess now, Ivy. Just ask your stepdaddy to write you a check. He’ll do it, won’t he?” he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

I couldn’t help the sharp laugh that escaped me, though there was absolutely no humor in it.

“I can’t just ask for five thousand dollars!” I shot back, my frustration spilling over. “Do you even hear yourself, Demi? That’s insane!”

Did he think I could just waltz into the Alpha’s study, flash a smile, and ask for a casual five grand like it was spare change? We didn't even have any relationship yet. I've barely even seen him since we moved in.

But Demi didn’t care. He didn’t even flinch. His smirk widened, the glint in his eyes turning predatory as he watched me squirm. He leaned back against the wall slightly, crossing his arms over his chest as though he found my panic amusing.

“I need that money by the end of the week, Ivy,” he said coolly, again, like it was no big deal.

“Demi, please,” I pleaded, my voice thick with desperation, but I didn’t care. “I can’t do this. You’re asking for something I can’t give you.”

But he was already walking away. He didn’t even bother looking back.

“You’ll figure it out,” he said over his shoulder, his tone infuriatingly calm and filled with certainty. “You always do.”

“Demi! Please, don’t do this!” I called after him, my voice breaking as panic clawed at my throat.

He turned back when he got to the door, a cruel smile playing on his lips. I knew there was no way out now. I knew I had to dance to his tunes or face the consequences.

“Tick-tock, Princess," He drummed his finger against the door frame before he walked out, a merry tune on his lips.